After reading an NYT Op ed article by Olympia Snowe, I gotta wonder if she’s thinking about it.
This is not a happy and secure Republican.
I don’t think Snowe would be any more comfortable as a Democrat though. Her problem is that she wants to be independent but she doesn’t want to run as an independent.
It’s kind of a shame that diversity of thought is not really welcome in either party. The party machines control most of the money and committee posts and can withhold it from candidates who don’t toe the line. Democrats have been more tolerant of dissent within their ranks than Republicans (and TOO tolerant in the case of Joe Lieberman) but on most issues we hear two simple-minded solutions, one Dem one GOP, with very little variation or creative thought. I had hoped Obama would rock the boat but he seems to be playing it pretty safe so far–I’m not sure I blame him given the circumstances.
Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins are the only likely contenders IMHO. Considering the reported reaction by their constituency in Maine, they’ve made it harder for themselves to get reelected, so I can see how they’d be tempted to cross the aisle. Would the welcome by democrats be warm?
Arlen Spector R/D PA just announced that he will run for re-election as a dem.
“A Democrat in his youth, Specter joined the Republicans in 1966 and was a member until April 28, 2009, when he announced his switch to the Democratic Party.[5][6] He said that he was increasingly “at odds with the Republican philosophy”[7] and indicated that polling showed that it would be difficult for him to win the 2010 Republican Senatorial primary”