Angus King (Maine) may flip to GOP in 2015

The Hill ^ | March 10, 2014 | Alexander Bolton

[Clintonfatigued]

Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with the Democrats, will decide after the midterm elections whether to switch sides and join the Republicans.

He is leaving open the possibility of aligning himself with the GOP if control of the upper chamber changes hands.

“I’ll make my decision at the time based on what I think is best for Maine,” King told The Hill Wednesday after voting with Republicans to block the Paycheck Fairness Act, a measure at the center for the 2014 Democratic campaign agenda.

[awelliott]

Wow. Real core principles there. I am underwhelmed.

Agreed. More fair-weather republicrats is exactly what this country needs. /s

[Intolerant in NJ]

What a standup guy - if the ‘pubs take power in 2014, he’ll go with ‘em - and I thought ‘rats were slimy opportunists......

[maine-iac7]

WE don’t want him - don’t need him.
Pond scum.

[antonico]

So..has he been caucusing with the Republicans or the Democrats up until now? If he’s been caucusing with Democrats, his switch to the GOP is only for one reason: feed info to the enemy camp.

[maine-iac7]

atrategy? to give the rats an extra vote stolen from the GOP side - a RAT shill

[Gritty]

“I’ll make my decision at the time based on what I think is best for Maine me,” King told The Hill...

There. I fixed it.

[Fido969]

Ugh. We don’t want him.

[conservaKate]

“I’ll make my decision at the time based on what I think is best for Maine me,” King told The Hill...

There. I fixed it.

___________________________________________________________

Exactly...this dude is only out for himself...nor core convictions at all... well other than me first.

Maine...Really? Can’t do better than this self-serving loser?

[uncitizen]

To quote Hillary: “What difference at this point does it make?”

[who_would_fardels_bear]

As they say in Los Angeles:

He'll treat the environment like a King!

[Mark17]

Is he related to Colonel Angus?

Is it dirty Angus Magee, or dirty Dingus Magee?

[Impy]

Ehhhhhhh, even Susie Collins looks conservative standing to next to that a-hole.

If we need him for 51, that’s one thing. If not, do you we want him taking up GOP committee spots?

Does he plan to keep switching back and forth to whatever side has the majority?

[Impy]

Meant to ping you too.

[latina4dubya]

There’s no doubt an element of opportunism in this, but if he pads our numbers, fine with me.

well... it is politics, after all...

[latina4dubya]

what do you think of this guy?

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

At least he’s honest about lust for power........

[sphinx]

He's not up for reelection this year, so the fact is, unfortunately, that his vote is there regardless of where he chooses to caucus. That being the case, if he wants to vote against Harry Reid, vote in favor of Republicans organizing the chamber, and count as another body in favor of shifting the committee ratios our way, I would happily accept his switch. He's there either way. Might as well get at least a little good out of him.

The real question is, what will the Maine GOP do when he is next up? Will he be primaried? (One would hope so, unless he turns into a reliable conservative vote.) And will the party committees support a more conservative challenger. (Again, one would hope so, unless ....)

These questions will presumably be discussed before any switch occurs. The conversation should go something like this:

"Angus, my friend, we're glad to have you aboard. Are you planning on running again? And if you are, and if you hope to have party support, here are the conditions: you WILL NOT bug out on any close procedural vote, now or in the future; you WILL vote with the leadership on ALL cloture motions; you WILL vote to repeal Obamacare, and [add your own piece of flesh]. IF you do these things, the party will consider treating you as an incumbent. But one inch out of line, and we'll do our best to dump you."

[ScottinVA]

Whatever weakens the dems is fine with me.

[Chickensoup]

He is a leftist opportunist. Much loved by the trust funder Prius set.

[Breto]

Last thing you want is another liberal in the republican ranks