A view from the front lines

There has been a tremendous amount of analysis over the past few days on what the election of Scott Brown as Massachusetts Senator signifies. Most of that analysis has come from a national view point looking into MA. From my point of view in MA, here is my take:

1.It was clearly a vote against the nationalization of healthcare. Scott Brown made his opposition to healthcare his number one campaign focus, so it certainly should be read as anti-obamacare. Because Ted Kennedy was associated with healthcare ‘reform’, there was no Kennedy favorable vote that could flow thru.

2. I would not underestimate the fumbling of the Christmas bombing attempt as a major factor, from conversations I have had with voters. Security was let down to allow the bomber on the plane, the President was very slow to recognize the attack as a coordinated terrorist attack from Al-Qaida. The response from the TSA was fairly ridiculous. And not treating the bomber as an enemy combatant was a foul-up of the highest order. All on the Democrat’s watch. And then we have Scott Brown, an officer in the MA National Guard. Quite a contrast.

3. Martha Coakley did run a poor campaign. But her poor performance appeared to confirm voters perception of Democrat incompetence at all levels. Martha supported most Obama policies, so was forced into some errors that could not be avoided. “No terrorists in Afganistan”, or “Miranda rights for terrorists” sounded like she was a fool, but she HAD to take those positions to remain in lock-step with (and continue to receive the support of) President Obama. Going negative at the end of the campaign just turned a LOT of voters off, but she could not run positive on her agenda, because voters were against that agenda. Of course, not helping the reporter up from the sidewalk when one of her staff pushed him down was just dumb.

4.Given that national backdrop, I do not believe any Democrat could have defeated Scott Brown. However, if the Republican candidate had been someone else, not as tuned-in to the voter angst, not as hard working, not a Mr. Everyman, a Democrat could have won in a landslide. ANY Democrat. The election was not won because Coakley was weak, it was won because Brown was strong.

“It’s not Ted Kennedy’s seat, it’s not the Democrats seat, it’s the people’s seat!”.

Just brilliant.

Author: Mark