For Democrats the defeat could have significant political ramifications and determine the outcome of President Obama's healthcare reform, as Brown secures the 41st vote against the legislation, enough to block it with a filibuster.  Without a 60-seat majority needed to push legislation without bipartisan support, this win is a major game-changer in Washington. Not only could the swing effect health care legislation, other concerns could arise about whether this win would hinder "Obama's efforts to pass a comprehensive energy and climate bill, which already has some degree of bipartisanship," said The New York Times.

Coakley was considered a shoo-in for the seat a few weeks ago until Brown began gaining significant momentum in the polls in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-to-1 and a Republican has not represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate since 1972. Brown's win "sends a message that conservative Republicans can play ball in 'blue' America," according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Coakley's defeat, in a state Obama won in 2008 with 62 percent of the vote, comes with criticism and finger-pointing among Democrats.  Coakley has been criticized for campaigning weakly and making such blunders as offending Red Sox fans when incorrectly suggesting that Curt Schilling, a beloved Red Sox pitcher, was a Yankee fan.

In hopes of gaining more votes, Obama flew to Boston Monday for a rally with Coakley where he told voters how important her election was to him, but his appeal was not enough to beat Brown's image of "Massachusetts Everyman" where he campaigned with local popular sports figures. As stated by the San Francisco Chronicle, this rejection to Obama's appeal could be a sign that the president's (remaining) personal popularity is not necessarily transferable to endangered Democrats.

Brown was able to secure the seat not only appealing to unhappy and frustrated voters, but also to independents.  A fleeing of independents from the Democratic Party could result in significant consequences for the Democrats, especially in November's mid-term elections "when control of Congress and more than half of the nation's governorships will be at stake,"   according to the Los Angeles Times.

In his victory speech, amid chants of "41!" and ironic cheers of "Yes We Can!" by vocal supporters, Brown addressed the upcoming midterm elections with enthusiasm. 

"Across this country," he said, "we are united by basic convictions that only need to be clearly stated to win a majority. If anyone doubts that, in the next election season that is about to begin, well let them take a look at what happened in Massachusetts. Because what happened here in Massachusetts can happen all over America."

Brown staunchly opposed healthcare legislation and vowed to fight against what he said would be a policy that raises taxes and hinders America's growth.

The GOP's victory could be a wake-up call to Democrats throughout the country as they battle to retain seats in congress and in gubernatorial races.

The role Brown will play in health care legislation will be questioned and debated as he takes his Senate seat in the upcoming months. But while he is in  Washington, Brown might be able to fulfill one of his pre-election goals of challenging President Obama in a game of basketball.