Brown win, a blow to Obama

Brown win, a blow to Obama, Specter, and other Dems

Senator-elect Scott Brown (R-MA) pulled through an incredible and unthinkable victory tonight. Boston's Park Plaza Hotel began to fill up around five in the evening, with confident supporters of the Brown campaign. Aside from a last minute Coakley campaign accusation that tainted ballots with Mr. Brown's name were being handed out, which was summarily dismissed by the Massachusetts Secretary of State, election night went fairly smooth for the new incoming Senator from Wrentham, Massachusetts. Not even a visit to the Bay State from President Obama could stop Scott Brown. Democrats on the Hill are already cowering and running from the health care legislation they only recently proudly held up.

One can only imagine what Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) is thinking tonight. It should be remembered that he told his Democrat colleagues in December, during a caucus meeting not to "let obstructionists defeat the [health care] bill." "I came to this caucus to be your 60th vote," he reminded them. After tonight, Mr. Specter should probably stick to his April 28, 2009 remark (bolding is mine):

“I will not be an automatic 60th vote,” Specter said Tuesday afternoon. “I would illustrate that with my position on employee choice, also known as card check. I think it’s a bad deal and I’m opposed to it. I will not vote to impose cloture. … If the Democratic Party asks too much, I will not vote with them."

Senate Democrats started last year off with 58 members, while the Minnesota Senate race of Franken v. Coleman went into overtime with long drawn out recounts. Mr. Specter switched parties in anticipation of Al Franken (D-MN) finally being seated. The GOP felt the sting of Mr. Specter's knife plunge into their backs. The former Republican cast decisive votes for stimulus and various other legislation.

One year later Mr. Specter is behind in the polls against former GOP Pennsylvania congressman Pat Toomey. Rep. Barney Frank (D - MA) endorsed Mr. Specter's primary opponent Rep. Joe Sestak (D - PA).

Regarding the race in Massachusetts, Mr. Specter's campaign only told Pennsylvania's The Morning Call,(bolding is mine):

''If the Massachusetts seat does go Republican, there will be a change of focuses, but that's not really anything we're worried about.''

"Change of focuses" Mr. Specter? Really...how well is your last "change" working out for you now?