by Eric Dondero

Despite the presence of an Independent-Libertarian candidate on the ballot in the Massachusetts Senate race, liberal special interest groups backing Democrat Martha Coakley have now turned their guns on Republican Scott Brown for his libertarian ties. This new commercial just hitting Boston airwaves today, links Brown with the "Tea Party movement." Additionally, libertarian-leaning Republican Sarah Palin is briefly portrayed in the spot.

Brown for his part has not shied away at all from his libertarian ties. He is a longtime friend and close colleague of libertarian Republican, fellow Mass State Senator Bob Hedlund. From Bob Hedlund's website, March 23, 2009:

Massachusetts Sens. Robert L. Hedlund and Scott R. Brown [stood] outside the State House today to voice their opposition to the use of new tolls as a panacea for state budget woes. The gathering took place hours before the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation...

See YouTube video of Scott Brown speaking to the Stop the Pike Hike rally back in March.

Dave Nalle, writes over at Blog Critics "Mass Senate race pits principles against pragmatism for Tea Party movement":

Brown has really embraced the Tea Party label and has borrowed their message and many of their ideas in pushing his candidacy.

Elements of the Tea Party movement have chosen to support Republican candidate Scott Brown... The Tea Party Express has officially endorsed Brown. The Tea Party Patriots, who are backed by FreedomWorks... have also shown strong support for Brown, as has Tea Party Nation. Even many members of Ron Paul's nonpartisan Campaign for Liberty are pushing Brown.

Tuesday's election is a clear referendum on the Republican Party and Republican values. But it's now turning out to be a referendum on libertarians and the Tea Party movement, as well. If Brown wins, it's a clear indication that the Liberty Movement has arrived.

Note - Sen. Brown granted Libertarian Republican an interview on the issue of the Military Draft, which briefly became an issue early on in the Democrat primary back in November. Brown stated his unequivocal opposition to the Draft, and support for the All-Volunteer Armed Forces. See Brown's comments to LR included in the article "Mass Democrat candidate for Senate says he'd support the Draft."