King is in! Angus King (I-ME) to run for Snowe's seat.

[redcommander]

It would be pretty cool if we consistently had at least 2 independents in the Senate for 12 years (and at least one for 18).

I have often wondered why those two independents don't just start their own caucus. Do the Senate rules contain a provision explicitly stating that you must have x number of members before you found a new caucus?

Because one is a centrist and the other is the most far left guy in the Senate.

Well, yeah, but wouldn't it make a statement about "bipartisanship" and "independent thinking" and all that?

Bernie Sanders isn't an independent because he beleives in bipartisanship. He is an indy because he thinks the Dem are GOP lite. Lieberman is an indy because he was GOP lite and the base got tired of that. Plus they would probably disagree on foreign policy, quite a lot.

^^^^^^^^^^^
This. Plus he realizes it would be catastrophic for the Dems if were representing Vermont as an official member of the Progressive Party. It's more a political statement on Sanders's part for him to be an independent, than trying to harm the Democrats' political image like Lieberman has.

[Vasall des Midas]

I don't think forming a caucus would do you any good in power terms or win you any committee assignments unless you were the official minority.

[OC]

Yep King should win this and it will turn the Senate on its head if he is the tie-breaking vote.

[Keystone Phil]

King is announcing tonight that he will run for the seat. Wow.

[redcommander]

Leans Democratic to Toss Up.

[Devils30]

King's donated to Obama's re-election campaign.
http://www.pressherald.com/news/King-has-made-up-his-mind-Pingree-hasnt.html

Something makes me doubt that he's really going to caucus with the GOP. That said, I'd support him over Baldacci or Pingree.

[asexual trans victimologist]

Though it's lost some of its former glory in recent years, I support Angus King's moustache joining Jon Hoeven's in the United States Senate.

[Svensson]

Endorsed with all the endorsement power in my being, because I have no doubt both state parties' candidates will objectively blow. I look forward to having a second actually-independent Independent in the Senate.

[JulioMadrid]

I'm a democrat for King It'll be a democrat vs. King. And King will win with the support of about 1/3 of republicans, 2/3 of independents and about 15-20% of democrats, IMHO.

[Ray Goldfield]

Safe Independent.

I doubt the GOP's candidate will be strong enough to win a three-way race like LePage did.

[Jayhawker]

If King says he'll caucus with the Democrats, Republicans shouldn't forget about this race - nominating someone who could keep the far right while also being able to get at least a portion of moderates could make this a close, three-way race.

[redcommander]

Safe Independent.

I doubt the GOP's candidate will be strong enough to win a three-way race like LePage did.

The man hasn't won an election since 1998. It's anything but safe.

[Joe Republic]

The man hasn't won an election since 1998. It's anything but safe.

And yet, fourteen years after winning that election, his favorability rating currently stands at 62%.

[smoltchanov]

Excellent. My most favorite candidate in the state (we have similar views and both are Indies to boot...)

[Svensson]

The man hasn't won an election since 1998. It's anything but safe.

And yet, fourteen years after winning that election, his favorability rating currently stands at 62%.

And that's not even counting for the fact that the entirety of his old voter base from the 90s will almost certainly still remember and support him.

[Tender Branson]

PPP says that King has a 62% favorability.

He also gets 1/3 of Dems in their poll, 1/4 of Reublicans and more than 50% of Independents.

If we use PPP's previous samples of 40D, 35R and 25I, King currently has about 35-37% support in the Senate election. Because about 15% will be undecided, it's fair to say that King is currently ahead in the race by anywhere between 5% and 10%.

[Keystone Phil]

King leads in a three way matchup.

King (I) - 36%
Pingree (D) - 31%
Summers (R) - 28%

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/03/06/politics/poll-shows-king-would-win-three-way-race/

[Landslide Lyndon]

Patty Murray doesn't rule out backing King.

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/214425-top-senate-dem-doesnt-rule-out-backing-independent-ex-gov-in-maine

[Svensson]

Patty Murray doesn't rule out backing King.

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/214425-top-senate-dem-doesnt-rule-out-backing-independent-ex-gov-in-maine

Ha, cut losses and run. She's turning out far more competent as DSCC chair than Menendez was, I'll give her that.

[redcommander]

Patty Murray doesn't rule out backing King.

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/214425-top-senate-dem-doesnt-rule-out-backing-independent-ex-gov-in-maine

Just what Democrats need. Another Lierberman.

[HST1948]

Patty Murray doesn't rule out backing King.

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/214425-top-senate-dem-doesnt-rule-out-backing-independent-ex-gov-in-maine

Ha, cut losses and run. She's turning out far more competent as DSCC chair than Menendez was, I'll give her that.

Smart move, its better to have a Lieberman than a LePage like character in the Senate as a result of the left vote being split.

[Landslide Lyndon]

Hmmm...

Actually King made a number of small gaffes today that suggest he might be a little rusty, 14 years after his last election.

[JulioMadrid]

Pingree not running. SAFE King??

[Svensson]

Pingree not running. SAFE King??

Given Baldacci is the Maine Dems' only other big name option and he's likely still not very popular with voters, pretty much what you said.

[CathKhan]

Looks like there'll be something good to watch on election night after all.