Posted on 01/24/2010 9:04:57 PM PST by rabscuttle385
The past week has been marked by the meteoric rise of Sen. elect Scott Brown, who just a few short weeks ago - as a friend recently put it to me - was the “third most famous person in his family.” How swiftly fortunes can change. Today, Brown is the undisputed darling of the Republican Party.
No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, Brown’s innate appeal is hard to deny. Perhaps it’s easiest to say that, at least from appearances, he has all the characteristics that made Sarah Palin a star in the GOP and none of her paralyzing weaknesses. He’s Hollywood handsome, well educated, down to earth, has served in the National Guard and seems to have perfectly captured the brewing discontent among Massachusetts’ voters, some who gave President Obama their support in 2008. As for the whispers of sexism - which were exacerbated by Brown’s minor faux pas involving his daughters’ availability during his election night victory speech- the facts on the ground tell a different story. He, like President Obama, is surrounded by three strong women at home. He is the husband of a successful journalist and father of two bright young women. The multi-talented Ayla made it to the final 16 on American Idol in 2006 and earned a basketball scholarship to Boston College. She encapsulates what it means to be successful in American culture. Oh, and his other daughter Arianna, well, she’s just the low key equally gorgeous pre-med student at Syracuse.
With all of Brown’s appeal, it’s hard to say precisely what impact he will have on Washington. But his ascendancy comes at a time when the GOP is still recovering from the sweeping electoral victory by Democrats in 2008. As anyone who has closely monitored the talking points offered by conservatives on the Sunday talk shows can tell you, the GOP has had no clear leader over the past year. “We have many leaders” has essentially been the pre-packaged answer, a euphemistic response for the real state of affairs.
The most interesting political chatter surrounding Brown’s political future involves his relationship with former Gov. Mitt Romney. Last Thursday, the Herald’s Hillary Chabot reported that Romney “lent Brown his political brain trust, including campaign strategist Eric Fehrnstrom and spokesman Felix Browne” and “emailed his donors shortly after Christmas asking them to give to Brown, even as the national party was all but ignoring him.”
There are some big questions here. What exactly does Romney have up his sleeve? Did he anticipate that Brown would garner presidential speculation? Did Romney use this race as a dry run for the strategy he may choose to employ in the event he runs for the White House in 2012? With the unemployment rate still hovering around ten percent and the broader economy still fragile, an astute businessman like Romney seemed - at least pre-Brown - to be the most attractive contender for the Republican nomination. But has Brown become more politically viable than Romney? It’s a tough question for Romney, but one he will have to face. Fortunately, he can still pivot.
Perhaps the solution for Romney is convincing Brown not to run for president in 2012, but to accept the VP slot should Romney succeed in capturing the nomination. Brown is a young 50 and more than a decade younger than Romney. He has plenty of time. Plus, there is no better stepping stone to the White House than the veep post. Given Romney’ role in Brown’s rise and the powerful team they would make, it’s plausible Brown would would make the bargain.
Yikes.
Not constitutional. The Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates must be from different states.
What is it with this people and Romney? He is the quintessential insider D.C. loving establishment Republican....everything the tea party, independents and frustrated voter isn’t looking for!!
Absolutely, positively NOT. With a capital NOT.
I wouldn’t buy that Ken doll even if he was the last one on the shelf.
There had to be some reason Romney was pushing Brown...maybe it was the Cosmo foldout?
Unconstitutional.
Romney (more likely than Brown) could fix that in time. The barf is Romney. I could see a Brown/Palin or Palin/Brown.
You thaying Romney ith gaaaaaaay?
Thatth thtupid. It could ath well be Brown’th daughtherth.
For Mass. Gov. & Lt. Gov; Maybe.
For POTUS = H.E. double-hockey-sticks - NO!!!
But where romney is involved, I expect little else.
What? Show me.
I am not a big Romney fan - but this is not about Romney.
No, like him or hate him, he unarguably has the experience to be President. I disagree with his lukewarm conservatism, but that is a different issue entirely.
My issue is Scott Brown - who may turn out to be a great guy and the next Ronald Reagan - or maybe not. We have no way of knowing, yet - until we see how he does as a Governor, or as a high-visibility member of Congress.
Attempting to elevate him before his time makes us no better than the idiots who were chanting “O-BA-MA” in 2006, or voting for him in 2008.
Regardless of wheather you agree with Brown or not... the wonderful thing about him was - for me - how anti-romney he is!
He is new (to the national scene), fresh, naive to a certain extend, sees life in a rather simple way... and I don't think he has money to speak of (imgine, not a millionaire! /s). As much a 'regular' guy as it is posssible of find in a politician.
Contrast that image to Romney.... Ugggh... excuse me.... I need to vomit.
Did Palin drop dead and i’m not aware? apparently the American political scene has changed a lot since the Mass election.
I will never trust Romney as far as I can throw him.....NEVER!
Romney seemed like an alien from outer space. Everything was so perfect. Even his speeches were perfect. He said he was for everything conservatives wanted even though his actual record proved he was anything but.
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