Update: The Brown campaign clarified that Brown “absolutely supports Romney,” though the senator gave what were perceived to be ambiguous answers when asked earlier in the day if the “47 percent” remarks had affected Brown’s support. The Hill has run a corrected story, and we have corrected ours accordingly.
Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown would not give a direct answer when asked if he still supports Mitt Romney after the presidential candidate’s “47 percent” comments, which Brown denounced Tuesday.
The Hill reported that when Brown was asked if the comments gave him pause about supporting Romney in November, Brown evaded the question.
“Listen, you’re going to have to speak to Governor Romney about what his plans are. I’m doing what I’ve been doing,” he said.
Pressed further on whether he still supported Romney, Brown again dodged the question.
“He’s working hard to get his message out,” Brown replied. “I don’t agree with him on everything but that’s what being an independent senator is about: criticizing my party when it’s appropriate and then praising people when they have an opportunity to do something well.”
Brown, who represents Romney’s home state of Massachusetts and shares several political consultants in common with the former governor, was one of the first Senate candidates to denounce the leaked comments, first published by the liberal Mother Jones magazine.
“That’s not the way I view the world,” Brown told The Hill. “As someone who grew up in tough circumstances, I know that being on public assistance is not a spot that anyone wants to be in. Too many people today who want to work are being forced into public assistance for lack of jobs.”
Connecticut Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon was the first to say she disagreed with the comments, telling The Daily Caller, “I couldn’t disagree with Gov. Romney more.” Republican Nevada Sen. Dean Heller also came out against the comments Wednesday, The Washington Post reported.