The name, Chafee, is powerful in Rhode Island. And becoming a democrat can only help him in a blue state like RI. In fact, I think it would help him a lot more when it comes to re-election. He might just lose to Patrick Kennedy in a general election. But I don't think he'd lose to him in a Democratic primary.

Snowe and Collins are different matters, but Maine is kind of a maverick state--they elected an independent as governor a few years back--and I think Mainers tend to vote the person more than the party. I also don't see Maine Repubs as, generally, cultural conservatives. They tend to be more like NH Repubs--almost libertarians who vote more about taxes. I think if Snowe and/or Collins framed a switch of parties as "We disagree with the national Republican party invading your bedrooms" that would do them just fine for future elections in Maine.