During their first debate,
I did not think Scott Brown acquitted himself well against
Elizabeth Warren.
This was not the case during their second debate tonight at
UMass Lowell which was moderated by David Gregory of
NBC’s Meet the Press.
Brown was far more confident, relaxed, self assured and, unlike
the first debate, had Warren on the defensive concerning her
alleged Native American heritage, her role with LT Steel and
Travellers Insurance and her hypocrisy on the Buffett Rule. He was
also able to handle Gregory’s questions about distancing himself
from Mitt Romney quite effectively emphasizing that he did not work
for either Obama or Romney but the people of Massachusetts.
Brown also pulled a Newt Gingrich and challenged Gregory. At the
outset of the debate, Gregory said there were no debate rules. But
when Brown wanted to respond to a criticism by Warren, Gregory
demanded he answer his question about Mitch McConnell. Brown said
he would answer the McConnell question after he responded to
Warren. Gregory demanded he answer the McConnell question but Brown
stood firm winning applause from the audience (which I would say
was mostly pro-Warren) and Gregory relented.
Warren didn’t help herself concerning the Native American issue
by saying she answered a question at a noisy press conference she
didn’t hear. Brown countered that it took her five weeks to correct
himself.
Warren also had an awkward moment when Gregory asked her which
Republican in the Senate to whom she could reach out.
Her reply? Dick Lugar.
Well, easy for Warren to admire a Republican who will soon no
longer be in the Senate. Aside from saying she agreed with
Republicans on reforming Fannie & Freddie, she could not name a
single Republican with whom she would be willing to work.
Yes, it’s true that Brown also spoke of his admiration for Lugar
as well as the dynamic duo of Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. For
good measure, Brown also said he would support John Kerry being
named Secretary of State praising his “good knowledge of foreign
affairs.” This would be the Kerry who has been Assad’s biggest
apologist. But then again this is Massachusetts. Bay State voters
have elected Kerry to the Senate six times. So while Brown’s praise
of Kerry might not sit well with conservatives, it will help with
Massachusetts voters.
On the other hand, when Brown was asked which Supreme Court
justice he admired most he was booed when he mentioned “Scalia.”
Seconds later he went down the line from Kennedy to Roberts to
Sotomayor. The booing didn’t die down. I know Brown is selling
himself as bi-partisan but Massachusetts wants a liberal Senator
then they’ll pick the real liberal.
Still, I think Brown got the better of Warren and I suspect more
people probably watched this debate than the first debate. I am
sure the Brown campaign is far happier now than it was ten days
ago.
