TIMES ONLINE: Scott Brown, a previously obscure state legislator, lawyer and former male model, became the new star of the Republican Party yesterday, with some members suggesting that he should now aim for the White House.
The father of two delivered what he called a “voter bomb” to take the seat held by Edward Kennedy, the Democratic “Lion of the Senate” for 47 years — and by his brother John F. Kennedy before that.
Mr Brown, 50, triumphed in what is viewed as America’s most liberal state, provoking speculation that he could try for the Republican nomination for the presidency. But he told a Boston press conference: “To think about something higher ... I’m just honoured to be in this position.
“If you would have told me growing up — a guy whose mum was on welfare and whose parents had marital problems and I had some issues growing up — that a guy from Wrentham would be standing here and going to Washington, are you kidding me? It’s overwhelming.”
Rapturous supporters saw him as a symbol of Republican resurgence after the crushing defeat in 2008 that put Barack Obama in the White House and gave the Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.
Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts Governor and Republican presidential contender, said that it could be a model for elsewhere: “This shows the American people are rejecting the arrogance of ‘Obama-ism’ — the idea that the government knows best.” >>> James Bone in Boston | Thursday, January 21, 2010
