Washington (CNN) - Two days after his stunning victory in Massachusetts, Republican Sen.-elect Scott Brown heads to the nation's capitol on Thursday.
Brown is a state senator who defeated Democratic state Attorney General Martha Coakley Tuesday to became the first Massachusetts Republican to win a U.S. Senate election since 1972.
Brown's first meeting on Capitol Hill Thursday will be in the 10 a.m. ET hour with Sen. John McCain of Arizona. McCain, the 2008 GOP presidential nominee, endorsed Brown's bid to fill the last three years of the term of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy. In the January 3 endorsement, McCain said of Brown that "as an officer on the Army National Guard, he understands the importance of a strong military and the necessity of protecting our interests around the world."
McCain is a retired naval aviator who was shot down and served as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.
McCain, through his Country First political action committee, is calling on Democrats to seat Brown immediately.
Brown's next stop is a meeting with John Kerry, the Bay State's senior senator. In the last week of the heated campaign, Kerry, the Democrats's 2004 presidential nominee, accused Brown supporters of "bullying and threats" and urged Brown to speak out and get his supporters under control.
Brown teams up next with the man he will replace, interim Sen. Paul Kirk, a longtime friend and trusted aide to Kennedy who was named as a temporarily replacement for the late senator, after he died of cancer in August. Kirk has said he hopes to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Brown also meets with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the top Republican in the chamber. Brown's victory gives the Republicans 41 senators in the chamber, denying the Democrats their 60 seat filibuster proof super majority.
As he departed for Washington Thursday morning from Boston, Brown told reporters that "I think I'm ready. I've done my homework, you know, calling the appropriate people."
The senator-elect also feels his upset victory election has already changed the nation's capital.
"It seems like the tone is Washington has changed and everyone I've spoken with most of our delegation as well as the leadership on both sides seems to be like a breath of fresh air going down. So I'm excited and we'll see what happens," said Brown.
Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @psteinhausercnn
From CNN Politics
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Pelosi still doesn’t get it or she just decided that she doesn’t care what American’s think. I saw on the morning news Pelosi was at a podium and in her response to the big Senate win by Brown in Massachusetts was “we heard the voters and will ‘consider’ it, but we are moving forward with healthcare reform”. What makes it worse was the way she said it; it was like “tough we not going to do what you want. You don’t know what is good for you”. It was very dismissive. Maybe she doesn’t care about the upcoming November elections; she is safe. But, she is not very smart.
Maybe, just maybe congress will get something done that makes sense.
I know, I know "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...."
Healthcare, look at the senate version, the house version and the offered republican version (YES there are 6 of them). Take any common points from this legislation (like no pre-existing conditions) and pass it immediately.
There, progress. Maybe I should run for congress!
Well, I'm glad Senator Brown is going down "there" to Washington and is going to clean things up and change the whole way Congress is doing business....hmmm, that attitude should hold him about....a week. Unless he's a miracle worker, he's going to run into the same non-partisanship and bickering everyone else does. It won't be long before he gets frustrated, too, and begins the back-scratching and closed door deals. Enjoy your fairytale while it lasts...
First, I am a Democrat. So, when I say this, I want it to be clear. Brown needs to be seated immediately. Enough of the mealy-mouthed maneuvering by both parties. Seat him, and live with the consequences of self-congratulatory tactics. That's what happens when you rest on your laurels. Get to work. Everybody in DC needs to get to work.
November 6- 2012
BROWN 52% OBAMA 48%
'We the People' have spoken.....
The voters in Massachusetts sent a message loud and clear.
To the politicians....
It isn't IF you are a Democrat or a Republican....
The politicians need to represent the voters... not the lobbyists or big business. This IS a 'wake-up' call for politicians........ for the people you have ignored are fighting back.
If the politicians think that this is a coincidence... wait till the next election... it will be a shocker.
John McCain may be too moderate for my taste, but he is a decent and honorable man. I am grateful that he will be making Scott Brown welcome in the Senate and offering him good advice. The freshman Senator is an asset to the Republican party, the people of Massachusetts and the US.
The process to seat Brown should proceed according to standard procedures, with no special consideration just because the bully Republicans want it to go faster.
The GOP's push to seat Brown quickly is just another example of it putting party before country.
Boy, they all make me sick!
I know many officers that have no understanding of the military and have no military discipline. I think McCain is just happy to be on the winning side of an election.
Don't get your hopes up too much citizens of Mass. He's just another member of the PARTY OF "NO" without any solutions or strategies. He will side with all of the Southern Senators and expect your vote in three years. He is just another empty suiut with flash and no substance. His election has set the nation back 30 years. It is almost criminal. Shame on you folks...may you all get what you have sowen.
There are rules that need to be followed. Do republicans think because they have the money behind them that they don't have to follow the same rules as Democrats. They think that they have the whole country behind them but I believe they are wrong.
Big Deal !!
The story should read, " McCain is a retired naval officer, who crashed four expensive jet fighters, before being shot down over North Vietnam. McCain graduated from the bottom of the class at the naval academy. The " HERO ' senator was a enemy collaborator, who received special treatment because his daddy was an Admiral. He was awarded twenty some medals for flying a mere twenty some hours of combat. Other real pilots flew hundreds of hours to earn those medals. Brown and McCain should SLEAZE well together.
Observing the USA from up here in Canada.....it seems very clear that your peolple want Health Care....but the health care industry and the right wing are doing their utmost to screw with American heads !!!
Open your eyes my friends and see the truth !!!!