What Can Brown Do For You?

The whole country is buzzing about the historic victory of Senator-elect Scott Brown (R-MA) in Massachusetts last night. Some people are already thinking about getting him to run for President in 2012. He’s run a great campaign, is fantastic with throw away one liners, is very telegenic and charismatic.

And he can do a lot of things. He can kill Obamacare. He will likely kill Cap and Trade (if it wasn’t already dead). In fact, his presence makes all of Obama’s big ticket items risky. Not because he gives Republicans the 41st vote, but because he shows every single Blue Dog Democrat what it’s all about. He’s a constant reminder that anyone can be defeated.

But…

He’s still a Massachusetts Republican. He’s going to be another Olympia Snowe (R-ME) in many cases. He’s going to be one of the Republicans Democrats approach when they want bipartisan support. And he’s going to give it to them in some cases. He’s a better looking and better speaking George W. Bush (R-USA) with even less experience. He’s John McCain (R-AZ) with hair and youth.

Is that who you want for your nominee?

I don’t.

Don’t get me wrong. I like Brown and wish him all the best. And I hope he surprises me and tilts farther right than I expect. Some of his campaign speeches give me some hope in that regard, but I keep looking at that MA next to his name. To be re-elected to the Senate in 2012, he’s going to have to remember who he represents, and his constituents are going to expect him to be a centrist, at the very least. If he doesn’t he’s going to have a very short career in the U.S. Senate.

Which will likely be the case in any event.

So, what can he do? He can stop the Obama agenda in its tracks in 2010. He can work with the President to get some things passed in 2011 and 2012. And he can go back home at the end of 2012.

That is the likely outcome. I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade. Today’s a great day to be happy if you’re a conservative. But don’t start believing that Brown is the answer to everything. He’s not. In a few years, if he’s still around, many will be complaining about what a RINO he is. Well, guess what? If you want a Republican elected in MA, or ME, or NY, s/he’s probably going to be a RINO. Even Rudy Giuliani (R-NY) qualifies at least on social issues.

Oh, and congrats to Scott Brown (R-MA), my new favorite New England politician.

Democrats, take solace in the fact that the senior Senator from MA is still JFK, and that 2012 is just around the corner.