Prediction - in about a year a few more repub switch to dem

*as in party affiliation* - but in two years the phenom will start picking up steam. Why? Those in power (state level political machines) in the GOP have made so many promises to the far-right - WHILE the public has started really seeing/recognizing the far-right, and not liking it much, so that moderate republicans either have to keep following the far-right policy proposals at the state and fed level or risk being attacked by their party - OR risk general election pay-back by an electorate starting to fear/loathe the policies of the far-right.

We have already seen a few local level defections. I think over the next year we will see a few more (mod repubs leaving republican land), but after the 2006 elections - unless the far right suddenly loses its grip over local/state parties - I think there will be a plethora of such defections and some will start being more and more high profile.

Then again, my opinion could be all wet.

They'll jump back to the side that's winning. Once we regain power, my suggestion is we find real Dems to defeat the people who jump ship every time there's a wave.

My mother works in a DMV office, which also handles "motor-voter" registration. She's been seeing it, and hearing it in voters' rants, since right after the 2002 mid-term elections. The Philadelphia suburbs used to be solidly Republican; but many Republicans lost yesterday's election. The Republican-to-Democrat ratio has dwindled to give the PA GOP a slim, and decreasing, edge. And of course, in the Presidential elections, we've gone solidly Democratic since 1992.

The tide is turning. It has been turning for at least two years. The Republican Party is going to have to reform itself (by throwing out the Straussians/neo-Cons at least) or face political oblivion.

--p!

When it went the other way it was usually southern dems (e.g., Shelby).

I wonder if some southern repugs will now switch?

Like any of these guys have real beliefs.