Scott Brown: Independent, Lock-Step Republican or Pig in a Poke?

We chose him: What did we get and how will Scott Brown affect decisions coming out of the Senate? The purpose of this blog post is to document the issue positions Brown campaigned on, to get to know him better, and to use as a reference for when he starts taking votes. Your contributions in the comments are greatly appreciated.

[float=right][/float]A lot has been said about how Scott Brown vowed to kill the Senate health bill. In fact, that may be one of the top factors in his victory. But did you know he is for national health reform? Read his position on health care below.

On the economy is where Scott Brown seems to be most like Republican free market advocates that believe markets are self-correcting, which means he will not support re-regulation of Wall Street and Banking or mortgage markets in order to mitigate systemic risk and protect the assets of everyone including middle class home owners, people who have for retirement, education and all other purposes. He is also an advocate of tax cuts as a solution to preserving individual wealth and for job creation. He is against "wasteful" government spending.

Brown advocates "common sense" environmental policy and "reasonable" development of alternative energy. He's left himself plenty of room to oppose any Energy and Environment policy legislation. He does oppose cap and trade. Surely Congress will give him an opportunity to stake out a real world position on this before he runs for re-election in 2012.

Brown is an advocate for public education. It's hard to see how the solutions he advocates to the issues he identifies will be part of the conversation in DC soon. He does not take a position on vouchers. Public education is about 50-60% of every town's budget. State and Federal aid contribute resources that towns do not raise on their own. We may get to see Brown's priorities in action in an education bill.

Brown takes a conservative position on immigration. I can't spell it our more clearly than he has. See below.

Brown is a "supporter of legislation providing benefits to returning service members, as well as, benefits for the families of those killed in action." Sen. Webb has a new ally. Sen McCain, who voted against the GI Bill II, has a new opponent.

On gun issues, Brown takes a pro-ownership stance without offering any commitment to the issues on the margin that constitute the current debate such as assault weapon policy, state's rights to regulate ownership, gun registration requirements, and the gun show loophole.

Brown is an advocate for the death penalty for "heinous" crimes, a position consistent with current Federal law.

On abortion, Brown says he for choice with specific exceptions. For details see bellow. Anyone know about other positions Brown has taken on this issue in the past? Brown like Obama, wants a policy that reduces abortions and increases adoptions.

Brown is against gay marriage unless the people of a state or their legislature get to vote on it. He does not believe "equal treatment under the law" is a valid principle for gay marriage rights. Instead he believes the democratic process of voting, directly or through elected representatives, should determine the outcome of gay marriage rights in every state.

On foreign policy, I'll leave you to parse Brown's position regarding Israel and Iran.

For your reference, I reproduced Brown ISSUES positions from his campaign website below. If you know of other documented position he's taken in the campaign trail or since, please post them in the comments.

Scott Brown on the issues from BrownforUSSenate.com (January 22, 2010):

America is a great country but we also have some challenges that we need to solve if we're going to remain the world's superpower. The most important of our challenges is getting the U.S. economy moving again. People are hurting as they struggle to make ends meet. They're worried about their future, and that of their children and grandchildren. I want to ensure that we leave them an America that is financially stronger and independent: minus a national debt that we can never repay.

Health Care
I believe that all Americans deserve health care coverage, but I am opposed to the health care legislation that is under consideration in Congress and will vote against it. It will raise taxes, increase government spending and lower the quality of care, especially for elders on Medicare. I support strengthening the existing private market system with policies that will drive down costs and make it easier for people to purchase affordable insurance. In Massachusetts, I support the 2006 healthcare law that was successful in expanding coverage, but I also recognize that the state must now turn its attention to controlling costs.

Economy
I am a free enterprise advocate who believes that lower taxes can encourage economic growth. Raising taxes stifles growth, weakens the economy and puts more people out of work. Our economy works best when individuals have more of their income to spend, and businesses have money to invest and add jobs. I have been a fiscal watchdog in the state legislature fighting bigger government, higher taxes and wasteful spending.

Energy and Environment
I support common-sense environment policy that will help to reduce pollution and preserve our precious open spaces. I realize that without action now, future generations will be left to clean up the mess we leave. In order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, I support reasonable and appropriate development of alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal and improved hydroelectric facilities. I oppose a national cap and trade program because of the higher costs that families and businesses would incur.

Education
I am passionate about improving the quality of our public schools. Accountability and high standards are paramount. I support choice through charter schools, as well as the MCAS exam as a graduation requirement. I have worked to ensure that all children have access to a quality education. I am a strong advocate for the METCO program, which provides lower income students with broader educational opportunities.

Immigration
I recognize that our strength as a nation is built on the immigrant experience in America. I welcome legal immigration to this country. However, we are also a nation of laws and government should not adopt policies that encourage illegal immigration. Providing driver’s licenses and in-state tuition to illegal immigrant families will act as a magnet in drawing more people here in violation of the law and it will impose new costs on taxpayers. I oppose amnesty, and I believe we ought to strengthen our border enforcement and institute an employment verification system with penalties for companies that hire illegal immigrants.

Veterans
As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard, I am uniquely aware of the importance and sacrifice of our men and women serving in the military. I have been a vigorous supporter of legislation providing benefits to returning service members, as well as, benefits for the families of those killed in action. I believe we need to recognize the sacrifice of all of our servicemembers by keeping better track of returning military personnel so they get the services they deserve. That includes providing them with first-class medical care and other benefits to which they are entitled. I am known as a leader on veterans' issues through my work on the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee, the Hidden Wounds of War Commission, and the Governor's Task Force on Returning Veterans.

Gun issues
I support the Second Amendment and believe that citizens have the right to keep and bear arms as a basic constitutional liberty. I support safe and responsible gun ownership.

Death penalty
I believe there are some crimes that are so heinous that they deserve capital punishment. Our Government should have the ability to impose the death penalty in cases where it is justified.

Abortion
While this decision should ultimately be made by the woman in consultation with her doctor, I believe we need to reduce the number of abortions in America. I believe government has the responsibility to regulate in this area and I support parental consent and notification requirements and I oppose partial birth abortion. I also believe there are people of good will on both sides of the issue and we ought to work together to support and promote adoption as an alternative to abortion.

Marriage
I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. States should be free to make their own laws in this area, so long as they reflect the people's will as expressed through them directly, or as expressed through their elected representatives.

Israel
Israel has made enormous sacrifices in an attempt to secure peace – including unilateral withdrawal from Gaza. I support a two-state solution that reaffirms Israel’s right to exist and provides the Palestinians with a place of their own where both sides can live in peace and security. As our closest ally in the Middle East, Israel lives every day under the threat of terror yet shares with America a dedication to democratic ideals, a respect for faith, and a commitment to peace in the region. Until a lasting peace is achieved, I support the security barrier erected by Israel which has proven successful in protecting Israeli civilians from terrorist attacks.

Iran
I support the bi-partisan Iran sanctions bill and believe that until Ahmadinejad gives up his nuclear ambitions he should be isolated from the rest of the world. With its reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons, Iran represents the biggest threat to Israel. Ahmadinejad is a Holocaust denier who has threatened to wipe Israel off the map. Meeting with him confers legitimacy when the only correct response is to treat him as an outcast. A personal meeting with Ahmadinejad, as suggested by my opponent, would embolden him and be used as a propaganda tool to strengthen his position.