U.S. Senator Scott Brown – The People’s Victory in Massachusetts – Analysis

For weeks, months, or possibly years, the pundits will be analyzing how Scott Brown, a State Senator from Wrentham, bested Martha Coakley, the clear Democrat front-runner, in what has been called one of the 5 greatest upsets in American political history. The blame game had begun well before the election, with both the Coakley campaign and the DNC pointing fingers at one another, with a media that was “shocked” that a Republican could win in Massachusetts. Health care, or health care reform, to be exact, was touted as the pivotal reason for Brown’s election. There are bits of truth to each: Coakley ran a lackluster campaign, that with the help of the DNC turned negative in the last weeks before the election and turned off the all important Independent voter, the media and pundits refused to acknowledge the fact, until yesterday, that the electorate in Massachusetts is dominated by unenrolled, or independent voters, which align themselves with neither party, and Health Care Reform, was one of the reasons that voters turned to Brown, but it was not the only reason.

Scott Brown won the U.S. Senate Seat on his own merits, by his own work and his ability to create a populist message with all sincerity - one which resonated throughout the Commonwealth. Additionally, his ability to stand by his own record, throughout the debates, in a straight-forward, no-nonsense way won over those who are sick of politicians who offer excuses - Brown “man’s up”. He shared his personal story with the populace, one which tells the tale of a young man, without the proverbial silver spoon, working his way through college, and never forgetting his roots, he is not above the rest of “us”; he is with the rest of us. Therefore, Browns’ natural ability to lead, added to the aforementioned, won the Senate Seat.
On issues, although health care reform was mentioned most often, Brown spoke, just as much about Cap and Trade legislation, foreign policy and his understanding from both a civilian as well as a military point of view. Brown is the real deal, right from the playbook of our founding fathers, a citizen legislator. His acceptance speech, was, like the candidate, at once, humble, telling those who he thanked for working so hard, how the seat belonged to them, it was “the people’s seat”, he then went on to sprinkle quick humor throughout the speech, and included what should be studied by one and all, that consider running for office – he was extremely gracious, both to Martha Coakley, but to the entire administration.

The electorate in Massachusetts, having witnessed several progressive administrations, including governors (Deval Patrick), Barack Obama, and then Jimmy Carter, rejected the policy of a one-size fits all, shoebox mentality that is chock full of entitlements, state and federal spending and taxing the daylights out of populace. As ads ran with words like “good progressives of Massachusetts, and “Obama’s agenda” sprinkled throughout and approved by Coakley, one could feel the anger rise amongst those who call themselves Independents.

This will be the message that will continue to be sent as the 2010 races come to the forefront. There are several congressional districts in play in Massachusetts this year, and the incumbent that sits on their laurels, makes few visits to a district, or follows a party line to the letter, is facing a populace in the Bay State that has clearly had enough. The message is clear, it is time to mix it up and send like-minded citizens to Washington. Although Health Care may or may not be an issue by the time the games, already underway, begin in earnest, which is only one of the issues that propelled Scott Brown forward.

If one has not seen or heard his acceptance speech, one should take the time to watch the clip below, and although one might have to go far to find another Scott Brown from Wrentham, as he is who he is, there are men and women standing ready to fight for the people’s seats, in every district in Massachusetts and in every state in the nation.

Suggest watching the following candidates closely (Seats are projected, what else? "Safe Democrat":

From the Massachusetts 2nd Hampden, Dr. Jay Flietman www.jayfleitman.com.

Dr. Flietman will face entrenched Congressman Richard Neal nealforcongress.com who has a voting pattern over the past decades that refuses to cross a party line.

From the Massachusetts 4th District, Earl Sholley SholleyforCongress.us, a populist Independent Republican, who is an avid historian specifically regarding the Constitution and the model of the Congress.

Sholley will face, for a second time, Congressman Barney Frank Barneyfrank.net, the man who is most associated with Freddie and Fannie, and otherwise, needs little in the way of introduction. His voting record speaks for itself.

Therefore, when pundits ask “how” Massachusetts could elect Republican’s, they should understand that, the colony which broke the yoke of England to form the United States of America, has the ability to endure heavy taxes and great burdens, but for only so long. The fact that Massachusetts residents have a higher tolerance level than residence of other states, should send a clear message to those citizens who would be legislators to step up, and remember Scott Brown’s words in speaking to the citizens of the Commonwealth: “You are the machine.”