Rep. Virgil Goode: A prime example of why party switching isn't always a bad thing

[Bleacher Creature]

I hope people remember that up until 2000, he was a Democrat. Mind you, he wasn't the most loyal Democrat, but he did caucus with us, endorse Democratic candidates, etc. Today, he is one of the most embarrassing Members of Congress the GOP has to offer. He's the crazy aunt the Republicans have to hide in the closet because he alienates people in all but the most insane districts.

I just wanted to point that out because I know that people sometimes get worried about certain people switching sides. Losing Goode was a great thing for the Dems. One day, I truly hope that the Zell Millers of the world will get tired of pretending to be a novelty, and just switch over. And yes, no matter how painful it would be to lose control of the Senate, I sometimes wonder if it wouldn't be better if we just let Senator Joemomentum go and get on with the business of letting a true Democrat represent the very blue state of Connecticut.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. I'd as soon as hang onto Joe til 2008

if it doesn't cost too much to do it. Keeping the Senate is important. But if he tries to extort anything major as the price f staying, then screw him.

[Bucky]

3. Y'know, at first read, I didn't catch the word "onto" there.

That's probably Freudian on my part. Although in my defense I was a bit shocked at the suggestion of actually hanging him.

[Jackpine Radical]

5. Well, I surely don't see the point

in hanging him til 2008. That would seem to be..uh..overkill.

[Hekate]

2. If ideological purity is more important to you than the war, our civil liberties...

If ideological purity is more important to you than the war, our civil liberties, the environment, women's bodies, children's education, government corruption, et cetera, ad nauseum -- I don't know what to say that would persuade you otherwise.

Keeping Joe on our side and maintaining a majority in the Senate is FAR more important than whether we disagree with him on this issue or that.

Hekate

[Old and In the Way]

4. I sometimes wonder, too.

Then I remember that a Republican controlled Senate would be far worse than putting up with a pompous egotist who, nonetheless, keeps the Senate in the hands of the Democrats. In 2 years, Joe can go pound sand.

[yellowcanine]

6. Goode is just a late blooming Republican Dixiecrat.

Most of the Dixiecrats switched over to Republican a long time ago. Goode is just slow about it, that's all.