Today, Massachusetts Finally has a Choice – Brown vs. Coakley – U.S. Senate Race

For what seems like decades the voters of Massachusetts have had few choices if any when it came to most state elections, however, today the choice is there, in the form of one State Senator, Scott Brown. It is not so much that names have not been on the ballot, not that other candidates in the past were not worthy to hold a seat in the State Legislature, the Governor’s office, the U.S. Congress or the U.S. Senate, it has been a battle of name recognition and the quality candidate combined that turned the Commonwealth that gave history a Republic in the new world, into a state the pundits consistently called “Safe Democrat”. It has been so lopsided as far as one political party is concerned, that most often another name is not even on the ballot. In the past, when going to the polls, one found oneself focused on the ballot initiatives more than the actual candidates.

Today, voters go to the polls in Massachustts with a clear choice to fill a vacant U.S. Senate Seat – on one side they have Scott Brown, a Republican from Wrentham, MA who has been a State Senator for three terms. Brown is part of a small group of Republican’s that sit with a majority of Democrats on Beacon Hill. In 2006, this blog found Scott Browns website for constituent services and became interested in the Republican from Wrentham. His monthly newsletters to constituents here are filled with tips for constituents, and updates about what is happening in their government. In subscribing over a period of years, one found that Brown takes care of his constituents, listens to their needs, and offers suggestions. In addition, he does not always vote party line, but weighs the value of each piece of legislation regardless of the source before making a decision. This is the type of legislator that every district in Massachusetts would welcome. Brown, a conservative, is also a moderate, not too far to the right, nor too far to the left, but pragmatic when looking at a given issue. In other words, someone with some common sense and intelligence with a love of country that is apparent by his thirty years of service in the National Guard.

Martha Coakley, a former district attorney from Middlesex County and in her first term as Attorney General for the Commonwealth, is a different story. It is not so much that Martha Coakley is not a good Attorney General, or that she hasn’t done her best for her constituents in that particular position, however, her qualifications hardly suit her for the State Senate, let alone the U.S. Senate. It is not her decision making process, it is her extreme devotion to party over the people of the Commonwealth that makes Coakley the least desirable candidate in this particular race.

This Senate race has garnered a great deal of national attention, but it is, and remains, the race of the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In all the endorsements, visits from party dignitaries and a great deal of advertising, robo-calls and the like, the only deciding factor is the actual candidate and that candidates qualifications to best represent Massachusetts, not for a party, not for a President’s agenda, but for the people. In the past several years, Brown has made that his priority, and in this campaign, his sincerity in his promise to continue to do so, is what makes him the most qualified to be the next U.S. Senator from Massachusetts.

Throughout this campaign, in speaking to those who would vote in Massachusetts, one simple instruction was given, investigate both candidates and then make a decision. A candidate, regardless of party, should be “given” a seat, or “entitled” to a seat, because of party, but because of a proven record. The last week or two saw advertising that was so chock full of fabrication (politely put) regarding Senator Brown’s record (which is available online), that it smacked of desperation, and arrogance. Arrogance that the good people of the Commonwealth lacked common sense and would do as they were told: vote for the President’s Agenda. The ads barely mentioned Martha Coakley as candidate.

One cannot predict the outcome of today’s election, although polls are giving Brown the edge, and Scott Brown clearly has the momentum, rest assured nothing has been taken for granted. Last night felt like Christmas Eve all over again, and that’s a rare feeling for moderate conservative thinkers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As we head to the polls in approximately an hour, the choice is there, and as the country watches, rest assured, the people were given a choice, they reacted to the choice, and, after the dust settles, and a decision has been made by the people. Side note: spotters from both parties (including unenrolled) will be in place at each polling station throuout the Commonwealth). Finally, regardless of the newspaper endorsements, regardless of the pundits from both inside and outside the Commonwealth and regardless of the perception that Massachusetts belongs to one political party – the Commonwealth belongs to its citizens.
Polls open at 7 am and close at 8 pm.

The next races to watch U.S. Congressional: The Hampden 2nd and the Massachusetts 4th District.