Harry Reid and Scott Brown (AP)
Massachusetts Sen Scott Brown's announcement that he's ready to support the financial reform bill is good news for Democrats maybe not so much for Republicans, and possibily a disappointment for his once enthusiastic Tea Party supporters.
Democrats, who need 60 votes to push the bill through the Senate, are still pushing Maine's moderate GOP Sens Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, and Chuck Grassley of Iowa to cross the aisle and support the bill.
While Democrats got something they wanted --a Republican vote-- Brown got what he wanted: Scrapping of a $19 billion tax hike for banks.
Brown's emergence as a key vote in the financial reform debate suggests that the first-term senator has hit on a winning political formula: "Toe as right-wing a line as you can without alienating the political middle." This is key to securing votes and, says the New Republic magazine, "if Democrats are going to be successful this November, they'll have to figure out a way to seize the territory that Brown currently holds."
Republicans are also having to learn that lesson, though they may not like it. New York magazine reports that John McCain wasn't too thrilled to find himself forced to campaign alongside Scott Brown in order to shore up his own re-election bid, and canceled a dinner date with Brown after the Massachusetts senator started dispensing campaign advice.
So, are Tea Party voters still claiming Scott Brown as one of their own? Brown has so far represented an all but extinct breed: a politician who puts the interests of the nation and its people ahead of political interest. More specifically, he sees something more important than making President Obama look bad.
Is the financial reform bill perfect? Oh course not. No bill can be perfect when different people want different things. It's called compromise --a lost art in the Senate for quite some time. Certainly there are pieces in any bill about which either side can applaud or scream, but that's how our government was set up.
But for all the talk of being the "41st Senator" (thus denying the Democrats their supermajority), Scott Brown sure has a knack for delivering that 60th vote for Harry Reid and Co. in a pinch.
Comments
We need to get Scott Brown out. We were "tricked".
Scott Brown is a POS, in other words he's a normal egotistical maniacal sociopath politician.
Scott Brown you have lost the trust of every American in Mass. who voted for you which you said then to oppose and stop President Obama anti-American agenda.God knows what is in your heart and you have sold your soul to the devil. You may profit from you current direction but God will take out his justic on your siblings--per the Bible. God forgive him because I can not.You are a disappointment to your family and friends. I guess you still have Harry Reid and Obama to love you. Larry
Secret Service - that Larry comment from 10:39 sounds like a threat against Scott Brown's family. I hope that they catch that lunatic before he kills someone.
Mr. Scott,
What happen to you? This is not what you said you would do.
Dear Scott,
I came to your aid with a campaign donation. Now I come to you to entreat you not to vote for the financial reform bill. I deeply believe that what our country desperately needs is DECREASED government spending and regulation and lower taxes-----not what the bill is presenting. PLEASE RECONSIDER YOUR DECISION! Our country desperately needs your CONSERVATIVE approach!
Scott Brown wants to get re-elected in 'LIBERAL' Massachusetts, Hw used the 'TEA BAG'!!! HA, HA!!!
tvlady says:
"Mr. Scott,
What happen to you? This is not what you said you would do."
wake up...how many tea party politicians did you know 2 years ago? suddenly they are crawling out of the woodwork and saying everything you want to hear...guess what? most tea party politicians couldn't care less about the tea party...they only want the "anger" vote...next decade, there will me a new "movement" and all these conservative politicians will call themselves that new name as long as you will vote for them. (you really thing Sarah Palin is tea party???? her role is to act like the tea party, then bring you right back into the republican party...don't think so? demand that she turn her back on the republican party and join the TEA Party)
So walrus have you thought about seeking professional help concerning your obsession with Sarah Palin?
walrus knows everything he's my hero.
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