Title: Name Recognition And Dollars Will Play Big In Senate Race

" This is the WBUR news podcast for Monday September 28 the service of WBUR. Boston's NPR news station I'm Bob -- coming up. We profile one other Republicans are running for the late Ted Kennedy's US senate seat state senator Scott Brown and first today. The sprint is underway in the race to replace Ted Kennedy in the US senate. The compressed election calendar means candidates have just three more weeks to submit voters' signatures to get on the ballot. Then it's just three months until January special election. The crowded field includes four Democrats Attorney General Martha Coakley congressman Michael -- UN out the co owner of the Boston Celtics Stephen -- Uga. And the founder of the service organization said a year -- crazy. On the Republican side state senator Scott Brown and -- and select men barber are in the race. Joining us this morning to size up the field and the race ahead. Our our regular political analysts Republican consultant Todd dot. Morning Bob how does the compressed timetable make this a different campaign for a from other campaigns for major office -- let's start with you."

" Well obviously it gives a great advantage to those who were already known or to someone who has a lot of money to spend. But or someone who theoretically could Marshal and army of our volunteers. But it -- we expect low turnout. There's not that much excitement because there aren't big name candidates and that so it really. Means that you need the strong get out the vote."

" Dan oh what's the bigger challenge raising money to pay for the campaigns or reaching out to voters. Raising money is how you reach out to voters. There isn't enough time for any of the candidates to get out and make meaningful contact around the state. There in the race is just ten weeks from tomorrow. And it just puts Martha Coakley in a commanding position because she's the best known. And she has a statewide organization and as attorney general she can make news any day she wants to. So Sheehy who has the what you would call them the natural advantage at this point because she's the only one of those Democrat to run a state -- campaign yes this race looks like the white version of Gladys Knight and the pants. She's the woman in front that you pay attention to and and there are three guys in the background. Who are. About at this point anyway. Pretty much similar but not standing out Todd. Congressman Michael -- you I know the only current or former congressional representative. To enter the race there are people who think that kept you wanna will be tough piece practiced on national issues. And has this great line arguing that he is most like Ted Kennedy well he."

" Is making that argument that I don't know how far they'll get with the it's difficult to make that claim to fame when they're not famous he's not well known outside his own district. He doesn't really have clout he doesn't. Have much success. In terms of legislative accomplishment so the comparison is a stretch including for example when he claimed credit for having turned around. Somerville -- when it was really the successor. Occurred Antonio mayor and his chief strategist mark Horton who really deserve credit for that. So he stretching but. You know he's he's the only congressman there so he. Actually knows federal issues and that's where is Martha Coakley the Savannah."

" And oh Kaplan who is trying he's he's he's calling himself. Amir of Ted Kennedy. It's possible that the Kennedy family particularly Joe Kennedy might. Endorse camp one at some point the rumor is that Joe Kennedy will. Help -- 10 win so that one of Joe Kennedy's sons can then run for the congressional seat that would become vacant. All right let let's talk about the other Democrats and the racing get you to vote way Ian Allen crazy who. Led the national service organizations city -- in Boston Celtics co owner the 400 million dollar deep pocketed candidate Stephen pal you can longshot at best. Well that's right and and tell you because very interest thing having having 400 million dollars. If he spent all of -- to reach the 200000 democratic primary voters that he needs that would be 2000 dollars per voters so. You know he should cut out the middleman out all the media advertisements in the tax cut that's redistribute the wealth. And I think the voters would respond to that I think that prefer attempted bribery to attempt to price watch. Millionaires need time for the voters to get comfortable with them and that valued at. Doesn't have that much time and nobody knows who the is even though he's on TV. More often in Bob's discount furniture. Alan K easy who's -- co-founder city year. It is also working against the clock -- people don't know who is and he doesn't have a lot of recognition any product in government money Republican candidates state senator Scott Brown running for the seat also -- in selectmen barber today is that surprising to Utah that. More well known Republicans who work talked about as possibly entering the race did not -- not really because it's unlikely that a Republican would be. The successor to Ted Kennedy. I think. Scott Brown will will be even nominate I'd be surprised if robberies and signatures to get on the ballot will it be an interest in campaign -- does Scott Brown have a chance. If if certain flaky things happen if the Democrats nominate the one of the weakest candidates. If if those very low turn out. And if the Democrat make some mistake -- it says something scandalous for example like praising George Bush. Well Scott Brown could do he might be running to do what Joe Malone did. In 1988 -- Malone -- dignified positive campaign against Ted Kennedy and -- lot of praise for that. And then he was able to run successfully for state treasurer Scott Brown could do similar things run high road positive campaign. Big picture with so little time between now and Election Day you -- what's needed to win this race and what the winner be able to do it with maybe 25 to 35% of the vote considering they are so many Democrats today it in the field it's conceivable that one for the vote would win and a four person field. A Coakley is kind of tempted to -- cruise control she has to prove herself. Scioscia the masses it's not not merely slogan. But the issue of a theme about what she'll do in Washington she's been very timid. Robert doll. So what if she can motivate. There's one thing to say vote for me because a woman it's time parliament and that might be enough. But that really isn't the way she wants the way to I don't think he needs to say vote from me because -- woman I think there isn't demand for female -- Among female voters -- for a woman candidate. The Democratic Party in this state like most states is a predominantly female part. And Martha Coakley. Will have to be careful to latest had suggested the problems that got her partner Anthony EG brain and lost a race for governor Tom rightly did the same thing. So the track record of running from the eighties on that great there's an irony that the democratic candidate might win based on -- Sex and then on the Republican side. Scott's own gender -- brown is best known for. Having been picked by counsel magazine as the sexiest man I'm so that's why is that not only sells that was a decades ago Scott process that was decades and decades ago and -- can't be defined by one picture news you Republicans are proud of I've -- and let me ask you one more question it is going to be hard can considering the fact that Massachusetts now has a second sitting US senator and Paul Kirk. It's going to be hard for any of these candidates to cut through given that. Kirk is going to get a lot of attention in Washington with all the important issues on the table. Yet -- struggled to get some attention and -- campaign is so short. A week goes by and you missed maybe 10%. And but I think the the the that I was talking to Barney Frank the unity he said this race is gonna have solo turn out it's going to be like a caucus and -- primary. -- you'll be able to meet all the people who are a running and in the voters will be pretty familiar with and the insider will be very familiar with that could go under 20%. Republican Todd donkey Democrat campaign -- political analyst thank you very much for both coming in on this Monday morning welcome welcome."

" It's that almost 37 years since Massachusetts voters sent a Republican to the United States and it. Edward Brooke was the last in a long line of GOP senators are represented the state in congress. Now with a special election to fill the late Ted Kennedy's seat less than four months away. State senator Scott Brown hopes Massachusetts will again send a Republican to the Senate. WBUR. Steve Brown no relation has this profile of the rent them Republican."

" Scott Brown admits he's an underdog in this race but he's been tough battles before. The fifteen year old was the -- of divorced parents his mother was on welfare the turning point he says was when he discovered he had a talent for basketball at Wakefield high school. "

" Boosted Middlesex league MVP in. All-Star and then I went on to Tufts University had a great experience there and was due to teach my kids in other kids so those life lessons of of you know being hungry and and not having a whole lot I think. -- defined who I -- and what I believe and."

" From tufts brown went on to get a law degree from Boston College. While the law school he did some modeling to help pay the bills including one photo shoot for Cosmopolitan Magazine. Later is an attorney specializing in family law brown that interested in politics on the town level. In the early ninety's he was elected assessor -- them and then to the board of selectmen for winning a seat to the House of Representatives in 1998. Brown says those experiences would help him in Washington."

" Knowing how the people in the municipal level and the government officials and ordinary citizens that are trying to deal with a lot of the cuts not only statewide but nationally. Another whole trickle down theory when the states in trouble the first thing to do is cut municipal funding sources just being there for so long in there watching in the grocery store and having somebody say Scott I need help with -- AB CD you know you're kind of earlier accessible. And they know where you live and if you don't solve the problem you know they'll they'll let you know about it."

" In 2004. Browns are an opportunity to move up to the states and it after the democratic incumbent in his district resigned. Brown won the seat by a mere 349. Vote."

" Scotsman one of our superstars here in the caucus and in his remaining from self here in the Senate -- very short period of time senate minority leader Richard to say describes brown is a thoughtful legislator there are too many Republicans in the state senate soon to be effective you have to be good. And really work harder and be more dedicated and follow the process. A lot closer than. Just a regular rank and file member."

" In his time as a state senator brown is focused on opposing higher taxes and what he calls wasteful government spending. But he does have his critics."

" It just didn't stellar record. And that's I keep hearing people round is you're just not a lot of -- apparently it's. --"

" Marianne gray -- eight chairs the democratic town committee in plain bill which is part of Brown's district. She's concerned he doesn't have the temperament to be a US senator."

" As we are trying to get work done that for trying to figure out what's best do for our district and the commonwealth. He'd."

" Basically can disregard for anyone who doesn't -- in the opinion that he does and and he would offer an insult -- and and a net cash if anyone questions him on any."

" and -- cites his speech brown gave to high school students in 2007. Which he took issue with profanity laced comments posted by students online. Brown says they were aimed at him and his family and he doesn't regret his remarks."

" There are larger problems. And bigger problems than you know my picture being -- in a magazine 27 years ago or -- what I read to some students. We have some very very real and serious problems security Homeland Security. That I plan to work on very seriously full time down in Washington."

" One focus in Washington could be veterans' services and benefits something brown has worked on as a legislator in Massachusetts. As a national Guardsmen since 1979. Scott Brown says joining the guard is one of the best things he's ever done. For WBUR I'm Steve --"

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