Already in conflict with his party’s leaders, Sen. Jim Bunning has reportedly said privately that if he is hindered in raising money for his re-election campaign he is ready with a response that would be politically devastating for Senate Republicans: his resignation.with the senate this close to the magic number 60 (especially if franken ever gets seated), it occurs to me that senator bunning isn't the only one who can make these kind of threats. the following are republican senators from states with governors that are democrats:
The Kentucky Republican suggested that possible scenario at a campaign fundraiser for him on Capitol Hill earlier this week, according to three sources who asked not to be identified because of the politically sensitive nature of Bunning’s remarks.
The implication, they said, was that Bunning would allow Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, a Democrat, to appoint his replacement — a move that could give Democrats the 60 votes they need to block Republican filibusters in the Senate.
"I would get the last laugh. Don’t forget Kentucky has a Democrat governor," one of the sources quoted Bunning as saying.
lamar alexander (TN)(i made this list on my own. let me know if i missed anyone)
john barrasso (WY)
chris bond (MO)
sam brownback (KS)
jim bunning (KY)
richard burr (NC)
tom codburn (OK)
susan collins (ME)
bob corker (TN)
michael enzi (WY)
chuck grassley (IA)
judd gregg (NH)
james inhofe (OK)
mitch mcconnell (KY)
pat roberts (KS)
olympia snow (ME)
arlen specter (PA)
george voinovich (OH)
that's 18 senators, almost 1/2 of the republican caucus. some of them, like pat roberts or mitch mcconnell, are such creatures of their party, i can't imagine them making such a threat. but there are still a lot of people who are in a position to extract serious concessions from the GOP if it wants to hold all its republican seats. and what if different senators start demanding different mutually-exclusive concessions?
that would be fun to watch, which means that it probably won't happen. but the potential is there. all it takes is a couple more senators who really want something.
