Scott Brown Says He Was 'Joking' With Controversial Remarks About Elizabeth Warren

Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts says he was "joking" when he said "Thank God" Democratic rival Elizabeth Warren didn't take her clothes off to pay for college.

Brown told reporters Friday he was responding to a "wisecrack" from Warren about a decision he made to pay for school.

During a Democratic primary debate Tuesday, Warren said she kept her "clothes on" when asked how she paid for college. The questioner had mentioned Brown's decision to pose nude for Cosmopolitan magazine as a law student.

Brown laughed during a radio interview Thursday and said "Thank God" when asked about Warren's comment.

Democrats say Brown's remark was demeaning to women. Brown says he and Warren were joking.

Democrats hope to oust Brown from the Senate seat once held by Ted Kennedy.

Here's more on the fallout from Brown's remarks:

Brown's office released statements from two female Republican U.S. Senators in support of him. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) said in a statement published in Politico, "It's inappropriate to make light of his personal circumstances, or to disparage or belittle him for the decisions he made to improve his life. Scott is one of the best guys to work with in the Senate, and I am proud to call him my colleague."

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said, "It's wrong to mock anyone who had to make hard choices to overcome tough obstacles." She added, "His story is no different than millions of Americans who are doing everything they can to make ends meet."

Brown's campaign manager, Jim Barnett, wrote in an e-mail, "It's elitist of Professor Warren to look down at the decisions Scott Brown made to put himself through college and rise above the circumstances of his life. Scott has fought and scraped for everything he's got."

Brown, who won a special election in 2010, remains locked in the polls with Warren.

 

 

Comments

[brutus1065]

08:50 PM on 10/25/2011

This is so insane, and I am a guy who is less than sympathetic to a bunch of whining. Had a woman posed nude for a magazine to pay for college, she would never have be elected to any type of office. The double standard is alive and kicking. Having said that, Warren opened up the issue herself by making a reference to Browns "decision", so she has to take her lumps.

But think about this, if Ms warren's appearance is an issue, what about the dubious hotness of guys like Mitch Mconnell and the host of fat and out of shape senators, reps and department heads. No one would ever draw attention to their lack of aesthetic prowess.

Maybe it's just me, but I think Ms warren is attractive enough. She's no hottie, but being hot is not a requirement of the job for which she aspires. Her looks are neither an asset nor a liability-- kinda like hilary clinton, and I would be more than happy if Mr Brown would have avoided the whole conversation.

[shrimpdip]

06:38 PM on 10/12/2011

For me, Brown's entire sense of humor is downright creepy. Never mind the whole double-standard now or last year during his special election campaign about his nude photos (as if a woman who had paid for college by posing nude for a national magazine could ever be a viable candidate for federal office)...his "joke" on election night basically (& to their horror) pimping out his grown daughters from the podium pretty much set the plaster for me. Can't stand any of his politics, but his so-called "jokes" smell badly. Creepy man.

[smpeterson77]

09:45 AM on 10/11/2011

Well, Elizabeth Warren kind of opened herself up to a comment like that. Don't judge if you don't want to be judged! Yeah, Yeah, we all know Scott Brown posed nude to pay for college decades ago. It shouldn't be a part of the campaign now.

[Vasken59 Socia]

04:48 AM on 10/11/2011

OK . Warren is a self - righeous shrew. Who the hell is she to judge ?
She got what she deserved. And I am a Democrat. Better that she had shown some respect for her opponent. I didn't used to think that she was ugly..... but I do now.

[Vasken59 Socia]

04:03 AM on 10/11/2011

she is such a self-righteous shrew.... and I am a Democrat. She started it, and now everyone is crying foul. hehe. what an idiot she is.
who the hell is she to judge ? better if she had treated he opponent with respect. she got what she deserved. I didn't think that she was ugly before, but I do now.

[gothos]

01:54 AM on 10/11/2011

Brown has clearly shown his superficiality, He is afraid and going to the lowest denominator, "Don't vote for Warren! She's smart and at best an A cup!"

Cue smirky laugh from bootlicking sycophant.

[Ramon Noches]

02:59 PM on 10/10/2011

Using the commonly accepted vernacular of the double positive to express a negative, I must say to Senator Brown, "Yeah, Right!" Does he think we are that dumb not to see through the fog of what he really meant? Seems this year's politicians have advanced the fine art of "Backtracking" to evade mistakes by employing surprisingly smooth Teflon-like escape strategies, fueled by just plain lies.

[TheuintheUSofA]

02:02 PM on 10/10/2011

Scott's had 29years to have a smart funny come back to put the nude photo shoot down and out for good.
Warren called him on something he really did do.
Brown's come back was how he thinks she looks..
Ya Scott you didn't win over any women voters with that one pal.
Mr Brown no woman in the GOP could even think of a run for any office with nude photos.
Why is it OK for you to run?

[duckinnut]

02:44 PM on 10/10/2011

He was asked a direct question and gave the a direct answer as it pertained to the question. She on the other hand was asked a question and gave an answer that was obviously a swipe at Brown and did not answer the question and still hasnt. Where was the HP and liberal loonies before he responded? Why is it ok for her to comment on something but not him? Doulbe standard liberal BS as usual. Take off your blinders.

[gothos]

01:57 AM on 10/11/2011

duckinnut . Defending the indefensible since 1968........

[theophile]

01:55 PM on 10/10/2011

Let's look on the bright side. We've found out just what an embarrassment Scott Brown can be, and well in advance of his getting anywhere near the Republican Presidential nomination. A Good Thing To Know, I'd say.

[Skullbash]

01:52 PM on 10/10/2011

Just kidding! Wasn't that an old Joe Piscopo bit? Wasn't too funny then either.

[Craig Bovia]

01:51 PM on 10/10/2011

On that we agree. Scott is a joke

[deebeedonny]

01:49 PM on 10/10/2011

i said what i wanted, but to cover my back, i'll say, i was only joking....well, what can brown say about his sexist remark? this guy doesn't seem to smart to me. besides, not being the brightest bulb in the package, what has this guy done, while he occupied a senate seat. any great accomplishments? any achievements? anything that benefits the american people? well, i think the correct answer is, he has done NOTHING.... tell me, who is more qualified for the senate. the harvard law professor, an expert on constituional law, or the guy who posed in cosmo, and hasn't done anything? elizabeth warren will get elected, and maybe brown could go back to cosmo.

[gothos]

01:59 AM on 10/11/2011

Wall Street pays him well to be a toady.

[redrigs]

01:16 PM on 10/10/2011

Joking in politics can be your downfall....and sometimes you just plain stick your foot in your mouth - public figures should ALWAYS be careful how they state things - think before you speak!

[gothos]

01:59 AM on 10/11/2011

I don't think that was his mouth....

[stratego]

08:35 AM on 10/10/2011

If a woman had taken her clothes off she would have never been elected. Talk about a double standard, and I'm glad Warren brought it up.

[blackwednesday]

07:15 AM on 10/10/2011

Seriously folks, calm down. I am a hard-core Warren supporter. For that matter, I'd almost consider moving just to vote for her.

But this is not a story worthy of controversy. Elizabeth fired a shot at Brown about his own nudity in college, and she fired back. Playfully. I sincerely don't see how this was an anti-woman remark. This is hardball politics, and so far they're not really attacking each-other. Fair game, kiddies.

This is all light weight stuff.

Folks, keep your powder dry and choose your battles. If we're going to win this seat back, we need to be level headed. Brown is the closest thing the Senate has to a moderate right now. That makes him harder to beat. Again...choose your battles.