Turns out outgoing Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) plays a pretty nifty game of 11 dimensional chess himself. While he's out in 10 days after his loss to Elizabeth Warren, he's very deftly been laying the groundwork for another run. A new polls seems to suggest his chances are quite fortuitous:
"Forty-seven percent of registered voters would vote for Brown compared with 39 percent who would vote for a generic Democrat. Against many of the most talked-about Democratic candidates, Brown holds big leads. He tops Rep. Michael Capuano, 47 percent to 28 percent; has a 48 percent to 30 percent lead over Rep. Ed Markey; and holds a whopping 51 percent to 24 percent lead over Rep. Stephen Lynch. And his lead over former Rep. Marty Meehan is 49 percent to 30 percent."
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/mass-poll-scott-brown-for-john-kerry-seat-85352.html#ixzz2FcDKkkBm
What's not been talked about enough is the extent to the fight over Susan Rice as a candidate for Secretary of State was very integral to Brown's chances of getting back in soon. If John Kerry is appointed Secretary of State then his seat is open and there will be another special election to decide who wins it-much like the one Brown won for the late Ted Kennedy's seat.
Whether or not it's the whole reason for the GOP Jeremiad against Rice, this was certainly one major part of it that hasn't been discussed enough. Rice and Kerry were the favorites. With Rice gone it would seem that Kerry's the man giving Brown his chance. The GOP has hardly been shy about this. Brown was already praising Kerry for the job the day after his own defeat and McCain after denigrating Rice's basic competence actually said that he thinks Kerry would be an excellent choice.
In this same way Brown's sudden religion on the need for an assault weapon ban is way too convenient.
"Outgoing Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown has become the first GOP senator to endorse a renewed assault weapons ban."
“What happened in Newtown where those children were subject to that level of violence is beyond my comprehension,” Brown told the Springfield Republican on Wednesday. “As a state legislator in Massachusetts I supported an assault weapons ban thinking other states would follow suit. But unfortunately, they have not and innocent people are being killed. As a result, I support a federal assault weapons ban, perhaps like the legislation we have in Massachusetts.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/scott-brown-backs-assault-gun-ban-85348.html#ixzz2FcEwxdiJ
A few things to note. First of all, he won't be around in January to actually vote on such legislation. Secondly, he's done a 180 on this over night:
"Previously, Brown had long opposed new federal restrictions on guns, arguing the issue should be left to the states. But Brown earned the endorsement of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in November’s election in part by opposing legislation that would’ve allowed concealed weapon permit holders to carry guns across state lines."
What really helped Warren come back and defeat Brown was tying him to the GOP machine-basically Mitch McConnell and friends. This rather blatant about face should also be seen in this light. He's voicing support for what he never did support back in office when he it would mean anything.
Yet if Mass voters hear this and vote for him, he may be the vote that actually would thwart comprehensive gun control in the future. It's a very impressive game. Don't fall for it Mass voters.
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