Political Turncoats

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Ezra Klein on today’s big political news:

If any other vulnerable Democrats were thinking of following Rep. Parker Griffith’s example and switching over to the Republican side, they’ll probably think again after Griffith’s reception today. Both Red State and the Club for Growth have greeted him with thinly-veiled threats. “We can pick this guy off and get a real Republican in that seat,” says Red State’s Erick Erickson. “This party switch signals Griffith’s nervousness, but it doesn’t signal that his incumbency is safe,” concurs the Club for Growth.

If Democrats have a silver lining going into 2010, it’s that Republicans seem to have forgotten how to let themselves win.

Actually, that seems pretty similar to Arlen Specter’s reception from liberal activists when he switched parties. And why not? Just as Dems feel pretty sure they can win the Pennsylvania Senate seat next year regardless of who they nominate, Republicans probably feel the same way about the Alabama 5th. So why not go for the most conservative candidate possible?