MASSACHUSETTS WAKES UP WITH ELECTION HANGOVER

BOSTON GLOBE—As he campaigned for the U.S. Senate from the back of his green pickup, Scott Brown portrayed himself as an independent-minded everyman and moderate candidate fighting the Democratic "machine."

But as a Republican in Massachusetts, Brown sometimes found himself to the right of his own party.
He once proposed an amendment which would have allowed emergency room doctors to deny emergency contraception to rape victims based on the doctor's religious beliefs, which drew the ire of fellow Republicans. But, Brown voted for the final version of the bill without the amendment.

He has criticized the federal stimulus program as ineffective, but said he would not return the money.

And in the final weeks of the campaign, Brown benefited from the financial backing of conservative groups like the Tea Party movement which pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into television ads for him.

Like former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, Stanley Beamish and even Barack Obama in 2008, Brown is getting a boost from his own limited political resume, according to Julian Zelig, lessor known professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University. In the absence of a strong record or public profile, voters felt free to read into the candidates whatever they want.

"There is a virtue of not being a known commodity and not having tons of experience in the national spotlight," Zelig said. "With Palin, people knew nothing about her when she was introduced ... and that was an asset at first."

Who is Zelig?

WB7: Congratulations people of Massachusetts, you've sent your message to Obama, now you must live your newly elected hunk.

No, we did not make this up.