Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) Thursday said he was glad that one of his Democratic opponents, consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren, didn't "take her clothes off" to pay for college. Brown, who won his seat in a 2009 special election, was speaking on Boston radio station WZLX.
Brown made his comments when asked about Warren's response in a debate Tuesday to a question about how she paid for college. The question referenced the fact that Brown posed nude for Cosmopolitan in 1982 to make money.
"I kept my clothes on," Warren said, adding that she borrowed money to go to a public university and worked a part-time job.
"Have you officially responded to Elizabeth Warren’s comment about how she didn’t take her clothes off?" the host asked Brown Wednesday.
"Thank God!" Brown said, laughing.
The host got a kick out it, too. "That’s what I said! I said, 'Look, can you blame a good-looking guy for wanting to, you know…”
"You know what, listen: Bottom line is, you know, I didn’t go to Harvard, you know, I went to the school of hard knocks, and I did whatever I had to do to pay for school," Brown cut in. "And for people who know me, and know what I’ve been through … mom and dad married and divorced four times each. You know, some real challenges growing up. You know, whatever. You know, let them throw stones. I did what I had to do. But [if] not for having that opportunity, I never would have been able to pay for school, and never would have gone to school, and I wouldn’t probably be talking to you, so, whatever."
Warren did not go to Harvard either, as Brown seemed to imply. She graduated from the University of Houston, a public school, though she spent her first two years at the private George Washington University on a debate scholarship. She later attended law school at Rutgers, a public university in New Jersey. Brown graduated from Tufts University and Boston College Law School.
Brown reminded the host that they shared equally in the blame for the Warren crack.
"That’s funny, you throw that jab," the host said, before Brown interjected: "You said it, too!"
It was fair game, the host pointed out. "Well, they said it about you! And not being in shape. You know, 'if you’re going to take your clothes off, next time, be in shape.' That’s what they said about you!"
Brown said he'd be happy to compete "anytime they want to have a little road race, or a triathlon, or anything."
Warren, a Harvard law school professor, was instrumental in establishing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. President Obama did not nominate her to serve as the permanent head of it, fearing a contentious Senate confirmation battle; he instead nominated former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, who cleared his first hurdle in a Senate subcommittee Thursday.
READ MORE about Elizabeth Warren:
Introduces Financial Product Safety Commission
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Elizabeth Warren announced a bill creating a Financial Product Safety Commission with House and Senate Democrats in March 2009. The body was designed to have oversight over mortgages and other financial instruments to protect consumers against predatory practices. She said if the agency had existed before the subprime collapse then "there would have been millions of families who got tangled in predatory mortgages who never would have gotten them." HuffPost's Ryan Grim reported:
Without all these toxic assets on banks' balance sheets, the institutions wouldn't be on the brink of collapse and the recession would be more manageable. "Consumer financial products were the front end of the destabilization of the American economic system."
Sen. Charles Schumer's cosponsorship of the bill is notable because of his proximity to Wall Street. The bill's merit, the New York Democrat said, is that it regulates the actual financial product rather than the company producing it.
Elizabeth Warren announced a bill creating a Financial Product Safety Commission with House and Senate Democrats in March 2009. The body was designed to have oversight over mortgages and other financial instruments to protect consumers against predatory practices. She said if the agency had existed before the subprime collapse then "there would have been millions of families who got tangled in predatory mortgages who never would have gotten them." HuffPost's Ryan Grim reported:
Without all these toxic assets on banks' balance sheets, the institutions wouldn't be on the brink of collapse and the recession would be more manageable. "Consumer financial products were the front end of the destabilization of the American economic system."
Sen. Charles Schumer's cosponsorship of the bill is notable because of his proximity to Wall Street. The bill's merit, the New York Democrat said, is that it regulates the actual financial product rather than the company producing it.
Elizabeth Warren announced a bill creating a Financial Product Safety Commission with House and Senate Democrats in March 2009. The body was designed to have oversight over mortgages and other financial instruments to protect consumers against predatory practices. She said if the agency had existed before the subprime collapse then "there would have been millions of families who got tangled in predatory mortgages who never would have gotten them." HuffPost's Ryan Grim reported:
Without all these toxic assets on banks' balance sheets, the institutions wouldn't be on the brink of collapse and the recession would be more manageable. "Consumer financial products were the front end of the destabilization of the American economic system."
Sen. Charles Schumer's cosponsorship of the bill is notable because of his proximity to Wall Street. The bill's merit, the New York Democrat said, is that it regulates the actual financial product rather than the company producing it.
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WATCH Scott Brown's legendary flu game performance on the Senate floor:
Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) Thursday said he was glad that one of his Democratic opponents, consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren, didn't "take her clothes off" to pay for college. Brown, who won his seat...
Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) Thursday said he was glad that one of his Democratic opponents, consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren, didn't "take her clothes off" to pay for college. Brown, who won his seat...
When Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) scored his upset victory over Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley in January 2010, he rode a wave of voter anger...
WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan group of 37 attorneys general publicly gave their support to President Barack Obama's nominee to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,...
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren shrugged off Sen. Scott Brown's (R-Mass.) comments on her physical appearance Thursday. "I'll survive a few jabs from Scott...
Having watched Brown operate on the financial reform bill and on financial issues since, it is in fact clear that he is their number one go-to guy and their best buddy on Capitol Hill.
Can anyone say "Double Standard"? Hang in Ms. Warren. It's your brains we want not your looks.You're wonderful. As for you Mr. Brown, you should spend less time in front of the mirror and more time working for the PEOPLE.
goyabean122: Can anyone say "Double Standard"? Hang in Ms. Warren. It's
It a pretty sexist system. Any woman who posed nude to help themselves through college would never be able run for any kind of office. They would have been considered sex workers. Obviously it has not affected Browns ability to be elected because he wouldn't be able to say he did what he had to do.
So I am glad Warren didn't have to take her clothes off cos she is so much better than anything the GOP has to offer.
Brown so deserves the contempt women experience after being considered sex workers.
marie_phd: It a pretty sexist system. Any woman who posed nude
Unbelievable comments on board today. She can dish it? By saying she didn't sex her way into college? that she did it the right way and Brown did it by stripping naked for money. What do you call a woman who strips naked for money? Ho. Different for Scottums? I don't think so. If there were photos of Ms Warren naked she would not be able to hold ANY political office. How do we know that her life was not similar to Mr Browns?
NHGranite: Unbelievable comments on board today. She can dish it? By
Obviously Elizabeth Warren can ''dish it out,'' but ''can't take it!'' We will most likely be seeing her in Tears very soon. If she wants to be in Politics perhaps she should grow some ''thick skin!''
glenya7121: Obviously Elizabeth Warren can ''dish it out,'' but ''can't take
She never even responded to his insult so saying she "can't take it" doesn't make any sense. It's the media making a big deal out of this. Quit looking for controversy where there is none.
thegreatdaveo: She never even responded to his insult so saying she
Wow, what a punt Warren is. Talk about a cheap shot. Her comment was completely uncalled for and totally without class. Ms. Warren, until you've walked a mile in someone's shoes, you have no business judging them.
But let me just say I agree with Brown. Thank you dear Jesus that I've never been assaulted by a photo of Elizabeth Warren nude. I can't imagine how her husband handles the daily trauma.
Stacy_Marston: Wow, what a punt Warren is. Talk about a cheap
”With those two words, Sen. Brown was able to insult Elizabeth Warren and women everywhere by insinuating that Warren isn't attractive enough to be photographed nude. Not only was his response incredibly hurtful, but it was blatantly sexist”.
While I certainly cannot deny that it was sexist I would have to disagree that it was incredibly hurtful to a Lady like Elizabeth Warren who realizes that when one has reason to visit a swine farm foul odors are to be expected. A “man” of Mr. Brown’s shabby character obviously wouldn’t recognize a Lady if he happened to come across one. While his vile comments say nothing of Elizabeth they do speak volumes of his childhood and mother, which makes it easier to understand him. If he had been fortunate enough to have a Lady for a mother he would realize that nothing of the type of comment he has made about Elizabeth Warren would even register with her. Ms Warren is a Lady and as one realizes gutter remarks like those from Mr. Brown stem from ignorance and lack of breeding. Past this Elizabeth Warren happens to be one of the most attractive Ladies in Public life though I am certain that she would not appeal to a male like Scott Brown. He undoubtedly would be drawn to the type of female that many right wing males gravitate to and frequently visit in strip clubs and Red light Districts.
Philip_B_Wood: âWith those two words, Sen. Brown was able to insult
To sit and nick pick about the past of growing up rather than focusing on the present economic stress facing our nation is immature to say the least.
It is like high school and who can out play each others words
Roxanna: To sit and nick pick about the past of growing
Well, if this doesn't answer the question, "Is Scott Brown as stupid as he sounds?" Nothing will.
"mom and dad married and divorced four times each. You know, some real challenges growing up."
So......Scott...Your parents married...and divorced...each other, four times? Or do you mean that they were married to, and divorced from, a total of eight people? More or less? You know, four women and four men...sorta-kinda? And this makes you a better person....how?
Edward_Goodwin: Well, if this doesn't answer the question, "Is Scott Brown
When your opponent worked their way through Harvard while you took your clothes off for money, I think the only viable option left is to make fun of them. Any rational discourse would end by taking yourself out of the race to let the clearly better person simply assume office.
Franken & Warren 2016: Smart people for the human people.
Wombaticus: When your opponent worked their way through Harvard while you
Boy you leftwing nuts sure have lost that coom by ya feeling. Ya'll need to gather around a fire somewhere and sing. You know chill out, blow a little dope, and be mellow.
wssweeps: Boy you leftwing nuts sure have lost that coom by
First Posted: 10/06/11 12:15 PM ET Updated: 12/06/11 05:12 AM ET