Live Blog: Elizabeth Warren vs. Scott Brown, Massachusetts Senate Debate, Round 2
Posted: October 1, 2012 Filed under: 2012 elections, U.S. Politics | Tags: Dancin' Dave Gregory, Elizabeth Warren, live blog, Massachusetts Senate Debate 2, Mitt Romney, Scott Brown 81 Comments
Good Evening!! The second debate between Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown will take place tonight from 7-8PM at the Tsongas Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. There will be a live audience of more than 5,000 people. Unfortunately, the debated will be moderated by Dancin’ Dave Gregory.
The debate will air live on C-span and will be live streamed at a number of sites, including C-Span and Mass Live.
Mass Live sees audience reaction as one of the five things to watch for in the debate. The first debate was held in a studio without a live audience. How will that affect the debaters? The audience will be told not to react, but they probably will anyway. The other four things to watch for (supposedly) are (commentary is mine):
(1) How will the candidates deal with the endless, boring Native American “issue”? Will Brown continue to claim he can psychically determine another person’s ethnic heritage? Will Warren find a way to smack him down for good? Maybe she should try raising her voice.
(2) “Brown’s perceived aggressiveness”: He has been criticized quite a bit for his boorish behavior in the first debate, but will he tone it down? I’m betting no, because he just can’t stand losing to a girl.
(3) Will Dancin’ Dave allow any actual issues to be addressed, like maybe foreign policy? I sure hope so, because I think it would be a hoot to see Brown try to talk about something complex and still make sense. And maybe he’ll tell us more about those meetings with kings and queens and how he talks to Hillary Clinton on the phone all the time.
(4) The last “issue” is Scott Brown’s trumped-up attacks on Warren for doing legal work for some corporations, including Travelers’ Insurance. Brown has demanded that Warren release the names of all the clients she has worked for. But Brown refuses to release his client list, because he’s a man and Warren is just some female who is inexplicably trying to take his Senate seat away.
I’ll add one more thing to watch for: Will Warren explicitly tie Brown to Mitt Romney and the Republican Party? In the last debate, she repeatedly said that she supports President Obama but she didn’t confront Brown on whom he is supporting. She needs to do that, repeatedly and explicitly.
The latest polls by The Boston Globe and Boston University’s NPR station WBUR both show Warren still ahead of Scott Brown by 43-38 and 46-44 respectively.
Just a couple of links on the Native American “controversy.” The Washington Post did a fact check last week in which they found Scott Brown guilty of two Pinocchios. Only two?
Brown said that Warren “checked the box claiming she was Native American” when she applied to Harvard and Penn, suggesting the Democratic candidate somehow gained an unfair advantage because of an iffy ethnic background. But there is no proof that she ever marked a form to tell the schools about her heritage, nor is there any public evidence that the universities knew about her lineage before hiring her.
The senator’s debate comments also suggest Warren actively applied for positions with Harvard and Penn, but the evidence suggests the schools recruited her because of her groundbreaking research and writings on bankruptcy. Harvard, in fact, did not give up on her after she first turned down a tenured position with the university.
Some might assume that Warren listed herself as a minority in the law school directories to attract offers from top schools, which would be a pro-active measure. The explanation that she was reaching out to other Native Americans — when she was merely listed as a “minority” — certainly appears suspicious, but there is no conclusive evidence that she used her status in the listing to land a job.
But Warren appears to have been well-qualified for the teaching positions and excelled once she was hired.
Gee, no kidding. I think the problem Brown is having is that Warren is far more intelligent, educated, and professionally accomplished than he is. But she’s a girl! So it doesn’t count.
Today the WaPo published an article on Why the Native American heritage fight isn’t hurting Elizabeth Warren. Because it’s idiotic? The article doesn’t really answer the question in the headline–just provides poll results that demonstrate that Massachusetts voters aren’t a moronic as Scott Brown.
A Boston Globe poll released Sunday showed Warren leading Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) 43 percent to 38 percent. A deeper dive into the survey’s crosstabs reveals that most voters aren’t swayed by the tussle over Warren’s ancestry….
More than eight-in-ten likely voters (86 percent) have at least some familiarity with the Native American heritage story. Of those with at least some knowledge of it, about seven in ten (71 percent) said the story would have no impact on their vote for Warren, while 24 percent said it would make them less likely to vote for the Democratic nominee.
Among voters who are undecided about whether they support Brown or Warren – a crucial subset of the electorate — nearly three-in-four (74 percent) said the story would have no impact on their vote for Warren, while nearly one-in-five (19 percent) said it would make them less likely to vote for her.
It is that 19 percent of voters that Brown is playing for.
Boston Mayor Tom Menino has released a video ad supporting Elizabeth Warren. Menino isn’t much of a public speaker, but he controls a powerful political machine.
I hope at least some Sky Dancers will be watching the debate. I won’t be able to comment for the first half, but I’ll be watching on C-span and will join in for the second half. Please give your reactions in the comments if you’re watching! The results of this race will affect all of us, whether we live in Massachusetts or not.
peej
Carissa
bostonboomer
ecocatwoman
mablue2
Mama Lopez
peggysue22
quixote
skydancingguestblogger
Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
Sky Dancing 
I’m going to try to watch but I’ve been really sick today. I don’t know how long I’ll last. In the mean time. Ralph Reed needs to get the same treatment.
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/10/john_cody_navy_charity_scammer_identity.php?ref=fpnewsfeed
Sorry you’re sick. I’m just getting over a cold. Thank goodness it didn’t last that long.
One more before it starts
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/01/jpmorgan-chase-lawsuit-new-york-ag-white-house_n_1930678.html
I really hate Dancin Dave.
He’s should be with Hoda and Kathie Lee … that would suit his style.
Good grief – native american ambroglio.
Scott Brown – not important subject but…. no one is questioning her parents on what they told her.
Does this mean he’s backing off?
Not really, he’s just throwing out talking points.
Do you have any evidence whether Elizabeth Warren benefited from her heritage? (To Scott Brown) Elizabeth responds very well, and addresses character. Brilliant – “I believe my mother”
Scotty is being a jerk. According to him, she mislead americans. Took away from people who had legitimate right to what she got, even though he cannot prove and will not commit to saying that she lied..
I knew Dancin’ Dave would bring that up first. Ugh!
That was the first thing Gregory brought up! Damn….
the other day somebody said anyone who doesn’t play on the most shallow, moronic, insipid, simplistic, stereotypical, counter factual Republican playing field and pander to the lowest common denominator vis-a-vis this fauxrage is “obtuse.” Try that one next time Scotty boy, we wouldn’t want to be obtuse! Lol
Dancin’ Dave and Sexy Scott are discussing Warren in the third person as she sits there.
Unbelievable. Well, that is wrong…unfortunately it is too believable.
Oh for gosh sakes, Scotty is a bleeping bully.
Elizabeth: he’s just making charges, I’m a teacher, been writing books, teaching children, have been taking time to address protecting children, teachers etc. For Senator Brown to say that my work did not protect miners…. She’s on fire.
I thought she did a much better job this time, and the audience helped her I think.
Oh for goodness sake, Scotty is reaching. I only hope that his fans are watching – he’s a fool.
I wonder why the Asbestos Workers Union is supporting Warren if she wasn’t fighting for them?
Whoa, hang on, Scotty is the only one who is supporting the union issues.
Funny how the unions didn’t understand that….
OOh national politics – Dancing Dave is behaving contrary to previous performances, however there is plenty of time yet.
Hahahahahaha!! Dave just tied Brown to Romney, and Brown changed the subject immediately.
That was awesome! “I don’t work for anybody (you don’t say!) I don’t work for Mitt Romney. I don’t work for Barack Obama.” lol What an amazing recommendation!
He’s such a phony.
Yep….Scott Brown is a bully. She made him look ignorant on the question of work done on behalf of Insurance Companies
Dave is pointing out that Brown is pretending not to be a Republican. Yay!
Uh-oh. Accusations of distancing himself from Romney
Wait a minute, he’s claiming he’s an independent. Didn’t he run under the republican flag? Now dancing dave is asking about why Scotty is not aligning with Mittster. Now Scotty is saying that he’s standing with the President. Now Scotty is talking about bipartisan stuff (the applause is making me nervous)
Why does Dancing Dave ask Scotty the softball questions then slug Elizabeth with the gut wrenching ones?
Because she’s a girl, silly! She doesn’t belong in the man’s world of politics.
Warren is getting on a roll now talking about working with Republicans and her bi-partisan committee.
oooooh zinger from Liz! Scott Brown goes around the country promising to block Obama’s agenda on economic issues. She is red hot!
Oh for crying out loud – he’s now the prince of bipartisanship – even though his votes are majority with the republican mandate.
And why is Scotty getting more airtime than his opponent.
Ooh, Elizabeth is bringing up the jobs bill. Brilliant.
I can’t stand the way he keeps calling Warren “she.”
He’s a condescending bastard
He’s jealous because she’s a lot smarter and more successful than he is.
Brown is psychic. He knows exactly how Warren would have voted on past issues, and he also knows that she’ll vote in lockstep with Obama even though she has worked with Republicans in the past.
Here we go with Dancin’ Dave’s dream of making the hoi poloi suffer “pain.” Simpson-Bowles, sigh,…
Although I’m not a citizen, I have to say that I really, really detest your current senator from Mass. He’s a very ugly person despite his physical appearance. Every thing is every one else’s fault. We haven’t had a budget in the senate in four years – whose fault is that. He’s smooth but vacuous. He’s not going to be raising taxes on any american (guess that means the multibillionaires that are supporting him. Someone get him on the record, he’s not going to get rid of the mortgage.
Excuse me, he’s not “my” Senator. I didn’t vote for him, and he doesn’t represent anything I care about.
Gotcha, I knew that. It’s just a bit bizarre watching this. I think I should just go to bed. Been suffering from a “fall cold” and I’ll sign off. Sorry if I caused any problems.
Imagine how I feel living here. After years and years of Ted Kennedy, we have this slug. From the sublime to the ridiculous.
Of course you didn’t cause a problem, HT. I love your comments! I just can’t stand to take responsibility for this creep.
He’s a nightmare. I think he’s going to win, but if by some miracle Warren does I hope we make a really big deal of it. Would she be the first Native American woman elected to the Senate?
Maybe she could have a Cherokee ceremony at her swearing in. That would burn Brown’s a$$.
Oh, my god! Must not hope, but that would be amazing! “We will not cater to stupidity, we will not lower ourselves to Brown’s level, we will not be intimidated….”
Pow Wow…….thanks to you all for info on the debate, I missed it all.
Who the heck chose Dancing Dave to be the moderator? Major problem for thinking people, but I guess he’d do well with the Kardasshians or the Honey Boo Boo family.
He’s letting Brown get off easy.
Is Dancing Dave going to let her speak? You would think the dancer would get mad that Brown is debating him.
What he basically just said was businesses don’t hire because there are too many regulations. What bullshit
I wish someone would ask him to name one new recent regulation that is causing problems for business.
Good Lord what a Dick the dancer is.
😉
Scott says he likes Scalia as a SCOTUS judge. The audience is horrified.
good grief, there’s a load that a blue state can’t shovel
I think i could hear Warren gasp from my house (Scalia)!
That’s probably the only justice he could think of right away. Brown isn’t the brightest bulb.
He looks confused, like that always goes over brilliantly with the Hub Politics guys. 😉
After the jeers, he kept naming other justices hoping to get a better reaction.
He’s had a busy day memorizing. “Supreme Kumquat? What’s that?”
Sheesh … the folks of Mass. will find that pretty awful.
I agree with Liz. I think Valentine should get another year. But he won’t.
He’s such an asshole (brown not bobby). What a weasel and Dancing Dave sucks for letting him avoid answering after that. There’s a commercial right there. Those who take sides in Red Sox internal matters when pressured by smarmy asshole are obtuse.
Brown is afraid of the Red Sox management and he’s even more afraid of Mitt Romney’s “death stench.”
I can’t wait to read Charlie Pierce’s reactions.
Me, too!
Ed is gonna have reactions on his show in a bit.
Also reactions to Cantor’s debate tonight with opponent in Virginia.
Oh, that sounds interesting.
Pierces twitter feed … https://twitter.com/esqpolitics
Sounds like their were fireworks.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/01/1138622/-Wayne-Powell-vs-Eric-Cantor-Debate
Charles P. Pierce @ESQPolitics
I will give Fluffy a buffalo nickel if, the next time Brown says, “If I can just say…” he says, “No, shut up.”
My favorite Charles Pierce tweet
Charles P. Pierce @ESQPolitics
OK, 10,000 bucks that SB has never told John Kerry he’d be a good SecState. #MASenate
Expand Reply Retweeted Favorite
Great minds, Ralph
The Globe has a poll on who won the debate. So far Warren is at 65%, Brown 35%. Vote here
Pierce says that the audience at U. Mass Lowell thinks Brown did better than last time and Warren was worse. Huh? I don’t get it.
Scotto just keeps blowing his GOP dog-whistle (ceaselessly calling her “professor” which he considers an insult in America)—and then called on it, he denied it sheepishly. Later he broke in saying “I’m not one of your students in some class, professor” with all his vicious stupidity leaking out again. I think Warren is backwards or asleep on her unconscious DNC stance on Israel/Iran, that she fails to nail him when he most deserves it—but she is infinitely better than a gutless bully who’s just one more Koch Brothers errand boy.
I thought Liz was a bit more aggressive this time, but she does miss opportunities to nail him. The “professor” thing is silly, but what I really hate is when Brown refers to Warren as “she” and “her” without using her name at all.
She should refer to his candidate “Mitt” as much as possible given Mitt’s down by 27% there or call him Republican as much as possible.
I think she has to be really, really careful, because if she comes off the least bit snotty, she’s done. It doesn’t matter what a &$@! he is. God, imagine what Barney would have said if Brown handed him a straight line like “I’m not a student in one of your classes, Professor.” 😉 But she can’t go there and she’s smart enough to know it. As nauseating as it is to let him get away with bs like “your home state of OK”–oh the irony of the guy who flooded the state with disrespectful, aggressive morons lecturing us on whose seat it is trying to play the “you’re not from around here” card–she doesn’t have much of a choice.