Jim Jeffords, Arlen Spector, Charlie Crist

Each was a long-time Republican who late in their careers switched to the Democratic Party. Each was welcomed by the Democratic leadership. Spector and Crist ran for major political office with DNC support as Democrats (and lost). Spector, even with strong support from the state and national parties and PBO, lost the 2010 primary to Joe Sestak. The party's enthusiasm for Spector was not transferred to Sestak, and that's how we ended up with Senator Pat Toomey.

Bernie, a long time independent, who caucused with the Democrats and voted an overwhelming majority of the time with Democrats, makes a late career switch to the Democratic Party and is met with hostility and resistance.

Harry Reid shuts down the Senate for a day so Democratic senators could attend a fundraiser for Spector in Philadelphia.

Bill Clinton calls Bernie not a real Democrat and DWS stacks the deck.

I think I see a pattern here.