Heading into 2012, Massachusetts senator Scott Brown appeared to be the most vulnerable Republican incumbent. He won in unique circumstances against a colossally flawed rival, and in a presidential year, Democrats are likely to come out in droves. But he may be in less trouble than widely believed, at least for now:
But the DSCC received some bad news this week when a poll it commissioned found that Brown’s popularity is soaring. The survey, which has been seen by at least one D.C. insider and was detailed for Salon, measured Brown’s approval rating at 73 percent — easily surpassing the scores for Barack Obama and the state’s two top Democrats, Gov. Deval Patrick and Sen. John Kerry. It also found him running over the magic 50 percent mark against every potential Democratic challenger, and crushing the strongest perceived Democrats (Reps. Michael Capuano and Ed Markey and former Rep. Marty Meehan) by double-digit margins. The results only grew closer when respondents were primed with negative information about Brown.
A public poll from earlier this month wasn’t quite as shiny for Brown, but he still looked pretty solid:
The survey found 53 percent of respondents held a favorable view of Brown, and 27 percent held an unfavorable view, with 15 percent offering no opinion and 5 percent saying they hadn’t heard of Brown or refusing to answer.
The poll also found 52 percent wanted Brown reelected, and he led Rep. Michael Capuano 51–38 and Obama advisor Elizabeth Warren 51–34.
Interestingly, that poll found few Republicans all that dissatisifed with Brown, who hasn’t always toed the GOP line: “96 percent of Republicans support him in the suggested matchups.”
Obviously, it’s early. But so far, this would seem to be particularly strong position for Brown.
Let's change the name to "Late-morning Jolt."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI Listen folks, most of us are realistic about Sen Brown and the positions he must take in order to be elected. The only people I know who don’t like Sen. Brown are hard core leftist and Dems; pretty much everyone else in the Commonwealth likes him. Also, keep in mind that most of us North Eastern conservatives are not religious conservatives and we actually don’t want our Senator to tackle those issues. I was a bit disappointed with his support for the so-called Financial Reform bill, but otherwise, I think he’s done a great job and plan on supporting his re-election campaign.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseKeep in mind though that the Dem machine is incredibly powerful in MA. It’s very possible for the Union machine to drum up and for Brown to lose even if he polls higher than the Dem. This is what worries me most - Sen. Brown must turn out voters and I’m not sure how he does that, other than building an organization form the ground up.
Brown is as good as it is going to get for Republicans and Conservatives in Mass. On his worst day, Brown looks life WFB compared to Teddy K.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseListen. Scott Brown annoys me as much as the next guy. But he is what he is. A red seat holder in a deep blue state. He's a useful tool.
So he sides with us only 65% of the time... Would you rather have someone who sides with us 5% like a John Kerry? And gives Harry Reid an extra head count? Please!
Go Scott Brown!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMass. voters actually like him? Must be something wrong with him. Lets get an unelectable primary candidate to take this guy out!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTime for the O'Donnell rule to kick in. All True Conservatives must wholeheartedly, enthusiastically support a Christine O'Donnell clone against Brown in the primary.
Come on, Red State, get things going. Come on, Mark Levin, start claiming Brown supported impeaching George W. Bush.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI acutally sent money to Scott Brown during the campaign, a decision I regret today.
Brown has been a massive disappointment. I guess I am supposed to be "excited" that he is leading in a poll. I would feel about as "exicted" about Brown as I would Lincoln Chafee or Jim Jeffords. Which is to say I couldn't care less.
I suspect his fundraising next year will be far below that of his initial run for the seat.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTo compare him Jeffords and Chaffee is beyond absurd. He's on our side. To think he was Jim Demint coming in was absurd. 60 Scott Browns in the Senate isn't 60 Tom Coburns but he's a good, common sense guy. You loons would be saying the same thing about Danny Tarkanian, I'm sure.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSpare me the "he is on our side" nonsense.
Just today, Brown went on the record to say that the very modest GOP budget cuts were "irresponsible":
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Brown is pathetic.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI am not completely excited with Brown.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI don't always like where he stands on issues or how he votes.But he's playing the game! He's got a short term and needs to be re-elected its a slippery slope, hey this is Massachusetts. I will take him over some of the other choices. I can only hope that once he has a full term ahead of him he will be on firmer ground and more able to stick his neck out.
Now we need to get rid of other dead wood Dems. Kerry has to go! And Barney is an embarrassment. We will have to wait a bit longer on that one unfortunately.
People on the right amuse me about Brown. I supported (spiritually, not financially) his election because it was an important symbol. I was under no illusions. He is a Republican trying to win in a deeply Democrat area. Newsflash, Massachusetts is highly unlikely to elect a true conservative or libertarian. With Brown you get headcount. So long as he is not caucusing with the Dems, he simply reduces the size of their majority. In states where you can get better people, by all means get them (let's work on getting better Senators in Texas. Right now, both of ours really are just headcount, this state can do better). Work on getting better our of Massachusetts when the Senate is firmly in control of grownups (sorely missing from both major parties), for now, be happy he is fewer votes for Reid.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAn O'Donnell clone? Is the original employed/unavailable right now?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe GOP and the nation will be better off when the GOP loses MA and the 2 ME seats to the DEMs and the, DEMs lose ND, SD, NE, LA, AR, NC, MO and 1 of the 2 VA seats to the GOP. NE liberal RINOs simply muddy the idealogical waters between the two parties and confuse voters.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat is most amusing about Brown is that his "I drive a truck" campaign theme would have been mocked by the Republican talking heads if a red state Republican, let's say Sarah Palin, had been the one using it. That was pretty goofy, yet it worked in Mass.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt is not particularly important to me how Scott Brown votes on most things. As long as after 2012 he continues to caucus with Republicans and helps gain the majority in the Senate we can continue with health care repeal.
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