I just hope she does (at least) move Independent and opts to caucus with the Dems. Yes, she should have before now, but...

in 2016 on the way to re-election.

Wait he "clarified." Never mind.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with debate between left, center and right. Where we get into dysfunction is when one of those groups decides not to do anything to move us forward at all unless they get their own way, which is what we have had in the Republicans since the Newt was Speaker of the House in the way-back-when.

Do you know, the guy (Newt) had a Tyrannosaurus Rex skill in his office? I asked about that when I was there in 1995, and his front-desk person said that he had that in there to remind everyone how 'government can gobble up everything.'

Seriously. And those people were proud of doing nothing. And look at what McConnell has done to this country these last couple years - refusing to even allow debate, let alone votes, on the hundreds of bills the House passed to help Americans.

Since the great victory in GA, we can now count on these bills actually being brought to the floor, debated on, and compromise happening. That is how our system is supposed to work. So, yeah, Murkowski would be quite welcome, as well as Bernie and other independents, provided only that they are willing to compromise on legislation in order to send something forward.

I am actually quite looking forward to seeing a new culture in the Senate. I've been quite impressed with Biden so far, and I'm thinking that he's the person who can go in and pull this thing together.

Not many can muster Collins-level brow-furrowing concern theater.

than Collins.FWIW.

integrity...unlike some of her counterparts.

The Republican party has been working hard for 4 years to be nothing more than the party of Trump!

Oh geez, we've hit an iceberg, maybe we shouldn't have taken the short expeditious way!

That is a second vote for conviction perhaps (gotta assume Romney would again). Need 15 more.

You don't have to become a Dem, just change to Independent, which will be fine with your constituents, and caucus with the Dems.

ReTHUGs are about to devour themselves.

Unfriend them.

The best revenge is to live a good life and be happy.

Especially since Manchin has already said he will not support significant parts of the Progressive agenda.

Maybe a few others might join her. Now would be the time!

Still would be very welcome in the party. Manchin included. We need the numbers

Read the OP

Again we need the numbers that's all I care about. Fight the other fight later

Maybe a couple more will follow.

Murkowski would certainly be centrist, but might actually vote a bit more progressive than Manchin.

(Meant this to reply to dsp3000)

All it took was an attempted coup, aided and abetted by a good number of card-carrying Republicans who were unwilling to discard/impeach Trump when given the opportunity yet were quite willing to sell their souls to this wanna-be tyrant.

It's now or never, Senator Murkowski.

but then I think Toomey is simply Santorum with red hair

and caucus with the democrats', talk is cheap

Little LATE TO THE PARTY there Lisa.

Maybe the Thug in Chief sending armed goons to violently overthrow the government, and maybe summarily execute the VP, VP-elect, and a few hundred Members of Congress they deemed disloyal, got you pass your expressions of concern, Senator.

You only belong in the POT (Party of Trump) if you truly have no shred of decency, integrity, or sanity left. Your move.

Why should we trust you now???

She voted against abolishing the Affordable Care Act along with Collins and McCain, without all three voting with us it would have been abolished. But she showed some real courage in voting against confirming Kavenaugh for the Supreme Court, because that vote stood out like a blue thumb to the majority of the Republican base even more so than protecting Obamacare, which some Republican voters by then were beginning to understand was actually in their direct interest. Collins voted to confirm Kavenaugh.

JUST DO IT!

Yep, it's going to be fun throwing this shit back in their face.

The question is do we welcome moderates into our party or not? I have no problem with it. The Democrats should be a big tent. We will grow the party and we will never have to deal with anyone the likes of Trump ever again.

Dems will have a 50-49 advantage.

Become an independent and caucus with the Democrats

Come on over.
We'll let you sit next to Joe Manchin.
You'll be powerful.
It'll be fun.

and I can see that happening. The repug party is dead. It's the Trump Party now, according to Trump himself so why stay?

It won't be any fun being a Republican for the next 2 years anyway.

She could cancel his red ass out.

Not now....back there, in 2010, when it really mattered. It still matters now, but the crisis is on its way out the door. An easy time to start backing the winner.

Several Repubs are very vulnerable in 2022. He can offer committee positions and convince a few to flip.

Thinks that she and collins and maybe another one or two might either go indi or even switch sides.

A) for the power and assignments

But

B) to try and convince the democratic majority that they dont need to end the fillibuster.

She voted to keep him in office, dont forget. This one may no longer want to be officially on the other side.. but she sure aint an agent of good

You've got a lotta nerve to say you are my friend
When I was down you just stood there grinnin'
You've got a lotta nerve to say you got a helping hand to lend
You just want to be on the side that's winnin'
You say I let you down, ya know its not like that
If you're so hurt, why then don't you show it?
You say you've lost your faith, but that's not where its at
You have no faith to lose, and ya know it
I know the reason, that you talked behind my back
I used to be among the crowd you're in with
Do you take me for such a fool, to think I'd make contact
With the one who tries to hide what he don't know to begin with?
You see me on the street, you always act surprised
You say "how are you?", "good luck", but ya don't mean it
When you know as well as me, you'd rather see me paralyzed
Why don't you just come out once and scream it
No, I do not feel that good when I see the heartbreaks you embrace
If I was a master thief perhaps I'd rob them
And tho I know you're dissatisfied with your position and your place
Don't you understand, its not my problem?
I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes
And just for that one moment I could be you
Yes, I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes
You'd know what a drag it is to see you

If she joined us then we might not need a Kamala that often to break a tie.

Come on in Girl!