Brown camp: No snub intended
By: Andy Barr
April 12, 2010 03:26 PM EDT www.politico.com________________________
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Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) was never planning to attend a tea party rally featuring Sarah Palin this week in Boston, his staff told POLITICO, and did not intend his absence to come off as a snub.
Brown spokeswoman Gail Gitcho told POLITICO that coming off of a two week legislative recess, Brown had always planned to be in Washington this week.
Brown drew notice Monday after the Boston Herald reported that Brown was skipping the rally.
In a story headlined “Scott Brown snubs Sarah Palin, bags Tea Party rally,” Herald reporter Edward Mason wrote that “Brown’s decision to skip the first big rally in Boston by the group whose members are credited with helping him win election has some experts saying he’s tossed the Tea Party overboard, as he prepares for re-election in 2012.”
The story was fodder for bloggers eager to highlight any GOP slight directed at Palin or a rift between a GOP lawmaker and the tea party movement.
But Gitcho said that decision does not represent any sort of political shift away from the some of the grassroots activists partially credited for his improbable special election win in January.
“Senator Brown will be in Washington this week, as the Senate is back in session after a two-week recess, to take up matters of importance to all Massachusetts constituents,” said Gitcho. “While he is unable to attend Wednesday’s event, the Senator appreciates the strong grassroots support he received from a wide range of individuals, including those who are part of the Tea Party movement. He hopes they have a successful event.”
Gitcho noted that Brown will be attending the Massachusetts Republican Party’s state convention on Saturday – Brown is currently featured on the state party’s home page advertising the event – which will be attended by tea party activists along with Republican Party players.
A spokesman for Palin did not respond to requests for comment.
Speaking Monday afternoon with Boston-area talk radio host Howie Carr, Brown said that he is “not avoiding anybody.
“I’m doing my job…They elected me to do a job,” Brown said, pointing out that he missed some of his daughter’s basketball games for votes. “This is what I do.”
© 2010 Capitol News Company, LLC
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Typical hack job by Benny.