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Thursday, July 17, 2014

Life Imitates Veep

Paul Lewis of the Guardian bears witness to hijinks:
Scott Brown... did not want to talk about about Hobby Lobby, the recent supreme court decision critics argue will deny some women contraceptive care in their insurance plans. Brown, 54, is a former military colonel, lawyer and shirtless model turned Republican politician, who came to prominence when he unexpectedly won the Massachusetts Senate seat in 2009. After losing that seat three years later, Brown flirted, briefly, with running for president, before switching his allegiance to New Hampshire and, in an attempt to dispense with his reputation as a carpetbagger, taking to the road to meet voters. It is unclear if the strategy is working. A recent poll suggested the gap between Brown and his Democratic opponent -- incumbent senator Jeanne Shaheen -- has more than doubled since he announced his candidacy and began touring the state three months ago... I found Brown at a table at a restaurant called Priscilla's, introduced myself as a Guardian reporter and enquired if I could ask him some questions. Brown smiled nervously and replied: "What do you want to ask me about?" "Hobby Lobby? That would be a start," I said. “I’m all set," he replied. "We’re enjoying ourselves right now.” “But you’re standing for Senate. It is routine for journalists to ask you questions and usually the candidates answer.” “Not without notifying my office." Brown stood up, walked to the back of the diner, and took shelter in the bathroom. A campaign aide, Jeremy, looked bewildered. He lingered beside me for a few moments, before politely excusing himself -- “Nice to meet you” -- and joining his boss in the bathroom. I decided to wait in the parking lot for Team Brown to emerge into the sunlight. Four minutes later, a white SUV swung round and parked next to the steps of the diner. Brown came out with a phone pressed to his ear. "Get in! Get in!" said a campaign worker holding open the car door.
Still more evidence of that Republican Deep Bench the villagers keep insisting is there.

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