QUOTE OF THE DAY…. Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) was asked for his opinion yesterday on the financial regulatory reform bill advancing in the Senate. “I can’t support it,” he said.
Explaining why, the Republican said one of his main concerns is that the legislation is “going to be an extra layer of regulation.” Which is, of course, true. That’s the point of the legislation. The financial industry went unchecked and nearly destroyed the global economy. That’s why the legislation is being considered — to bring oversight and accountability through regulation.
What was especially interesting, though, is hearing the confused senator try to explain how he’d like to see the legislation improve. (thanks to reader R.L.)
Brown left open the possibility that he could support a compromise.
“I want to see when it’s going to come up, how it’s going to come up,” he said. “I’m always open to trying to work something through so it is truly bipartisan.”
Brown, whose vote could be critical as Democrats seek to find a GOP member to avoid a filibuster, assiduously avoided talking about specifics.
When asked what areas he thought should be fixed, he replied: “Well, what areas do you think should be fixed? I mean, you know, tell me. And then I’ll get a team and go fix it.”
To clarify, when the senator asked “Well, what areas do you think should be fixed?” he was talking to a reporter who wanted to know what kind of changes he hoped to see.
Brown went on to say that he finds the notion of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency problematic because “it’s more government.” He added, “Is that good? … If it’s an area we need to fix, then I’m certainly open to it. But I haven’t heard that that’s the biggest thing that’s problematic with it.”
Do you ever get the feeling that maybe Scott Brown isn’t quite ready for prime-time, and that his service in the Senate is more humiliating than it should be?
