Liberty Maven

Today, voters go to the polls in Massachusetts for a special election to replace the deceased liberal icon Senator Ted Kennedy. Everyone knew a Republican wouldn’t have a chance. Thanks to a poor Democratic candidate, major opposition to health reform, and a well-run campaign by Republican Scott Brown, everyone was wrong.

The last polling available before today’s election had Brown up by 5% and 9% in two different polls. A Brown win would not only mean the eternally blue stained seat long held by Ted Kennedy would turn red, it also means that Obama’s health reform efforts would take a serious hit. Last week Barney Frank (who lives up to his last name) said, “If Scott Brown wins, it’ll kill the health bill.” Those words became the battle cry for opponents of health reform.

The thinking is that if Brown turns Blue into Red other moderate Democrats will reconsider voting for health reform because it will signal to them that they may not get re-elected if they vote otherwise. Also, if Brown wins the Democrats no longer have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. So there’s a lot riding on tomorrow’s election in Massachusetts, but as is often the case with these things, I’m conflicted.

I despise the health care reform bills proposed by the Democrats yet if I were a Massachusetts resident I wouldn’t be voting for Scott Brown tomorrow. I’d be voting for Joe Kennedy. Why you ask? Simple. I vote issues, not politics. When you look behind the hype and focus on the issues Kennedy comes out ahead. It’s too bad all the momentum and money is going to the “wrong” candidate. Brown is a campaign manager’s dream. His family is beautiful. He speaks with charisma and all the soundbites people love. I wish he was just as good on the issues, but he’s not. Then again, maybe that’s another reason he has a good chance of winning, no matter how many votes Joe Kennedy gets.

Doesn’t anyone find it odd that Scott Brown supports government health care for Massachusetts (AKA Romneycare) yet those opposed to it nationally are the ones who helped fill his campaign coffers with money? Doesn’t anyone find it odd that Joe Kennedy was dubbed the Tea Party candidate long before Scott Brown somehow mysteriously co-opted that moniker?

I’ve always been glad I don’t live in Massachusetts for a variety of reasons, but right now I have another reason. Sure, in the interest of stopping health care reform, it might be nice if  Scott Brown wins today, but I certainly would not vote for the guy. He’s the poster child for the neo-conservative hijacking of the Tea Party movement. When Rudy Giuliani and John McCain crash the party, it’s time for liberty-lovers to find another party.