Washington (CNN) – Republican Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown was elected with support from the Tea Party movement, but he doesn't consider himself a member.
"I'm a Republican from Massachusetts and a proud Republican," Brown said Tuesday in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
The freshman senator who is up for reelection in 2012 said he tries instead to be an "independent voter and thinker and focus on the very real issues and where we find commonality."
He declined to forcefully back the movement, saying he supports a "lot of different movements," and especially people who are concerned about America's fiscal future.
Brown is promoting his book "Against All Odds," in which he discloses that as a youth he was subject to sexual and physical abuse, something he said you never get over.
"I felt it would be important to talk not only about the good things," Brown said. "I wanted to not gloss over the tough things as well and hopefully help people understand that listen, if you have tough circumstances, like many of us do, you can still have success if you have good people around you."
"If it helps people I'm so excited and thankful about that," he added.
– Watch more of Blitzer's interview with Sen. Brown Tuesday and Saturday on CNN's "The Situation Room"
Watch The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer weekdays at 4pm to 6pm ET and Saturdays at 6pm ET. For the latest from The Situation Room click here.
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Sidling toward the center so that he can get re-elected in Massachusetts
brown is probably the best senator no matter if its ....tea. republican or democrat party....
This guy should run for POTUS in 2012. Pretty sure he would beat Obama. Hopefully that would make Palin shut her glory hole once and for all.
This is what a Reagen Republican is like. This is a big tent Republican. Did you hear that Sara and Mickey, this is the real thing.
More like a deceiver at best.
Distancing himself from the Tea Party. Not surprising.
@davec.0121...er....where have you been? He's been at the center since he took office last year. I don't think it has anything to do with re-election coming up.
Finally nice to see a viable alternative from the Republican Party.
A special ran on this man this weekend, I think it was 60 minutes, in which they talked about his background, and the trials and tribulations that he went through in his life. When he was asked why doesn't he support programs or vote agianst programs to help the poor since he claims that he was so poor and had a rough upbringing he stated that these are different times. I think that he has made money, but as usualy he has forgotten where he comes from.
If all Republicans were like Scott Brown, we would have a much more educated and happier nation. GOP, you better get on this guy's bandwagon and take up his platform, because he's going places whether you like it or not.
I sincerely hope Senator Brown will change his mind about seeking prosecution of the man who molested him. Until these people are brought to justice they have complete freedom to molest and abuse other children. It may mean life or death to some Innocent child. His abuser must be stopped. They don't stop on their own. They only become worse.
It would be good if all politicians were thinking along those lines. About what is right for the country and not throwing all support behind whatever political party you belong to or what group of people helped in your campaign. They should be thinking about the short and long term effects of their votes as their vote shapes the country for everyone regardless of political party or activist groups. Be conservative but think about the effects cutting 100billion out of the budge will have just because the party said they wanted to do it for votes. Be democrat but think about the effects of too many social programs enabling people to dependent on the government.
Tea party and some media claim because of tea party support he won
He will win next election with out tea party support
LOL, it looks to me he used that party to get elected and now he wants to set himself up for re-election or for a run at 2012. Which I really think was really his game plan all along.
i can sum up scott brown's distancing himself from the tea party in one word, "HA!"
I think that this allegatoins of abuse are oportunistic. why wait until election season?
More investigation should be made.
this is a free progressive state, like Kennedy best said it, racist tea paty members are not of our interest.
It's too early to tell what kind of Senator Brown is or will be, Washington has a way of dirting up everybody and the lobbyist are always there to grease the palm.
Wow... Not that's the kinda talk that gets the attention of us independents. Bet the T.E.A party people that voted for him are feeling abit betrayed. Good for him, I just hope when re-election time comes around he continues to talk like this. If so he has a bright future.
I'm a Democrat and have no problems with Republicans. I have a problem with extremists who will not compromise and will not work towards a middle ground. We can't get everything we want but we can work together and each side gives up a little. That's how good government works.
Oh Senator Brown, a reminder! Don't forget that you will need to be re-elected. After the Tea Party helped you get elected, you have become an ungrateful hypocrite. I hope come election time, the Tea Party remembers how loyal you have been.
Wow! This coming from a Democrat. Massachusetts Democrats must be rejoicing from your comments. I am sure they are already planning how they are going to kick your ungrateful/sorry butt.
And if they succeed, well, you definitely deserve it.
Scott did not forget where he came from, just check out they way he "rope or doped" the tea party. He lured them in with crumbs of bread then "Smak! busted their little heads. Way to go Scott Brown, POTUS 2016.
This is the "change" that people supposedly voted for. Funny how these very same leaders they voted for want to take away their medicare, social security, and healthcare just so they can pass their tax cuts for the rich. Heck, federal employees don't even get raises for the next 2 years at least just because these idiot republicans started this climate of "cut deficit spending", even though they don't consider it deficit spending to give tax cuts to rich people. Republican voters are stupid people.
We need more open minded and independent thinkers like him.
A Republican who actually makes sense? What is the world coming on? Now watch as Rush and co. turn on the guy.
Man, this primary race will be awesome to watch.