In past large wave elections, e.g., 1994, there were significant numbers of party switchers. I specifically recall Ben Nighthorse Campbell switching when the Dems lost the Senate. As I recall it gave the Republicans an almost veto proof majority in the Senate.
It would seem that with the Hastert/Foley Sex Scandal destined to occupy the election coverage in the forseeable future we will more than likely have a large number of seats change hands in a month. If the stars align correctly or this scandal deepens perhaps the Senate will also change hands.
Who among our Republican loyalists will be the first to decamp the Republican Party? My husband says he has no clue but predicts that with amazing cluelessness Joe Lieberman will become a Republican.
more below the fold. . .
I think that most of us see one or both of the Maine Queens but I think it will be someone quite surprising . . . maybe a George Voinovich??? Arlen Specter???
Not that they wouldn't be welcomed. I see so many Republicans who are so disgusted with Bush, Congress, the scandals, etc. that they are deciding to quit the Republican Party after decades of voting a straight R ticket. I live in a very red neighborhood and have long wondered how some of the most decent people I know could vote Republican. In my last over-the-fence conversation with my very conservative pediatrician neighbor, he said that he changed his registration to declines to state. He will NOT vote for Schwarzenegger and said that he will hold his nose and vote for Angelides. But, what really thrilled me was his vote for Jim Brandt over the jerk of all jerks, Dana Rohrabacher R-CA46. I think that he was about to swallow his tongue as he said that it appeared that I was right about the Republicans. He seemed so sorrowful. He might never be a strong Democrat but he'll never be a strong Republican again.
Thank you, Denny Hastert. You were the straw that broke this poor camel's back.