A crucial Senate seat traditionally held by the Democrats was lost to the Republicans in a special by-election held in Massachusetts yesterday to replace the late Senator Ted Kennedy.  Republican Scott Brown won the seat, and pundits are suggesting that this is in large part due to his appeal to independent voters on issues such as the economy.  Brown has pledged to oppose the Health Care bill, and while he supported reducing GHG emissions as a Massachusetts state Senator two years ago, he is recently on record for questioning the science behind climate change.   

Prior to yesterday’s vote, the Democrats held 60 of the Senate’s 100 seats.  A 60% majority is required to overcome filibusters, a tactic increasingly used in the Senate to delay legislation.  Strong partisanship in the Senate means that voting predominantly follows party lines, and the likelihood of Republican support for any Democrat led initiatives, including health care and climate change, is dim at best.

(Title revised - February 9, 2010)