Having a Democratic Senate was actually kind of cool. I may soon be nostalgic for it. I wouldn't mind running another campaign against the Tom Daschle do-nothing Senate. There may be nothing but long term gains in this for us. Here's what happens if Lott resigns and Chafee switches:
1) There is a much better environment for Republicans in 2004. And even if there isn't, we probably pickup the 1 seat we would need assuming Bush wins reelection.
2) There is a special election for Lott's seat. Lott is probably going to retire in 2006 anyway. So the only real effect is to trade an open seat contest in 2006 for an open seat contest 3 months from now.
3) Chafee switches now instead of later. And we lose a seat that right now looks like the least likely seat to still be in GOP hands after the 2006 elections. And the Dems have to defend that seat in 2006 instead of us.
A Dem Senate was cool? In a time of War? with morons like Daschle, Leahy and Biden being in power?
You have to be disruptor.
What is the special election bit? If Lott resigns, Musgrove will appoint AG Moore (I think that is the name bandied about on the other site), and he will be the incumbent in 2004. He might be tough to dislodge.