I don’t think it’s senility yet (he’s 64). I mean, look at his seatmate James Inhofe (who turns 78). He’s been in DC 12 years longer than Coburn (indeed, Inhofe has been in office for all but 4 years since his election to the OK state legislature in 1966 — so that is 42 out of 46 years) and he’s been fairly excellent for a long-timer. How many times have we heard complaints about Sen. Inhofe ? I can’t recall a single serious problem.
As was mentioned, if Manchin switches, he would be about the most liberal Senate Democrat since Ben Nighthorse Campbell to do so (and Campbell’s reason for switching was personal — and he was never an establishment Dem, as Manchin certainly is in his state).
Of course, WV Democrats do have a dilemma. The federal party is absolutely toxic in the state, and that will have a trickle-down effect. The GOP is underrepresented at the state and legislative level (where at present, they have zero statewide). Interestingly, the GOP was on track to majority status at the legislative level just prior to Watergate, but that knocked them out and they actually haven’t recovered the early ‘70s numbers. Personally, I think it will be difficult for the Democrats to maintain that huge majority (at present, still 65D-35R in the House and an absurd 28D-6R majority in the Senate — and the margin was just 21D-13R going into the 2006 elections, and the GOP lost 2 seats in 2010).
I think WV is similar to AR (with some notable differences) and I believe it might break for the GOP downballot once the top offices go (and that might begin to happen this year).
Yes Inhofe is solid.
If he’s not losing his mind then I guess Coburn is just a fool. Add this to him not being able to shut about his warm personal feelings for Osama.
Why DID Campbell switch? He wasn’t a 100% liberal but that’s got to be one of the most surprising party switches ever.