RSS Feed MenuByron York is reporting that the bottom is dropping out of Martha Coakley’s support in the Mass Senate race. It’s not just the Democratic scare of a lifetime: Scott Brown might actually win.
If so, this is an earthquake in American politics: Massachusetts returning a Republican senator for the first time since 1972, sending to Washington the 41st vote on health care.
A Brown victory will rejoice Republicans nationwide. We will revel in it, triumph in it, deploy it, argue from it. Question: will we learn from it?
The Scott Brown who may rescue the country from Obamacare is not a talk radio conservative.
Strong on defense and school choice, opposed to the Obama administration’s signature initiatives, Brown voted in favor of Mitt Romney’s health plan in Massachusetts. He describes himself as pro-choice (subject to reasonable limitations), accepts gay marriage in Massachusetts as a settled fact, and told the Boston Herald editorial board he would have voted to confirm Sonia Sotomayor. He calls himself “fiscally conservative and socially conscious.” He’s got an environmental record too: In the state senate he voted in favor of a regional initiative to curb greenhouse gas initiatives.
Most important: Unlike his arrogant, brittle opponent, Brown has shown himself an open and accessible candidate, optimistic and without rancor. In short – he’s running exactly the kind of campaign that we alleged RINOs have been urging on the GOP for months now.
It would be a travesty if Brown’s victory is seized upon as a victory for anger, paranoia, and ideological extremism.
Some will try – but with a third New England Republican in the Senate, the time for a pushback may have come.
mpolito // Jan 15, 2010 at 6:34 pm
So does this not prove that conservatives are willing to back moderates? This race is different from the NY-23 race, and for an obvious reason: Brown was picked in a primary, not by some closed-doors meeting. Conservatives in the GOP are perfectly willing to support these sorts of moderates, all we ask is a little support in return (something a famous moderate like Lincoln Chafee could not do when he declined to vote for Bush in 2004).
grayscot // Jan 15, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Hey David,
What is with the anti health care speak you hypocrate. How long were you a Canadian for? I still am and Americans would be lucky to only pay $116.00 per month for health care for a family of four. Now I know you would come back at me with wait lists and doctors shortage and blah blah blah. But if I need a MRI faster than six months I can go to my private clinic and plunk down $400.00 and still be thousands of dollars ahead. No one who is truely in need of life saving care ever has to wait and as far as the government picking my doctor that is total BS. If Brown gets in and kills health care it will be one of the biggest regrets the American people will suffer. If these people who say ” I love my plan I don’t want it to change” don’t figure out that 5 years from now that plan will cost them 30-50% more to keep and that said people will end up going back to the government with their hand out begging for help. Insurance companies DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOU!!!! only their profits. It’s easy to crap on health care like you and Rush and Beck do when you have lots of money, but that is the problem with most Republican voters they constantly vote against their economic interests like champange drinkers on beer budgets. If you don’t make over $50,000.00 for a family income you should never vote Republican because sooner than later you will need public services that will only be championed by a Democrat.
anniemargret // Jan 15, 2010 at 7:13 pm
grayscot: Well, I couldn’t have made my rebuttal better. What ‘middle class’ is to some people is probably ‘$200,000+”
As I said, look at who’s complaining and it is always people in a much higher and comfortable income bracket than the average working American.
And I don’t care frankly if insurance companies have dig deeper to come up with some competitive pricing… right now they are a monopoly, doing the most good for those that can easily afford it, and the least good for the people that need it the most.
Rush Limbaugh evidently doesn’t believe in Karma. His recent giggling about his recent stay at the hospital and healthcare doesn’t sit well from the minds and hearts of families across this nation who are struggling with this issue every day of their lives. Is it funny to him? Apparently.
He ought to be ashamed but the man lost his soul a long time ago. He’ll meet his Karma in due time. You reap what you sow.
trapeze // Jan 15, 2010 at 10:04 pm
anniemargret,
First of all you have got to stop getting your information about health care, insurance companies and darn near everything from the Huffington Post. You clearly have no idea what you are talking about in regard to insurance company competition and why health care costs are high.
As regards Rush Limbaugh…I can tell from your mutterings about him that you do not listen to the program and get your talking points from the usual leftist watering holes. I challenge you to listen to his show (all three hours) every day for two weeks. If you still have the same opinion of him after that I will astonished. But I know you won’t do it.
anniemargret // Jan 15, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Actually, Trapeze, I have listened to Rush Limbaugh. And sometimes he’s right! Sometimes he actually says things that may be correct. I have found myself agreeing with him…at times.
But he’s has said enough on his shows to convince me that the man is a near-bigot and a mysogynist . He made cackling jokes about a 13/yo Chelsea Clinton that she was ‘the White House Dog.’ I listened to that broadcast one day and was horrified. It says something about a person’s character when they impugn an innocent.
I don’t know about you, but his statements such as telling a woman recently that she was a ‘blockhead’ and to ‘take the tampons out of your ears….’ Lots more on that front – lots more disrespect to women.
I dont’ find his attempted humor funny.
Please.. no question he is intelligent and is very able as a talk show host. His sneering and ridiculing takes it to another level- a vulgar one. And his comments about Haiti and our contributions there is tasteless in the face of such tremendous suffering.
Hot Air » Blog Archive » Quotes of the day // Jan 15, 2010 at 10:31 pm
[...] “It would be a travesty if Brown’s victory is seized upon as a victory for anger, paranoia, and ideological extremism.” [...]
kevin47 // Jan 15, 2010 at 10:44 pm
“As I said, look at who’s complaining and it is always people in a much higher and comfortable income bracket than the average working American.”
I’m complaining, and do not make six figures. I also responded to your contentions. I’d be interested to hear your response.
trapeze // Jan 15, 2010 at 10:59 pm
anniemargret:
Now I am positive that you are not speaking truthfully. When you say:
“He made cackling jokes about a 13/yo Chelsea Clinton that she was ‘the White House Dog.’ I listened to that broadcast one day and was horrified.”
…you are stating something that is demonstrably false. This account of the “Chelsea Clinton as dog” story has been circulating between leftist groups for years. The truth? This never occurred on the radio show. Instead it happened on his short-lived television program. Had you said that you had “seen” it rather than “listened to that broadcast,” then you would be more credible.
As far as the remark itself, in the actual context that it was made (as a voiceover during a slideshow: “Did you know there’s a new WH dog?” just before a pic of Clinton is flashed on screen)…was it in bad taste? Absolutely. And he did apologize for it. So big deal. Hardly a blanket indictment for misogyny. As the left said ad nauseam about a great many far worse issues. “Move on.”
But, no, I do not believe you listen to the program. You aren’t credible.
Personally, I think you need to lighten up. Ask your doctor about Prozac.
akw // Jan 15, 2010 at 11:40 pm
anniemargret // Jan 15, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Actually, Trapeze, I have listened to Rush Limbaugh. And sometimes he’s right! Sometimes he actually says things that may be correct. I have found myself agreeing with him…at times.
But he’s has said enough on his shows to convince me that the man is a near-bigot and a mysogynist . He made cackling jokes about a 13/yo Chelsea Clinton that she was ‘the White House Dog.’ I listened to that broadcast one day and was horrified. It says something about a person’s character when they impugn an innocent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
You’re a liar. You didn’t hear that on his show, because it didn’t happen. That tells me all I need to know about YOUR character, and all I need to know about your opinions on this blog.
akw // Jan 15, 2010 at 11:48 pm
David Frum,
All you have managed to prove is that conservatives and tea partiers are not rabid about only supporting “pure” conservatives. Brown is a moderate Republican, not a liberal. Many of us have checked out his voting record and read his interviews. He is conservative by MA standards, but he obviously appeals to many independents. Oh, and he is being widely supported by tea partiers and conservatives across the country, because regardless of what you think, we know that Scott Brown would be a HUGE win for Republicans in the Senate. As a matter of fact, we’ve been leading the charge, contacting our senators and reps to volunteer for him, donating millions, and making calls. We’ll do the same for the best conservative choices for other states, too. They may be moderate like Brown, or they may be very conservative, where appropriate. BUT, over all, what we do know is that the Republican party will not be successful unless and until it returns to it’s platform of conservative values and policies. You don’t like that, but that’s just tough. That IS the Republican party.
Bookworm Room » Does Obama trip to Massachusetts presage Coakley’s failure? // Jan 15, 2010 at 11:49 pm
[...] the way, although it’s completely irrelevant to this post, I want to address here David Frum’s smug argument that Scott Brown, the man conservatives across America are backing, is liberal in his politics. [...]
trapeze // Jan 16, 2010 at 1:12 am
anniemargret:
I can’t resist. You said:
“I don’t know about you, but his statements such as telling a woman recently that she was a ‘blockhead’ and to ‘take the tampons out of your ears….’ Lots more on that front – lots more disrespect to women.”
And, hey, what a surprise…this is straight out of Media Matters. So now I know where you get your talking points from. What a tool you are.
Better yet, what a blockhead you are. What’s stuffed in your ears?
grayscot // Jan 16, 2010 at 1:16 am
obviously Trapeze is a ditto head now that nick name says it all. Rush is always right, Rush is always right, squawk. I am a parrrot and can’t form my own thoughts, squawk. Rush is the worst of America and anyone who can’t see that he doesn’t give a crap about anyone but Rush is an idiot. All he cares about is his Oxy, his cigars and his big pile of cash. He is an entertainer who didn’t even graduate from high school. I mean good for him for making himself rich but please do not talk to me about him being the be all and end all when it comes to ideas for running this country he is not even in the same league as the people he slams day in and day out. He is a man with serious esteem issues who only feels better when he is insulting someone else. Karma is a bitch and one day he will get his and when it happens I will still have the humanity to wish him well. If you need anymore evidence as to just how much this man hates the world his rants on Haiti this week should be enough. They are bulldozing the dead bodies of thousands of men, women and children and this ahole goes on a rampage about it instead of doing what other people with his wealth are doing a that is sticking a crowbar in his wallet and helping. The man is a greedy scumbag who should change his name to Scrooge.
ZOMBIE CONTENTIONS - Now He’s Just Getting Sloppy // Jan 16, 2010 at 2:37 am
[...] Frum is huffing and puffing to position his whatever-he’s-calling-it-now movement (the “We Ain’t Rush Conservatives”?) [...]
trapeze // Jan 16, 2010 at 5:04 am
Obviously grayscot is a graduate student of the Huffington Post School of Talking Points. You know nothing. You have no more of an idea as to how Limbaugh makes charitable contributions than anyone else does and yet you spew. Geez, what an ignoramus. Karma is your mother. Try using facts in your argument rather than specious opinion. Then maybe, just maybe you would be worthy of shining Limbaugh’s shoes. I’m laughing at your intellectual prowess. So is everyone else.
Joe C. // Jan 16, 2010 at 9:24 am
As usual, Frum and his Frumpies are wrong. This race has to do with health care, spending, and taxes at the national level. To try and validate your failed RINO strategies of the past 10-12 years by focusing on fringe social issues such as abortion and gay marriage exemplifies how out of synch you are with the new Conservative movement– pro-growth economics, personal liberty, and security. Highlighting one’s stance one way or the other on social issues, is like basing a candidacy on being pro-recycling. Being pro-choice or anti-gay marriage are tie breaker issues for most voters– i.e. marginally relevant electorally. Join the 2010’s!
grayscot // Jan 16, 2010 at 10:18 am
Like I said Trapeze you are a ditto head aka sheep. You speak like you think this guy craps gold bars talk about a kiss a$$.
anniemargret // Jan 16, 2010 at 11:41 am
Trapeze, Akw: I’m a ‘liar’ but Rush makes no mistakes, no errors. He is just one classy guy.
He is a propagandist with a penchant for smearing and insulting. His dittoheads love him for this. Republican politicians pretend they don’t care who he insults, insist that he doesn’t ’speak for us’ but they stay well away from him at all costs.
He is insulting to women and he is insulting to minorities. This is proven…Just google his words.
Stay classy; debating dittoheads is like debating with a rug. Everyone else is always wrong, they are always right.
The Bay State Saga: Scott Brown versus Martha Coakley « The Western Experience // Jan 16, 2010 at 11:50 am
[...] wouldn’t survive a primary run anywhere south of the Mason-Dixon line. Nevertheless, Brown describes himself as “fiscally conservative and socially conscious,” which seems to be fitting the bill [...]
handworn // Jan 16, 2010 at 3:21 pm
“But selfishness seems to be the way the GOP operates. “We got ours” should be the slogan of the right.”
Teabag, if accusations of a particular type work, they evolve, becoming distorted out of all recognizeability, and then evolve again and again, up to the point of meaninglessness and ineffectiveness. What you consider selfishness is actually the end result of the institutionalization of the generosity of a previous generation.
All this redefinition has two main goals. First, it’s to get a new supply of guilt to monger in order to sell absolution, the perennial, dreary, mindless knee-jerk maneuver of two-bit moralists. You should sell indulgences. Second, it’s to remove a person’s internal counterarguments against attitudes towards ambition, competition and money that are even more divorced from reality. That is to say, the attitudes of the extreme left. And if the extreme left is thus allowed to go even farther, the center can be argued to be farther left than before, with nothing but sensibility or intuition to offer as stabilizer. Thanks, but no.
Sorry Mushy Moderates, Scott Brown Really Is a Mainstream Conservative // Jan 16, 2010 at 4:01 pm
[...] darling, is really no conservative at all. Clutching this Boris Shor, PhD piece to their breasts, David Frum and Rick Moran are claiming a certain large measure of triumph in their courageous pragmatism and [...]
moviesguy // Jan 16, 2010 at 4:22 pm
“He is a propagandist with a penchant for smearing and insulting”
No he isnt.
“His dittoheads love him for this”
No we dont.
“Republican politicians pretend they don’t care who he insults, insist that he doesn’t ’speak for us’”
He doesnt. I wish he DID.
“but they stay well away from him at all costs.”
No they dont. They too call in to his show from time to time.
“He is insulting to women and he is insulting to minorities”
No he isnt.
“This is proven…Just google his words”
I’ve seen the accusations. MOST of them are made up out of whole cloth, the rest taken out of context.
“Stay classy; debating dittoheads is like debating with a rug. Everyone else is always wrong, they are always right”
YOU’RE the one who got caught lying through your teeth about something you never heard on his show. You saw some inaccurate description of events somewhere on the internet, assumed it was true, and made up this lie of having heard him say it yourself.
anniemargret // Jan 16, 2010 at 7:29 pm
moviesguy: my bad. You are correct, I am wrong. I did make an error. I thought I remember it was Chelsea that Rush was impugning and it was Hillary . I do remember listening and turning him off cause I got so upset. I do remember McCain saying Chelsea was ‘ugly’ and I confused the two.
I am not a liar. I did make a mistake .
My original assessment thought does not change. Rush Limbaugh has made himself a reputation. He wouldn’t be controversial if he didn’t say controversial things to insult and smear people. That is a huge turnoff for most people. I also think his fans make excuses for his nasty comments whenever they can. His most recent remarks about Haiti and his telling the woman who rebutted him, to ‘take the tampons out of her ears’ is a mysognist remark.
The saddest part is that Rush Limbaugh is a very intelligent man. He could be doing great things for this country instead of running a talk show while he impugns the opposition with near – vulgar remarks at times. His talents are wasted . His wish that ‘Obama fails’ is one of the saddest statements I’ve heard.
It doesn’t matter a whit what I say here anyway. I’m sure you will continue to call me a ‘liar’ since admitting a mistake to a Rush listener won’t get anyone very far for me or anyone else.
kevin47 // Jan 17, 2010 at 1:20 pm
“Stay classy; debating dittoheads is like debating with a rug. Everyone else is always wrong, they are always right.”
Everyone believes they are right about politics. If you didn’t believe you were right about a particular position, why would you continue to believe it?
Is this all people talk about on this blog? Whether Rush Limbaugh is stupid or is not? Some new majority.
Michelle Malkin » The uniter: Scott Brown’s center-right-indie coalition // Jan 18, 2010 at 6:13 am
[...] is using the Brown surge to praise himself — and to take another of his endless smacks at “talk radio conservatives:” The Scott Brown who may rescue the country from Obamacare is not a talk radio [...]