If the Republicans get within one or two in the Senate

[DefenseLawyer]

will Lieberman and Nelson finally switch parties?

[KharmaTrain]

1. Nah...They Play Both Ends Against The Middle

That's been Nelson's game all along. He plays swing vote and gets tons of pork from whomever is in charge. He also gives the GOTB that "bipartisan" talking point. Lieberman is irrelevant...the top dogs in the party won't give up seniority to him or he would have already switch.

As long as the Democrats hold 50 seats they retain control and the agenda. With the rushpublicans wanting 60 votes on anything, what's the difference between 51 or 52 and 58?? Maybe we'll weed out the weak links (Lincoln) and come away a stronger, more united party.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. Doubtful

Though I don't know much about Nelson. Having former Democrats-turned-Republicans is probably not going to sit well with the "teabaggers" (nor voters) come re-election time, especially in former Democratic Presidential Nominee Lieberman's case.

[zbdent]

3. why would Lieberman formalize the Repuke title?

He makes so much more now as the "independent", gets much more exposure on Faux than if he would put the (R) after his name.

Right now, he can get plenty of bribes for his vote ... once he would switch, what would his value be? "Oh, he's a Republican." He gets much more exposure as the "Democrat that speaks his mind."/bucks the trend.

[DefenseLawyer]

4. Well if the two of them could put the R's in the majority

they would have quite a bit of leverage. It's not ever about votes, it's about chairs.

[USArmyParatrooper]

5. Interesting question

Megan McCain said she cried when her father pick Palin as a running mate because she fully expected Lieberman. In other words he was ready and willing to run on the Republican ticket after previously running with Al Gore.

Lieberman is a political opportunist through and through and without a doubt the Republicans will offer him the sun and the moon to go to the dark side. He's already demonstrated he's willing to do just that - personal ambition before country.

[Johonny]

6. no

republicans don't want to get blamed for the trouble to come. They like having a majority while being in the minority in the senate. They can still block all key votes and have Dems get blamed for all the problems in the country. I think it will be key to them running in 2012.

[depakid]

7. It's to their advantage to keep supporting Republican policies

and waiting for Obama or Reid to come grovelling to them.

A. They personally get more out of it; and

B. They can do far more damage to the Democrats where they are.