Utah Senate: Special Election?

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

In any case, I don't think appointing a Republican would be a smart move for Rell and CT Republicans. Not only would it ensure a Dem pick-up of the CT governor seat at the first opportunity, it might also destroy Shays in 2008, and would have nasty conseqences for even the most popular of Vermont and RI governors: a realization, that a Rep governor means a Rep senator might make it impossible for anyone with (R) after his/her name to be elected to any governorship in New England.  Even if she has a chance, I'd expect Rell to appoint a nominal independent. More likely, I'd expect her to simply sign whichever the Senatorial vacancy bill the legislature passes (whether it would require immediate election, or legislative confirmation or same party appointment, or whatever).

You've got to be kidding -- that's ridiculous.  Connecticut isn't going to revolt over a moderate like Rob Simmons being made Senator.  And they're not going to boot Chris Shays because someone appoints someone else to some other office.  Whatever.

Rhode Island didn't revolt over Linc Chafee being appointed to the US Senate.  And then Don Carcieri won election as Governor as an upset.

Despite what you think, New England doesn't instinctively hate Republicans unless they have a good reason to.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

or he could be really clever and ask joe lieberman.  rell would pick his replacement. 

That would so make my day.

I'd probably like whoever Rell picks more than Lieberman. She's a good example of a likeable Republican, and he's a good example of a despicable Democrat.

rob simmons would probably be the replacement.

i guess you all would like majority leader mcconnell too.

Too bad there is no clause in the 110 Congress' organizing resolution allowing for the Senate to be reorganized in case a of a party switch.

In other words, if Lieberman switched or he was replaced by a republican, Harry Reid would remain Majority Leader for the remainder of the 110th Congress (at least) .

I doubt it. The Republicans would try to force through a new organizing resolution, and if the Democrats filibustered it, I would hope that the Republicans would have the sense to "shut down" the Senate. Trying to rule from the minority isn't good politics, and I don't think the American people would stand for it.

The American people wanted a Democratic Senate and voted for one. They don't want to lose it over some political manipulations rather than elections.

The American people wanted a split senate in 2000 and voted for one.  They didn't want to lose it over some political manipulations, but that's exactly what happened.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

or he could be really clever and ask joe lieberman.  rell would pick his replacement. 

That would so make my day.

I'd probably like whoever Rell picks more than Lieberman. She's a good example of a likeable Republican, and he's a good example of a despicable Democrat.

rob simmons would probably be the replacement.

i guess you all would like majority leader mcconnell too.

Too bad there is no clause in the 110 Congress' organizing resolution allowing for the Senate to be reorganized in case a of a party switch.

In other words, if Lieberman switched or he was replaced by a republican, Harry Reid would remain Majority Leader for the remainder of the 110th Congress (at least) .

I doubt it. The Republicans would try to force through a new organizing resolution, and if the Democrats filibustered it, I would hope that the Republicans would have the sense to "shut down" the Senate. Trying to rule from the minority isn't good politics, and I don't think the American people would stand for it.

The American people wanted a Democratic Senate and voted for one. They don't want to lose it over some political manipulations rather than elections.

The American people wanted a split senate in 2000 and voted for one.  They didn't want to lose it over some political manipulations, but that's exactly what happened.

The Democrats made massive gains though, and if every seat was up would've probably taken it. And do you really think most people in Vermont wanted a Republican Senate? The fact is, Zeus' argument is stupid, the people don't want the Republicans back in power, period.

Thank you for illustrating a key point: people vote for individual US Senators, not for party control.  I doubt people in Virginia wanted a Democratic Senate as much as they wanted to get rid of Allen.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

I thought we had already established the fact that a Rell appointee wouldn't swing control of the Senate regardless, since the Senate cannot be reorganized until 2009.