What ar the chances of Maine's ladies, Snowe and Collins,

[Skidmore]

being tapped to run as Dems. These are some decent women.

[JDPriestly]

1. They sure are.

They are the kind of Republicans that Democrats used to cross over to vote for every once in a while. It has been a long time since there was a Republican that I even thought about voting for. It's kind of sad because the exremism and craziness in the Republican Party and the division in the country have meant that voters generally have fewer choices.

[SteppingRazor]

2. Why would they?

Their party is in control. Now, if we take back the Senate, then offer them sweet positions running important committees if they jump sides, maybe they would.

But as it stands, the abysmal state of the rest of the GOP party hasn't reached them -- they still have very high poll numbers, the highest in the Senate in some polls -- and if they're with the GOP, they're in the majority party, so they get to help write the agenda.

Why would they switch parties, then? What's the motivation?

On edit: spelling corrected

[Skidmore]

3. Perhaps because they are decent and the crazies in the

R party are in control. I like that they stand up for their people and are consistent in it.

[SteppingRazor]

5. It's Washington. Decency doesn't matter as much as power...

If they're both decent people, they'll still stick with the GOP party, because they have a better chance of getting things done.

If we win, we can maybe turn one or both, so that they can keep pushing their agendas. It would certainly behoove us to do so, since if we do take back the Senate, it will be by the slimmest of majorities.

[BlueManDude]

11. What evidence do you have that they are "decent"?

They are grown women. I assume they are not completely stupid(although Collins is clearly a dim bulb). They are well aware of what their party is doing and they have participated in it. Both will vote for Alito if the WH needs them to.

[SharonAnn]

17. They're not writing the agenda. Frist is writing the agenda. They just

get to be on the "side" that is writing the agendas.

Their input is not wanted and extreme pressure is put on them to vote against their consciences.

[afdip]

4. democrats need some realism, not pipedreams . . . .

why would they entertain a change of parties?? do you think they will suddenly develop a conscience? this is not mrs snowe/collins goes to warshington, deecee.

[Skidmore]

6. I don't know about pipedreams. I think that Dems could stand

a little decency too. And a little realism. Personally, I'm sick of some of the twits we have in this party too.

[indepat]

7. The proof would be how they voted on key legislation re war, tax cuts,

the environment, the Patriot (misnomer) Act(s), a chilling number of pure-d-corporatist bills and of course, W's highly controversial nominations. If they pass the muster, fine: otherwise they are already in the party that depicts their values.

[MADem]

8. Those two, and Linc Chaffee, are more liberal than some on our side of the

aisle. They won't switch though.

They may withhold their vote on principle, but they are too invested in the machine to move over. They'd be last in line for funding, last in line for committee seats and chairs, last in line for everything. Plus, they already get plenty of crossover votes now as it is--they'd lose some of the diehard GOP voters if they did switch, and that could be problematic, at least in the short term.

It doesn't benefit them in any way, shape or form to move.

The only way I could see it happening is as a prelude to retirement, when money and party crap becomes less important.

[cyn2]

9. I think the chances are low

Both are my senators, and though I think both of them are quite good, I'm having trouble about 06. I'd like to vote for Snowe, but I have trouble marking the box for an R.

If the race is at all close, I'll have to go with the Dem--but I don't think it will be close.

[peacetalksforall]

10. They are wannabees. They sometimes appear to want to do the right

thing - by their words - but invevitably they vote according to Frist. Sorry, their voices squeak, but that's it. No more than that when, tragically, it is the vote that must work with the mouth.

I got my hope up too many times only to be depressingly disappointed. They are the equivalent of our sage raking cowboy from the ranch - used and ineffective. Those two lady senators could be heroines.

Caveat: I don't follow all the Senators, I'm only speaking from watching Channel 2 on certain votes and Collins voice on network tv every once in awhile.

[MaineDem]

12. Hell no!

They are GOP through and through. Their "moderation" is a smoke screen. They are both pro-choice for the most part but they rarely vote against the party when it counts.

[Donna Zen]

13. They say they are pro-choice

...just watch them vote!

Usually they "trade" votes with red state Dems. to please Mainers when they can.

Those two decent women, will never leave the republican party. Ain't gonna happen. Snowe will retire first and Collins will run for governor. <---god help us.

[election_2004]

14. They won't become Democrats....

But if things get bad enough, I could see them following Jeffords' lead and running as Independents.

But it might be a moot point, because Snowe will probably retire in 2012, and Collins term-limited herself (although she might go back on that promise so she can run again in 2008).

So, if Collins backpedals and runs for a third term in 2008, I say:

Beth Edmonds or Hannah Pingree
for U.S. Senate 2008!!!!

[mainer]

16. Tom Allen is interested in Snowe's seat

He'd be great. He'd leave a House seat open for Pingree.

[sandyd921]

15. An example of the "ladies" voting records

Both voted against Kennedy's recent minimum wage amendment. Still think they're good Democratic material?