Martha Coakley has relied on so-called feminism throughout her elected career as (Massachusetts) Middlesex County DA and Massachusetts attorney general. She indeed projected the dour, shriveled countenance of so-called feminism during the MA special election for senate. Nonetheless, that was not a major factor in the special election for the U.S. senator from Massachusetts.

People will take what they will from one or another news event or election. As much as I agree with P.S. that so-called feminism is a bankrupt conceit, it is reckless to project it upon everything in sight.

In the case of Scott Brown's victory, I know this because I was there as a voter, activist, campaign volunteer and elected Republican official in...

The White House can read polls as well as anyone. The Obama / Clinton / Kerry visit on the eve of Coakley's probable loss is therefore puzzling. Discard the simplest theory, that these gentlemen are admirably loyal to those running under their party's banner. When have any of them exhibited the least shread of loyalty to anyone? The likely theory appeared in Politico two days ago, attributed to a White House strategist: Obama and the Dem Congress know their days are numbered. Taking a more conciliatory, transparent and bi-partisan approach might save a few Dem seats next November, but it would not substantially change the outcome. Therefore, GO FOR IT, ramming-speed ahead, including spending personal political capital on losing...

Lessons -- IMHO, the Brown victory required (1) the energy in the environment, (2) the superior Brown Campaign, and (3) the feckless Coakley Campaign. These elements cannot be separated, were of a single piece on January 19.

Republicans can bask in the victory but must not take it for granted. The outcome might have been reversed had any of these three elements not been present. After all, about 50% of eligible voters took ballots yesterday, despite miserable all-day snow. (Turnout of 20% in fair weather is about the Massachusetts norm these days.) Though Brown never denied his Republican membership, neither did he run on it: This race was not Dems vs. GOP. The City of Boston went about 2:1 for Coakley, and that would have...

Results -- The Coakley Campaign's failure to plan & execute in the face of Brown's highly competent, environment-specific plan and execution led to the election's outcome. Though not dispositive for the election, Coakley gaffes along the way were emblematic:

* Reference to "Ted Kennedy's seat" vs. "the people's seat."
* Reactive Coakley TV paid advertising that not only boosted Brown's name recognition but also repeated Brown's pledge to be the 41st vote that would overturn ObamaCare. This despite Brown having clearly gained support by projecting the pledge in his own advertising and direct mail pieces! (Yes, I am saying that the Coakley Campaign spent money to assist the Brown Campaign. Amazing but true.)
* Futher...

Coakley Campaign -- Martha had emerged as winner of the Massachusetts Democrat primary largely unscathed, with tons of money, and enjoying state-wide name recognition. Certainly the traditional big-city, liberal interests that propell MA Dems to victory would fall into place for her. Besides, the senate seat at stake was understood to belong in Democrat hands, inviolate as Ted Kennedy's legacy. There was no reason to worry about a GOP challenge. So the "plan" was to shake the power elite's hands, remain calm, and count on Scott Brown's not getting anywhere. That approach had worked fine in Massachusetts for a generation. In other words, the Coakley Campaign had no need to plan.

Environment -- Even many Democrat voters were...

I am a Massachusetts Republican I was there. Here is what happened.

Brown Campaign -- Aware it was an uphill fight here in the People's Glorious Socialist Republic, Scott Brown & Company decided not to trust in luck or to run as a sacrificial MA GOP lamb-to-the-slaughter. As a military officer, Brown was compelled by his nature to develop a plan. The plan's elements eventually were well understood by the electorate: Project Scott Brown as Everyman; research relevant messages by talking to real voters early on, then stay on those messages; use solid 'phone and social networking technology for voter ID and message projection; offer to help friendly voters with absentee ballot applications; exquisitely time release of mass-media...

There is no panacea for developing good boys and men, but one could do a lot worse than contributing time and talent to organizations such as the Boy Scouts, DeMolay, Knights of Columbus and Masons. Check 'em out. You will appreciate their aims and the outcomes of their work. Join one or another if you would improve yourself.

So hope is alive here in Massachusetts!

IF YOU KNOW ANYONE IN MASSACHUSETTS, PLEASE 'PHONE AND ASK THEM TO GO VOTE FOR SCOTT BROWN. WARN THEM THAT THEY MAY BE DELAYED GETTING INTO THE POLLS. SUGGEST THEY GAS UP THE CAR FIRST AND BRING A GOOD BOOK ALONG. THEY'VE GOT TO HANG IN THERE AND VOTE. IT'S FOR THEIR COUNTRY'S SAKE, NOT ONLY THEIR STATE'S.

[End of rant]

The local Communists (er, I mean Democrats) do not look very happy. Even if Scott Brown were to lose to Martha Coakley today (the dead having a way of mysteriously showing up to exercise the franchise in tight Massachusetts elections), this marks the end of the Kennedy stranglehold on Massachusetts. It is also a firm rebuke for President Obama and his Democrat Congress.

Here in the land where the Shays Rebellion began (as Groton's Shattuck, Parker and Blood raised 80 or so and marched on Concord to close the court), we are enjoying a bloodless coup today. Yes, Scott Brown ran a good, smart, tight campaign. And yes, opponent Martha Coakley's campaign was feckless and arrogant, her strategy amounting to "I emerged from the...

The news from North Andover, a Boston suburban community of about 27,000, is that voters have not been able to get into the single polling place for the town's eight precincts as quickly as they have liked. Some may miss their opportunity to vote because they needed to depart for work and might not return before the polls close tonight.