WHAT HAPPENED?

This week in Massachusetts politics brings to mind a quote from Wall Street by Martin Sheen that has some staying power - "I guess if a man lives long enough he'll see everything and I do mean everything?  What else you got in your bag of tricks Mr. Gekko?" 

 

Except in this case Mr. Gekko was Mr. Brown and it wasn't a bag of tricks but rather, in many respects, a perfect storm for Martha Coakley and the Democrats (myself included here) which culminated in a resounding loss of the seat held for 47 years by Ted Kennedy - whom I memorialized here not long ago.  Republican Senator Elect Brown ran a good, grass roots, and effective campaign which was helped in no small part by the current apprehension over the health care overhaul, the state of the economy, and people's dissatisfaction with President Obama's performance - despite the fact he has only been in office for 1 year. 

What was thought not long ago to be an impossibility is today a reality.  How?   In addition to the above, it appears that the electorate felt Coakley's campaign took the race far too lightly and that because she won the primary, the general election was almost nothing more than a formality.  Part of the reason being that this was Ted Kennedy's seat for 47 years, held by his brother JFK before that who unseated Henry Cabot Lodge - a Republican.  This, however, made no difference to the electorate who responded positively to Scott Brown, particularly in rural MA, as an agent of change who presented himself as a regular guy who wanted to get down to Washington and represent the average person.  Another issue of course was that the turnout in the cities from traditional Democratic strongholds went for Coakley but in significantly smaller numbers.  Brown's campaign furthermore made good use of not only the traditional media but capitalized on the recent surge in use of social media - facebook, twitter etc.  They further enlisted the support of local sports figures and celebrities - Doug Flutie, Lenny Clark and John Ratzenberger, among others.  By the time the Democrats pulled in the big names - Clinton and Obama visited last weekend - it was too late. Brown came back from a 30 point deficit to win by 5 points.  

So what happens now?  Per today's Globe the Republicans are targeting several incumbent congressmen as well as considering runs for state legislative seats.  Per a twitter text moments ago Joe Malone is being "prodded" to run and is apparently seriously considering  a go at the 10th congressional district.  Begs the question - will opponents be recycled candidates from years ago or can new faces be found - stay tuned.  Worth mentioning as well that this was a race for an open seat not one currently held by a popular incumbent. 

It will be important for the Dems not to waste time pointing fingers and playing a blame game for this loss - there are much larger problems looming.  Also worth noting - a lot of blue in John Olver's district in Western Mass - this should not be overlooked!  Worth some analysis and certainly some consultation with folks just west of central MA - God's country!    


Finally, a lot of commentators are indicating that change is the reason for the loss here.  Ironically, as pointed out today by the Globe's Yvonne Abraham, change was the reason Obama won so handily - but apparently unless that change is effectuated within a year's  time we need to change again to "the party that blocks his (Obama's) every move".   

Will certainly be an interesting Summer and Fall!