[SumItUp]

Is this even possible? Polls released today are showing that Brown is tied or leading by up to 4 points in the Massachusetts special election for US Senator. Twelve months ago, I could not have envisioned ANY scenario that this would be possible.

[flamehunter]

He should win. He's running against an idiot. However, it is Massachusetts.

Martha Coakley said on the radio that she's against conscience protections and then added in answer to a question about Catholics in particular:

"you can have religious freedom but you probably shouldn’t work in an emergency room.”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2428942/posts

[01LUGrad]

If this happens, it will send some serious shockwaves across the country. Ted Kennedy's seat to a Republican? You couldn't have seen that one coming.

[BJWilliams]

What many are saying is that if Brown wins this election, the health care bill is dead in the water (as the Democrats would not be able to break filibuster)

[SumItUp]

What many are saying is that if Brown wins this election, the health care bill is dead in the water (as the Democrats would not be able to break filibuster)

The Senate Democrats disagree. They are threatening to pass a health care bill with a simple majority. This would require using a Senate procedure that would risk all of their political capital. A majority of Americans oppose this legislation. Only 35-38% of Americans are in favor of it. This would create a stronger outrage than we have seen in our lifetime from the American people. The Obama administration and the Democrat majorities promised transparency. Their actions have resulted in the exact opposite.

Health Bill Can Pass Senate With 51 Votes, Van Hollen Says

[ALUmnus]

It would really be an accomplishment to sound more arrogant that Van Hollen in that interview. What a putz.

[NG33]

As a conservative from the Bay State, I got to say this has been a very welcome surprise. Liberals registered to vote versus Conservatives is around 2 to 1 over here, and seeing Scott Brown doing so well in recent polls has really been a shocker to all. Also, Martha Coakley seems like she's literally Trying to LOSE the race. Her ruthless demeanor and recent idiotic comments (calling Curt Schilling a Yankee fan!!) have made her less appealing w/ each passing day. Also, the fact that her husband's own Union is backing Brown doesn't bode well for her too. Just my 2 cents.

[01LUGrad]

Obama drew less than 2,000 supporters at Northeastern University today campaigning for Coakley. My, how times have changed. I always figured the One's popularity would dwindle, but I never thought it would be such a cliff dive.

I wonder if even Chris Matthews still has that tingling in his pants when Obama talks.

[4everfsu]

If this happens, it will send some serious shockwaves across the country. Ted Kennedy's seat to a Republican? You couldn't have seen that one coming.

Even if it Brown does not win but comes close, it will send shock waves. A lot of Dems in both the house and senate who are up for re election this fall will have second thoughts about voting for Obama care.

[LUconn]

If Brown wins this it will totally change my view of this country and the modern day election process. I was sure that there were very few places in which it wasn't just voting the party line. Mass is 100% one of those places. Brown's campaign has been "I will stop this healthcare bill", and the people are responding. I really thought the general population was beyond the point where they could make a decision like this. It kinda restores a little bit of hope in the voter aspect of the election process. I think even the deep blue citizens know it's too dangerous to have one party with no check, even if it is their own party.

I would have been even happier if it were possible for the 3rd party (L) candidate to win, although I might have just assumed the massholes just saw the name Kennedy and checked it off.

[UNCA Alum]

Zero chance all of the Dems in the House that voted for it earlier will quickly vote for the Senate version now. They are up for re-election and if a Dem can't win Ted Kennedy's freakin' seat, they all know that they are vulnerable. Public opinion polls on the legislation are already enough to justify House Dems dropping the reform, but the prospect of losing an election will provide the final nail in the coffin.

Saving your behind >>>> helping poor President Obama actually accomplish something and helping Congressional Dem leadership save a little face.

There aren't enough safe Democrats in the House to get to 220 or whatever number they need.

If they do quickly pass the Senate version of the healthcare bill before Scott Brown is seated, there will be a MASSIVE GOP takeover in November like never before seen.

[GoUNCA]

Obama pulled less than 2000 people in a room that holds 1000. I have some friends who had to pack into some other room to watch it.

As someone who currently lives in the bay state, but isn't registered there (I still have NC residency) my take is that Coakley basically didn't campaign at all until Brown's numbers moved up. That would have been an okay plan were the election in November because everyone would show up and vote democratic. Brown has run a pretty good campaign, I'm interested in how things shake out.

I don't think 41 GOP votes kills a health bill though or Brown could be remembered as the person who saved socialized medicine (albeit 15-20 years down the road). Interesting to see how the big picture moves forward.

[LUconn]

I wish there was some way to get rid of the supermajority, but at the same time for Coakley to win. She has been a laugh out loud train wreck these past couple of weeks, even calling Curt Schilling "another yankee fan". She's gaining momentum to replace Biden in the Senate as a walking gaffe. Seriously entertaining.

[belcherboy]

I still think Coakley wins by 1-2 points. I'm not sure a Democrat will lose Ted Kennedy's seat, no matter how badly they run their campaign. Coakley has done her best to lose this election, but I still see her winning it, although barely!

[NG33]

I still think Coakley wins by 1-2 points. I'm not sure a Democrat will lose Ted Kennedy's seat, no matter how badly they run their campaign. Coakley has done her best to lose this election, but I still see her winning it, although barely!

IF she wins (which seems to be a big if now) it'll be due to the people that just vote for Coakley due to the "D" next to her name. I mean Registered Dems to GOP voters are 3 to 1. It all depends on the number of Dems who do not want this certain healthcare bill to go through and decide to vote for Brown.

[dbackjon]

If Brown wins, there are two factors:

One, people actually believing the "socialist" crap about Obama, is a right of center polititian and two, Progressives angry at Obama and the Democratic leadership about all the failed promises to the progressive wing that got him elected.

[NG33]

If Brown wins, there are two factors:

One, people actually believing the "socialist" crap about Obama, is a right of center polititian and two, Progressives angry at Obama and the Democratic leadership about all the failed promises to the progressive wing that got him elected.

You forgot Coakley disconnect w/ Red Sox nation

[dbackjon]

If Brown wins, there are two factors:

One, people actually believing the "socialist" crap about Obama, is a right of center polititian and two, Progressives angry at Obama and the Democratic leadership about all the failed promises to the progressive wing that got him elected.

You forgot Coakley disconnect w/ Red Sox nation

That too. Schilling

[UNCA Alum]

If Brown wins, there are two factors:

One, people actually believing the "socialist" crap about Obama, is a right of center polititian and two, Progressives angry at Obama and the Democratic leadership about all the failed promises to the progressive wing that got him elected.

Would maybe make sense if Obama's name was actually on the ballot.

I know that President Obama probably believes otherwise, but everything isn't always about Barry.

[RubberMallet]

I still think Coakley wins by 1-2 points. I'm not sure a Democrat will lose Ted Kennedy's seat, no matter how badly they run their campaign. Coakley has done her best to lose this election, but I still see her winning it, although barely!

IF she wins (which seems to be a big if now) it'll be due to the people that just vote for Coakley due to the "D" next to her name. I mean Registered Dems to GOP voters are 3 to 1. It all depends on the number of Dems who do not want this certain healthcare bill to go through and decide to vote for Brown.

also the fact that dems are walking around having people fill out absentee ballots and then handing them in at the end of the day.

[01LUGrad]

If Brown loses, I tend to believe something like this happened:

[youtube]

[/youtube]

[01LUGrad]

I'm also fed up with the whole, "Republicans don't have a plan, they just vote no" crap. They have put forward plans, but they are not even entertained and the great and mighty round table discussions between O, P, and R. I know, I know, the news SAID the GOP has no plans. That must be fact then, right?

Not so much.
http://republicans.waysandmeans.house.g ... ty_Act.pdf

[BJWilliams]

Well if they say it on television...IT MUST BE TRUE.

[dbackjon]

I still think Coakley wins by 1-2 points. I'm not sure a Democrat will lose Ted Kennedy's seat, no matter how badly they run their campaign. Coakley has done her best to lose this election, but I still see her winning it, although barely!

IF she wins (which seems to be a big if now) it'll be due to the people that just vote for Coakley due to the "D" next to her name. I mean Registered Dems to GOP voters are 3 to 1. It all depends on the number of Dems who do not want this certain healthcare bill to go through and decide to vote for Brown.

also the fact that dems are walking around having people fill out absentee ballots and then handing them in at the end of the day.

All reports I have seen are about ballots pre-marked for Brown...

[NG33]

All reports I have seen are about ballots pre-marked for Brown...

It's also been reported that Coakley supporters in Mass were using absentee ballots as well.. both have been "discredited" but it'ls still far from one-sided