Republican Senatorial candidate Scott Brown made history last night when he defeated  Democratic candidate Martha Coakley in the election for Sen. Ted Kennedy’s Massachusetts seat. Kansas Republicans are lining up to proclaim how this victory could signal a change in the tide for the Democratic Party and for the Democrats health care plans.

“His victory represents that the American people are looking for a message of freedom and prosperity, which obviously is not the core of the current Senate health care plan,” Amanda Adkins, chair of the Kansas GOP told Kansas Liberty. “The Brown victory is another example of a strong national trend that is supportive of a more conservative message.” 

Coakley was considered a pro-abortion candidate, and was very supportive of the Democrats health care plans. Brown is known as a more "moderate" Republican who does not oppose abortion.

On his candidate web page Brown makes it clear that he opposes partial birth abortion but says that abortion should be a decision that is "ultimately made by the woman in consultation with her doctor."

Brown also says he wants to decrease the number of abortions.

While Brown is not known as pro-life, the pro-life movement has still celebrated his victory since he is a strong opponent of the pro-abortion Democratic health care plans.

The partisan change-up leaves the Senate with 59 Democrats, which is one Democrat short of what is needed to break a filibuster.

The importance of having 60 Democrats in the Senate was demonstrated in December when the Democrats were able to break the Republicans’ filibuster, therefore bringing the health care plan to the full Senate for a vote.

Local Republicans and Democrats are acknowledging that the Brown victory will make it less likely that the Democrat health care plans will become a reality.

“In light of this amazing victory, I hope the Democratic leadership will reassess their plans for health care reform,” said Sen. Sam Brownback.

Reps. Jerry Moran, R-First District and Todd Tiahrt, R-Fourth District, also acknowledged their belief that Brown’s victory will have a substantial impact of the ability of the Obama administration to push legislation through.

"The election of Scott Brown in Massachusetts tonight is a reflection of the views shared by the American people about the direction of this country,” Tiahrt said in a statement issued last night. “This is a referendum on President Obama's misguided agenda and should serve as a wake-up call to the President and the Democrat Congress.”

Tiahrt and Moran are both competing for the Senate seat being left by Brownback.

Moran referred to Brown's election as the "clearest sign yet that the Obama Administration and the Pelosi-led Congress are taking America in the wrong direction."

Click here to read the Kansas Liberty story “Republican candidates react to Brown Victory.”

Local Democratic leaders are not discounting the impact this Massachusetts election will have on the Obama administration’s ability to muscle through bills. Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, and ranking minority member of the Senate public health and welfare committee, thought the change would be positive for Washington politics.

“I think this will bring more balance to the debate nationally, and I have always preferred a balance in democracy,” Haley told Kansas Liberty. “I have often felt that a civil dialogue is missing because of the heavy-handedness of one party over another.”

Haley said he has been especially dismayed at the Democrats intent to push through a health-care bill that does not have the support of a single Republican.

“I think what Democrats in Washington might consider doing now is to look at the bigger picture.” Haley said. “Frankly it would be difficult for me to vote for what I have seen of the health care bill that is before Congress.”

Rep. Jerry Williams, D-Chanute, said he thought the upset could cause several positive impacts on Kansas, especially if the election results in the Democrats not being able to pass their health care plans.

Williams serves as the ranking minority member of the aging and long-term care committee and said he has had grave concerns with how the Democrat health care plans would impact senior citizens and health care providers in rural areas.

“I am not a fan of the health care bill,” Williams told Kansas Liberty. “What the Senate did is very harmful to the Medicare reimbursement structure, which they did to help pay for the plans. I also personally have some real serious problems telling American citizens they have to have insurance.”

Williams pointed out that the Brown victory could also result in the Obama administration not being able to push through other liberal legislation that could be harmful to Kansans, such as the cap and trade bills.

“The voting public has made it very clear they are tired of how things are being done in Washington, D.C.,” Williams said.

Resources:

Brownback for Governor

Tiahrt for Kansas

Click here to read Tiahrt’s entire statement on Brown victory

Moran for Kansas

Kansas GOP

Click here to read where Brown stands on the issues, including abortion

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