General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA way to change the government almost instantly. 2 Republican senators change political parties.
The correct number is 2, not three. (I was thinking of the old numberThis would require incredible courage. It would be totally unexpected, but it would work to put a check on a political party the way the founders envisioned. In the 1780s political parties were unknown in the U.S.A. But the problem of an all too powerful branch of government was known. That is why there is a separation of
power in the Constitution.
If three Republican senators changed to become Democrats, then balance would return. We would not have to wait till next January, the change would happen almost immediately. I have read we are in a crisis. This change would calm the country down and return the checks and balances to our politics. Is this possible? Yes, but it is very unlikely. Nevertheless, stranger things have happened. Look who is the current President of the United States.
riversedge
(70,464 posts)Stuart G
(38,458 posts)Yes, some would be offended. But, most of the people in this country would be very grateful. It would restore balance to government, and at the same time calm things down. Then the election in November could be a vote on this change as well as what the future might be. Those in favor of the change could vote Democratic. Those who would be against this could vote Republican. The situation would be calmed and balance restored now. With the election a vote will be taken on the issue. But the change and calmness would be restored for a while.
brooklynite
(95,006 posts)Proud Liberal Dem
(24,460 posts)Who would we even want?
Tiggeroshii
(11,088 posts)mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)It's 51-49 now ... just one doesn't work because Pence. But two takes Pence out and hands control to Dems.
The only 3 I'd give it ANY chance to happen with are McCain (though I could also imagine him stepping down very soon), Flake, and Collins.
onecaliberal
(33,010 posts)exboyfil
(17,865 posts)I wonder what prompted his conversion. All hat no cattle.
exboyfil
(17,865 posts)I think McCain is out of the picture other than taking the Republicans down to 50 votes. What is Cochran's status.?
Stuart G
(38,458 posts)I was thinking of the old number. Not the new one.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Because I think that monkeys will fly out of my butt before that scenario comes to pass.
frazzled
(18,402 posts)when unicorns poop rainbows.
DavidDvorkin
(19,510 posts)If you don't have three specific senators in mind, then there's no point to this speculation.
It's not much different from saying that Pence could resign, Trump could appoint Hillary as V.P. and then resign himself. Yes, that would change everything, but there's no reason to expect it and many reasons why it looks impossible.
Stuart G
(38,458 posts)I go back a long way. There was a show in the 60s called "Star Trek." The members of the ship, had hand held phones that they talked to the ship on. These were called, "communicators." Now people walk around with a combo...."communicators and a built in extra.. a computer." Not some large computer, (Scottie used to talk to the computer) but a computer within the phone. And in the 60s and early 70s, that seemed, "impossible"
But I digress. If there are three Republicans who have a sense of loyalty and love of country, they know this needs to be done, and it doesn't matter which three it is. So, that can't happen.. correct?
So, in the 60s, there were civil rights marches, and speeches by leaders. "We shall overcome".. But certain groups were kept down. No representation and small representation in politics. I remember thinking, Maybe some day there will be a black president. "some day".......That has happened, and he was a democrat from a city I grew up in, and a senator from a state I currently live in.
Nothing is impossible in this upside down world. Sure, not likely. But those Republicans who care, know what needs to be done. And yes, there are some who care. I wouldn't be surprised by any kind of strange move by some people..Oh, I forgot. Right now, today..as of this moment, this country by all rights of decency and honesty, today, right now, should have a woman who is President of the United States of America. Do you agree?
DavidDvorkin
(19,510 posts)I go back a long way, too. I watched ST when it was new. At the time, I was working at NASA on the Apollo program. Everything seemed possible. Far less seems possible now.
Stuart G
(38,458 posts)Is that correct?..And the leader of the U.S. should be a woman. Is that correct?.
.So Far less seems possible now?..I don't think so. But that is my opinion. The current President of the United States is being accused of having secret dealings with one of this country's enemies. Is that correct? And there is some powerful evidence that indeed he did have such dealings. Are you saying that this is not happening?
exboyfil
(17,865 posts)One would probably be Majority leader. Another Chair of the Judiciary Committee. It would.require more than lip service objections. I don't think they are capable of it.
Stuart G
(38,458 posts)renate
(13,776 posts)It's happened before.
https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/senators_changed_parties.htm
And there may be three Republican senators who are patriotic enough to put country before party, and switch not for ideological reasons but to do exactly what you describe.
Orsino
(37,428 posts)...so it's not gonna happen.
Stuart G
(38,458 posts)Orsino
(37,428 posts)But three senatorial defections still seems unthinkable, not to mention undesirable. I can't come up with three I'd want to see nominally on our side.
Stuart G
(38,458 posts)JCanete
(5,272 posts)if they still supported (and were supported by) the corporate interests that sustain them how? How much would it really change? Would we get impeachment out of something like this? If Trump becomes that kind of an albatross we'll get impeachment from the republicans anyway.
Why would you assume that the D is like some magical Gryffindor robe?
trotsky
(49,533 posts)They can drop party affiliation and become Independents, and then choose to caucus with the Dems.
But as you say, that would require courage, and the individuals one might have hope for (Collins, Flake, McCain) have already shown that while they are willing to give a principled speech here and there, they will still vote for the Trump agenda.
Stuart G
(38,458 posts)Just 2 become Independents and choose to caucus with the Democrats, the political landscape will change. Because the check and balance system will be restored. Mc Connell will no longer have the incredible power that he currently has. It will be a new game in town. But I don't know if 2 of them have the courage to do what is necessary, or even care about this country that much.
It seems that most of the Republicans only care about 2 things, money and power.
Squinch
(51,090 posts)the respondents.
Who do you think are the three most vulnerable R senators in states that the Republican president has turned more blue than they used to be?
Hekate
(91,039 posts)eleny
(46,166 posts)I'd love to wake up to that good news. Can you imagine! I think it would have me running around the house screaming and crying tears of joy. It would put the brakes on Trumps whole shebang - meaning the 1%ers plan.
It's nice to dream. But if Nicole Wallace and Steve Schmidt, tv personality pundits, don't even change their affiliation then I don't expect any Senator to do it.