That would be Pete Wilson, and that law was a voters' proposition.
7. I agree with another post that McCain won't switch, but I think Lincoln Chaffee, who is even more liberal than his father and doesn't have nearly the strength of character his dad did, might easily switch to give power to the 'rats, particularly if Dubya pushes on drilling in ANWR. I used to live in CT, and Rhode Island is so Democratic it is amazing any Pubbies get elected there. Chaffee could eliminate a lot of election campaign heartache if he walked over to the 'rats.
My view of McCain leaving sometime in 2003 is predicated on his desire to screw President Bush being stronger than his desire for Senatorial power. If that is the case, he won't bolt until either his bolt is the one that gives Daschle an illegitimate "majority" or the political calendar dictates he HAS to fully-differentiate himself from the Republican Party. He wouldn't bolt to simply create a 50-50 split prematurely because being a "co-leader" just isn't the same. Likewise, he wouldn't bolt to become part of an existing illegitimate "majority" prematurely because he would have absolutely no leverage to regain his former power. IMHO, that "prematurely" date runs out in roughly July 2003; that is based on Bob Smith's stillborn antics.
Even if Senate power is king in McCain's mind, I can see him bolting if by doing so he would create Daschle's illegitimate "majority". All Daschle would have to do is promise more than the Republicans, and that shouldn't prove to be too hard, especially if Lott were still in charge.
As for Chafee, as long as there is not a strong Republican Senate leader willing to run the Senate by a majority of VP (and the Senate's not already 50-50 or in Democrat hands), he is leaping no later than January 2. He may well do it anyway if there is that mythical strong leader, but there is a slim chance that he may wait for McCain.
I don't get your comment that a Leapin' Linc leap would be good. Without a strong Senate leader, the 50-50 split that would cause will result in another power-"sharing" agreement that will not allow anything positive to get done (e.g. conservative judges getting confirmed). No matter who the Senate majority leader is, we'd be held hostage by the most liberal/unstable RINO until he/she bolts, then we would have lost the Senate again thanks to illegitimate tactics.