Want a Lieberman-proof majority? Get Olympia Snowe to switch parties

[Ignacio Upton]

After the Republicans won in 1994 they managed to expand their Senate majority further by convincing two conservative Democratic Senators to switch parties, Ben Nighthorse-Campbell (who retired in 2004 and was replaced by Ken Salazar) and Richard Shelby (who unfortunately is still with us.)

Unfortunately, we don't have a large "supply" of moderate and liberal Republicans to choose from, because they have either gone down in defeat to Democrats (like Chafee) or were primaried by right-wingers. There are only three "moderates" left in the Senate Republican caucus: Snowe, Susan Collins, and Arlen Specter (who I think will move back to the center after we take the Senate because he will no longer be intimidated into doing Bush's dirty work.) Unfortunately, I don't see Collins or Specter switching, but Snowe seems the most moderate out of the three. For example, she co-sponsered a bill with Byron Dorgan to perserve Net Neutrality. While some may argue that she won't have an incentive to switch because she just won re-election by a landslide, Jeffords switched in 2001 after winning handidly in his 2000 re-election. It can be done if we can coex her by giving her a prominent committee position.

[ronnykmarshall]

1. Hmmmmmmm???

Very interesting.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. Shelby Screwed The Dems Because It's Easier To Get Elected In Alabama With A (R) After His Name.

Same for Ben Campbell in Colorado...

Snowe can get re-elected at will as a Republican...

[Ignacio Upton]

3. Jeffords was able to get re-elected in Vermont as a Republican in 2000

At the very least, we could persuade Snowe to become an Independent who caucuses with us.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. Anything's Possible I Guess...

My point is Shelby and Campbell did it for expedience...


Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins can get elected in their respective states as members of any party...


Linc Chafee could still be senator now if he made a move...

[roamer65]

4. Harry Reid will reach out to them...

and will be much more effective at it than Frist or Lott ever were. Now that we have 49 solid Dem seats , we're in great shape!

[Blackhatjack]

6. I agree with this strategy, it will do less damage than Lieberman unhinged will

Lieberman is going to be an ego monster, cutting deals every which way, no loyalty, and leveraging every vote. I think this is an excellent idea. She is a good target because she is closer philosophically to Dems in many respects than to this brand of Repubs on the Hill.

Would certainly take some of the wind out of Lieberman's sails, and protect us from a Republican influenced dealmaker with an ego the size of Texas!

[WI_DEM]

7. she won't

[phiddle]

8. Definitely worth exploring

I think that her landslide win yesterday makes it MORE likely that she would switch---she would not have to face a nutcase conservative for 6 years, and not have to run as a Republican in a region which is almost lost to Republicans.
As far as incentives, offer her to keep her seat on the Senate Finance Committee, and its subcommittees on Health Care, International Trade, Social Security and Family Policy; and Taxation and IRS Oversight. Questions for her: Under which party will there be more action on the above list of issues? Would you, Sen Snowe like to be a part of that action?