The curious case of Republican Scott Brown and a key crossover vote on financial reform

Just months ago, Senator Scott Brown (R-Mass.) rode to office in a pickup truck powered by Tea Party support for his promise to be the 41st vote against health care reform. Now he’s siding with Democrats on financial reform, the president’s next big legislative priority. He has extracted concessions for his position, but that’s not the reason he’s crossing party lines. He’s part of a rare breed these days: moderate Northeast Republicans. “41” is no longer the most important number for Scott Brown; it’s “2012,” when he faces re-election.

Todd Zwillich, Takeaway Washington correspondent says Brown needs Democrats as much as they need his vote, and in the end it means President Obama gets a big legislative victory.