Everyone is familar with "party switching" -- but what the Dems have experienced in the past are defections FROM the Democratic party to the Republican party after big Republican wins. Is it unreasonable to predict that a similar party defection will happen now that the Democrats have blown out the Republicans in yesterdays election?
Let's look at two "maverick" Republicans who represent blue states now: Republicans Olympia Snowe of Maine and Gordon Smith of Oregon. Snowe just won a landslide victory yesterday in Maine, but will she be able to stomach being in the minority party when the Senate convenes in January? Also, Gordon Smith, a popular maverick G.O.P. Senator here in Oregon will, however, face a tough reelection battle in 2008, maybe facing, again, Oregon's popular Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, or, worse (for him), former popular Gov. Kitzhaber. One way he can easilty dispense with that tough election in two years would be to switch over to the Democrats. This will also afford him to remain in the majority, and, presumably, keep his committee chairmanship.
Call me crazy, or whatever you want, but I'm putting this out there for discussion and would enjoy reading your critiques.
UPDATE #1: OK, OK -- I'll call myself crazy! Also, I just want to be clear: I'm no Smith fan! "Maverick" is a term used by the MSM here, and I should have clarified that above. See the comment from karichisholm below on why Smith is "no maverick".