TIMES ONLINE: Republicans scored an historic victory overnight that put President Barack Obama's agenda in jeopardy exactly a year after he took power - and could kill health-care reform.
A little-known Republican state legislator came from a 30-percentage point deficit to win Edward Kennedy's old seat in the US Senate in Massachusetts in what appeared to be a massive protest vote against the party that controls both chambers of Congress and the White House.
"This is a huge wake-up call for the Democrats, for the Obama Administration and the country. America is fed up of the arrogance coming from Washington," said Andy Card, White House chief of staff in the George W. Bush Administration.
Democrats were reeling from the by-election defeat, which deprived them of the 60-seat "super-majority" that allows them to overcome Republican filibusters in the 100-member US Senate.
Scott Brown, a lawyer, military officer and former male model, has promised to use his Senate vote to defeat the Democrats' health-care reform, which was on the brink of passage after decades of trying.
Democrats pledged to try to ram through health-care reform despite the loss, but they risk a popular backlash if they do so.
Yesterday’s vote was seen as a referendum on Mr Obama's presidency and his signature initiative, health-care reform. >>> James Bone in Boston | Wednesday, January 20, 2010
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MAIL ONLINE: Republican victory in Massachusetts delivers Obama's first defeat: A little-known Republican senator whose previous claim to fame was posing nude in a women's magazine nearly 30 years ago, has delivered Barack Obama's first defeat of his presidency.Scott Brown took the seat of Massachusetts in the by-election - or special election, as it is known in America - forced by Ted Kennedy's death in August of brain cancer.
For weeks, Scott Brown has been the underdog as he faced off against Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley in the race for the US Senate.
But last night Mr Brown, who portrays himself as 'an ordinary, pick-up truck driving guy', took his place after Ms Coakley conceded in what had been considered a Democratic stronghold. >>> Mail Foreign Service | Wednesday, January 20, 2010
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BBC: The shock Republican winner of a Senate election in the Democratic stronghold of Massachusetts has said he tapped into mounting aggravation among voters.
Scott Brown's victory is a serious setback to President Barack Obama's key domestic agenda on reforming healthcare and passing a climate change bill.
The result stunned Democrats and means Republicans now have enough Senate votes to impede the president's plans.
Mr Brown will be Massachusetts' first Republican senator since 1972.
The BBC's Paul Adams, in Boston, says it is a humiliating defeat for the Democrats, and a deeply unwelcome anniversary present for President Obama exactly one year after his inauguration.
He adds that it is one of the biggest political upsets in years - in a seat held for almost half a century by Edward Kennedy, a Democratic Party colossus, who died last year.
Senator-elect Brown told NBC's Today show he did not think the vote was a referendum on President Obama's first year in power.
He said it was a sign of voter disenchantment over partisan gridlock in Washington.
Mr Brown, 50, also said voters had "enjoyed the message" he pushed while campaigning, including his criticism of Mr Obama's healthcare plans. >>> | Wednesday, January 20, 2010
TELEGRAPH PICTURE GALLERY: Scott Brown defeats Democrat to become Senator of Massachusetts >>>
