Brown: Death of JFK Jr. taught me to live

By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

In the Democratic primary, the candidates were falling all over themselves to claim the mantle of the man they sought to replace, Edward M. Kennedy, making constant references in debates, ads, and campaign appearances to the legendary senator.

Now, even the Republican candidate, state Senator Scott Brown, is getting in on the Kennedy reference game. In a TV interview Thursday night, Brown suggested that he drew lessons from the too-short lives of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Princess Diana.

"What makes me tick is I like to work hard," Brown said during an appearance on NECN. "I live every day like it's my last. Especially when JFK Jr. passed away and Princess Di. They're powerful, handsome, rich people, and they're dead. And they can't make a difference while I still can."

Brown contined, "I can work every day and try to make a difference. I'm type A, thoughtful, conscientious hardworking person, a loving father and husband. And I'm just trying to do the best I can to save people money in this great state."