Brown Heads To Washington To Meet The Democrats

Sen.-elect Scott Brown is headed for Washington on Thursday morning. He won't be sworn in, but he wants to meet all the Democrats who represent Massachusetts.

At his first press conference since his election, Brown said maybe there's a new kind of Republican headed for Washington. Brown was running on fumes from his victory celebration. He met reporters at Park Plaza Hotel and was asked how he views his role as the Republican poster boy for a GOP resurgence when he gets to Washington.

"Bottom line is, I was asked many times what kind of Republican I would be and I really didn't know how to answer that, so I just said I'm going to be a Scott Brown Republican," he said.

"Maybe there's a new breed of Republican coming to Washington. Maybe people will finally look at somebody who's not beholden to the special interests of the party, and who will look just to solve problems."

Brown says he is from a big-tent philosophy. He related parts of his conversation with President Obama Tuesday night. "He called, called right away, which I thanked him for," Brown said, "and he says I look forward to meeting you, and having an opportunity to work with you, and he said I heard that you are open-minded and you're kind of an independent guy."

Brown expects to meet two Republican leaders Thursday: Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. John McCain. He says he's ready to take his seat in the Senate now based on unofficial returns.

But the Secretary of State's office says he may have wait up to 10 days for cities and towns to turn in their results, then for Gov. Deval Patrick to convene the Governor's Council so that it can ratify his election.