Former Massachusetts Republican Sen. Scott Brown took a break from dining at a local GOP meeting on Thursday night to speak with reporters about issues affecting people in Massachusetts–erm, New Hampshire.
That’s more or less how the momentary memory lapse went for Brown, who misspoke by saying he was in Massachusetts when, in fact, he was visiting New Hampshire, a state in which he may seek a U.S. Senate seat.
“What I’ve heard from the Republicans up here is they’re thankful that I’ve been around for a year, helping them raise money, helping them raise awareness as to the issues that are affecting not only people here in Massachusetts—uh, in New Hampshire, but also in Massachusetts, obviously,” said Brown, in a valiant effort to make an elegant save.
In all fairness, video capturing the moment — released by the liberal PAC American Bridge — shows that Brown appeared to receive a text message mid-sentence.
The longtime Massachusetts lawmaker, who was unseated in 2012 by Democrat Elizabeth Warren, has dropped hints for months that he may challenge New Hampshire Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who is up for re-election next year. Brown recently sold his home in the Bay State and removed the “MA” from his Twitter handle. He also announced plans to headline the New Hampshire Republican State Committee’s holiday reception on Dec. 19–the boldest signal yet that he’s seriously considering a political future in the Granite State.
Hopefully by that soirée, he’ll have nailed down the correct state he’s in.
Emma Margolin
Emma Margolin is a reporter at MSNBC.com.