Returning a favor

When Republican Scott Brown ran for election to replace the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy in Massachusetts, he had help from veteran Sen. John McCain, one of his first supporters.

Mr. Brown surprised many by winning Sen. Kennedy's old seat in a January special election. The victory gave Republicans the 41st vote needed to halt Democratic legislation if necessary. It also signified a GOP triumph and made a statement in a left-leaning state.

The new senator already has made his first foray into campaigning for a colleague, traveling to Arizona to rally support for Sen. McCain over the weekend. Mr. McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, needs the help. He is facing pressure from conservative voters, many of whom are supporting his primary opponent, J.D. Hayworth.

Joining Sen. McCain on the campaign trail Friday, Sen. Brown told a crowd of 1,000 at Grand Canyon University, a small Christian school in Phoenix: "We need good people, honest people, people who are greatly respected, people who are not out for themselves." Referring to Mr. McCain, Sen. Brown continued: "And he's right here."

Although Mr. Brown angered some conservatives by supporting the Democratic jobs bill recently, he is still popular among Republicans. It is interesting that such a newly minted senator was needed to campaign for a veteran one. But such is the quirky nature of national politics these days.