Senator Snowe on Mike Castle's loss and the Republican Party

[ProSense]

CNN

4:50 p.m. - Few Republican lawmakers were as stung by Rep. Mike Castle's surprising loss to his conservative GOP opponent as Maine Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe.

<...>

"It doesn't stand to reason that the Republican Party would want to exclude moderate Republicans if they want to be a majority party. Those are mutually exclusive propositions," Snowe said.

At times, as the Maine Republican talked about this issue, she became exasperated.

"Ideological purity at 100 percent is a utopian world and I don't know who lives in utopia. I've never lived in utopia," said Snowe.

I asked about the argument her GOP colleague Sen. Jim DeMint made to me a day earlier in his office, that Americans no longer want what he called "mushy" lawmakers in the middle.

"What works in South Carolina and Delaware may not work in Maine. We all have different views. We're independent," Snowe responded, "I can't go back to the people of my state and say, excuse me, I have to be one hundred percent ideologically pure because someone has dictated that from another state. It just wouldn't wash," she said.

<...>

Sounds like Snowe is worried about re-election in 2012.

[Mass]

1. But she knows it is true, as shown by her vote against the small business bill.

A few years ago, it would have been a no brainer for her who is an advocate for small businesses.

[ProSense]

7. Exactly.

When Kerry was Chairman of the Small Business Committee, she rarely voted against bills like this one.

[Cha]

20. She's an idiot..an a hypocrite then. nt

[roguevalley]

32. she's such a two faced a-hole. I hope they clip her too.

[saltpoint]

2. Recommended. Snowe is well-liked by a lot of

people for the very reasons she's likely threatening to hyper-conservatives and nutbags.

She makes a really good strategic point on Republicans who on one hand strive for majority-party status and on the other umbrella nitwits like O'Donnell and Bachmann and Palin.

[lapfog_1]

3. Who is going to be the new Democratic Senator in Maine?

because she is going to get Tea Party primaried.

[totodeinhere]

22. It's too early to come to any conclusions yet.

She hasn't even said if she will run for reelection or not. And remember it's New England. The tea party candidate lost in the GOP primary in New Hampshire just this last Tuesday. So don't write Snowe off yet.

[woodsprite]

4. Then the repubs need the grown-ups in their party to take it over.

Yeah, I know. What grown-ups?

[WI_DEM]

5. PPP has a poll that shows 63% of Maine Repubs want to replace her in '12

but that overall she remains popular in the state. If we come out of this election with a small majority in the senate she may want to jump ship to the Dems or at least become a indie like Sanders and caucus with Dems. The only way I think she can be renominated in ME in '12 might be as a dem or running as an indie. The Tea party WILL target her.

[Imajika]

8. Well, that is what the Tea Baggers want...

When these Republicans who get beat in their primaries switch to Dem or Indie, it is just proving their point - that the people they are targeting are not actually conservatives at all.

Insane as they are, the Tea Party is doing precisely what so many people on DU call for us to do against our DINO's and conservadems. How many people here have wanted to drive the likes of Ben Nelson out of office via primary? The far right is just actually doing what many here wish we could do to our "moderates".

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. We've got a warm seat for you over here, Olympia.

Come on over. We'll make you some cocoa.

[FBaggins]

10. Wouldn't that be something?

Especially if it happened in the next couple weeks.

It could entirely change the narative of the election.

[totodeinhere]

33. That strategy didn't work so well for Specter though. n/t

[Bluenorthwest]

9. Snowe is so very lost in the woods...

She is a Republican, and suddenly that is uncomfortable for her. But she is what she is and she is TeaOP all the way.

[TreasonousBastard]

11. "Ideological purity" Where have I heard that before?

[Cognitive_Resonance]

12. I think her only reasonable option is to switch parties, otherwise she's likely to be purged. nt

[Nite Owl]

13. Let her get purged

we don't need another Leiberman or Nelson who will further water down progressive legislation. There are real dems in Maine to run against her.

[mitchum]

18. +1 (she is a despicable opportunist)

[Aramchek]

14. she knows she'll have a Teabagger to contend with

[southernyankeebelle]

15. Am willing to bet she'll become Ind or a Dem but she'll have to make the decision soon.

[mitchum]

16. But why does Olympia Forked-Tongue campaign for teabaggers?

[theothersnippywshrub]

17. It is only going to get worse for Republicans like her. n/t

[Cognitive_Resonance]

19. Bailing early from the party would be more damning to the GOP than the Crist or Castle exits

It would reinforce the message that the Republicans are too extreme. Safer outcome than risking another Tea Bagger ambush.

[totodeinhere]

24. Did Castle quit the GOP? I hadn't heard that I can't seem to Google it either. n/t

[Cognitive_Resonance]

29. Didn't mean to imply Castle bailed, but the defeat effectively ends his career. Crist was facing

certain defeat in his primary. Same scenario for Specter. Snowe has time to choreograph a more graceful transition to either Independent or Democrat. It would probably work. Otherwise, she's likely toast in the 2012 primary.

[totodeinhere]

30. Maine Republicans are more liberal. She might prevail in the primary.

But IMO she has been in the Senate long enough anyway. It's time for new blood.

[littlewolf]

21. she is worried about 2012

and she saw how well switching parties worked out for Spector ....

[totodeinhere]

23. Don't write her off yet.

In New Hampshire just this last Tuesday, the tea party candidate lost in the GOP primary. Among New England Republicans, the tea party might not be so popular as it is elsewhere and Snow might very well prevail even if she does get primaried.

[Yavin4]

25. Fuck Olympia Snowe!

She votes in lock step with her Republican leadership, and then claims to be a fucking moderate! Fuck you! Independent my ass!

I hope the Tea Party throws her sorry ass out.

[sadbear]

26. Maine Democrats need a viable candidate for '12

I'd say they've got a pretty good shot no matter who the republicans nominate.

[golfguru]

27. Snowe will be primaried by another Teabagger and booted //

[PlanetBev]

28. Olympia, what is it you're not seeing here?

There are no Republican moderates. They have ceased to exist. They sleep with the Pterodactyls.

Your political party is gone.

[tanyev]

31. Time to wake up, Ms. Snowe. You'll probably be next.

[high density]

34. The Maine teabaggers already got one of their own on the ballot for GOP governor this year

And he's got a good chance of winning it seems.

[Arkana]

35. Snowe will win reelection without the NRSC--Mainers don't like being told

how to vote and they won't take kindly to teabaggers.

[Change Happens]

36. You know she is going down FAST, she will have to decide ovet the next 18 months

or so, which side she is on. She can either pull a McCain and sell her soul, or become a Democrat. Either way, the Teabaggers wan to take her down...