Party Switchers??

[JSojourner]

Within six months of the Republican sweep of 1994, Democrats were changing political parties.  The two most high-profile switchers were Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Richard Shelby.  But a few House members jumped ship, too.  And a litany of state and city officials across the country became Republicans.

The only post-1994 Republican to change parties was former Connecticut Governor Lowell Weicker.  And he never found his way to the Democrats. (Jim Jeffords came much later.)

A few pundits have opined that Joe Leiberman might be moving across the aisle, despite his protestations to the contrary during the late campaign.  I am not sure he would ever fit.  If he did, he would be the most socially liberal Republican...maybe ever.

So...will we see any switching the other way?  Republicans insist not and they have some historical precedence for their claim.  Generally, politicians don't leave the GOP for the Democrats. But if I were the Demos, I would be looking to turn both sitting Senators and Representatives...as well as a few of the "losers".  Jim Leach might give some serious thought to his political future and consider how his positions measure up with each party.

What about Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Arlen Specter, Gordon Smith and Rep. Mike Castle? Could Rudy Giuliani finally wake up and smell the fire & brimstone on his side of the aisle?  Colin Powell, anyone? Bill Cohen? Christie Whitman? Rod Freylinghuesen? Dare I say it -- Chris Shays?

Linda Lingle and Don Carcieri might also be targets.

Thoughts?

[RBH]

I'm sensing the following people will be out of Congress by 2010, either by retirement or defeat.

Specter
Castle
Collins
Shays

[bullmoose88]

I'm sensing the following people will be out of Congress by 2010, either by retirement or defeat.

Specter
Castle
Collins
Shays

If Specter's healthy, he'll likely run, and win...the only person I can see giving him a run for his money would be rendell...that would be a pure toss up (I'm even inclined to say rendell would be favored, but thats partly due to some bias from the results in 06)

[Adlai Stevenson]

I maintaned recently that Specter could switch; I somehow don't think he will be elected again in 2010 and if he has another four years left he might as well spend it in the majority. 

[RBH]

I don't think Arlen is going to run again at 80.

[Rob]

Specter may switch. It's also possible that Shays will switch, because he knows that he will never be safe running as a Republican. I'm sure that he wants to stay in the majority, too.

[WalterMitty]

Specter may switch. It's also possible that Shays will switch, because he knows that he will never be safe running as a Republican. I'm sure that he wants to stay in the majority, too.

shays would never switch.  he may be a bit on the liberal side, but no one can doubt his republicanism.

most liberal democrats dont even like shays.  they claim he is a phony moderate.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Probably no switchers. The top 2 possibilities were defeated: Senator Chafee and Rep. Leach.

[skybridge]

A few pundits have opined that Joe Leiberman might be moving across the aisle, despite his protestations to the contrary during the late campaign.  I am not sure he would ever fit.  If he did, he would be the most socially liberal Republican...maybe ever.

Why--of all times--would anyone want to leave the Democratic party now? Heck, I can see Zell Miller begging for forgiveness Sure, there might be some hurt pride on Lieberman's part, but we'll welcome him back and everything will be fine (though we would have prefered Lamont). Besides, he's a politician, he'll have to adjust to anyhow.

However, I must confess, in spite of the polls very accurate prediction, Lieberman's re-election eludes me. Schlesinger even did "well."

[poughies]

I don't know of any really....... Lieberman didn't return Reid's  phonecall after the election, but he'll be fine.... though very liberal people I know were more upset about Lieberman winning than the Dems winnin.

[Rob]

most liberal democrats dont even like shays.  they claim he is a phony moderate.

He is a phony moderate. But most conservatives hate him too, especially after his flip-flop on Iraq. I really would not be surprised if he switched, Walter.

Frankly, I want him to switch so that every US Representative from New England will be a Democrat.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Frankly, I want him to switch so that every US Representative from New England will be a Democrat.

His district is only technically in New England

[jokerman]

Specter may switch. It's also possible that Shays will switch, because he knows that he will never be safe running as a Republican. I'm sure that he wants to stay in the majority, too.

shays would never switch.  he may be a bit on the liberal side, but no one can doubt his republicanism.

most liberal democrats dont even like shays.  they claim he is a phony moderate.

Yes, why would Shays switch?  If he survived this recent re-election he will be able to survive any.

[JSojourner]

Shays might switch to run for the Senate, assuming Dodd retires.  Chris Dodd might run for President in 2000 or, if a Democrat is elected President, he might make sense as a cabinet appointment.

How old is Mike Castle?  He's all alone in a very Democratic state.

Of course, this discussion is totally moot if the Republicans wake up and decide to encourage moderation.

It's interesting.  For two decades, a socially conservative Democrat couldn't get so much as a handshake.  Casey, Senior for example.  During the same time period, socially liberal Republicans were mocked and marginalized by their own.  At one time, the Senate was crowded with moderate R's.  Now there are what -- three? 

I just hope this election means that Democrats will welcome more conservatives and that liberal to moderate R's will become strong again.

[Speed of Sound]

Shays might switch to run for the Senate, assuming Dodd retires.  Chris Dodd might run for President in 2000.

[AuH2O]

Why would a governor switch???

[JSojourner]

Why would a governor switch???

Ed King switched from D to R in the 80's.  Lowell Weicker switched from R to Reform to Ind in the 90's.

I suppose a candidate in any office would switch because...

A.  They see it as a path to more power and influence. 
B.  They really genuinely feel their former party has abandoned them.

[Adlai Stevenson]

If anyone does switch when will they do so?  Before January or just after the new Congress begins on 3rd January 2007? 

[skybridge]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/10/chafee.GOP/

Chafee might switch.

I ask those worried about Lieberman or Nelson again: Why--of all times--would anyone want to leave the Democratic party now? Zell Miller probably wasn't so clairvoyant after all.

[Adlai Stevenson]

What is the point in Chafee switching?  As has already been stated, if he had done it a year ago then he would still be in office now.  Or he could have become an Independant and caucused with the Democrats but he chose to remain a Republican and went down to defeat.  Its odd. 

I concur; I don't think any Democrats will switch now they are in the majority. 

[skybridge]

What is the point in Chafee switching?  As has already been stated, if he had done it a year ago then he would still be in office now.  Or he could have become an Independant and caucused with the Democrats but he chose to remain a Republican and went down to defeat.  Its odd. 

I concur; I don't think any Democrats will switch now they are in the majority. 

Maybe he felt bullied out of the party? He claims he stayed with the majority party to win more federal money for Rhode Island.

[Adlai Stevenson]

What is the point in Chafee switching?  As has already been stated, if he had done it a year ago then he would still be in office now.  Or he could have become an Independant and caucused with the Democrats but he chose to remain a Republican and went down to defeat.  Its odd. 

I concur; I don't think any Democrats will switch now they are in the majority. 

Maybe he felt bullied out of the party? He claims he stayed with the majority party to win more federal money for Rhode Island.

People like him in Rhode Island and I think he could be a plausible candidate for Governor in 2010 but who knows what he would run as?