Just a couple months ago, Scott Brown was virtually unknown to most Americans. Now he is a household name. When Brown won the Massachusetts election to fill the seat previously held by Ted Kennedy, he did not just beat the candidate opposing him on the ballot — Martha Coakley. He beat Barack Obama. Brown campaigned openly against the President’s policies, namely health care. And he won. In Massachusetts.
So what’s next for Scott Brown? Well, there is some speculation he could run for President in 2012.
Um… let’s hold on for just a minute. Please.
It is understandable that people are excited about Brown’s victory. After all, he campaigned against Obama’s liberal agenda and won — in Massachusetts of all places. So some have begun thinking that Brown could beat Obama head-to-head across the country in 2012. But let’s temper this excitement with a dose of reality.
Scott Brown hasn’t really done much yet. Yes, he just ran a great campaign and won the election for the Senate. But he hasn’t even served a term in the Senate yet. This doesn’t automatically disqualify him, but it should make us stop and think. Remember the last guy we elected President during his first Senate term. Look at how that’s turned out so far. Scott Brown has only proven that he’s potentially electable. He has yet to prove that he should be President.
Scott Brown is pro-choice. Sure, he may be against partial birth abortion, federal funding for abortion, and he would like to see the number of abortions decrease. But the fact remains that he still believes that choice should be legal. He may be able to win a Republican primary in Massachusetts for Senate, but there is simply no way he wins a national Republican nomination with his pro-choice views.
The Republicans need a candidate who is not just a fiscal conservative (like Brown), but is a true conservative. Scott Brown may turn out to be a good Senator. And he may one day change his views on abortion. But right now, he simply should not be considered as a potential Presidential candidate in 2012. For now, let’s be content that he is the 41st vote that can block Obamacare.
There are others who can challenge Barack Obama in 2012. We need a candidate that can clearly articulate conservative principles, is sharp enough to cut through Obama’s rhetoric to make him look foolish in debate, and one who has a backbone so that he will not back down or compromise. That type of candidate is what we need. Scott Brown is not it in 2012.
-Andy Sochor
