AP article about Scott Brown in Milford Daily News, Jan 20, 2010

Please read this article. http://www.milforddailynews.com/features/x1685419092/Brown-record-doesnt-always-match-everyman-image

In the comments page, the Brown supporters are calling this just sour grapes by Democrats.The article is not an op ed, it is just a straightforward presentation of the facts, all of them verifiable. I had heard all of these points before and researched them to confirm that they are true. They are all a matter of public record. Depending on which side of the divide you stand, you will spin them differently.

During the campaign, Brown did not speak much about his voting record, and instead focused upon ideas and promises, carefully worded to appeal to the widest possible audience, which included alot of liberal leaning but frustrated independents. He was an unknown entity, a clean slate. And with a carefully crafted campaign and strong "stage presence" he was able to sway enough independents to eek out a victory.

Before the election, I asked a number of people  what they knew of Browns voting record and most of them admitted that they didn't really know anything, other than what Martha Coakleys negative ads claimed. So they wrote those claims off as simply negative campaigning and ignored them. The onslaught of TV ads durung the last two weeks became so overwhelming, that many people simply tuned them out.

I wonder what the outcome of the election might have been if articles such as the one in the Milford Daily News had run before the election instead of being a case of  belated Monday Morning Quarterbacking. But that's just me, being a Monday Morning Quarterback.

 Now all we can do is wait and see what happens. The far right is already rejoicing about the Brown win and are flocking to his side. And despite the high profile of this election, Brown is still just a freshman Senator, a newbie, and if he wishes to have the continued support of his Republican colleagues, he will have to go along with the Republican agenda, like a good freshman Senator is expected to do.

During the next year or so, Browns voting record will be under great scrutiny by Massachusetts voters from all sides. The fickle Massachusetts Independents who so enthusiastically supported Barak Obama just 14 months ago, could sweep Brown out just as easily as they swept him in.

Because Brown will only be serving the remaining three years of Ted Kennedy's term, and will be facing re-election in 2012, he has the advantage of only having to serve half a term as a freshman Senator. The downside is he will only have a year or so to prove to Massachusetts voters that he's not just another lockstep Republican and really represents the views of independents who supported him. If he fails to do so, it could be three and out for Brown.