What are the implications if Scott Brown wins the MA Senate seat next week?

[cali]

I know a lot of people think that will never happen. I sincerely hope they're right, but it's not outside the realm of possibility.

Brown is portraying himself as an old style New England Republican. I don't believe he is one, but that's the persona he's trying to project, all the while winking at the wingnuts by doing such things as accepting the endorsements of tea party groups and MA Right to Life.

If Brown can win in MA, democrats and liberals/progressives are in deep shit. It portends a real disaster- and not just for dems.

Yesterday, Scott Brown raised 1.3 million dollars. That demonstrates just how fired up Repubs are.

[Mass]

1. He is not going to win. Which does not mean that Democrats in MA should feel overconfident,

just that we have to stop doing handwringing.

Send her money, do some GOTV, be useful. This is exactly what the GOP is doing, from out of state. It seems the Democrats once again are unable to do that.

[cali]

2. I hope you're right. I don't see looking at the possibility that you aren't

as handwringing.

[Mass]

3. Yes, because this is what the right wants us to do. We need to act.

We need to get people to go to vote.

But saying (or hypothesing) that we are going to lose is not useful, particularly when we are not.

The point for them is to say it was a hard race, so that they can claim the Democrats are losing traction. It is not. It is a risky race only because it is a special election, not because the GOP is gaining traction in MA.

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. We'll know better after 8pm next Tuesday, won't we?

Until then, assume nothing.

[Mass]

11. Assume nothing, but stay positive. Help in any way you can.

Considering the possibility that Brown can win (particularly when it is unlikely) does not help.

[earthside]

4. Utter Catastrophe.

Virtually impossible for Brown to win.

But ... if it happened, it would obviously be an eight on the Richter political earthquake scale.

The immediate collapse of the so-called "health care reform" effort would be the first crashing edifice.

It would be tremendously discouraging to progressives everywhere in the country.

The Coakley campaign better be working hard on turnout.

[Tailormyst]

5. I'm seeing more and more indie friends that I thought would never vote rep, starting to look at him

It's frightening. Coakley made a big mistake thinking she won the seat when she won the primary. She's got a week to get out there and fight.

[alc]

6. Even if Brown looses

the exit polls could have health reform implications. If the exit polls say that getting rid of the 60 votes for reform was a primary factor in voting for him, there will be congressmen in less "deep blue" states who may change their minds. There are enough other compromises & changes in the bills since the initial house & senate votes that it will be easy to explain a changed vote.

[cali]

8. I doubt that if Brown loses there will be any loss of dem votes for the hc legislation

but if it's within a few points the MSM will make a huge deal over it.

[lukasahero]

7. I can't prove this but I'm sure his money is coming from out of state

I seriously doubt we are going to elect a Repub to fill Teddy's seat - it would be such a slap in the face to the Kennedy's.

[Toots]

10. 1.3 million, is that all?

This is the straw that is floating by for them. They will grasp at it with everything they can muster. In a way this may be an awakening for Democrats.. I don't believe the Republican will win but he will make a very good showing.
For Ted Kennedy's seat for God's sake. This is one of the most Liberal areas in the country..If Democrats don't start behaving as Democrats they may find they won't be in any position to behave period. I will not vote for a Republican, if Democrats act like Republicans I won't vote for them. It is basically quite simple, and I doubt very seriously I am the only person with this attitude.