The newly elected and seated Senator from Massachusetts introduced Mitt Romney at CPAC.  It was a surprise visit, and the crowd erupted when he came on stage.  My friend Jimmie Bice said, “Senator Hunky Pants is here.  Yeah, I said it.”  He is kinda cute.  In that rugged, good-looking way.  If you’re into that.  Please excuse me while I fan myself for a moment.

Ok, I’m back.

Senator Brown started out by introducing himself, saying, “I’m Scott Brown, the newly elected REPUBLICAN Senator from Massachusetts.”  Lots of applause on that one.  Then he answered the number one question he’d been asked so far at the conference, “Yes, I drove my truck here.  It’s parked outside.”  Even more applause.

Rugged.  If you’re into that.

He asserted the need for greater accountability and transparency in Washington, and used his election win as proof that Americans are demanding it.  We can change what’s happening in America, and we can do it from the ground up.  His campaign was truly a grassroots one, his first rally could have been held in a phone booth.  Through the power of new media and citizen journalists, he was able to get his message of fiscal responsibility out, and the people responded.

As he was introducing Mitt Romney, he heaped praise on him, saying that he was such an encouragement during his campaign.  That’s nice.  Really, I’m sure Romney is a nice guy.  I’m sure Scott Brown is too.  And Massachusetts needs Republicans like them.  Much better than Martha Coakley or Deval Patrick.  I will encourage and support Republicans like that in a state so blue it’s navy.

But they aren’t our guys for the top of the ticket in 2012.