Blue Mass Group

The Super Republican “Senator 41,” so partisan he even filibustered his own jobs bill, has crashed in popularity from 53-28 against Elizabeth Warren in July to behind her 46-43 today. Even worse for Brown, “14% hadn’t heard of Warren (versus 6% for Brown):” The more people know Warren, polls show, the more they like her. And the more they know second-generation professional politician Brown, the more they like her.

A big part of the reason, I suspect, is that Brown has done more than almost any other person in America to delay and water down our economic recovery, from supporting GOP efforts to continue the economic policies of the Bush administration that produced the 2008 economic collapse to advocating tax breaks for the rich while denying investment to more productive parts of the economy. He is the GOP point guard, and he has played his position skillfully.

At the same time, he has shown a keen eye for the main chance: keeping his name in the newspapers  — I saw Osama bin Laden dead, and I’m going to “do some missions” in Afghanistan — and reaping the rewards: a $700,000 book advance. Celebrity does not mean Senator.

If past GOP practice in Massachusetts is any guide, look for negative attacks and dirty tricks like the “Crazy Khazei” Twitter smear mounted by a top Brown lieutenant, or the “Inmates for Deval” program in which Kerry Healey’s campaign sent men dressed in jumpsuits to stake out the home of Democratic Party Chair John Walsh (succeeding in frightening his 12-year old).

Brown has an overwhelming financial advantage. Warren remains the underdog so long as it persists. He is an exceptionally able professional politician, and will use his wealth to maximum effect.