Swift reaction to Manning's Senate reappointment

People in Newfoundland and Labrador are reacting strongly to the reappointment of Fabian Manning to the federal Senate.

Some have praised Prime Minister Stephen Harper for reappointing Manning to the Senate after Manning quit his position to run unsuccessfully in the federal riding of Avalon in eastern Newfoundland.

"He's been a great member for the constituents, even in the Senate he proved himself. So, I think he deserves to be back where he is," Avalon resident Philip Stone said Wednesday.

"That's disgusting, absolutely disgusting! I thought he was more honorable than that, but I guess he isn't," said Margaret Kavanagh.

Some residents took it in stride, saying  they expected Manning would return to the Senate.

''Harper will look after his own,' —Scott Bourne, Avalon resident'

"Politics is politics and that's just the way it goes. Not a surprise. Harper will look after his own," said Scott Bourne.

Other people, including the man who defeated Manning in the May 2 federal election, are calling the reappointment a disgrace.

"It's just a mockery of democracy," said Liberal MP Scott Andrews Wednesday.

Andrews said voters made it clear, twice, that they don't want Manning representing them in Ottawa. Manning was elected to represent the riding of Avalon in 2006, but he has now lost two bids to be re-elected in 2008 and 2011.

"Obviously he had nothing to lose, he knew it going into it, quite deceitful actually," said Andrews.

Manning makes history

According to the Parliamentary library in Ottawa, it has been nearly 120 years since a Senator has been reappointed after quitting to run in a federal election.

In that case, though, the Senator won his seat and served his term before getting reappointed.