Republicans across the country were giddy last night with news that Massachusetts state Sen. Scott Brown upset state Attorney General Martha Coakley in a special election to replace U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy.

The GOP victory in traditionally liberal Massachusetts -- in a seat held by Kennedy, a liberal lion -- gave hope to Hawaii Republicans that they can win this year in blue Hawaii.

State Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimänalo, Hawaii Kai), called us to describe Brown’s victory as “a new American revolution.”

“There is hope for Hawaiçi,” he said.

Jonah Ka'auwai, the state GOP chairman, put out a statement saying Brown’s victory could be a positive sign for Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou in the special election for Congress and Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona in the governor’s race.

The special election to fill out the remainder of U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie’s term in urban Honolulu’s 1st Congressional District could be held as soon as May.

“In May, Hawaii voters will be the next to show the Democrats in Congress that their misguided policies must stop and that a fundamental change to the status quo is needed,” Ka'auwai said.

The Politico, a national political Web site, quoted Djou in a round-up of Republican reaction titled: “GOP candidates: I am Scott Brown.”

But the nod to cleverness probably should go to the reaction from Brian McGrory in a column for the Boston Globe.

The column, which should be read in its entirety for the full flavor, likened Brown’s victory to the Massachusetts electorate going on a bender.

Then, above the din and the music and the cheering, I distinctly heard someone ask, “How’s Martha going to feel about this?”

And just like that, there she was, back at the bar, giving me that aloof prosecutorial look I knew all too well. I went back to her, sweaty and out of breath. Amazingly, she didn’t seem angry. She didn’t really show any emotion at all. She just pretended like nothing ever happened and tried to continue on.

Oh, but something did happen. I knew it, she knew it, and so did Scott, who was still beckoning from the other end of the bar, asking me to take a walk outside. And now it’s coming clear: I did.

He was talking nonstop, but I noticed he was repeating himself over and over again – 41st vote, and drawing boards, and being a “Scott Brown Republican.” He was starting to lose me until we were standing in front of a GMAC pickup and he said, “This is my truck.”

Oh, you bad boy. You bad, bad boy.

I remember catching my breath. I remember pulling a curtain shut. I remember having to make a really important choice.

I needed to send a message. I don't know much about Scott, and I have no idea how long he'll be in my life, but I do know that nobody will ever take me for granted again.

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