Massachusetts senate race tightens up– a referendum on healthcare?

My computer is still down, this is a mobile post, please excuse any formatting problems that may exist.

The race between Democrat Martha Coakley and Republican Scott Brown for “the people’s” senate seat that was vacated by the death of Ted Kennedy is tightening up. Just days ago, Coakley held a large lead in the polls but Scott Brown has narrowed the gap considerably and one poll even shows him in the lead.

This is remarkable, not only because it is happening in Massachusetts but also because up until now Brown has done it with little national money while Coakley enjoys the endorsements of many of the major unions.

Coakley has gone from cocky and arrogant– she wasn’t even campaigning until the polls tightened– to nervous. And she should be– but so should the other Democrats in Washington– there is voter discontent out there and if Brown could somehow pull off this major upset, all Democrats in Washington will be put on notice. They could be next. While Republicans have done well recently– most notably in Virginia and New Jersey– a win by Scott Brown in Massachusetts would dwarf all of the other Republican gains combined.

While the RNC has largely ignored this race because Michael Steele probably thought it wasn’t worth the effort in Massachusetts– that the election of Coakley was a mere formality– the fact is, not only is it worth the effort, it is critical. Michael Steele has miscalculated the voter discontent that is being felt even in Massachusetts and he has ignored a race that could stop the healthcare reform bill in its tracks. But Americans have not miscalculated and money is beginning to flow in to Scott Brown– over $1 million in contributions have come in in the last week. Not a moment too soon either, Scott Brown was almost out of money.

Democrats are also getting nervous and trotted out Ted Kennedy’s widow and family to a special press conference to announce their endorsement of Coakley, which was something they were hesitant to do when her election seemed like a walk in the park. They were prepared to remain non-commital until the polls started falling, before succumbing to party pressure and begrudgingly throwing their support behind Coakley.

This race is now beginning to attract national attention because of the consequences it could have on the president’s healthcare reform bill. If Coakley wins this election there will be no stopping this bill in one form or another. However, if Brown wins this election, the healthcare bill is dead the moment he is sworn in.

I think that this is the biggest reason why the race is tightening. The more people learn about the healthcare reform bill, the more they do not like it. This could be the sole reason why Scott Brown wins this election if he pulls it off. Massachusetts residents have first hand experience with mandated healthcare and they know what a disaster it has become.

Voters of Massachusetts: the eyes of the nation are upon you. Do what is right and send Scott Brown to the senate. Don’t let Barack Obama do to the country what Mitt Romney did to you.