Snowe and Collins, Maine Senators being wooed by Democratic Party?

[techs]

Intriguing. Just something I heard on the morning news shows.
With Snowe and Colins being the only two Republicans left in the Northeast in the Senate, and Maine becoming more and more Democratic, and with the Republican parties movement away from Maines values, it can't be ruled out.
Despite both Snowes and Collins personal popularity ensuring them of re-election, I wonder if the Jeffords example comes into play.
Since the 'New" Republican party is so hell bent on ensuring absolute obediance to the party line, and with the parties monopolization of campaign funds, and with the basic threat of what is in effect an "ex-communication" of Republicans who vote against the party line, I have to wonder what Snowe and Collins are thinking.
Most Senators believe they were elected to represent their state and not their party. With the Dems 60 seat majority (in a few weeks) whatever influence Snowe and Collins had will be over as long as the Dems have 60. And if the Republicans ever regain control, then Snowe and Collins will be in the same boat as Jeffords before he switched parties. Jeffords was told to expect no input in the Republican party, no consideration of any bills he introduced and to be basically frozen out of the party.

It was also suggested that if they change parties they will both do it at the same time.

 

[Moonbeam]

One way or another, a mighty wave is coming.

 

[fskimospy]

I would be very surprised if they do so. Specter's defection was forced by looming primary defeat and I'm aware of no credible challengers to snowe or collins. Unless the Republicans make a serious effort to kick them out (which I sincerely doubt) I don't see them going anywhere.

 

[kage69]

Certainly a possibility. I would encourage them to do simply on the merits that it would be a deathblow to the kind of "party above all else" loyalty the GOP wants. Snowe could stand quite a bit to lose however, she's built up a lot of influence over her career and a switch could jeopardize that standing.

I'd rather they go Indy though. Let the GOP finish collapsing under it's own record, but get out!

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: kage69
Certainly a possibility. I would encourage them to do simply on the merits that it would be a deathblow to the kind of "party above all else" loyalty the GOP wants. Snowe could stand quite a bit to lose however, she's built up a lot of influence over her career and a switch could jeopardize that standing.

I'd rather they go Indy though. Let the GOP finish collapsing under it's own record, but get out!

That's undoubtedly part of the negotiations. What committees she would be on, if she would chair one, etc. Plus they might push some legislation important to Maine for her, say something that affects the Bath Iron Works.

 

[kage69]

Plus they might push some legislation important to Maine for her, say something that affects the Bath Iron Works.

:beer: Cheers to that! I applaud all who work in or defend the Ironworks. Best Naval construction in the world, it's a shipbuilding institution as well as an example in proficiency.
Just not a fan of outsourcing what we already do great. Lot of jobs down there.

 

[Mani]

They've been wooed for a while and Snowe has hinted that she may be considering it. Very easy to see happening - republicans are their own worst enemy right now. As long as the party sees moderates as part of the problem, they'll continue to dwindle.

 

[Lemon law]

For the dems, snagging Snowe and Collins would be overkill. Snowe and Collins may do anyway it for their own pragmatic reasons, but I think in the loner term, it may damage both the GOP and the Democratic party in unforeseeable ways.

This is politics and a battle of ideas, and the GOP has a role there, it should not be unchecked mass extinction and sowing salt into the ground so nothing can sprout back up.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
...it may damage both the GOP and the Democratic party in unforeseeable ways.

This is politics and a battle of ideas, and the GOP has a role there, it should not be unchecked mass extinction and sowing salt into the ground so nothing can sprout back up.

Well agreed. :thumbsup:

The extinction of all moderates from the GOP would be bad for the GOP and bad for our country, imho. Completely ceding the Grand Old Party to the ignorant social yahoos and the cynical blowhards who cater to them would a tragedy for all of us.

 

[Sacrilege]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: Lemon law
...it may damage both the GOP and the Democratic party in unforeseeable ways.

This is politics and a battle of ideas, and the GOP has a role there, it should not be unchecked mass extinction and sowing salt into the ground so nothing can sprout back up.

Well agreed. :thumbsup:

The extinction of all moderates from the GOP would be bad for the GOP and bad for our country, imho. Completely ceding the Grand Old Party to the ignorant social yahoos and the cynical blowhards who cater to them would a tragedy for all of us.

Sounds like we need a terror attack and some limp-wristed Democrat reaction to get more people voting Republican!

 

[Harvey]

Looking at a lot of the links from searching Google for Snowe Collins Specter, it looks like the Republican party would love to have Snowe and Collins follow Specter away from the dark side.

I whole heartedly support their effort to "purify" their party along their chosen ideological path. Think of the money they'll save when they can hold their next convention here. :laugh:

Originally posted by: Sacrilege

Sounds like we need a terror attack and some limp-wristed Democrat reaction to get more people voting Republican!

You're a sick POS. :|

You and the other two remaining Republicans will fit in well at the above linked convention site.

 

[Lemon law]

It may be a horrible hope for sacrilege to assert that "Sounds like we need a terror attack and some limp-wristed Democrat reaction to get more people voting Republican! "

Which implies a return to the hysteria of the GWB years and more unsuccessful quagmire wars. I for one say no thank you, I will pass on that stinking thinking.

And not to disagree with Perknose in any way, a collapse of the GOP could also trigger a fragmentation of the democratic party, and result in a large number of regional narrow interest parties, somewhat in the Italian model where coalitions rise in fall at the speed of light. Or alternately something more in the European model where too conservative governments are replaced by too liberal governments in an endless cycle, and never do we have a centrist government that acts wisely.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
It may be a horrible hope for sacrilege to assert that "Sounds like we need a terror attack and some limp-wristed Democrat reaction to get more people voting Republican! "

Which implies a return to the hysteria of the GWB years and more unsuccessful quagmire wars. I for one say no thank you, I will pass on that stinking thinking.

And not to disagree with Perknose in any way, a collapse of the GOP could also trigger a fragmentation of the democratic party, and result in a large number of regional narrow interest parties, somewhat in the Italian model where coalitions rise in fall at the speed of light. Or alternately something more in the European model where too conservative governments are replaced by too liberal governments in an endless cycle, and never do we have a centrist government that acts wisely.

alternatively, you could see the moderate/conservative democrats and moderate republicans form their own party. not probable, but certainly possible.

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

alternatively, you could see the moderate/conservative democrats and moderate republicans form their own party. not probable, but certainly possible.

Alternatively, the only remaining Republicans could see Russia from their front porch.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: Lemon law
...it may damage both the GOP and the Democratic party in unforeseeable ways.

This is politics and a battle of ideas, and the GOP has a role there, it should not be unchecked mass extinction and sowing salt into the ground so nothing can sprout back up.

Well agreed. :thumbsup:

The extinction of all moderates from the GOP would be bad for the GOP and bad for our country, imho. Completely ceding the Grand Old Party to the ignorant social yahoos and the cynical blowhards who cater to them would a tragedy for all of us.

I'm not sure that I agree with you there Perk. If the GOP goes entirely over to the blowhards, it will die. It may kick for a couple of years, but it will die. And I just don't see the Democrats successfully absorbing even a sizable majority of the moderates who would be orphaned from such a takeover. This would force the creation of a third party comprising people who are truly fiscally conservative (people who are already feeling orphaned) and simultaneously socially liberal and there seems to me that such a third party, resulting from those circumstances, would be truly viable.

ZV

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: Lemon law
...it may damage both the GOP and the Democratic party in unforeseeable ways.

This is politics and a battle of ideas, and the GOP has a role there, it should not be unchecked mass extinction and sowing salt into the ground so nothing can sprout back up.

Well agreed. :thumbsup:

The extinction of all moderates from the GOP would be bad for the GOP and bad for our country, imho. Completely ceding the Grand Old Party to the ignorant social yahoos and the cynical blowhards who cater to them would a tragedy for all of us.

I'm not sure that I agree with you there Perk. If the GOP goes entirely over to the blowhards, it will die. It may kick for a couple of years, but it will die. And I just don't see the Democrats successfully absorbing even a sizable majority of the moderates who would be orphaned from such a takeover. This would force the creation of a third party comprising people who are truly fiscally conservative (people who are already feeling orphaned) and simultaneously socially liberal and there seems to me that such a third party, resulting from those circumstances, would be truly viable.

ZV

I'd vote for such a party.

Socially Liberal
Fiscally Conservative
Totally Awesome

:thumbsup:

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: TruePaige

I'd vote for such a party.

Socially Liberal
Fiscally Conservative
Totally Awesome

:thumbsup:

Might as well call it the Internet Party, as such a party would have very little popularity outside of the internet.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Olympia Snowe was re-elected with over 70% of the vote in a supposedly "brutal" year for Republicans.
She has no incentive to switch.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: eskimospy

Originally posted by: TruePaige

I'd vote for such a party.

Socially Liberal
Fiscally Conservative
Totally Awesome

:thumbsup:

Might as well call it the Internet Party, as such a party would have very little popularity outside of the internet.

:Q

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: eskimospy

Originally posted by: TruePaige

I'd vote for such a party.

Socially Liberal
Fiscally Conservative
Totally Awesome

:thumbsup:

Might as well call it the Internet Party, as such a party would have very little popularity outside of the internet.

the socially liberal/fiscally conservative republicans all got voted out of office. clearly, your ideal is not what the american people want.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: loki8481

Originally posted by: eskimospy

Originally posted by: TruePaige

I'd vote for such a party.

Socially Liberal
Fiscally Conservative
Totally Awesome

:thumbsup:

Might as well call it the Internet Party, as such a party would have very little popularity outside of the internet.

the socially liberal/fiscally conservative republicans all got voted out of office. clearly, your ideal is not what the american people want.

My take is that the repugs got voted out of office. The fluff didn't matter. Unfortunately, some of the hardcore ones such as mcconnell and boehner escaped the hatchet. Better luck next time.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: loki8481

Originally posted by: eskimospy

Originally posted by: TruePaige

I'd vote for such a party.

Socially Liberal
Fiscally Conservative
Totally Awesome

:thumbsup:

Might as well call it the Internet Party, as such a party would have very little popularity outside of the internet.

the socially liberal/fiscally conservative republicans all got voted out of office. clearly, your ideal is not what the american people want.

My take is that the repugs got voted out of office. The fluff didn't matter. Unfortunately, some of the hardcore ones such as mcconnell and boehner escaped the hatchet. Better luck next time.

actually, pretty much all the crazies are still there.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: Lemon law
...it may damage both the GOP and the Democratic party in unforeseeable ways.

This is politics and a battle of ideas, and the GOP has a role there, it should not be unchecked mass extinction and sowing salt into the ground so nothing can sprout back up.

Well agreed. :thumbsup:

The extinction of all moderates from the GOP would be bad for the GOP and bad for our country, imho. Completely ceding the Grand Old Party to the ignorant social yahoos and the cynical blowhards who cater to them would a tragedy for all of us.

I'm not sure that I agree with you there Perk. If the GOP goes entirely over to the blowhards, it will die. It may kick for a couple of years, but it will die. And I just don't see the Democrats successfully absorbing even a sizable majority of the moderates who would be orphaned from such a takeover. This would force the creation of a third party comprising people who are truly fiscally conservative (people who are already feeling orphaned) and simultaneously socially liberal and there seems to me that such a third party, resulting from those circumstances, would be truly viable.

ZV

:thumbsup:

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: loki8481

Originally posted by: eskimospy

Originally posted by: TruePaige

I'd vote for such a party.

Socially Liberal
Fiscally Conservative
Totally Awesome

:thumbsup:

Might as well call it the Internet Party, as such a party would have very little popularity outside of the internet.

the socially liberal/fiscally conservative republicans all got voted out of office. clearly, your ideal is not what the american people want.

My ideal? I'm not a fiscal conservative. You are right though, socially liberal/fiscally conservative has a pretty abysmal electoral history. There's a reason the libertarian party is as small as it is.

 

[nageov3t]

sorry, the 'you' was to TruePaige