Tough fight for U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts) |
We look into one of the most hottest U.S. Senate race in the country. The Massachusetts senate race is one of the popular ones to bring forth.
Senator Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts) was a little known state legislator from the state. He ended up becoming the first Republican to be endorsed by the conservative Tea Party Movement.
As a moderate politician, Brown went to the table on some of the deal breakers of the U.S. Senate. Brown, Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine, retriing), Senator Dean Heller (R-Nevada), Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), Senator Mark Kirk (R-Illinois), Senator Lisa Murkoski (R-Alaska), Senator Dan Coates (R-Indiana) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-Indiana) are the moderate Republicans. They're getting pressure from the conservatives to move further to the right. Some are retiring and others were beaten in primaries. Massachusetts is a state that up for grabs for the Democrats.
Republicans brag a lot about Brown taking then Senator Ted Kennedy's longtime seat. Well could it fall back into the Democrats column.
When Kennedy died in 2009, the governor Deval Patrick ordered a special election. Brown took on a weaker nominee from the Democratic Party and beaten her in January 2011.
The most vulnerable members of the U.S. Senate are staying far away from President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney.
Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) was targeted as the most vulnerable candidate running. Her disapproval is high! But a slip-up by senate challenger, Congressman Todd Akin (R-Missouri) has brought her from the back to actually leading in some polls. The Republicans are distancing themselves from Akin, leaving this state solely to be a hold for the Democrats.
Congressman Joe Donnelly (D-Indiana) is running against Republican treasurer Richard Murdock, a Tea Party endorsed candidate. Murdock beaten longtime Senator Richard Lugar (R-Indiana) in the primary.
When Murdock opened his mouth and stated that his goal is to be an obstructionist to Congress, it gave Democrats a break. Now a safe hold for Republicans is now a toss up!
Senator Scott Brown is now the most vulnerable candidate running for reelection. He's facing consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren. The race is a toss up and it leans towards Brown in some elections. But the latest turn of events may have Brown scrambling.
His staffers were mocking Warren by making an inappropriate holler mocking Native Americans.
Elizabeth Warren is catching up! |
The incident occurred this past Saturday in Boston, at a rally for Brown featuring former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn, and at which a group of Warren supporters also showed up with signs. The video was posted Tuesday by the state liberal blog Blue Mass Group.
According to the local ABC affiliate in Boston, it has been confirmed that among the participants were Brown’s deputy Chief of Staff Greg Casey, Constituent Service Counsel Jack Richard, plus state GOP operative Brad Garrett.
“It is certainly something that I don’t condone,” Brown himself told the station. “The real offense is that (Warren) said she was white and then checked the box saying she is Native American, and then she changed her profile in the law directory once she made her tenure.”
“She checked the box claiming she was a Native American. And you know, clearly she’s not,” Brown said. “That being said, I don’t know and neither do the viewers know whether she got ahead as a result of that checking of the box. But the only way that we’ll be able to find that out is to have her release her personnel records, have Harvard release their personnel records to make sure that she did not have an advantage that others were entitled to.”
Brown followed this up with a TV ad on Monday, questioning Warren’s honesty.
Warren answered with an ad of her own. “As a kid, I never asked my mom for documentation when she talked about our Native American heritage. What kid would?” Warren said to the camera in the ad. “But I knew my father’s family didn’t like that she was part Cherokee and part Delaware — so my parents had to elope.
“Let me be clear, I never asked for, never got any benefit, because of my heritage. The people who hired me have all said they didn’t even know about it. I’m Elizabeth Warren, I approve this message. Scott Brown can continue attacking my family — but I”m gonna keep fighting for yours.”
Talking Points Memo contributes to this scandal facing Senator Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts).
Now overall, the Republican Party's chances to reclaim the U.S. Senate is looking dimmer. Although, I still have it likely they'll gain some pick ups, I am guessing they'll win back the senate.
Real Clear Politics has the Democrats holding on 48 while the Republicans holding on 44. But the Republicans are going to pick up Nebraska. Democrats will get likely independent candidate Angus King, former governor of Maine as pick up.
Ohio and Florida are favoring President Barack Obama. Senator Bill Nelson (D-Florida) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) are leading in their races against Republican opponents. Brown is taking on Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel. Nelson is taking on Congressman Connie Mack (R-Florida).
Senator Jon Tester (D-Montana) is catching up with senate candidate Congressman Denny Rehberg (R-Montana). Right now it's leaning towards Rehberg, but it's going to be a tougher race for him.
Senator Dean Heller (R-Nevada) is trying to keep his seat. After being appointed by the state's Republican governor Brian Sandoval appointed him after John Ensign resigned after a major sex scandal. Heller is facing ethics violations as well as his opponent Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-Nevada). Both candidates are distancing themselves from the presidential candidates. The state of Nevada has high unemployment but it's likely a hold for President Barack Obama. He carried the state in 2008.
Virginia is a true toss up! The former senator George Allen and former Democratic National Leader Tim Kaine are both focusing on their state respectfully. Senator Jim Webb (D-Virgina) is retiring and Allen wants to reclaim his seat back! Webb beaten Allen in 2006. The state's unemployment is declining. It's lower than the national average and President Barack Obama is doing slightly well there.
Bottom line, Democrats are feeling optimistic about holding on the U.S. Senate.
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