Scott Brown, the handsome and manly Republican who is challenging the equally handsome and manly Martha Coakley for Ted Kennedy's senate seat, is obviously trying to woo Independents in ads and statements which make no reference to his party affiliation, but repeatedly label him "independent".

He says in his most recent ad: "I'm running in the name of every independent thinking voter...", and in statements to the press about a 24-hour $1.5 million fundraising blitz, says: "It is clear that my message of restoring checks and balances in Washington as an independent voice for Massachusetts is resonating with people who are concerned about the direction of our country."

The problem is, Scott, there is no such thing as an Independent Republican in Washington, mavericky mavericks aside.  If you want to run as an independent, run as an independent.  That would be truly, um, independent of you.