NEWTON, Mass. — President Barack Obama says New Hampshire has a “great senator” in Democrat Jeanne Shaheen but he’d be “happy” if her possible challenger, former Massachusetts Republican Sen. Scott Brown, wants to move to Texas because moderate Republicans are needed in other parts of the country.

Obama made the remark Wednesday during a White House interview with New England Cable News.

Meanwhile, Brown on Thursday invited Obama to campaign with Shaheen in New Hampshire and defend the Affordable Care Act, which Brown calls “disastrous.”

When asked if Brown is the kind of moderate Republican needed in the Senate, Obama said he’d wait to comment until Brown formally announces his candidacy. But he said “I’d be happy” if Brown wants to move to Texas because “we could always use” some moderate Republicans in other parts of the country.

He says New Hampshire’s “already got that covered” with Shaheen.

Brown has formed a political exploratory committee.


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