He did so by working closely with the Massachusetts delegation and leaning on some of its most liberal members, including Frank and Kerry.
Kerry called passage of the finance bill a victory for Massachusetts. “Our workers and our businesses took it on the chin when Wall Street melted down,’’ Kerry said. “These reforms will fix what’s most broken, and Chairman Frank, Senator Brown, and I also worked collegially to ensure that Massachusetts’ financial firms, which did no harm, will continue to create jobs and engage in legitimate enterprise.’’The Outraged Liberal focuses on Brown's switch in his voting.
I just don't understand this whole fiasco. Either Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) promised to make these changes and didn't, so Brown voted no the first time, or... Brown agreed to vote yes with no guarantee his changes would be made, and then voted no the first time.
Beyond bizarre. And I sincerely doubt that the Majority Leader would have reneged on his end, because he's a seasoned national politician and wouldn't try to lose Brown's vote after obtaining it.
But here's my take, probably a bit cynical. Brown's changes are in the bill now. If he had voted for cloture in the first place, they might not have made it in. So, he agrees to vote for the bill, and then switches at the last minute to hold the Democratic leadership hostage to his demands.
After all, not only can he say that he made FinReg good for Massachusetts (at least good for our investment companies!), but he got face time with other members of his delegation, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA 4). And the Democrats needed him. Being needed keeps #41 in the news. He is a man who clearly likes making news.
After the final vote was recorded, Brown rushed out of the chamber to catch a flight. Asked for comment, he responded, “I’m done making news today.’’
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