Sen. Brown Demands Orderly Transfer Of Power In Egypt

Sen. Scott Brown wants Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step down. But the Massachusetts Republican does not think it should happen right away.

Protesters in Egypt coined Friday "Departure Day" and demanded that Mubarak give up power immediately. Yet Brown said he's not sure who would take over the reins if that were to happen.

"Do you know of anybody?," he asked rhetorically. "I’m not aware of anybody who’s ready and qualified to be in charge to make sure that there’s not a complete meltdown in that country and that region."

Brown says it’s important to have an orderly transfer of power, and the biggest issue right now is making sure people in Egypt have food and water.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the people who are kind of battling," Brown said. "That level heads prevail and they find common ground to solve the problem."

Sen. Brown says he's not dictating a timetable, but says the U.S. can work to ensure the elections Mubarak has promised are "fair and open."

Massachusetts' other senator, Democrat John Kerry, called in a New York Times editorial for Mubarak to step down.