From The Boston Globe: Elizabeth Warren, Progressive-Democrat Senate Candidate (MA), suggested that she would bring an “outsiders” view to Washington in a recent interview. The Globe also noted that Warren’s quest to unseat Republican Scott Brown is her first attempt at running for public office, and it shows. To suggest that Warren would bring an “outsider view” to Washington is somewhat a stretch, considering she worked with the Obama administration, has rallied for President Obama and is being touted by Progressives (petition and all) as the next Barack Obama – someone that can be molded into a 2016 Presidential Candidate. All the brouhaha over her false heritage claims, her house-flipping deals on foreclosed homes, her plagiarism (cookbooks of all things) pale compared to her latest claims as an “outsider”.
Massachusetts politicians appear to agree – especially those that would be considered “peers” of Warren, were she a fellow “Democrat” – conventional wisdom dictates that party members support one another – however – it appears that certain Democrat and Independent Massachusetts politicians are not enamored of Ms. Warren, and are endorsing her opposition – incumbent Senator Scott Brown.
In 2009, Brown took the “people’s seat” (previously referred to as the “Kennedy Seat”, by a margin of 5 points, which, in Massachusetts with the dead voting, that’s no mean feat. The spread between Brown and Martha Coakley was, in all probability, much higher – that aside, there were forces at play in Massachusetts that were a signal to the rest of the nation – find a Conservative Republican, who is willing to work across the aisle, and who sticks to his principles, no matter what – and you have a winner. Brown is the real deal – and attracted a myriad group of supporters in Massachusetts – Green Party, Democrats, and even some of those Republican’s that are said to reside in the “Bluest State”. Brown also was a Mass. State Senator, and had built a reputation on defending his constituents, regardless of party affiliation – the biggest attraction: Brown is just one of us – his story is the story of most regular folks – he just took a different path from most, dedicated himself to service, and it brought him to the U.S. Senate.
Brown knew how to campaign, but he was genuine in his approach – the money poured in after bloggers got busy when it was apparent Brown was able to defeat Coakley, even though the Beltway suggested the seat would go to Coakley, the polls indicated the same, but the 300 plus miles that separate Massachusetts from the Beltway – made it impossible for any real “political intelligence” to penetrate those pundits that decide a race before it even begins. They were not on the ground, did not see the volunteers filling Brown offices, did not see the guy in his pick-up truck crisscrossing the state – or feel the excitement – neighbor to neighbor – most shockingly because Brown wanted to Stop the Legislation on the Affordable Health Care Act and bring work towards a better model.
Therefore, the fact that he is picking up endorsements left, right and center, endorsements that should go to Warren, is not surprising to those of us who live here in the “Bluest State” – Warren is, regardless of friendly polls, and friendly press, and Progressive Democrats glowing - indeed an “outsider”.
In Massachusetts, party affiliation is one thing, but most of the public that votes, consider themselves “independents” – and, indeed over 50% of the State’s electorate is enrolled as “unenrolled” (no party affiliation).
In April, according to The Hill Blog (speaking of Beltway):
“Ray Flynn, who served as Boston’s mayor for almost a decade before being named an ambassador under President Clinton, will endorse Brown on Monday at South Boston’s Castle Island. A conservative Democrat, Flynn has long been allied with Brown, and endorsed his 2010 Senate bid against state Attorney General Martha Coakley (D).
Hours later, former Worcester, Mass., Mayor Konnie Lukes will announce her support for Brown in the city Lukes ran until 2009.
Both endorsements serve as reminders of Brown’s continued crossover appeal to centrist Democratic voters, despite the star power and grassroots energy behind Warren’s campaign.”
To which one might ask the Hill, what grassroots behind Warren’s Campaign? – It’s not on the ground in Massachusetts, unless one counts the fundraisers in Boston at which she has appeared or perhaps her trips across the state, surrounded by local Democrats – grassroots’ appeal is defined by Brown, when average (non-paid) individuals stand up and support a candidate.
In June Mass Live (The Springfield Republican) noted that Democrat and Independent Politicians had endorsed Brown followed by the July 3rd Masslive.com (The Springfield Republican) Scott Brown picked up the endorsement of Paul Walsh, the former Democratic District Attorney of Bristol County. Walsh joins nine other Bay State Democrats who have endorsed Brown
Therefore, Brown’s managed to cross party lines, both in the political spectrum, in the interest of his constituents, and now, in the election arena, as those public servants, from either party, or independents, see Brown as a politician who is more interested in the people he serves than in furthering a political party.
Brown has never written a cookbook, he wrote a tell-all book about the pain he suffered in his childhood that led him to rally hard for women and children’s rights both in the MA Senate and in the U.S. Senate.
On the other hand - Warren - obviously partisan -image northamptonmedia.com
To wit, Barack Obama was groomed for a political background rooted in Academia. His rise through Illinois was nothing short of meteoric, a term in the State House, then right to the U.S. Senate and without finishing his first term, he ran for the Democrat Nomination – was handed that by Progressives in Congress who, though super delegates overrode the popular vote (Hillary Clinton) and appointment Obama the nominee – and the rest is history. Now, Progressives see another opportunity – to mold a newcomer, an academic, someone with little to no experience in legislation, a stint in the White House surely, but neither in crafting legislation nor responding to constituents needs – but she does answer the call of the Party.
Therein lays the difference – and why one might anticipate additional endorsements from individuals of all political affiliations to go to Brown. Warren truly is an outsider – Brown remains one of us.
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