Republican Scott Brown’s senate victory last night was probably not how the Obama administration planned on celebrating its first year in office. 

The Bay State’s election was a referendum on the big government spending agenda, the lack of transparency, and the wavering national security policies of this administration.  But even more important – and more immediate – is how Scott Brown may be the saving grace when it comes to stopping Obamacare.

Before the night was through, Rep. Barney Frank (D-NY) — Chairman of the Committee on Financial Services – issued this statement (h/t The American Spectator):


I have two reactions to the election in Massachusetts. One, I am disappointed. Two, I feel strongly that the Democratic majority in Congress must respect the process and make no effort to bypass the electoral results. If Martha Coakley had won, I believe we could have worked out a reasonable compromise between the House and Senate health care bills. But since Scott Brown has won and the Republicans now have 41 votes in the Senate, that approach is no longer appropriate. I am hopeful that some Republican Senators will be willing to discuss a revised version of health care reform because I do not think that the country would be well-served by the health care status quo. But our respect for democratic procedures must rule out any effort to pass a health care bill as if the Massachusetts election had not happened. Going forward, I hope there will be a serious effort to change the Senate rule which means that 59 votes are not enough to pass major legislation, but those are the rules by which the health care bill was considered, and it would be wrong to change them in the middle of the process.



And Frank wasn’t alone. Virginia Senator Jim Webb issued this statement about health care (h/t The Politico):


In many ways the campaign in Massachusetts became a referendum not only on health care reform but also on the openness and integrity of our government process. It is vital that we restore the respect of the American people in our system of government and in our leaders. To that end, I believe it would only be fair and prudent that we suspend further votes on health care legislation until Senator-elect Brown is seated.



The political fallout from last night’s election may put the brakes on Obama’s agenda.  Perhaps now the president will start paying attention to public opinion.