Switching Allegiances

Some folk think that Senator Jim Webb of Virginia may be considering a change of party. He faces a tough reelection campaign in 2012 in a state which may be swinging back to the GOP. There is also the prospect that a strong GOP challenge to him from George Allen or other strong Republican candidate would end his Senate career, the thought being that if he joined the GOP he could mute that threat.

Newly elected Joe Manchin from nearby West Virginia is said to be considering a similar move. He distanced himself from President Barack Obama and the Democratic party in the recent election to win his heavily conservative state. His supporters insist it won't happen, yet who isn't left to wonder considering his successful campaign tactics?

Switching parties is an idea fraught with danger. Simply say 'Arlen Specter' in a room full of politicos and you would no doubt see many knowing nods with pursed lips. Yet there is something to be said for it. Surely we would have a better idea of the exact makeup of our governing bodies, as a switch by those two alone would shift the Senate from 53-47 to 51-49, a difference which may become titanic in 2012 when we see what is, this minute, 23 Democratic Senators up for re-election while only 9 Republicans face the voters. In what might be another rout, simply having the Democratic party associated with their names may ordain them for the dust pile as happened to several Blue Dogs a couple of weeks ago.

Further, if Webb and Manchin are all that conservative, it seems only right (sorry about the pun) that they man up and join the ranks of the GOP. It is important, if perhaps only symbolically, that representatives align themselves properly.

The Senate may have a working Republican majority anyway, given the philosophical bent of a handful of Democrats in the chamber. If you risk being ostracized by your own people, then you may as well join the other side and get what perks you can from the move and build what seniority you may within it. But the important thing is this: merely the fact the talk of switching parties is on the table is another sign that the Obama Presidency is weak, built itself upon a shallow base which has no real intent on maintaining any long term political action. When your leader is all flash and dazzle, it is no surprise when the followers stay home after the lights go out.