[TommyDale]

If this were to happen, the public would be so enraged that they may FOREVER condemn the Democrats. Zell Miller would bolt to the other side, just on sheer principle.

[steve-b]

In the long run, any more jumping senators would kill the Democrats. Jumpin' Jim Jeffords was acceptable to the public because he was, in effect, breaking a tie created by the election (a 50-50 senate and a VP chosen by a the down-to-the-wire 2000 presidential election). Attempting such a maneuver now to reverse the outcome of the election (on top of all the other shenanigans) would cement the Democrats' reputation as the party that has to resort to backroom chicanery because it can't attract the support of the people.