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January 20, 2010

GOP Candidate Wins Upset Race for Mass. Senate Seat
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In Massachusetts, Republican Scott Brown has won an upset victory over
Democrat Martha Coakley in a special election for the Senate seat
vacated by the late Edward Kennedy. Brown’s victory will leave Democrats
in nominal control of fifty-nine seats, one short of the sixty needed to
overcome Republican filibusters. The result could immediately derail
President Obama’s push for a healthcare reform bill, which Kennedy
described as the cause of his life. Addressing cheering supporters,
Brown said he would vote against the current legislation.

Sen.-elect Scott Brown: “One thing is very, very clear, as I traveled
throughout the state: people do not want the trillion-dollar healthcare
plan that is being forced—that is being forced on the American people.
And this bill is not being debated openly and fairly. It will raise
taxes. It will raise taxes. It will hurt Medicare. It will destroy jobs
and run our nation deeper into debt.”

In addition to his stance on healthcare reform, Brown has voiced support
for the torture technique known as waterboarding on foreign prisoners
and has opposed a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants unless
they first leave the United States. Coakley began the race as a heavy
favorite, but was criticized for what some characterized as a lackluster
campaign. In her concession speech, Coakley invoked the words of the
late Senator Kennedy.

Martha Coakley: “OK, so this is the deal. Although our campaign ends
tonight, we know that our mission continues and our work goes on. I am
heartbroken at the result, and I know that you are also.”



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