[Boxsford]

Republicans that think for themselves (re Collins/Snowe)

You obviously do not know what you are talking about when it comes to Snowe and Collins from Maine. This is not a debate on thier "free thinking". It's about their own personal liberal leanings which are out of step with conservative thought. Those two liberals who get elected each year in Maine do so by Democrats because they love the bacon those two bring home to Maine.

[stalin]

I agree with you. They aren't all free thinkers just because they disagree with their party but it is better to have even those two in the party then for Maine to elect Democrates instead.