[mhking]

Not breaking news!

[BibChr]

Even if so, that's the sort of advantage only a Demo would use. And Commee (Chaffee) would probably jump.

Dan

[SamAdams76]

I'd prefer to get a GOP majority in 10 days - at the ballot box and have whatever happens in Minnesota be irrelevant.

[Phantom Lord]

If there are an even number of republicans and democrats, with 2 independants it could go any number of ways. No doubt that Jeffords woul cacus with the dems for organization. Would depend on how the new independant cacused. If he did with the dems, then the dems would have a majority. If he did with the GOP then we would have a tie with Cheney breaking the tie. And in that case, it is likely that Chafee would jump ship.

Though with Jeffords getting little to nothing from the RATS for jumping, Chafee might not be so likely to take any bait the RATS offered him.

[Phantom Lord]

If there are an even number of republicans and democrats, with 2 independants it could go any number of ways. No doubt that Jeffords woul cacus with the dems for organization. Would depend on how the new independant cacused. If he did with the dems, then the dems would have a majority. If he did with the GOP then we would have a tie with Cheney breaking the tie. And in that case, it is likely that Chafee would jump ship.

Though with Jeffords getting little to nothing from the RATS for jumping, Chafee might not be so likely to take any bait the RATS offered him.

[mrsmith]

He'll appoint a caretaker Senator. Won't make any difference in the majority.

Might resign and have the Lt Gov. appoint him- but I can't see him caucusing with Republicans.

[billreillyiii]

Under Minnesota law, if a nominee in a Senate race dies during a campaign, his or her political party can select a replacement candidate no later than four days before the general election. Election Day this year is November 5.

Looks like the Dems, not the Governor, have the choice.

[SES1066]

Lets put it this way, if this was a GOP seat and GOP incumbent does anybody doubt that Carvel and Bagalia would be saying "I'm sympathetic, but politics is politics".

Still, this is one case when I think that Jesse should wait for the Minnisota Democrats to nominate a replacement and wait for the election. Depending on the victor in the election, they should be seated immediately.

[prisoner6]

Yes, above all else prayers for the Wellestone family as well as the families of the others at their loss.

prisoner6

[Lunatic Fringe]

I guess technically, there is a majority in the Senate right now. Noone to cast the vote makes it 49-49-1, with Cheney as the tiebreaker.

Time to call up some votes on federal judges.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

I'm thinking that Bill Clinton will go there tomorrow, buy a house in Minne-qua, Chapaqua (sp?) of the mid-west, and be appointed by the Dems to run. He and Hillary will then both be senators. Oh BARF!!!!

[A CA Guy]

Deaths are an advantage to lock a vote in for the party of that dead person. (Going by recent history)
Between substitutions and dead candidates, the Democrats have 3 locks I think. Hawaii (wwhich they had anyway), Toriceklki's Jersey seat and now this fellow.

Before a substitution and a death, two deats went from a probable loss for the Dems to a probable +2. Hawaii was a lock anyway.

I hope I am wrong and we might get a majority anyway, but it is what it is.

Maybe is a special session is called the Republicans might have control for a while? Could be!!!!

After the elections, I hope Repulicans control the whole thing.
I'm voting this weekend by mail.

[Saundra Duffy]

I don't think Ventura will let this thing become a farce, like what happened in Missouri. It'll be interesting.