Bloomberg Endorses Sen. Scott Brown

Democrats are trying to play down a high-profile new endorsement for Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown: New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a former Republican, now independent, is hosting a fundraiser for Brown at his home next month.

Contributions start at $1,000. This is the latest in a series of big endorsements for Brown from moderate national politicians, including Maine U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe.

Brown's campaign issued this statement:

Mayor Bloomberg is a true independent who always puts progress over politics. That's Scott Brown's philosophy as well, and he is honored to have the Mayor's support.

The chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, played down Bloomberg's endorsement during a visit to the campaign headquarters of Brown's opponent.

"This is a people-based campaign and the way that Elizabeth Warren is going to get elected to the United States Senate is through all the young people here on the phones, through the thousands and thousands of door knocks, through her volunteer base, and through the wonderful people of the commonwealth of Massachusetts," Wasserman Schultz said.

Warren said she doesn't think she's ever met Bloomberg.