Brown: If I win, I’ll be in D.C. on Friday
posted at 7:26 pm on January 18, 2010 by Allahpundit
Thus confronting the Democrats about their obstructionism while he’s still got media following him around. Excellent.
Insurgent Massachussetts Republican Senate candidate Scott Brown told CNN he expects to be installed quickly as Massachusetts’ next senator should he win the state’s special election Tuesday.
Asked about the state of the race, Brown said he’s still campaigning as if he’s running “down 30 points.”
But sounding confident, the GOP state senator says he’s made plans to travel to Washington Friday if he’s victorious.
This is one of two reasons why the margin of victory will matter. The first, obviously, is that the bigger the win, the more likely that people like Nelson and Lincoln will panic and crumble. The other is that a comfortable margin makes it hard for Massachusetts’s Democratic machine to drag their feet in seating him. If it’s 53/47, why delay certifying it? Just punch his ticket.
In fact, congressional Dems don’t even appear to be talking seriously at this point of trying to get another bill through the Senate with Paul Kirk as the 60th vote. Never mind the legal question of whether Kirk can vote up to the minute that Brown’s seated. The optics of it would be so horrible, they simply wouldn’t dare:
“This has now turned into a referendum on health care in the bluest state. If Brown wins, technical 60 vote aside, there are a lot of mod[erate] Ds who are going to flip and this thing will be in trouble, not dead, but delayed and possibly scaled back,” said a Democratic health care industry insider, adding that a Republican win will make it that much harder for Democratic congressional leaders to sell a final deal to their members.
Republican strategist Phil Blando agreed. He said the argument over whether Kirk’s vote will count or not is “a legal technicality in the broader political earthquake that a Brown victory would signal. The concern isn’t that you lose Kirk’s vote, but that you lose Ben Nelson, Blanche Lincoln and Joe Lieberman and a bunch of Blue Dogs.”
And any Democratic move to slow-walk seating Brown in order to pass reform, Blando said, is “just naked, pure power politics where, at that point, you’re just thwarting the will of the people.”
So it is, but aborting the House/Senate negotiations and ping-ponging it through the House to do an end-around after Brown is seated won’t be much better. Exit quotation: “We are in deep s— if we lose on Tuesday.”
Update: Hey, remember when Joe Biden thought a 60-vote threshold in the Senate was awesome? Joe doesn’t.
Blowback
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LOVE this guy. He’s no whimp that’s for sure.
The GOP will be better with him in Washington.
gophergirl on January 18, 2010 at 7:27 PM
Its on! Mr
SmithBrown goes to Washington.singlemalt_18 on January 18, 2010 at 7:28 PM
The spin is already out there… axe and rahm fed Mike Allen these quotes:
President Barack Obama plans a combative response if, as White House aides fear, Democrats lose Tuesday’s special Senate election in Massachusetts, close advisers say.
“This is not a moment that causes the president or anybody who works for him to express any doubt,” a senior administration official said. “It more reinforces the conviction to fight hard.”
A defeat by Martha Coakley for the seat held by the late Edward M. Kennedy would be embarrassing for the party — and potentially debilitating, since Democrats will lose their filibuster-proof, 60-vote hold on the Senate.
A potential casualty: the health-care bill that was to be the crowning achievement of the president’s first year in office.
The health care backdrop has given the White House a strong incentive to strike a defiant posture, at least rhetorically, in response to what would be an undeniable embarrassment for the president and his party.
There won’t be any grand proclamation that, “The era of big government is over”—the words President Bill Clinton uttered after Republicans won the Congress in the 1990s and he was forced to trim a once-ambitious agenda.
“The response will not be to do incremental things and try to salvage a few seats in the fall,” a presidential adviser said. “The best political route also happens to be the boldest rhetorical route, which is to go out and fight and let the chips fall where they may. We can say, ‘At least we fought for these things, and the Republicans said no.’”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31629.html#ixzz0d0qqPSgy
Anti-Harkonnen Freedom Fighter on January 18, 2010 at 7:28 PM
Awesomely awesome. Not a liberal wuss.
Philly on January 18, 2010 at 7:28 PM
dude, where’ve you been for the last 8 mos? Are you feeling faint and sniffing humpbot fumes? These guys would do it. They’re waaayyy past dare, they’re past triple-dog dare…
ted c on January 18, 2010 at 7:29 PM
PLEASE SEND SCOTT $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ SO HE CAN BE IN DC ON FRIDAY
OmahaConservative on January 18, 2010 at 7:29 PM
I would love to see Scotty B. kick open the doors and tell Paul Kirk to:
Seven Percent Solution on January 18, 2010 at 7:29 PM
remember that they didn’t want to seat Roland Burris because Blago appointed him-=very legal.
and hey, if Harry Reid didn’t want to seat Roland Burris, well, I doubt he’ll hug Brown on Friday.
kelley in virginia on January 18, 2010 at 7:30 PM
And every headline shall read: Mr. Brown (R) goes to Washington.
DrStock on January 18, 2010 at 7:30 PM
The optics of it would be so horrible, they simply wouldn’t dare:
We are talking about the Democrats right???
flytier on January 18, 2010 at 7:31 PM
Here’s my Hollywood ending to this story:
The snow and sleet is relentless tomorrow but Brown’s supporters turn out in full fortce. Brown wins by ten points. Wednesday morning, he hops in his pick up truck and drives down to DC, and stands on the Capitol steps demanding to be seated. Crowds start to form around him, growing daily until the entire Mall is full of people shouting ‘It’s the People’s Seat!’ and singing ‘God Bless America’ and other patriotic tunes.
Red State State of Mind on January 18, 2010 at 7:31 PM
Little different here – the people would have elected Brown not a crooked Governor.
gophergirl on January 18, 2010 at 7:32 PM
And a pretty posh office it must be, since it was Teddy’s. Don’t know if he’ll get it or someone with more seniority will have dibs on it. Maybe they shuffle after the 2010 results.
Wethal on January 18, 2010 at 7:32 PM
to all Virginians reading: do you think Brown will hug Chuckie Schumer after a Stimulus vote? (like Marky Warner did?)
kelley in virginia on January 18, 2010 at 7:33 PM
Ha Ha. Great!
aquaviva on January 18, 2010 at 7:33 PM
They are already in it, they just don’t realize it yet. Barry is a lame duck within his first year, and plenty of his fellow dems are looking for other career opportunities.
Vashta.Nerada on January 18, 2010 at 7:33 PM
I’ll be praying hard the tonight and tomorrow.
deidre on January 18, 2010 at 7:33 PM
We’d better not have to do this. Just sayin’
OmahaConservative on January 18, 2010 at 7:33 PM
I prefer “The Scott heard ’round the world”
Red State State of Mind on January 18, 2010 at 7:33 PM
When he get’s there, hopefully he swings by 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and smokes the tires on his truck doing doughnuts in the street.
Hog Wild on January 18, 2010 at 7:33 PM
early threadwinner
cmsinaz on January 18, 2010 at 7:33 PM
Oh, please do this! If ObamaCare was so great, it would have already passed. The Dems need no GOP votes to pass this and the American people know it. Try to justify Crap and Tax, b*stards!
ladyingray on January 18, 2010 at 7:33 PM
Is anybody else uneasy with the fact that Rasmussen has Coakley up by 2…Rasmussen has been the most accurate. someone make me feel more at ease.
malkinmania on January 18, 2010 at 7:34 PM
Can you imagine the smell…?
Seven Percent Solution on January 18, 2010 at 7:34 PM
but gophergirl, when Blago appt’d Burris, it was done at that moment. when Brown is elected tomorrow, the Dems can drag on their certification BS for weeks.
and then Harry Reid can jerk him around.
but we’ll be watching…..
kelley in virginia on January 18, 2010 at 7:35 PM
More hilarious Axe spin:
Perceptions among the pundit class would also be brutal. An upset by Republican Scott Brown will be covered in many quarters as a repudiation of Obama, especially after Obama’s last-ditch campaign appearance with Coakley 36 hours before the polls opened.
But the president’s advisers plan to spin it as a validation of the underdog arguments that fueled Obama’s insurgent candidacy.
“The painstaking campaign for change over two years in 2007 and 2008 has become a painstaking effort in the White House, too,” the official said. “The old habits of Washington aren’t going away easy.”
Anti-Harkonnen Freedom Fighter on January 18, 2010 at 7:35 PM
Brown is Army, he could borrow an M1A2 from the local armory, drive it up the front steps of the senate building, and request that Harry Reid seat him right away. Please.
Bishop on January 18, 2010 at 7:35 PM
snow in mass tomorrow. Dems are made of sugar and hate snow.
ted c on January 18, 2010 at 7:35 PM
Is anybody else uneasy with the fact that Rasmussen has Coakley up by 2…Rasmussen has been the most accurate. someone make me feel more at ease.
malkinmania on January 18, 2010 at 7:34 PM
that poll was a week ago…take it easy….
Anti-Harkonnen Freedom Fighter on January 18, 2010 at 7:35 PM
Exactly! The tide has already turned throughout America and the momentum is on the side of Liberty. Win or Lose tomorrow…the tide has already turned.
Red State State of Mind on January 18, 2010 at 7:35 PM
Palin-Brown what a team …
tarpon on January 18, 2010 at 7:36 PM
Unless I’m misreading, the date on that poll per Rass’ website is January 12th. A lot has changed.
rightheaded on January 18, 2010 at 7:36 PM
Tomorrow all the Dems and the State-Run Media pundits will be wearing their brown pants.
kingsjester on January 18, 2010 at 7:36 PM
But again you screwing with the will of the people which I think even they don’t want to do.
You could spin the delay with Burris – this one would be a political disaster of the highest order.
I wouldn’t put it past them but I just think they wouldn’t dare try.
gophergirl on January 18, 2010 at 7:36 PM
yet more hilarious spin from politico/axelrod:
The narrower majority will force more White House engagement with Republicans, which could actually help restore a bit of the post-partisan image that was a fundamental ingredient of his appeal to voters.
“Now, everything that gets done in the Senate will have the imprimatur of bipartisanship,” another administration official said. “The benefits of that will accrue to the president and the Democratic Senate. It adds to the pressure on Republicans to participate in the process in a meaningful way, which so they have refused to do.”
More defensively, Obama advisers plan to argue that Coakley’s lackluster campaign contributed at least as much to the loss as the national environment.
“You can say it’s a rejection of the agenda,” a top Democrat said. “But it’s just as valid to say it’s frustration with the way things are going in the country, and that people still want change.”
Anti-Harkonnen Freedom Fighter on January 18, 2010 at 7:36 PM
when he gets to Washington, why doesn’t he just go up in the White House & move in?
kelley in virginia on January 18, 2010 at 7:37 PM
TACTICALLY speaking, I would LOVE to see this happen. The Elitists in the governing class need to see a very large, very energized crowd of American patriots on their doorstep for a number of days in a row, so even their buddies in the MSM won’t be able to pretend (a la the 9 12 march) that the crowds were small.
Red State State of Mind on January 18, 2010 at 7:39 PM
fify
And, hey, why the anonymity? You’re so proud of yourself, why not own it?
califcon on January 18, 2010 at 7:39 PM
Since when have Congressional Dems cared about horrible optics? This is the party of midnight floor votes and Nancy Pelosi’s skull-like grin.
Cicero43 on January 18, 2010 at 7:40 PM
Would be cool if he were to drive down there in his truck. Maybe a motorcade forms along the way? VERY COOL IDEA
ParisParamus on January 18, 2010 at 7:41 PM
Yes? And this is going to stop the Dems from trying why? Everything the Feds have done since a year ago November is “naked, pure power politics” and they’re not about to stop now, Brown or no Brown.
All this surprising optimism is based on the view that the Dems in question care about getting re-elected. We’ve seen how that is not the case. They’re motivated by a philosophy and they’re following it, aided by both moral and physical arm-twisting by powerful people in D.C., people who frighten them a good deal more than their constituents.
Rational optimism is mandatory. Overconfidence is deadly.
JDPerren on January 18, 2010 at 7:41 PM
Can you imagine Lt. Col. Scotty B. and Lt. Col. Allen West teaming up…?
BOOOM SHAKALAKA!!!
Seven Percent Solution on January 18, 2010 at 7:41 PM
One of the reason why Mr Brown is so appealing to some of us on the right is his willingness to challenge the liberal democrat party line instead of attempting to negotiate a limited concession.
We are hungry for someone to draw a line in the sand, and then defend that line.
Skandia Recluse on January 18, 2010 at 7:41 PM
I don’t understand how Coakley could get a bump….she’s been HORRIBLE this weekend with tons of gaffes!!!
deidre on January 18, 2010 at 7:41 PM
If, as is reported, the Dem’s are going to try to get the House to swallow the Senate bill whole, does it matter if “Nelson and Lincoln panic and crumble”?
They already voted, so it’s a done deal, right?
aquaviva on January 18, 2010 at 7:42 PM
I probably won’t even log on tomorrow, I’ll push my guys out of the way and take over a transmission rebuild or something; I’m not sure I can take a letdown if I see it coming.
Bishop on January 18, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Friday? He needs to be there 3pm on Wednesday at the latest.
SouthernGent on January 18, 2010 at 7:43 PM
If the criminal elements of the Democratic Party, Acorn and SEIU, can be held in check… Brown could win by as much as 11 points.
ronnyraygun on January 18, 2010 at 7:45 PM
Why Friday? If Brown wins by a comfortable margin, he should be in DC on Wednesday morning waiting for Harry Reid to reconvene the Senate.
Enoxo on January 18, 2010 at 7:46 PM
Insurgent candidate Brown? A girl can dream can’t she CNN?
Ris4victory on January 18, 2010 at 7:46 PM
paris: go back to Ace where I said that a motorcade of Americans escorting Brown, driving his p/u truck, to DC was the awesomenest of suggestions.
kelley in virginia on January 18, 2010 at 7:47 PM
The House doesn’t have the votes to pass the Senate bill as is, otherwise they would have done so already.
Add into the fact that if Brown wins in a Massachusetts seat, Pelosi would be lucky if 40+ Dems don’t run away from her, and 5+ Dems from Harry Reid.
Enoxo on January 18, 2010 at 7:47 PM
Um, we are at that point, have been since July when Stuart Smalley got seated!
bluemarlin on January 18, 2010 at 7:47 PM
Can someone please show me a new Rasmussen poll that states this?
Knucklehead on January 18, 2010 at 7:48 PM
I’m already imaging the horrible grimace on John Kerry’s face as he shakes his new fellow Massachusetts Senator’s hand…when was the last time Massachusetts had a Republican Senator?
Yossarian on January 18, 2010 at 7:48 PM
I’m not far from DC and I would be willing to get out there and sing on the Mall.
Mangy Scot on January 18, 2010 at 7:48 PM
PLEASE SEND SCOTT BROWN $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ SO HE CAN BUY CASES OF DEPENDS FOR THE DEMOCRATS WHO WILL BE ALLWEE WEE’D</em UP BY FRIDAY!!
katy on January 18, 2010 at 7:48 PM
im getting nervous
blatantblue on January 18, 2010 at 7:48 PM
Run? You may see some land speed records broken………
bluemarlin on January 18, 2010 at 7:49 PM
Obama’s appearance yesterday was like Pimp Juice http://www.caffeineguru.com/tag/xoxide/ for some of the Dems so now they may get off the couch and vote.
Red State State of Mind on January 18, 2010 at 7:50 PM
Go Scott Go! Give ‘em hell tomorrow.
ted c on January 18, 2010 at 7:50 PM
No inflammatory reporting there CNN.
thomasaur on January 18, 2010 at 7:50 PM
Kelly, tweet me to clarify what you mean…
ParisParamus on January 18, 2010 at 7:50 PM
Yes! Ravenous, in fact.
And OmahaCon, I scraped up another measly $15 for him… at least it’s something.
NTWR on January 18, 2010 at 7:50 PM
First thing I would like to see Scott Brown do is show Ben Nelson how a REAL Senator representing the interests of the people WHO VOTED HIM INTO OFFICE is REALLY suppose to act!
pilamaye on January 18, 2010 at 7:51 PM
I never said I wouldn’t come. Just sayin’ I better not have to.
OmahaConservative on January 18, 2010 at 7:52 PM
Hell, all the state police between Boston and DC would probably gladly meet the guy at the border and give escort to the truck at low speed as America gathered at the roadside to wave him along.
THAT would be delicious video!
ted c on January 18, 2010 at 7:52 PM
Thx & God Bless. It all adds up.
OmahaConservative on January 18, 2010 at 7:52 PM
paris: good Lord man, I have no idea how to tweet.
but i know loads of bubbas in pick ups. we have 3 ourselves (though, even on my best day, i can only drive one at a time).
kelley in virginia on January 18, 2010 at 7:53 PM
Can we extend that to show all politicians, that would be strange and new and quite pleasant.
bluemarlin on January 18, 2010 at 7:53 PM
I put nothing past these democrat lowlifes. They’ll pull out all the stops if Brown wins. Keep your powder dry.
Mr. Arrogant on January 18, 2010 at 7:53 PM
ted c: why didn’t we think of something this cool before McD’s inauguration on Sat?
kelley in virginia on January 18, 2010 at 7:53 PM
Anecdotal evidence: Video comparing Scott Brown’s call center, and Coakley’s Call Centers
Enoxo on January 18, 2010 at 7:54 PM
Same here. Only 55 miles away, and I am sure I could arrange a day or two’s vacation to be there on the Mall. Despite the Blueness of Maryland and Northern Virginia, there are very active groups of tea Partiers and We Surround Them’s locally who I’m sure would mobilize.
As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I prefer that the DEMs don’t seat him. They’re just cutting their own uber-educated, condescending, tax evading, military hating, double speaking, progressive throats.
Red State State of Mind on January 18, 2010 at 7:54 PM
On a fair vote she is down. The bump is from the lying weasel factor the lefties threw on.
Mangy Scot on January 18, 2010 at 7:55 PM
I hope he finds a spot under Jim Demints wing.
tim c on January 18, 2010 at 7:55 PM
1972-1978
Vashta.Nerada on January 18, 2010 at 7:55 PM
“Insurgent Massachussetts Republican Senate candidate Scott Brown…”
Oh, so he’s Taliban? Is that what the AP is trying to claim in their own ‘report’?
Liam on January 18, 2010 at 7:55 PM
VMI rolled out big time on I64 heading east for the inauguration. I caught it on TV, my wife was in Richmond (short pump) for a bit.
ted c on January 18, 2010 at 7:57 PM
paris: go back to Ace where I said that a motorcade of Americans escorting Brown, driving his p/u truck, to DC was the awesomenest of suggestions.
kelley in virginia on January 18, 2010 at 7:47 PM
Hell, all the state police between Boston and DC would probably gladly meet the guy at the border and give escort to the truck at low speed as America gathered at the roadside to wave him along.
THAT would be delicious video!
ted c on January 18, 2010 at 7:52 PM
This really is a truly awesome idea.
Anti-Harkonnen Freedom Fighter on January 18, 2010 at 7:57 PM
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_scott_rasmussen/what_will_happen_in_massachusetts_on_tuesday
heres the Rasmussen link thats got me worried..yes the poll that showed Coakley up by 2 is from Jan 12..but read his article..he makes it sound like a toss up, depending on turnout.
malkinmania on January 18, 2010 at 7:57 PM
Marky-poo did that? That is totally vomit inducing. I didn’t know that and find him more disgusting than ever. Jim Webb drives me nuts, but I have friends and neighbors that loved Warner. Can’t wait to confront them with this.
BetseyRoss on January 18, 2010 at 7:58 PM
BREAKING ON FNC: CORZINE JUST SIGNED A BILL LEGALIZING POT IN NJ.
OmahaConservative on January 18, 2010 at 7:59 PM
I did my part and voted for Bob McDonnell. :)
Mangy Scot on January 18, 2010 at 8:00 PM
That was great.
gophergirl on January 18, 2010 at 8:00 PM
If you mean that Ideologically, I seriously doubt it. Brown is not that Conservative. If you mean that DeMint helps him wade through all the BS and cautions him as to how to avoid the pitfalls, then yes I do too.
Although he is more of a moderate than I would have liked to see,it’s the choice of that state’s voters and he looks very Conservative by MASS standards. I’m still very pleased to see him in DC if the People choose him tomorrow.
Red State State of Mind on January 18, 2010 at 8:00 PM
That is pricelss!!
katy on January 18, 2010 at 8:00 PM
AHFF Yes, it would be awesome. I am emailing the good people in MA.
ParisParamus on January 18, 2010 at 8:01 PM
I second that!! AWESOME IDEA!! LET’S ROLL!!
katy on January 18, 2010 at 8:02 PM
ted c: all the men in my family went to VMI. never say die.
and betseyross: Mark Warner hugged Chuck Schumer on CSPAN. my husband had to restrain me–I went beserk.
kelley in virginia on January 18, 2010 at 8:02 PM
That’s medical pot, it was among his many bills he signed in his last day of office.
Christie can likely get rid of them if he doesn’t agree.
Enoxo on January 18, 2010 at 8:02 PM
I expect that there will be many dems that decide that they need to spend more time with the family when Brown wins.
farright on January 18, 2010 at 8:03 PM
paris: go back to Ace where I said that a motorcade of Americans escorting Brown, driving his p/u truck, to DC was the awesomenest of suggestions.
kelley in virginia on January 18, 2010 at 7:47 PM
Hell, all the state police between Boston and DC would probably gladly meet the guy at the border and give escort to the truck at low speed as America gathered at the roadside to wave him along.
THAT would be delicious video!
ted c on January 18, 2010 at 7:52 PM
This really is a truly awesome idea.
Anti-Harkonnen Freedom Fighter on January 18, 2010 at 7:57 PM
I second that!! AWESOME IDEA!! LET’S ROLL!!
katy on January 18, 2010 at 8:02 PM
YEP
I’ll ride my 2006 black explorer up from Atlanta to join in.
Anti-Harkonnen Freedom Fighter on January 18, 2010 at 8:04 PM
Karl Rove just called it for Brown on BOR.
Knucklehead on January 18, 2010 at 8:04 PM
Yep, I forgot to type medical. Last day in office. Who will zero pardon on his last day? All the terrorists we are trying in civilian courts.
OmahaConservative on January 18, 2010 at 8:04 PM
The optics of everything they’ve done for the last year have been so horrible we keep saying “they wouldn’t dare” – and yet they do, lol.
Midas on January 18, 2010 at 8:05 PM
I don’t know how many times I have to say this – but Scott Brown is a GOD SEND to the Democratic Party – and here’s why …
The Democrats will NOT pass a strong ObamaCare bill. Anything they pass will only piss off the common American – as well as the Democratic base – who want the public option and all kinds of socialist crap. IF … IF they pass a bill, it will not make anyone happy.
You can’t even assume they’ll pass a bill – will Ben Nelson stand up and say “Yeah” one more time after being kicked out of his favorite pizza parlor? He’s not a sure vote.
And if they stall on Scott Brown’s swearing in – they’re going to look like corrupt cheaters – which is a reputation they’ve been earning lately.
If I were a Democrat – Scott Brown represents a golden EXIT STRATEGY from GOD.
Swear him in FAST – makes the Dems look like fair players – and they need to look this way for a change.
The WAVE OFF the vote on OCare. Tell everyone the “Damn Republicans” have killed our beloved President’s attempts to reform. Just blame it on the Republicans.
Americans will be relieved. The Democratic base will be angry at the GOP – which helps the Dems with some enthusiasm they’ve been lacking lately.
And Americans can see that electing Republicans DOES make a difference.
Just walk away.
At this point – it’s the best (and last) shot they’ve got.
HondaV65 on January 18, 2010 at 8:06 PM
AHFF Yes, it would be awesome. I am emailing the good people in MA.
ParisParamus on January 18, 2010 at 8:01 PM
Great idea – and call me AHFF Geoff – actually type AHFF Geoff into google and you’ll see my “contribution” to the conservative cause :)
Anti-Harkonnen Freedom Fighter on January 18, 2010 at 8:06 PM
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