Because he knows that nothing would happen to him when (not if) he leaps with Lott as Majority "leader", while another Pubbie might actually do something to both him and Jeffords while trying to lead with a majority of VP.
Yeah, he should be in real good shape in the GOP with the support of Chaffee and Jeffords.
Maybe he can get Senator Clinton to help him bolster his crumbling foundation.
;-)
Hmmmm... so if the Republicans dump Lott, perhaps this will give Chaffee the reason to jump ship and become an independent.