Both caucuses are becoming more ideologically driven...the RINOs and the "blue dogs" are a declining breed. Within that context, it's interesting to speculate which Dems on Capitol Hill might be inclined to change sides.
The Dems are facing an increasing conservative groundswell in much of the country, and in the House, those that survive 2010 might not relish the thought of going into 2012 with Obama atop the ticket, and the nation mired in a severe economic downtown and continuing unemployment.
In the House, one member comes to mind, Oklahoma's David Boren. His comments on Obamacare, for example, could have been taken from the RCCC webpage. If the GOP wins the House, I think he's guaranteed to switch. But let's suppose the GOP comes up one or two seats short. We might see some significant interest by several Dems, especially if they just manage to eke out wins in their districts this fall. OTOH..they might decide to stay where they are, especially if they believe they would face a primary challenge from a conservative Republican in 2012. The recent example of Parker Griffith comes to mind..That could cause some to stay where they are.
I wonder if other Freepers have thoughts on possible Dem switchers.
In the Senate, there are no possibilities of a party change post 2010. Happily, though, several are looking at virtual lame duck status. I mean, how do you think Kent Conrad feels these days. He's going to follow Dorgan into retirement. I wonder if either will ever set foot in North Dakota again?
There is one interesting scenario to ponder..suppose the GOP comes up ONE seat short in the Senate...and we have a 50-50 split..would Lieberman throw it to the GOP? I suspect there's a chance he might, especially if the sitiation in the Mid-East is escalating. Also, the results in the CT senate race will have an impact. I don't think that McMahon can pull it out, but if it's a close race, that might help seal the deal for Joe to cross the aisle.
Anyone thinking that Ben Nelson might jump ship..well..no way..he'd be guaranteed to lose the GOP primary in 2012..I mean, one Arlen Spector is enough.. And of course, there's my home state of Florida. I think Rubio will pull it out, but if Crist does squeak by, then with Charlie, well, anything's possible. Rubio needs to focus on getting Crist to declare, publicy, as soon as possible, with whom he will caucus if he's elected. Of course, with Charlie, there's no shame. He appeared on Fox News in a debate with Rubio, and stated several tims that he's a "true conservative Republican." It's all about Charlie..nothing more, nothing less.
No, switching, if it occurs, will happen in the House... Hoping that other Freepers will opine on which, if any House Dems might cross over..your thoughts?
John McCain and Goober might switch to the GOP?
FYI...possibly your list might find this of interest, want to opine..
Mitt Romney.
Mitt’s a guy who will do, be, and say anything to be elected. Were this nation to demand politicians dress in clown suits, he’d be up there dressed as bozo. ;)
Any right wing leaning Rat who survives has a fairly high probability of party change.
i.e.
Heath Shuler NC
Rick Boucher VA
Senator Dim Webb aka Sen. Larry Flynt.
WE DON’T NEED NO STINKING ‘RATS!
Personally I wish they would do the hard thing and stay where they are and work on fixing their own house.
Yes and, in my case, they have been relegated to the irrelevant file. Conservatives DON'T need more RINOs, we need conservatives who are staunch conservatives with eh strong conservative history and record.
BTW, I have statred previously that Dems and 'Pubbies are interchangeable on any given day and your post is just more proof that I am correct.
First, there is absolutely no proof whatsoever that there will be a change in either the House or Senate putting the rinos in a majority. The anger and/or hope upon which this assumption is based has cooled remarkably in the last few months....and continues to decline.
Second....there is little real difference between a rino and a dem. Except for the fact that the dems have a recognized "leader", and a party platform (rampant big government and socialism) to which they adhere religiously. Unlike the rinos who have no recognizable platform, no leadership, little morals, and no new ideas.
The current "throw the bums out" feeling is just that....a feeling! And, even if it came to fruition, there will be as many rinos unemployed as dems.
Last, given a very broad sword that cuts both ways in November....the new candidates that will get elected will have to be conservative to a fare-thee-well to make much of a difference at all between 01-2011 and 01-2013.
Therefore, I would not pin any "hopes" on a dem switching parties after the election. In most cases it won't matter if they did anyway.
Joe is a liberal. The only areas where he differs with the most radical fringe of the Democratic Party are areas that are important to Israel: national security concerns in the Middle East region, the war in Iraq, and foreign policy regarding Israel and its enemies.
It's remotely possible that with a 50/50 Senate split in late November, there might be the offer of a really tasty committee chairmanship. And Lieberman, as an independent, might choose to caucus with the GOP instead of the Dems.
But it would take a miracle.
Please join me in prayer ...
Snowe, Collins, Graham, McCain...Oops! Never mind...
Do we really want any of them....really??????
Both of the Nelsons in the Senate.
F 'em, they're not welcome.
The time to grow a pair of balls is when sticking to your principles costs you something, not when you're scurrying down the rope of a sinking ship to trying to save your ass.
Party switchers to the GOP should be welcomed. Remember Ronald Reagan once was a liberal Democrat (by his own description).
I wish former Social Democrats could be banned from the Republican Party for a set number of years after leaving the Social Democrat Party. What Republicans don’t need is a flood of new Socialists. There are too many Republican quasi socialists already.
Shelby of Alabama switched after ‘94 too
Don’t hold your breath. I don’t think the GOP will blow out anyone this fall.
McCain is gaining strength in AZ. Yes, that makes AZ a lock for the GOP, and a loss for conservatives. Angle isn’t doing well in Nevada. The dems have lots of money and union support. Anyone who thinks they are going to fall out in droves is deluding themselves. It will be a tough fight, and I’ll be shocked if we regain control of anything.
Given the weenie candidates we have, what difference would it make?
As both parties have moved further apart it's doubtful that any Democrat is conservative enough to be welcomed into the GOP. The most conservative Democrat would, at best, be labeled a RINO if they did.