The American Spectator : Scott Brown's Dilemma

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Scott Brown’s Dilemma

By W. James Antle, III on 12.20.10 @ 6:10AM

Deval Patrick might not strike fear into the hearts of Republicans, but an independent-conservative split should.

BOSTON — Noam Scheiber, writing in the New Republic, says that Barack Obama has found the model that will allow him to win a second term against all odds: the reelection of Deval Patrick as governor of Massachusetts.

Patrick won a second term just months after signing a sales-tax increase at least as unpopular as Obama’s health care bill. He spurned his advisers’ entreaties to run away from the tax hike or the liberals in the state legislature. And he won a second term in “the same foul, anti-incumbent mood that elected Scott Brown.” According to Scheiber, Team Obama has taken notice.

If the president’s men want his reelection campaign to be based on that of a tax-raising Democrat who won 49 percent of the vote in a three-way race in a liberal state, good luck to them. Perhaps they have found a faux Tea Party candidate who can split the center-right vote, a majority even in Massachusetts, for them. But the aforementioned Scott Brown had better take notice of Patrick’s success.

Brown, the Republican elected to fill the last two years of Ted Kennedy’s term in January, will face the voters again in November 2012. He stunned the Democrats in that special election. This time they will see him coming. Faced with a larger than usual number of competitive Republican candidates this past November, Massachusetts Democrats reminded everyone that they are hard to beat without the element of surprise.

Patrick’s two main challengers emulated Brown in certain ways. (A fourth candidate, Green Party nominee Jill Stein, is a perennial also-ran of the left.) Charlie Baker sought to remind the Bay State’s tax-averse silent and slim majority that a two-party system was needed to counteract the Democratic machine on Beacon Hill. But Tim Cahill, the state treasurer, tried to take Brown’s campaign to the next level: he left the Democratic Party and sought to appeal to Scott Brown independents.

Yet both candidates had serious flaws. Baker — a former Harvard Pilgrim CEO and adviser to Govs. William Weld and Paul Cellucci — had extensive ties to both the health insurance industry and past Republican administrations. The latter complicated his message of independence and made him too close to such boondoggles as the Big Dig. Baker also ran as a Weld-Cellucci Republican, hard to the left on social issues rather than finessing them as Brown and Mitt Romney had done.

Cahill tried to appeal to neglected Massachusetts social conservatives almost by microtargeting. Moreover, by running as an independent he could pick and choose wihich issues to be moderate or conservative on, without owning any Republican baggage. The trouble was that he had no track record as an outspoken conservative, whether the issue was Romneycare (which Baker supported and Cahill now opposed) or social issues. Having been burned by former House Speaker Tom Finneran, another allegedly conservative Democrat, voters were understandably suspicious.

Naturally, Baker and Cahill spent most of the campaign attacking each other. The Republican Governors Association spent liberally driving up Cahill’s negatives. Cahill hit back, wrapping RGA Chairman Haley Barbour in the Confederate flag and riling the Republican voters he needed to be a viable candidate. Angered by Baker’s attacks, Cahill refused to drop out even after he was no longer viable. Baker supporters continued to regard Cahill as a Democratic stalking horse. Patrick was able to seem above the fray.

While Brown endorsed Baker, the odds of a Cahill-style independent candidacy against him are small. But the tension between independents, Republican regulars, and Tea Party conservatives will haunt Brown’s reelection campaign as surely as it prevented anyone from getting a clean shot at Deval Patrick.

In the lame-duck session of Congress, Brown cast votes that will please and anger each of these groups. He helped block the DREAM Act amnesty conservatives overwhelmingly opposed but reached out to socially liberal independents by backing the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Brown supported the tax cut compromise. Tea Party conservatives were united in their desire to keep the Bush tax rates, but they were divided over whether it was better to do whatever it took to keep taxes from rising at the beginning of the year or to let the new Congress pass a more durable tax cut without all the accompanying government spending.

Brown kept his promise to be the 41st vote against Obama’s national health care plan. But his election proved to be less of an obstacle to its passage than a bump in the road. Brown broke with Republicans on a Democratic jobs bill that mixed spending increases with tax cuts and the new package of financial regulations. Both of these votes were to show that he was practical, independent, and sympathetic to Main Street rather than Wall Street. Many conservatives who had hoped he would be the 41st vote against every major Democratic initiative nevertheless hoped differently.

Although Baker and Cahill combined got more votes than Patrick, they ran about two points behind Brown. Democrats begin campaigns with a very high floor on their support. Even the disastrous Martha Coakley managed to win 47 percent of the vote. If Brown’s next opponent manages even a modest improvement, he or she will be hard to beat. Democrats and their public-sector union allies also have proven get-out-the-vote operations that can swing close elections when they are fully engaged.

In the special election, Brown was able to appeal to both ideological conservatives and non-ideological voters who had tired of the one-party Democrats’ sense of entitlement. In 2012, both groups of voters may be at each others’ throats. That’s the one area where Democrats may look to Deval Patrick in hopes that Scott Brown’s dilemma can be the national GOP’s.

About the Author

W. James Antle, III, author of the new book Devouring Freedom: Can Big Government Ever Be Stopped?, is editor of the Daily Caller News Foundation and a senior editor of The American Spectator. You can follow him on Twitter @jimantle.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (69) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

mames| 12.20.10 @ 6:20AM

The rest of the country 9is NOT Taxachussetts. Only there would Scott Brown be considered "conservative", OK maybe in NY or CA also. At any rate the most vital role the Tea Party can play is an oppressive, unrelenting pressure on those who call themselves conservative constitutionalist to be held accountable. THAT will be difficult enough.

Spoonman| 12.20.10 @ 7:41AM

Mames, you are so very right about the rest of the country not being taxachussetts, california, new york and I'd add illinois since its generally unable to correct its obsession with electing liberalsto continue their process of imposing financial ruin on the taxpayers based on the results of the last election (Mark Kirk was an anomally). Only in taxachussets and a few select liberal enclaves could someone as enept as duval patrick win reelection.

PJ| 12.20.10 @ 9:15AM

Don't forget "No Hope" Connecticut!

CCS| 12.20.10 @ 10:43AM

Taxachusetts?

Here is some information for you. Scott has voted down EVERYTHING except for the DADT repeal. Now tell me again how he is such a liberal Republican? Or are you a gay hater? Secondly, we in Massachusetts VOTED down a tax cut TWICE now because we know that services need to be paid for somehow. Were not dumb residents because we know that cutting the tax will only get us to where more than 60% of the states are at. That is unable to balance the budget and facing slashes of incredibly important programs like education and police services. Call us "Taxachusetts" if you want to. It only shows your lack of intelligence to understand the consequences of what you suggest.

Socrates Panoluos| 12.20.10 @ 11:35AM

ccs: A serious question. Are you a proud homosexual?

mames| 12.20.10 @ 12:08PM

I hate homosexual behavior, not the person. To tell them their perversion is normal is like telling a cancer patient everything is OK. Unattended they both end in various forms of death and illness. Oh how "loving" it is to tell a homosexual everything is alright when in fact all you are doing is enabling them in their destruction.

judy| 12.30.10 @ 9:36AM

Then don't participate in homosexual behavior and leave gay people alone. Cancer is one of God's ways of killing us, I say; "stay out of God's way and let people die the way God intended. Stop trying to subvert God's will by saving dying cancer patients."

George Field| 12.20.10 @ 12:57PM

CCS you are so obviously a far lefty because you feel, as do all far lefties, that you must insult someone's intelligence because they have a difference opinion than yours.

Sam| 12.21.10 @ 8:07PM

Careful George, our side does it too.

Purple Lips| 12.20.10 @ 1:44PM

My sentiments exactly. Brown has his uses. And we knew all along that he would vote with the libs on the social issues. We should save our anger for those other "conservatives" like Ensign and Burr.

Indy Voter| 12.20.10 @ 1:47PM

He voted for "financial reform" written by Dodd / Frank and it did nothing to reel in Freddie Mac / Fannie Mae, it transferred vast powers to the executive branch, created an agency which now will track every single credit card transaction of every person in this country...I will not be supporting his re-election.

James| 12.20.10 @ 3:31PM

Please remember that Scott Brown opposed repeal of DADT until the very last moment when after thousands of calls and emails form those of us in Massachusetts he changed his position. He flipped twice on this....the second time was in favor of upholding the Massachusetts Constitution of equality. The people will not forget these flips and his reluctance to support repeal. The article is not quite accurate on this point.

Tom| 12.20.10 @ 7:41AM

Brown served his purpose by getting elected and sending a strong message about Obamacare, and encouraging Tea Party activists by showing that "it can be done."

Now he's just another semi- if not total RINO, slightly better than the twins from Maine.

Were I a MA voter, next time I'd probably sit out that race. Specter, Chafee et als. have shown us that RINO's stab knives in our backs at the worst possible times, and help from within to keep the GOP from protecting the Constitution. We're better off without them.

ccs| 12.20.10 @ 10:44AM

Don't be daft. Just about every MA resident will tell you that Brown got elected in because Coakley was such a bad candidate.

Harry O'Connell| 12.20.10 @ 4:07PM

I am a republician from Ma with a son deployed,2nd time, and a vet. this next election If Brown runs I will sit on the side lines or work for a true republican.

Ed| 12.22.10 @ 8:09AM

I live in RI, sent $ to the Brown campaign, and worked the phones for him, not again. i had a false hope it might rub of on RI. The northeast is doomed.

James| 12.23.10 @ 5:43PM

Remember, Scott Brown has never been in active duty. He is a JAG in the Reserves which means a rather cushy duty. He is a fraud including the $900.00 Barn Jacket and the truck used to haul hay to his daughter's horses. Great props. Nevertheless, Romney is still his mentor for conning the people and Romney was the expert.

Curly Smith| 12.20.10 @ 8:06AM

I'm confused. I'm told repeatedly that Establishment Republicans in the mold of Mike Castle are the way to win the votes of "moderates". Now you're telling that RINOs running as Conservatives have no credibility? That given the choice between a RINO and a Democrat the "moderate" will choose the Democrat every time? It seems to me that you've finally come around to the Tea Party view that the GOP is a sham Conservative organization, that the GOP's real intent is to elect Democrats and advance a socialist agenda.

martin j smith| 12.20.10 @ 8:22AM

I do not live in Mass, but I do live in an equally odius state in the NE. I do not want socialism and I oppose the Democrat Socialist agenda. I see RINOS as Socialists. That said, my primary hope is to defeat the LEFT first then to fight for the very best policies. Scott Brown is half a loaf and to some degree has served his purpose. Yet would you allow a Socialist to win if you did not like your options. I think the primaries serve that purpose to allow different options to compete. The Tea Party can educate the voter about the various options and chose their preference explaining why. Tea Party leaders should educate voters about how Socialism in America will harm them . Then, as in Nevada and other states let the voters chose. Better to get rid of a real RINO like Castle for example. Then there is the issue of the Politics of Mass itself. I hate use the word "Realistic" but I will. As always who is the best possible candidate that CAN WIN NOW ?
Is it worth losing even when you run on strict principles ? All of these issues need to be thought thru. But in my view:

THOSE WHO SIT OUT ELECTIONS ARE FOOLS, ESPECIALLY IN THESE TIMES.

chris haynes| 12.20.10 @ 8:28AM

Scott Brown Another proud member of Republicans for Abortion ,the biggest holocaust in history.

Clint| 12.20.10 @ 9:14AM

We Tea Party Rebels will "Arlen Ex- Specterate " the RINO-CINO cheap political opportunist Scotty Boy Brown.

The executive director of the media arm of the Tea Party Patriots is livid. "His career as a senator of the people lasted slightly longer than the shelf life of milk," Shelby Blakely told The Boston Globe.

"The general mood of the Tea Party is, 'We put you in, and we'll take you out in 2012.' This is not something we will forget," Blakely said.

hunter| 12.20.10 @ 9:34AM

The reelection of patrict of 49% ain't nothing to crow about. Shameful. Sort of like saying hairy reeds reelection is a mandate for more far left wing crazies give it all away, tax and spend then raise taxes, take away rights, then raise more taxes, then in the end blame somebody else. The former great state of Massesusedtobetusses now represents the epitimany of the cess pool of liberal behaviour.

Sid Vicious| 12.20.10 @ 4:52PM

I've always preferred "Commonwealth of Masochism," myself. Just look at the sort of politician its voters keep re-electing, over and over...

Dustoff| 12.20.10 @ 9:49AM

Guys, guys. It's TAXachussetts, what do you expect. Were talking about the state of Kerry & Kennedy.

If they wish to tax themselves to death, so be it.

Tom| 12.20.10 @ 1:41PM

Why is it TAXachussetts when they only rank 23rd in terms of state and local tax loads?

Yeah, it is liberal. Yeah, government is intrusive. Yeah, the Red Sox suck. But its state and local tax loads are LESS than the national average.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/460.html

MoeBlotz| 12.21.10 @ 1:55AM

The first time I heard the term TAXachusetts was in 1978 while in South Windsor,CT. At that time Machussets* had higher taxes than all neighboring states. *New spelling,since the residents sent their ass to Washington.

Martin J Smith| 12.20.10 @ 9:55AM

Given Mass politics: Who would you rather have ? Choice #1 your typical Democrat Lefty or #2 An Economic Free Marketeer who supports American Exceptionalism yet is not a Social Conservative ?

Proud Mormon| 12.20.10 @ 10:30AM

I've got news for tea baggers, another Mass. politician named Mitt Romney will sweep the GOP primaries and enter the White House 1/20/13 as our next President, count on it.

George True| 12.20.10 @ 11:02AM

Teabaggers? Really? You inject a (homo) sexual perjorative into a discussion about RINO's?

Wayne | 12.20.10 @ 1:29PM

You are not doing Romney any good by calling many of us tea baggers.

James| 12.20.10 @ 3:41PM

Please! Romney was one of our worst Governors. He lied, flip flopped and cheated. When leaving office he drastically slashed the budget during his last days so that he would leave a balanced budget, knowing full well our new Governor would have to restore the cuts or the State would stop running. He supports Brown and vice versa.....sort of tells us something about the pair of them.

Al Adab| 12.20.10 @ 3:41PM

So proud one, your religious prejudice trumps your philosophical one. Ahh well, we Gentiles understand that world view. Remember however, Mitt is still his father's son and George opposed Goldwater and the Conservative Movement to his dying day.

Ken (Old Texican)| 12.20.10 @ 10:50AM

I thank God I don't live in Somalia............... or Massachusetts.
Scott Brown lives there, bless his heart.
He has to walk on hottttt coals every day of his political life.
If he and the Maine Ladies can shoot a silver bullet for us ...just occasionally...I shall be content.

The subject does bring to mind a related issue in my mind though.
Mitt Romney has gone through the same wringer. Bottom line, he too has a "seared conscience".
(Biblical reference. Look it up in your concordance).
He literally does not have a clue left as to where "right-center" is.
We MUST elect a committed "roll-back" President...with great big brass ones...of somethings or the others.

John Jarrell| 12.20.10 @ 10:53AM

A well-timed article to remind everyone that the People's Democratic Republic of Massachusetts is alive and well. As for Sen. Brown, everyone should remember that a Republican from Mass. is still a Republican from Mass. This means he has far more in common with RINOs Collins and Snow that he does with Palin and Jindal.

Howard| 12.20.10 @ 11:28AM

This article is somewhat misleading. The fact is, yes, Gov. Patrick did win re-election. However, lost in this piece is the fact that the Democrats won all statewide offices, including the Treasurer and Auditor. Both of the Democrats were clearly inferior to their GOP rivals. But, in this deep-blue state, the Democratic machine was able to bring out their base in huge numbers. If, I'm Obama, I would not use Patrick as a role model. The rest of the country is more to the Right than here, in the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts.

martin j smith| 12.20.10 @ 11:39AM

I notice one post from a person ( ? ) who uses the moniker Proud Mormon. But Proud Mormon who is a tea bagger ? Could that be you ?

And then there is a choice In Mass: A Lefty or Scott B ? What is your pleasure ? I would not be thrilled but I would go with Scotty baby if that is the choice .

Let me add in NYState we had a terrible "choice" for GOV. Adrew Cuomo verssus this guy Paladino. Sadly, Paladino was a terrible campaigner and really not a good choice as a Tea party Rep. he had the right ideas economically but he really shot himself in the foot so often that it was over before the election. We need candidates who make sense and can connect with voters. Paladino did neither . I voted For him knowing full well be would lose big time, but just as an Anti-Democrat vote. But he was bad news.
We need candidates who have skills to run a campaign smartly. Even if you disagree with SB on many issues, he knows how to run a campaign and to communicate. Lets look for such people.

davelnaf| 12.20.10 @ 11:50AM

If Obama and his minions are thinking along these lines its better for the country not to give them a heads up on how delusional this line of reasoning is: taking the bluest of blue states as a template for the Obamster’s run in 2012? Oddly enough it could suggest that even Obama believes the unthinkable is likely to happen.

Understandably, the Bamster needs a second term, not to screw things up any more than he has—he would, but because his ego probably could not take the loss. And, given what their lame duck trash tried to pull off recently, it must give certain Democrats that know him well the willies to think of what he might do in the months after losing in November 2012.

Pete2| 12.20.10 @ 12:19PM

It's really piling up on this site now. Is Antle a conservative? It's getting harder and harder to tell these people apart. Brown voted for DADT repeal. He's also pro- abortion. Maybe he doesn't like tax increases but what has he done to reduce spending? It seems the biggest enemies true conservatives have are pusedo-conservatives. No wonder we always end up on the short end. We elect "fiscal" conservatives but "social" liberals. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

Tom| 12.20.10 @ 1:44PM

As the junior most member of the minority party exactly what do you wish him to do to cut taxes?

JP| 12.20.10 @ 1:47PM

He voted down the Omnibus Spending Bill.

Wayne | 12.20.10 @ 1:31PM

Personally I hope the Tea Party rejects Brown and supports someone else. If the GOP loses this Senate position so be it. A RINO is a blue state is more a problem than they are worth.

Adios To The Stupid Party!| 12.20.10 @ 1:45PM

Exactly right Wayne. I'm from Pennsylvania & Arlen Specter was exactly what you described. A RINO in a "blue" state who was more of a problem than he was worth. But good luck getting other Stupid Party voters to see this. Where Democrats will not settle for anything less than leftist candidates ("Blue Dogs" are a sham. There is NOTHING conservative about them. Period.) The Stupid Party will cave & elect their own Democrats in Stupid Party clothing. This will never change, no matter how much damage RINOs do year after year. Take care Wayne, Merry Christmas & GOD bless! Scott Brown doesn't have a dilema. He IS a dilema!

Wayne | 12.20.10 @ 2:34PM

Merry Christmas to you also.

Rust Belt Ronnie| 12.20.10 @ 9:13PM

PA ain't any where near as blue as Taxachusetts is! The Blue Dogs were sent back home with their tails between their legs here and now the Republicans control the Governorship, the House and the Senate! Don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen in Mass! Obama won't even have to campaign there to win.

Derek Leaberry| 12.20.10 @ 1:43PM

I wonder how many sodomite votes Brown will win due to his stabbing soldiers in the back on Saturday. Probably not many. He's going down in 2012.

Purple Lips| 12.20.10 @ 1:46PM

I say we have Christine O'Donnell move to MA and run against Brown. You did so well in Delaware!

Clint| 12.20.10 @ 3:29PM

We Tea Party Rebels say We throw Obama, Bawney Fruit & Scotty RINO-CINO Opportunist Brown Out in 2012.

Occam's Tool| 12.20.10 @ 10:24PM

Dear Clint:

You happen to be right about Brown, but this description of your married life as a terrorist supporter from The Nose On Your face is to funny to pass up, so here goes (in short, as you've pointed out when I have been correct, you still don't like me, so):

Ask Islamic Rage Boy: Volume VIII
Dear Islamic Rage Boy:I am a young Muslim woman living in Pakistan, and I desperately need your advice. My father recently gave me to one of his friends as a bride. I was not thrilled with the choice, but being a devout follower of Allah and the Qu’ran, I have decided to make the best of it. I find that if I breathe evenly through my mouth (depending on where he is in his shower cycle, it can get rather odorous) and concentrate on a spot on the ceiling, it’s usually over pretty quickly, praise be to Allah.

Anyway, the reason I’m writing is concerning the beatings. While I understand this is his way of showing his love for me, I find it difficult to tend to my wifely duties with broken fingers. Is there a way to bring up this subject without incurring his wrath?

Sincerely,

Cowering In Kandahar
Dear Cowering:

Please take the following steps.

1. Turn-off and unplug your computer.

2. Throw it over the edge of the nearest cliff.

3. Making sure to first cover yourself, go outside.

4. Find a round rock that fits comfortably in your palm. Nothing too smooth.

5. Say the following: “I am sorry, dear Allah, for using modern technology,” over and over again.

6. Bash the rock repeatedly into your skull until unconscious.

Thank you,
Islamic Rage Boy

P.S. If by chance you survive the encounter, do not even consider the possibly of having your laptop repaired. We will be monitoring you a bit more closely from now on.

James| 12.20.10 @ 3:50PM

The most important decision the Dems have to make is who to run against Brown. They screwed up big last time with all of the candidates. They better get it right next. We need to get rid of Brown. He is more attached to his ambition and the GOP than he is to the people of Massachusetts. The $900.00 brown barn coat and truck used to haul hay to his daughter's horses are in storage as props.

Mel Blanc| 12.20.10 @ 3:54PM

"Operation: RINO" (a Stupid Party cartoon production)
RINO candidate at front door: "Allow me to introduce myself, my name is R.E. Publican, genius. I am not selling anything, nor am I working my way through college, so let's get down to cases. You are a conservative voter & you are going to vote for me. Now don't try to get out of it, I am much smarter, more cunning, and I know better than you & besides, I am a genius. Why you could hardly pass the entrance examinations to kindergarten. So, I will give you the customary two minutes to say your prayers."
Conservative voter inside home: "Look RINO, the lady of the house ain't home & besides, we sent you RINOs a check last week!" (slams door in RINO's face)
RINO candidate walking away from front door of home: "Why do they always have to do it the hard way?!"
Yes everyone, this cartoonization of The Stupid Party perfectly encapsulates the way these RINOs calling the shots feel about conservative voters. I don't know about anyone else but for me, "That's All Folks!"

Jack| 12.20.10 @ 4:46PM

It seems to be working for the trolls. Start a conversation that points fingers at the Republican Party so they can continue on their merry socialist agendas while you spout craziness at each other. Pretty soon they won't need trolls you can just keep talking crap about who is the real conservative. This is all about getting rid of socialists if it takes 2 years or 20 years but the end result needs to be kick the commies out.

Dan| 12.20.10 @ 4:53PM

Obama won the presidency with the perfect storm. A hatred for George Bush and white guilt. That will not happen again. This time he will have to run on his record. The elected Republican governors and redistribution due to the census will not help him either. Just imagine what Obama will do to the country if he gets re-elected and doesn't have to worry about another term. America will become Bulgaria.

Negro X| 12.20.10 @ 6:46PM

All liberals, RINOS and other consevative pretenders must be beaten sensless at the ballot box, anything else is failure..

9th ID| 12.20.10 @ 8:26PM

I don't care who wins in MA as long as it isn't Scott RINO Brown. DADT was the last straw. At least with a Liberal you know what you're getting. No more of the lesser of two evils...

PCP Smoker| 12.20.10 @ 8:45PM

It's possible, but unlikely. Splitting of the vote only occurred when moderate republicans lose primary elections. We will select a serious candidate, no, no Mike Huckabee or Mitt Romney, and move forward to present a good argument to the nation.
Also, Scott Brown just threw away any vote from the right. He is going down in defeat.

GENE HAUBER| 12.20.10 @ 11:18PM

I LOVED SCOTT BROWN WHILE HE RAN FOR OFFICE, BUT, BUT now that he is in office he is a betrayer. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT HE WOULD SUCCUMB TO THE LEFIST'S AGENDA, NONE AT ALL, BUT HE HAS.
As an Army colonel, albiet retired, he should represent his constitutients as faithful voters and he has betrayed them, BIGTIME.HE IS A SCHMUCK OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

Jenny| 12.21.10 @ 12:08AM

The notion that Deval Patrick's re-election is some sign of a promise of Obama being re-electable is farcical. Patrick didn't win re-election in Massachusetts because he was the popular choice, he retained his seat, because the Massachusetts republican party's new leadership, were RINOs that were hostile to the teaparty, and in bed with the same types that have been pushing an extreme leftist agenda in the state for years.

These RINO state party chairs threatened republican candidates running for state and federal offices that they would lose party support, endorsements and financing if they went to teaparty rallies, if they supported pro-family, conservative issues. They alienated voters, across the board.

They hand picked RINO candidates for governor and lt governor (they posed with leatherman in Boston's gay pride parade, promised the gay papers they would rubber stamp every extremist indoctrination effort gay extremists wanted pushed in our schools. They were so horrid, republicans, independents and even democrats who would have voted for a real, principled republican candidate who "got it", either felt Patrick would be the lesser of two evils, or they just didn't vote for governor/lt governor.

Scott Brown was a mistake, a vain fraud. He hired former Kennedy staffers, and apparently made it known he was malleable. He foolishly believes he can twist in the wind, and it will make him an attractive candidate for democrat voters.. that his democrat colleagues will support him, they are using him and consider him a useful idiot they'll be able to pick off in 2012, because he's made himself weak and unattractive to the voters who trusted him initially. This will be the fate of the republicans in the senate who are selling us out by voting for the START treaty and travesties like the so called food modernization act they just gave way on.

peaches1| 12.21.10 @ 12:39AM

Brown will soon learn dictators don't have friends; only sacrifices.

libertyfreedom| 12.21.10 @ 3:41AM

Please get it straight. Patrick was elected by the Massachusetts MACHINE. The same group of thugs behind Obama.

Massachusetts has many supporters of Scott Brown. Anyone in Massachusetts who is not part of the "Beacon Hill/Kennedy crowd", AND THAT NUMBER IS GROWING, will support Scott Brown in the next election.

The corruption here in Massachusetts has reached toxic levels with the likes of Barney Frank, and decent people are not going to take it anymore. The odious mess has attracted national attention, and the power brokers here in this state can no longer ignore the fact that the political thugs they have hired can no longer deliver. Propping up the Machine had become too costly and publically humiliating.

judy| 12.30.10 @ 10:22AM

"THE MACHINE" is made up of people.

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