Tell them that you are a Tea Partier and THEY are the teabaggers.
Posted on 01/20/2010 8:31:32 AM PST by raccoonradio
Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley limps out of the bruising Senate battle with a damaged image and an uncertain future, while state Sen. Scott Brown bursts onto the national scene as a rising Republican star, experts told the Herald yesterday.
A prohibitive early favorite, Coakley squandered a 30-point lead to an unknown, upstart state senator, losing “Ted Kennedy’s seat” in an electoral collapse some compared to the worst disasters in Bay State political history.
“This is probably more damaging (to Coakley) than Dukakis in the tank,” said political analyst Lou DiNatale.
“She’s damaged goods,” DiNatale said. “The question is whether she’s going to survive.”
A veteran Democratic operative who asked not to be named said insiders were “disgusted“ by Coakley’s performance.
“She’s toast,” he said.
Coakley is unlikely to get another shot at higher office after blowing the Senate race. And if she tries to hold on as attorney general, she’ll face some high hurdles, the operative said.
Her defeat last night leaves her open to challenges from Republicans and Democrats alike.
For starters, Coakley may have trouble raising money. With just $93,000 in her state account, Coakley will have the unappealing chore of hitting up people who just bankrolled her failed Senate bid.
Brown, on the other hand, emerges from this campaign as “a celebrity, a political superstar,” said Todd Domke, a Republican political analyst.
“That’s rare for a Republican in Massachusetts or any politician,” he added.
Brown can write his own ticket in Republican circles after whipping a well-financed Democratic machine, in a Democratic state, and in pursuit of the white whale of GOP politics - the seat held by the late liberal icon Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.
“This is the coveted prize - the pelt of Ted Kennedy’s seat,” said Thomas Whalen, a Boston University political historian.
Brown, until recently an obscure GOP state senator best known as a former male model, nearly stepped aside to allow former White House chief of staff Andy Card to take on the Democrats. Now, it’s Brown who’s being touted as a possible national candidate.
“There’ll be speculation that the 2012 Republican ticket will be (Sarah) Palin-Brown,” Whalen said.
As some Democratic insiders blamed the candidate, Coakley’s loss isn’t entirely on her, said Tobe Berkovitz, a Boston University communications professor.
Democrats who eagerly backed President Obama’s agenda - particulary his controversial health-care overhaul - may have overestimated its popularity here and across the country.
“They all chugged down the Obama Kool-Aid,” said Berkovitz, “and now they’re realizing that it may not be the beverage for 2010.”
The seat held by the "white whale" of liberalism, you mean? This was a mental image I could have done without.
Not only did Brown win Barnstable county (Cape Cod) I understand he won the Swimmer’s home precinct
Yeah I’m getting the teabag bit from people on facebook. Should we call them d-baggers?
Tell them that you are a Tea Partier and THEY are the teabaggers.
Sorry. Couldn't resist.
I know it is bad to speak ill of the dead, but always remember that Ted Kennedy killed one more person than Global Warming ever did.
Scott Brown took over the swimmer’s seat and is gonna drive the health care bill off the bridge.
It appeared to me that Teddy's influence depended on his ability to do personal favors, and it didn't survive him. Like a Vito Corleone minus Michael.
"They all chugged down the Obama Kool-Aid," said Berkovitz, "and now they're realizing that it may not be the beverage for 2010."
Realizing you drank poison is not an antidote. They drank it, and now come the consequences, "sorry" or not.
I wonder what the opinion of these same experts is concerning the color of the sky. These guys are friggin smart.
Tell them nasty adjectives only work for adolecents and liberals. We don’t really care what silly names you come up with because we are the second tea party patriots and they should take notice of what happened again last night in Boston Habor with the second shot heard around the country. Call us teabaggers and we’ll call your side “toast” after November! :)
Eeewwwwwwwww.....
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