A Few Thoughts on "Moderate" republican Senators!

[MarianJack]

At this exact monent, I can think of 4 of them, 2 of which represent me (oh, JOY!).

1 Lincoln Chafee. Appeared to have a backbone when he didn't fall into lockstep with the rest of the r's, but showed himself to be essentially a spineless person when he decided to stay a republican anyway.

2 Arlen Spectre. As a former Pennsylvanian, I've known that ole' arlen was a little weasel since his days as Philadelphia D.A. It certainly appears that to get his chairmanship, he was willing to cave to the fundies and the rovians and Mr.frist. I just wonder what the reaction would have been if he had said something like this to rove:

"I've won in PA 5 times, your boy has lost there twice. The next time I'm up for re-election, I'll be 80 and ** will be 2 years out of office, so you can cram your threats where the sun doesn't shine".

This would take a courage that spectre doesn't even dream of having, but it might have had an effect. It certainly would have given the rightie bullies a slap in the face.

Now, my 2 senators.

3 Susan Collins. She speaks a moderate line, but with her rather flexible backbone she falls right into step with most, if not all of the wishes of the halliburton administration. Buzz up here in Maine is that she's being pressured into challenging Gov. Baldacci in '06! Is it only me, or might her taking this step indicate a lack of spine on her part to stand up to the santorum ilk of her party? Her aide once told me that she is determined to bring her party back from the right fringe, but I don't think she has the fortitude to do it.

4 Olympia Snowe. She has recently stated that one of the reasons she will seek a 3rd term in '06 is her desire for the center to have more of a voice. I will almost certainly support her opponent, because she is a little too willing to support the moron-in chief. I can, at least, have some respect for her since, unlike the other 3, she seems a bit more willing to stick to her principles.

BTW, has anyone else noticed the passionate avoidance of any rethuglican senator to say that rummy should go NOW? It seems that taken as a whole, the rethuglican senators are a particularly spineless lot!

Anyway, these are a few of my thoughts (thoughts: R-A-N-T-S, thoughts). What's your $.02?

[bryant69]

1. It's a tricky question

Practically, I'd say we need to continue working with these guys--our senators are in the minority--we don't have the luxary of taking on these guys now. I'm also aware that there are moderate Democrats who match up to these guys pretty well. So while they aren't ideal senators, I think we have much bigger fish to fry

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[manhattanite]

2. Take them all down .

[flordehinojos]

4. is there anyone in the Senate, Republican or Democrat, other than Senator

Byrd who is willing to stand up to Bush and his Goon administration?

[MaineDem]

3. I've heard rumors that Susan or Olympia might challenge Baldacci

I've heard both mentioned in these rumors. Although Olympia has said she's seeking another term in Senate.

Susan has the best of both worlds...if she wins she names her replacement; if she loses she's still in the Senate. I'm hoping George names her to a cabinet post or something.

[MarianJack]

5. Hi, MaineDem!

If one of these seats became vacant, who would you like to see go for it?

I'd like to see Chellie Pingree again and I think that John Richardson has some potential also (but I suspect that he may have his eye on a future run for Gov.)

My wife has some ambitions, but we have about 8-10 years of work to do to be credible. Now we're working on a game plan!

[cyn2]

8. Another Mainer...

I agree with much of what has been said regarding the "centrists". I also am represented by Collins/Snowe, and used to live in PA and I also remember Specter as Phila. DA.

I prefer having Collins and Snowe to just about any other R Senators. I'd like to see Pingree run again.

Regarding Tom Allen (Rep-D-ME) I've written to him several times about the recount and I always get a long letter about how he supported the Fair Voting Act a couple of years ago. I guess he won't take the chance to stand up to our corrupt system now.

[MarianJack]

9. Where in PA?

We're originally from the Philly suburbs!

[salin]

6. Sen Lugar already backed off his criticism against Rummy

(as he always does in the end... voices criticism, but then falls in line like a good little soldier). He is against trying to replace Rummy at this point in time....

[MarianJack]

7. I Love How They Say...

...that it's **'s decision. As though he had ANYTHING to say in this administration.

Lugar is a ** enabler!

[AndyTiedye]

10. Moderate Repubs Are as Powerless as We Are

In the Senate, the rabid right wing will have 51 votes.
Even if ALL of the moderates defect, the far right still has control.

In the House, the situation is far worse.