Massachusetts Senate poll loss threatens Obama agenda

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Republican Scott Brown's victory speech

Republican Scott Brown has won a shock victory in the race for the US Senate seat in Massachusetts left vacant by Democrat Edward Kennedy's death.

The result is a huge blow to President Barack Obama, whose healthcare reform programme is now in doubt.

Democrat Martha Coakley conceded she had lost the race after early results gave Mr Brown a healthy lead.

The Republican win has robbed the Democrats of their filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the Senate.

This will make it much harder for Mr Obama to pass a healthcare reform bill - the most important domestic policy objective of his first year as president.


The independent voice of Massachusetts has spoken - the voters of this commonwealth defied the odds and the experts

Scott Brown


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Revolution in Kennedy country
The BBC's Paul Adams, in Boston, says Ms Coakley's defeat is a humiliating blow for the Democrats and their agenda, and a deeply unwelcome anniversary present for President Obama a year after his inauguration.

He adds that it is one of the biggest political upsets in years, and a devastating blow for the Democrats in a seat held for almost half a century by Edward Kennedy, a colossus of the party.

In a celebratory speech, Mr Brown said that the voters of Massachusetts had "delivered a great victory".

He said: "Tonight, the independent voice of Massachusetts has spoken. The voters of this commonwealth defied the odds and the experts."


FILIBUSTERING
A method used to delay approval of laws by prolonging debate
May include large numbers of amendments, spurious points of order and very long speeches
If the session runs out of time, motions cannot be voted on
He also criticised President Obama's healthcare reform proposals, saying they would raise taxes, destroy jobs and increase debt.

Speaking to her supporters after conceding the election in a telephone call to Mr Brown, Ms Coakley admitted that she was "heartbroken at the result".

Mr Obama had campaigned personally on behalf of Ms Coakley.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said he would welcome Mr Brown to the Senate.

He added that senators "will move to seat him as soon as the proper paperwork has been received" from Massachusetts officials.

Lacklustre campaign

Analysts say the race should have been an easy win for Ms Coakley in a state which traditionally has voted for Democratic candidates for the US Senate.



Martha Coakley vowed "to get up tomorrow and continue the fight"
But a lacklustre campaign allowed her Republican opponent - with vigorous support from conservative activists - to wrest the seat from her party.

Ms Coakley said she had received a telephone call from President Obama, who had told her: "We can't win them all."

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said President Obama had called Mr Brown to congratulate him and to tell him he was looking forward to working with him.

Analysts say that with opinion polls showing that nearly half of all Americans think President Obama is not delivering on his major campaign promises, the Massachusetts race could be seen as a referendum on his first year in office.