The Massachusetts vote

Irish Elk is on the campaign trail for Scott Brown. Please consider clicking the button at left to contribute to the candidate the editors of National Review call the Man Who Can Stop Obamacare.

The Cook Political Report has downgraded the Massachusetts race from "Solid Democratic" to "Leans Democratic." Writes Jennifer Rubin at Commentary: So if the Massachusetts senate race isn’t “solid” Democratic what does this portend for Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Nevada and other less-Blue races in 2010? You understand now why so many Democrats are hanging it up “voluntarily.”

Legal Insurrection writes Brown is winning the online race, and that the election itself is winnable.

Mass. Citizens for Life is trying to get out the vote for Brown as the 41st vote against the health-care bill.

The comments at the Globe website on Vicki Kennedy's endorsement of Coakley make interesting reading.

Martha Coakley has gone into hiding: Globe columnist Brian McGrory wrote yesterday: Let's take a look at Coakley's campaign schedule for today. Well, actually, we can't. There isn't one. She isn't doing anything in public — no meetings with voters, no debates, no public appearances. For all we know, she's spending much of her time at home with the shades drawn waiting for Jan. 19, Election Day, to come and go.

Jim Geraghty at NRO passes along one number-cruncher's take that Brown has a 40-percent chance.

Geraghty also shares an e-mail from the late Dean Barnett's brother:

For what it's worth, I was at a Brown fundraiser last night, and there is palpable enthusiasm in Massachusetts. Even The Boston Globe had two articles yesterday that were highly negative for Coakley (one in which she dragged her feet in prosecuting a cop that had raped his two year old niece, another in which a columnist trashed her for refusing to debate Brown one-on-one). I'm pretty choosy about where I give my political donations, but this is a race well worth pursuing. He might not win, but a strong showing would be a dash of cold water to every Lincoln, Landrieu, Nelson, etc.

How many Democrats from swing states and districts would decide not to run for re-election (and how many strong Republican candidates would enter races) in late January/early February if Coakley were to win 53-47? Thus even by losing, if the race is competitive, it could do a world of good. And he might win, which would be of inestimable value.

Kathryn Jean Lopez at NRO posts another e-mail from a Brown supporter:

I just finished a two hour shift calling for Scott his Cape Cod office not two miles from the Kennedy compound. You would not believe the positive reception he is getting. People aren't letting me finish the canned presentation before they jump in to say that they're with him. Incredible enthusiasm. They're all out of bumperstickers (not surprising because they're everywhere — no so for Martha) and lawn signs.

I think that Rasmussen's take that he's within 2 with those who plan to vote is going to flip. I think this is going to happen.

And the Nanepashemet blog named for the 17th-century Great Sachem of Irish Elk's hometown also has come out for Brown. This is pleasing to St. Tammany.

Elsewhere:

Solomonia: Brown's hard line for Israel

Michael Graham, NRO: The GOP insurgency in Massachusetts

Dana Loesch, Big Government: Mass. voters could make history Jan. 19

Jules Crittenden: Brownapalooza

David Frum, The Atlantic: Bring Back the Mugwumps

* * *

Above: Leverett Saltonstall casts his ballot