In Massachusetts the Lion of the Senate had his seat fall into the hands of the uninformed.
The Coakley campaign was lacking, there can be not doubt. But why Scott Brown?
He's photogenic? His daughter was on Idol? What is the attraction?
And that is the question I've asked Scott Brown supporters, what does he stand for? I can't think of one piece of legislation in Massachusetts that bears his name. His record as a senator is all over the place according to interest group ratings of his state senate years. Labor issue scores run 48% to 81%. Pro-Life groups rated him a 33% but Pro-Choice only gave him a 50%. In education issues he gets scores of 31% to 76%. NOW ranks him in the 30%'s. Neighbor to Neighbor rates him 25% to 43% on issues involving poverty. Mass Clean Elections a 67%. In fact the only area where he shows any consistency is he is pro gun (the NRA gives him an A+) and pro-corporation (100% from the Massachusetts National Federation of Independent Business).
What was the big deal? He drives a truck? He hangs out with Curt Schilling? He's Everyman? What?
So many have asked? Are you angry? No, I'm not angry, I am mystified.
When I think of Ted Kennedy's decades of service I think of civil rights, voting rights, womens rights, health care, family leave, American with Disabilities Act, student loans, education (including working with Bush to pass NCLB), program after program that supports the working family. There's probably not an individual out there whose life hasn't been touched by the progressive programs of Ted Kennedy. From little girls playing sports (title IX), to elderly with health care (Medicare), to a family with sick leave. The list goes on and on. I feel he fought for us. Agree or disagree with the man's human failings, I can still defend and support his political record.
Scott Brown says he'll be the vote to defeat health care reform, what Ted called the "cause of my life." What happened with yesterday's vote? According to Robert Gibbs on "The Ed Show" today, health insurance stocks gained $4 billion.
Did your rates go down? Are any of the uninsured now covered? Did people with preexisting conditions get any help? Nope. All it took was Brown's assurance to defeat health care and the insurance industry gains.
So without being in office for a day, what has Brown accomplished? The rich got richer, the uninsured got the shaft.
Wait. Maybe I am angry. Maybe we all should be.