No Hazing for the Newest Senate Freshman

MA Sen. Elect Scott Brown meets with AZ Sen. John McCain(Fox Photo)

Republicans were aglow in the glory of welcoming the newest senator – Scott Brown of Massachusetts – who becomes the filibuster-proof 41st Republican to repel legislation like health care that Democrats previously had a lock on passing.

Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell was all smiles as he sat next to a glowing Brown after about a 30-minute meeting.

"I'll always refer to him as 41," McConnell said with a grin, referring to the number of seats

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was thrilled to see "a fellow New Englander," saying, "Oh look, I'm going to be the first to greet him!" as Brown was escorted by McConnell into a private lunch with Republicans.

The glow wasn’t just exuding from GOP lawmakers. Before jumping into a staffer's Jeep to leave town around 2 p.m. ET, Brown walked over to some bystanders to shake hands and say hello. One guy was holding a hand-made sign that read, "Senator Brown, Welcome to Washington!" He held an American flag.

Another couple shook Brown's hand and said, "Congratulations, Senator!"

I turned and asked, "Do you know who that is?"

The man, "Sure! That's Scott Brown!"

I followed up, "You're from Massachusetts?"

The man, "Oh no! We're from Michigan!"

Enough said.