UPDATE 12 Jan 2010: Video of debate where Scott Brown declares; Kennedy’s seat is the “people’s seat!”

This could be the start of something big this year if this holds. In a poll just released tonight, the Republican, Scott Brown, in the special election for the late Ted Kennedy’s seat is now leading by 1 point, which basically means the race is tied.

Republicans have a very real chance at orchestrating a Massachusetts miracle in this month’s special Senate election to determine Ted Kennedy’s successor, at least according to a new Democratic poll out tonight.

The shocking poll from Public Policy Polling shows Republican state Sen. Scott Brown leading Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley by 1 point, 48 percent to 47 percent, which would mean the race is effectively tied.

Among independents, who make up 51 percent of the electorate in the Bay State, Brown leads Coakley 63 percent to 31 percent.

Just 50 percent of voters view Coakley favorably, while 42 percent viewing her unfavorably.

Brown, who began an advertising blitz this month, sports a strong 57 percent favorability rating, with just 25 percent viewing him unfavorably — very strong numbers for a Republican in the heavily Democratic state.

On the issue of health care, which Brown has emphasized that he would be the deciding vote against, 47 percent said they opposed the plan in Congress, while 41 percent supported it.

Could this get any better? Can you imagine if the Republicans win, and Ted Kennedy’s seat stops the healthcare bill dead in its tracks?

I’m not going to get crazy till it actually happens, but what a HUGE upset that will be. It would be a complete disaster for the Democrats if this happens.

They would have wasted an entire year on this healthcare debacle. They would have completely destroyed the Democrat Party brand. They also would have made Obama a complete failure in his first year in office, which he may not recover from.

Only if it happens. Pray that it does!