In a major defeat for Democrats, Republican Scott Brown won the Massachusetts senate seat formerly held by Senator Edward Kennedy.  Senator Kennedy, who died last year after a lengthy battle with cancer, held that seat for 46 years and the win for the Republicans takes the super majority status away from Senate Democrats.

At a time when major legislative battles loom – healthcare reform and budget issues – the loss of the super majority for the Democrats stings and has many party members worried.  When newly elected Senator Scott Brown takes the seat in February, Republicans will officially have the 41 votes needed to filibuster proposed legislation and prevent the Democrat majority from pushing through their agenda without Republican support.