Blue Mass Group

[Cross-posted from the ProgressMass blog.  Like ProgressMass on Facebook and follow on Twitter.]

This past week was one in which Republican Scott Brown reminded us that he is: lacking in substance, beholden to Wall Street, and unresponsive to Massachusetts.

In what was supposed to be the highlight of Republican Scott Brown’s week, he teased reporters with what was billed as a “major policy speech.”  Given that Brown’s campaign has been criticized for lacking in substance, a major policy speech could have served as a shot in the arm.  Unfortunately for Brown, the assembled media agreed that Brown’s “major policy speech” was missing a key ingredient: “major policy.”

Further, after the lightweight remarks rife with ad hominem political attacks and tired, boilerplate Republican talking points, Republican Scott Brown further embarrassed himself by once again running away from questions and accountability:

Brown exited the back door of Lombardo’s, the function hall where the event was held, shortly after wrapping up his speech. Talking on his cellphone as he got into a GMC pickup truck, Brown refused to answer any questions from a small group of reporters.

Perhaps that is Republican Scott Brown’s version of bold leadership.  That said, it wasn’t Brown’s only instance of ducking reporters this week.  The Bay State Banner printed an article about diversity among the campaign staffs in Massachusetts’ U.S. Senate race.  Here was Team Brown’s contribution:

Telephone calls to U.S. Senator Scott Brown’s campaign office to discuss diversity within his campaign staff went unanswered.

Republican Scott Brown didn’t even bother with the minimal courtesy of a “no comment” if he was intent on blowing off the Bay State Banner.  They asked about diversity, and he ignored the phone calls.  If Republican Scott Brown won’t answer the people’s questions, how can he call himself The People’s Senator?!

Does Republican Scott Brown really think he can make it through 2012 without answering serious questions?  Perhaps he does.  After all, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty reminded us in a scathing op-ed column in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that Brown continues to duck a proposed Worcester debate, snubbing all of Central Massachusetts.  (In Republican Scott Brown’s defense, he is an equal opportunity offender, ducking several debates in multiple regions of the Commonwealth.)  The bottom line is that Republican Scott Brown will do whatever it takes to avoid discussing his real record.

Perhaps Republican Scott Brown is just wary of questions regarding his allegiance to Wall Street.  After all, this past week was book-ended by Wall Street-laden fundraisers for Brown.  Brown spent part of Wednesday in New York City raking in Wall Street checks.  (After all, between January and March of this year, Brown took more money from New York City than Boston!)  Brown then closed the week with a posh Cape Cod fundraiser at the home of a former Vice President for Lehman Brothers.  One could argue that Republican Scott Brown has been Wall Street’s best investment!

This former Vice President for Lehman Brothers desperately wants Republican Scott Brown “on the Senate Finance Committee next year, he’s the right choice, not his opponent.”  In perhaps the clearest distillation of Republican Scott Brown’s priorities we have heard yet, the former Lehman VP made it plain:

In a note to potential donors, McDonald said that “as a New Yorker, working in the finance industry, I think it’s of paramount importance Scott is re-elected.”

That is the fundamental question, isn’t it?  Do we want a U.S. Senator who represents Wall Street or Middle Class Massachusetts.

Meanwhile, Republican Scott Brown continued to pray the GOP away this past week as he remains bashful about his Republican affiliation.  Further, Brown also kept his Paul Ryan Dance going.  Brown heaped praise on Mitt Romney’s far-right-wing running mate, though Brown also refused to comment on whether or not he’d want to campaign alongside Ryan.  Despite Brown’s dance, we all know that Republican Scott Brown is far more in line with the right-wing Romney-Ryan ticket than he is with mainstream Middle Class Massachusetts.

To close with a reminder, be sure to visit www.WhoIsScottBrown.com to play the web game “Who Is Scott Brown?” and uncover Republican Scott Brown’s real record of support for Wall Street, Big Oil, and a right-wing social agenda.  (And be sure to Share the link on Facebook and re-tweet the link on Twitter!)

What questions won’t Republican Scott Brown answer this week?  Stay tuned for the next “Weekly Scott Brown-d Up” to find out!