G.O.P. Senate Victory Stuns Democrats (3)
BOSTON — Scott Brown, a little-known Republican state senator, rode an old pickup truck and a growing sense of unease among independent voters to an extraordinary upset Tuesday night when he was elected to fill the Senate seat that was long held by Edward M. Kennedy in the overwhelmingly Democratic state of Massachusetts.
By a decisive margin, Mr. Brown defeated Martha Coakley, the state’s attorney general, who had been considered a prohibitive favorite to win just over a month ago after she easily won the Democratic primary.
With all precincts counted, Mr. Brown had 52 percent of the vote to Ms. Coakley’s 47 percent.
“Tonight the independent voice of Massachusetts has spoken,” Mr. Brown told his cheering supporters in a victory speech, standing in front of a backdrop that said “The People’s Seat.”
The election left Democrats in Congress scrambling to salvage a bill overhauling the nation’s health care system, which the late Mr. Kennedy had called “the cause of my life.” Mr. Brown has vowed to oppose the bill, and once he takes office the Democrats will no longer control the 60 votes in the Senate needed to overcome filibusters.
There were immediate signs that the bill had become imperiled. House members indicated they would not quickly pass the bill the Senate approved last month.
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Related:
Republican victory delivers devastating blow on Obama’s first anniversary
Popularity: 4% [?]
Male, retired and the rest is of little interest to anyone. The site keeps me busy and if it helps others to stay abreast of daily events then my time is well spent.
Cunctator Says:
It is a great day for those in the US who oppose Obama. The question is whether the Republicans will be able to capitalise on Brown’s vuctory in a way that gives them momentum into the mid-terms. So far, at least, they have been able to rely on the policies of the fool in the White House — and to some degree they will continue to do so. However, just as the election in Mass. was a referendum on Health Care, I think the Republicans must now start to assemble a coherent alternate programme, rather like the Contract with America that Newt Gingrich used back in the early Clinton era.
Posted on January 20th, 2010 at 8:49 am
dora Says:
Massachussetts now owns the start of the American conservative revolution — based almost solely on individualism grounded in independence. Apparently seven more seats are coming up for grabs.
Scott Brown and upcoming colleagues now should move in concert with some prescient bankers’ opinions and shift the focus to the role of private industry in driving up jobs. The onus is on private industry as of now. That’s the priority trail to pursue.
Notable is the fact that Coakley apparently only appeared 19 times on the campaign trail. So, the question is really was it such a ‘stunning upset?’ Clearly, the need for bi-partisan decisions is on the mat now as never before.
Posted on January 20th, 2010 at 10:07 am
beentheredonethat Says:
The Republicans better get their act together and soon. Most of the dinosaurs still hanging around the GOP including the relative new comer Michael Steele are unimpressive and presenting few new ideas. The Tea Party movement enjoys near equal if not more support in America and it’s not even a political party for cripes sakes. Somebody better light a fire underneath the GOP and it better be soon and it better be hot. Same old same old just isn’t going to cut it with Americans anymore, on both sides. As one Democratic analysis said this morning, this is the canary in the coalmine for their party and they’d better sit up and pay attention. By the way, if anybody thought the attacks on Sarah Palin were already vicious, just wait for the rat’s to crank up the rhetoric as they get backed further and further into the corner and their fear turns into terror.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30298.html
Posted on January 20th, 2010 at 10:32 am
dora Says:
Americans are fed up with the insider corruptocrats (best named here). The smart GOPers will walk lock step with this movement — which is a ‘tax revolt.’
The private sector needs to move now, hiring back, hiring people at living wages, no matter the cost. OR the country is not coming back. I think the reality is sinking in, but faster is what’s required.
OT it should go under Haiti thread. The devastation is so complete that it would make more sense to evacuate it entirely and relocate the people in as many countries that will accomodate them temporarily or permanantly UNTIL the country (non-existant) is rebuilt.
The earthquakes could happen anywhere. They are already being recorded in Los Angeles (two rumblings within two weeks), Guatemala and off coast of Cayman Islands. But instead of concentrating efforts amidst the devastation, evacuations are the only way to address the situation with any degree of sincerity or purpose.
Posted on January 20th, 2010 at 10:44 am
beentheredonethat Says:
So comforting that the Haitian government is urging people to board buses for the countryside for their own safety. Minor problem. The bus fare is $8.00 one way, that’s the equivalent of 3 days wages for the average person. So just how in God’s name does the government think the people can comply/afford to do so. This has got UN written all over it for its utter stupidity (charging bus fare) .
Posted on January 20th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Undecided Voter Says:
New Poll:Most dont want Sarah Palin to run for President
A new CBS news poll finds that a large majority of americans say they do not want former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to run for President.
http://rfrubio.newsvine.com/_news/2010/01/19/3777434-poll-most-dont-want-sarah-palin-to-run-for-president-political-hotsheet-cbs-news
Has the shine gone?
Posted on January 20th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Joe Says:
Well UV I’m certain that most Americans don’t want Owebama to run in ’12 either. I wonder where the shine went?
Posted on January 20th, 2010 at 7:48 pm