Scott Brown, Mitt Romney and the Tea Party’s Wide Open Tent

Scott Brown is a perfect example of the Tea Party’s wide open tent and appeal. Brown came from nowhere to win Ted Kennedy’s U.S. Senate seat from Massachusetts. A moderate Republican who was urged as a Republican state legislator to run for Kennedy’s seat by former Governor and personal friend, Mitt Romney (who, by the way, STRONGLY supported him through the entire election process).

Brown’s candidacy was the prelude to what was to become one of the largest shake-ups in Congress in the history of American politics. Most people know that I’m a fan of Mitt Romney and like nothing more than to point out Romney’s part in this prelude to the Revolution of 2010.

Here is Brown on election night honoring Romney:

Brown is already on record for backing Mitt Romney in 2012 if he decides to run:

Brown ran on an anti-Obamacare platform. Massachusetts residents were satisfied with their Massachusetts Health Care and did not want Obamacare interfering with this system. Brown received wide support from both Republicans, Independents, and many of who were connected to various Tea Party groups. As a Massachusetts resident myself who has many friends in the so-called Tea Party ranks, many of who describe me as being to the right of Attila The Hun, supported Brown myself. Was I 100% satisfied with Scott Brown’s views on all issues? No! Saying that, I am a realist and knew that a far right candidate would not have won here. So I backed Brown 110% and so did many of those Tea Party friends.

Over his brief tenure as Senator, Brown has remained popular in this state. A recent PPP poll gave him the second highest favorability rating among all the U.S. Senators.

Today, Scott Brown was given the title of ‘Bostonian of the Year‘ by the Boston Globe. The full story can be found HERE. It was this story that prompted me to write this piece.

The point I’m trying to make is this: NO ONE decides what the Tea Party likes or dislikes. As with many things in life, including the Massachusetts Health Care system, when it comes to using it as the basis of Obamacare, it’s not a ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

So, when you read that the “Tea Party” wants this or the “Tea Party” doesn’t like that, be a little skeptical. The Tea Party’s emphasis on issues can vary from state to state, region to region.

The Tea Party is a movement. The political tastes of those in the movement vary. There are Centrists, Moderates, Conservatives, Independents, and Republicans – all under the same tent. Don’t be fooled by trying to fit its members into a mold. You won’t be successful.