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And so it is that Massachusetts Democrats - and the country - are left pondering what to make of the Scott Brown victory over Democratic Uber-Favorite Martha Coakley. Without re-hashing the details of Coakley's missteps, we really do need to examine the two theories being tossed around. The question is whether the more right wing elements in Massachusetts had their day and can claim a victorious "revolution" or whether this was a clarion call for fear, confusion, mistrust, and the ever-present "it's the economy stupid" phenomenon.
As you can probably tell from my tone - and from the attached photo - I do not believe this was a revolution of any kind. I think the proper analogy would be "Market Correction." People are clearly hurting economically and were scared to death by the mischaracterization and distortions surrounding Obama's Health Care Reform. Massachusetts has a fine tradition of using high profile positions to send messages (to whom we will never know) that it is time for some good old fashion fiscal conservatism. That is how we routinely get Republicans on Beacon Hill. The Weld and Romney elections, in many ways, were similar to what we just experienced. It really doesn't matter that the policies of these conservative politicos will not help the daily lives of any of the people most angry and scared - but so be it - they got their message across. Again - what exactly the message is - is never clear.
While this is a vague point - it is an important one. It is critical that we understand the confusion of the electorate so that the more right leaning elements can't claim undue victory. With all due respect to my friends and colleagues across the aisle, and to those who man the "Tea Party" boats -with crates in hand, this was not a victory for that philosophy. If the "T.P" folks had a rally tomorrow on their next issue of the day, there would still be 5 guys and a dog who show up. No, this was a victory for the Reagan Democrats. The ones who are just sick and tired of something and want to see - well - they're really not sure what they want to see - they just want to see and hear less of the Democrats right now. If you are a Colbert Report fan, think of his mantra of the way people FEEL information instead of THINKING it. This election is the latest case in point of that very real political philosophy.
To be sure, people want less money spent on "things" because, well, they have less money so spending money by the government must be bad - right? Well - kind of. If we look at the history of the other side of these "market corrections" in Massachusetts, we can see exactly how they boomerang. When people lift their heads out of the sand, they see that the fiscal conservatives that "got" elected (how on earth did they every get elected Mary) actually want to cut vital programs that impact the daily lives of, well, everyone. Trust me, I've seen it. Parents of students who have x program cut, or people getting a certain subsidy all get impacted and then bam - right out with the conservatives. Yes - for doing exactly what they were elected to do. Just like Obama.
And so it is with the fickle electorate here in the Bay-State. The only problem now is that Scott Brown will not have the kind of impact that a Governor would. If he plays his cards right, and votes socially liberal and economically conservative, he could have a long career in the Senate. If, however, he starts voting with those who want to limit abortion rights and going down those roads - his Senate career could be just a blip on the radar screen - just waiting for a Democrat with some verve and passion to get back the seat that the late Senator Kennedy used so effectively to fight injustice and economic disparity his entire life. Good luck Scott. With this electorate, you'll need it.---
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