Trading Congresscritters. A very interesting concept.
It might be very beneficial to get “all the rotten eggs in one basket”. Then dispose of said basket.
I've been advocating it for years. For example, the useful idiots at RedState.com claimed that Pat Roberts of Kansas was a horrible RINO whereas Mark Kirk of Illinois was a "fiscal conservative" who "served honorably in Iraq to protect our freedoms" and we needed to elect him to "embarrass Obama"
Two states could voluntarily agree to exchange Senators if the Senator's base in both states signed an agreement to do so.
According to numerous Kansas freepers, Roberts is SUCH a horrible worthless "RINO" that "ANY" Republican would be an improvement over him. WHO that person is doesn't matter, as long as he's "not Roberts". Their main objections to Roberts is that he: 1) has been there too long -- three terms is enough for anyone, 2) is an old geezer and should be in a retirement home, 3) is low-key and not "outspoken" enough, 4) doesn't "fight" enough for the things he believes in, and 5) his primary residence isn't even in the state he ran to represent in 2014. (which is a "deal-breaker" and shows how "out of touch" a politician is...UNLESS their name is Liz Cheney)
I can guarantee Kansas conservatives that our guy Kirk doesn't have any of that baggage they find objectionable.
Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL):
1) is a first term senator, still a wet-behind-the-ears Senate freshman!
2) is relatively young by U.S. Senate standards and was known for his "boyish good looks" before his recent stroke
3) LOVES media attention and getting face on TV nationally. see himself as a go-to guy for Republicans and an "expert" on "national defense". the media describes him as a "rising star" in the GOP
4) is undoubtedly described as a "fighter" by both his opponents and supporters. He is definitely NOT afraid to push for the "causes" he believes in. He has also stated he has made a full recovery from his stroke and is prepared to "fight" for another term.
5) LIFELONG resident of the state he represents (of course, if you don't live near him on the lake shore and are a millionaire campaign contributor, he will pretend you don't exist, but that's a separate topic)
Kansas conservatives are welcomed to verify the above information before they agree to the swap.
Illinois conservatives would be MORE than happy to trade Kirk for Roberts. We're selflessly willing to endure the agony of having a "RINO" who only does what we want 95% of the time.
Due to the exchange taking place across states, the newly relocated Senators would inherit the Senate term of the man they replaced -- i.e., Kirk would be up for re-election in 2020 and face Kansas voters at that time -- rather than be up in 2016 as was the length of his original term.
One catch, of course. Like used car sales, all U.S. Senator exchanges would be final and no refunds or new exchanges would be allowed. Once the Kansas "Tea Party" crowd that despises Roberts get our man Mark Kirk, he's all theirs permanently. The only way to be rid of the Senator they inherited would be through the Senator's retirement or defeat for re-election. (the reverse would also be true, Illinois conservatives would be "stuck" with Roberts)
Who's ready to take me up on this offer? I can't wait!