Scott Brown in 2009 MA Senate Primary Debate

On Budget & Economy: People are angry over tax and spend mentality and $12T debt

A: I respectfully have to disagree with you this is not a Democrat state; it's not a Kennedy state; it's the people, and right now they're angry. They tried the tax and spend mentality and don't forget we already have twelve people down there right now [in Massachusetts' delegation to the U.S. Congress] that are voting the same way on the same special interest there. Taxing and spending us to a twelve trillion dollar national debt. People are telling me around the state that they want somebody different has been an independent thinker and talker. I have been representing now the state house's fiscal conservative watchdog so I have to respectfully disagree. You should come and see the enthusiasm and excitement to put somebody down there [in D.C.] who is not like the others.

On Drugs: Stop dependence on drug trade in Afghanistan

A: Well, it's gonna take time you know; you're dealing with a country that has had al ot of tribal leaders. It's a little different than Iraq; [we need to] provide stabilization and protect the citizens from infiltration from al-Qaeda and from Taliban rule. They are basically living in the fifteenth century--not allowing women go to school if you went outside you'd be punished sometimes severely. Just by being there, we're trying to get a handle on the drug trade too. They're growing a lot of wheat and other types, which can stop in the dependence on the drug trade.

On Government Reform: Let president decide on nominees

A: I think it's up to the president to determine who's behind him and working with him. And I'll leave that decision [to the president].

On Health Care: MA already has health bill; don't impose new federal bill

A: I'm shocked at the four people that are running on the other side and the twelve people that are representing us [as the Massachusetts delegation in Congress] are pushing this so hard--in Massachusetts we have a law already that's working. It's not perfect, but the same bill at the federal level is going to be in direct competition in Massachusetts and it's not going to be good for Massachusetts businesses. Massachusetts citizens are taxpayers: it's going to cost upwards of three trillion dollars. Why don't we take a little bit of federal money and fix the approach to the problems that we may have here: mandates and a lot of the managed care issues we've go --let the other states do it [as Massachusetts did]. I think it's inappropriate for the federal government to come down and put their will on our people. I'm not saying that I think everybody should have some form of coverage. But we already have it.

On War & Peace: Finish the job in Afghanistan: keep Taliban and al-Qaeda out

A: I've always felt that we should rely on the generals on the ground, who hav called for an increase in troops. I think we need to provide the resources and tools to our men and women to keep them safe, and the tools to finish the job. That area once again become an exporting area for terrorism around the region and the world.

Q: What do you think the job is?

A: This is very clear: it's to make sure that the Taliban and al-Qaeda cannot once again join forces and take over that area. [If we don't finish that job], they will immediately come back in, and then move on Pakistan--and with its nuclear weapons we'[d have a much larger problem.

On Budget & Economy: Let private enterprise try to get us out of this mess

A: It's all about the economy and jobs. Pulling back on the financial [regulations], I think if you do too much too soon, it doesn't have a chance to catch up and see if we can work out of this ourselves through free enterprise, through private enterprise, intervention and creativity. So I'm all in favor of just holding back for a little bit and letting private enterprise try to get us out of this mess.

Q: Is another government stimulus plan a good idea?

A: I don't think so. We are leaving a legacy, amassing amazing amounts of debt, passing it on to our kids and grand-kids, and at some point we are just going to be top heavy.

On Budget & Economy: No cap on bankers' salaries

A: I don't agree with Barney's proposal on that. We should let the free-enterprise and the business market do what it needs to do to get our economy back and running. I'm concerned that government intervention into private businesses is just crossing the line.

On Health Care: Public option is really a government option

A: It's really a government option and for us in Massachusetts, we have almost 94% of our people insured here in Massachusetts. And we have a fantastic health care system, teaching hospitals, insurance companies that provide great benefits for our state. Why would we want to--I feel--dumb down the medical services and medical insurance in Massachusetts to provide for that type of plan? So I'm not in favor of it.