I hope the Tea Party pushes out Collins and Snowe in 2012 and 2014

[Juche]

Assuming the party still exists. Those will be easy democratic pickups.

At the very least, if Snowe is primaried out in Maine that is an easy pickup in 2012.

[hlthe2b]

1. If they were smart, they'd give up the pretense...

and seek to switch parties. I know, I know-- another set of DINOS, but....

[Cant trust em]

10. Better a DINO than a republican.

I wonder if there's ever been a study on these people who switch parties to see how often they vote with their new party.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

12. I think they would become independents maybe instead... n/t

[DeSwiss]

14. Funny you should mention that.....

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/snowe-popular-among-maine-democrats-not-republicans.php">Snowe Popular Among Maine Democrats, Not Republicans

TalkingPointsMemo | Brian Beutler | September 10, 2010, 2:17PM

Nearly a year after she bucked Democrats on health care reform, Maine Republican Olympia Snowe is extremely popular in her home state... among Democrats.

According to new Public Policy Polling data, Snowe's high 50-40 approval ratings are due mostly to the fact that Democrats love her. Republicans, meanwhile, think she's basically just a Democrat. By a 50-37 margin, GOP voters say she'd be a better fit in the Democratic party. More than half of Republicans -- 51 percent -- disapprove of her while 40 percent give her high marks.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/snowe-popular-among-maine-democrats-not-republicans.php

- So the numbers say she's got a better chance to keep her seat as a Dem.....

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

15. If she ever did lose a primary to a tea bagger

which I highly doubt would happen, I think she would enter the race as an Independent and win her seat back that way.

[mth44sc]

2. Me

I hope the tea party is a thing of the past by then. It ain't really real anyway

[pnwmom]

3. Nothing will be an easy Dem pick-up. Especially in Maine. n/t

[annabanana]

6. Maine: Where "rock-ribbed Republicans" came from.

The policies may be funggible.. but the name isn't

[RB TexLa]

4. That's why we have to work to get as many teabaggers on the ballots as we can

[madrchsod]

5. the tea party will dissolve as soon as...

the koch bothers realize it was bad investment. in 2012 they`ll dump millions into the republican party to make sure they take the whitehouse,senate ,and house.

[northernlights]

7. if the 2 baggers in the lobstah festival parade were any indication

I wouldn't get my hopes up. I can't stand the evil twin sisters, but I think they're heeyah to stay. They'll probably live to 95 and stay in office even longer. :(

[NWHarkness]

8. Remember this name: Carol Weston

Lunatic state senator who is positioning herself to be the tea bag challenger to Snowe in 2012.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

11. Who the frig is Carol Weston?

She's going to lose anyhow.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

9. I don't think that's going to happen.

I think they have their seats as long as they want them... especially Snowe. I can't imagine anyone ever beating her in a primary. I think she has never lost an election ever... and she keeps winning because she's smart, well spoken, and does what she says she is going to do. I couldn't imagine her ever kissing up to those damn tea partiers either. That would be an interesting election to see some random tea party goober try to run against Olympia Snowe. That would be comical.

Collins would be more likely to give into the tea party movement, but I still don't think she'll do that. I think she'll do whatever Snowe does.

[kentuck]

13. I wish they would run someone against Lieberman....

Now that would be an interesting race.

[Davis_X_Machina]

16. Democrats...

..especially women, who've provided Snowe with the margin of victory for her in general elections for years, would cross over if asked, to keep her on the ballot, if teahadis make it necessary.

We have same day registration, and unenrolled (i.e. independent) voters can change party affiliation at the polling place on primary election day. Enrolled voters have to make the change at least two weeks before a primary.

Hell, I've worked on Democratic town committees with people who admit, if pressed (and plied with liquor) to having voted for Snowe. She is that popular with Democrats and Independents.

Snowe's seat is the safest seat in the Senate, if she can get on the ballot. If she asks, Mainers will put her on it, teabaggers or no.

Collins less so, but then Collins goes in whatever direction her staff and the polls points her.