Remember how two years ago, Scott Brown held a rally at Mechanics Hall in Worcester and everyone showed up? Curt Schilling was there, and Doug Flutie, and 3,200 other supporters? For the record, there was a capacity crowd of 2,200 in the hall, plus another 1,000 in overflow rooms. Man, that was awesome.
Brown tried to recapture the Mechanics Hall Magic yesterday in kicking off his 2012 reelect. He had high hopes of equaling and perhaps exceeding his 2010 showing:
He said about 3,500 people had signed up to attend the Thursday event.
But, alas, lightning rarely strikes twice, and yesterday it did not do so. All reports are that no overflow rooms were needed this time, as the crowd did not even fill the room (emphasis mine).
Hundreds of supporters filled half of the floor and most of the balcony to hear Mr. Brown’s speech
The re-election announcement drew hundreds of supporters, although some said the hall was not as crowded as it was two years ago when Brown held an event there.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Warren raised a million bucks yesterday in her “money bomb” timed to coincide with the anniversary of Brown’s election. And I’m trying to think of a time recently when Warren has held an event and the room hasn’t been full. Nothing’s coming to mind.
I went to Scott Browns reelection campaign kick-off last night since it was here in Worcester. WHAT A SNOOZER. But it was entertaining to watch his attempt at stagecraft.
The sidewalk was almost empty outside Mechanics Hall when I arrived about 5 pm. The event didn’t even warrant more than a few protesters, and they were busy being interviewed by new crews when I walked by.
Parked immediately in front of the Hall’s door was a little vehicle with a rotating speaker on top. The looped Scott Brown monologue it was broadcasting over and over echoed down the darkened, nearly-empty streets. Orwellian creepy.
The volunteers just inside the door were doing their duty trying to get everyone to “sign in” before proceeding. The one that homed in on me was dedicated to completing her task to the point of being offensive.
The little sign-in sheets invite you to “join one or more of the Coalitions to support Scott Brown”. Here are the options, in the order offered. I can only guess that many listed were for show – a nod to needing to look diverse: Veterans, Women, Democrats, Independents, Conservatives, Students/Youth, African Americans, Hispanics, Sportsmen, Attorneys, Catholics, Jewish, Small Business Leaders, Elected Officials, Union Members
As usual for this kind of event, supporters were placed on risers behind Brown on stage. The staff carefully arranged the only black person (a little girl with a white parent/guardian) and the only Asian person in the room in the front row on stage so when the cameras were on Brown, they would show how “diverse” his support is. Worcester is 30% not-white, but everyone in that room was as white as I was except for those two brown people. White and middle-aged. I blended right in.
Also amusing was watching the staff hand out “home-made signs” for people to wave. What you want to bet that if you look at pictures from his recent public rah-rah events, you’ll see the exact same signs made of white poster board?
The event started with one of his daughters leading us in the National Anthem a cappella, then his wife gave a short speech that included little “He’s got my vote but I made him work for it” type jokes. Standard fare.
I’ve seen press reports that Brown’s speech was fiery, but honestly I was distracted by his constantly breaking character during pauses in serious parts of the speech to smile and wave at people in the balcony. Something that did cut through the fog though was the inanity of this statement he made: “The reason the government has lost all credibility in stopping illegal immigration is because of the magnets we create like in-state tuition breaks that bring more people here in violation of the law.”
The hall was pretty full but I wouldn’t call it packed. And although the crowd of course loved him, there wasn’t the kind of electric energy in the room I’d expect from a campaign kick-off. He’s definitely still got supporters, but if this crowd was representative, I’d say this supporters aren’t as fired up as maybe they once were.
He is really good looking though. No doubt about it.
6. Great reporting.
Recalling here the Mittster and his moose-NO ELK-hunting commentary. Hahahaha. Trying to hard, Scotto…
“The staff carefully arranged the only black person (a little girl with a white parent/guardian) and the only Asian person in the room in the front row on stage”
Wowsa. You know, I think your first hand account deserves its own blog…
i followed your advice (link)
And what of the atheists?
…if “Wall St” Brown was getting primaried…look at this Lowell Sun article about the kickoff, where they use the word “independent” four separate times. He is running so hard away from the Republican party, it’s hilarious (though totally disingenuous).
Too bad there’s no one to his right to make him own his Republicanism.
Scott Brown is a crafty politician with very deep pockets. He will work hard, and he will attack hard. He still has over twice as much cash as Elizabeth Warren. There will be tons of attack ads from him.
This campaign is just getting started.
It is quite too early. The Rove-inspired attacks are already enough to raise doubt about Ms. Warren’s main strength, too.
In the bleak mid-worcester
Fratboy Scott made moan,
Chilly to be sittin’ in
The People’s Seat alone.
Snowjobs fallen, snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-worcester,
A couple years ago.
“Come and sit beside me,”
E-mailed Fratboy Brown,
“Though our major funders,
Can not be in town,
“Here in bleak mid-worcester
We’ll carol with clear voice
Proud to be the snowjob
That offers volks A Choice.
“H*rv*rds an’ Archh*rv*rds,
Lizzie with her bombs,
Let them bask in comfort
Under hothouse palms:
We small People shiv’rin’
Shall retain it all,
Startin’ from bleak mid-worcester
At Mechanics Hall.