MATT LAUER: And we now turn to politics, where a lot is riding on the special
election being held today in Massachusetts to fill the late Ted Kennedy's Senate
seat. A Republican win would end the Democrats' supermajority in the Senate and
seriously threaten the passage of health care reform. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell is
in Boston with more on this story. Kelly, good morning to you.
[On screen headline: "Decision Day, Dems Scramble To Save Ted Kennedy's
Senate Seat"]
KELLY O'DONNELL: Good morning, Matt. I bet you can recognize we're coming to
you from Boston's famed Cheers bar, the kind of place where people have been
fascinated by this little election with big implications. Small because it is a
one-race special election, so experts don't really know who will turn out, but
the implications are huge for Democrats' power if the Republican candidate wins.
On just about any other election day, Republican Scott Brown might have been a
little-noticed underdog. In a race where Democrats, like Martha Coakley, pulled
every advantage.
MARTHA COAKLEY: We're gonna be successful and I'm gonna look forward to
working with you!
O'DONNELL: But this time, things are different in Massachusetts.
SCOTT BROWN: I'm excited. I'm energized, yet I'm not taking anything for
granted.
O'DONNELL: Brown is a state senator with almost 30 years in the Army National
Guard.
O'DONNELL TO BROWN: You don't mention the Republican Party much in your
campaign. Why is that?
BROWN: I think people know I'm a Republican. That's never been a secret.
O'DONNELL: Not a secret, but clearly not on display. No mention of being a
Republican on Brown's bus, signs or campaign ads. So Coakley made it a point in
hers.
(Begin Coakley ad clip)
ANNOUNCER: In lockstep with Washington Republicans.
(End clip)
O'DONNELL: Coakley looked like a sure thing to succeed Ted Kennedy back on
primary night, easily beating other Democrats. Well thought of as the state's
attorney general, President Obama made that case Sunday, and that quickly turned
into a Coakley ad.
(Begin Coakley ad clip)
BARACK OBAMA: As attorney general, she took on Wall Street and recovered
millions for Massachusetts taxpayers.
(End ad clip)
O'DONNELL: But Coakley appeared less at ease with some of the Politics 101 in
Boston, like when she confused a Red Sox legend with a Yankees fan.
(Begin radio show clip)
RADIO HOST: Scott Brown has Curt Schilling, okay-
COAKLEY: And another Yankee fan.
(End clip)
O'DONNELL: Schilling campaigned for her opponent.
CURT SCHILLING: I am not a Yankee fan.
O'DONNELL: To Coakley's defense came Ted Kennedy's widow Vicki, who told NBC
News there are bigger issues at stake.
VICKI KENNEDY: I think when people take the time to reflect on the issues and
know what's in their family's best interests, they'll vote for Martha Coakley.
O'DONNELL: With all the buzz and attention, there has been a lot of outside
help coming in. The Republican candidate has had some fundraising assistance
from big-name Republicans, and Democrats say they've seen a surge in the number
of volunteers, doubling since last Thursday to try to get out the vote for their
candidate today, Martha Coakley. Matt?
