By Matt Viser, Boston Globe Staff
WASHINGTON – Sarah Palin said yesterday that while Massachusetts may “put up with” Senator Scott Brown, the conservatives in her home state of Alaska “wouldn’t stand for” him.
Palin, in an interview on Fox Business Network, was asked whether the Massachusetts Republican was “on notice” for siding with Democrats on several key votes.
“Well, you know, take the consideration, though, that that's Massachusetts,” Palin said. “Perhaps they’re not going to look for such a hard-core constitutional conservative there, and they're going to put up with Scott Brown and some of the antics there.”
“But up here in Alaska, and so many places in the US where we have a pioneering, independent spirit, and we have an expectation that our representatives in D.C. will respect the will of the people and the intelligence of the people,” she added. “Well, up here, we wouldn't stand for that.”
A spokeswoman for Brown did not directly engage with Palin but defended the senator's record, saying he was focused on the Bay State.
"Senator Brown's votes are based on what's in the best interests of Massachusetts and he has made his priorities job creation, controlling spending, and reducing the deficit," Gail Gitcho, his communications director, said in a statement. "All Republicans can agree on that."
The Globe reported this morning on the more mainstream GOP candidates that Brown has been supporting so far in the midterm elections. Palin, on the other hand, has been a strong supporter of several candidates backed by the Tea Party movement.
Palin and Brown have never been particularly close. Toward the end of Brown’s campaign in January, the SEIU launched a $685,000 ad campaign seeking to link Brown to Palin. But the former vice presidential nominee never appeared in Massachusetts, and Brown did not ask for her help.
“I would have [endorsed him] if he had requested it,” Palin told Fox News after Brown’s victory.
Palin called Brown to congratulate him after he won, but they have had little interaction since. Brown skipped the Tea Party rallies earlier this year that Palin was headlining in Boston and Washington.