The Defiant Ones

Republicans to Watch

Democrats would do well to take note that not all of the Republicans are in lock-step with George Bush. There are a number of Republicans that might be important allies for the Dems if any of Bush's agenda is to be stopped.

A few to keep tabs on: Sens. Snowe and Collins from Maine. Sen. McCain from Arizona. Sen. Chafee from Rhode Island (who, by all his stances on the issues, should be a Democrat). Maybe Sens. DeWine and Voinovich from Ohio. Or Sen. Specter of Pennsylania.

Dana Milbank of the Washington Post notes that several of these Senators demonstrated lukewarm response to many aspects of Bush's SOTU speech this week, standing out (or remaining seated, as the case was) from the the majority of the Bush cheerleading squad.

Even conservative Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was quietly defiant in the face of a leader who puts a premium on absolute loyalty.

Democrats and Independents might also watch for those Republicans considering a run for The White House in 2008 (Sen. Hagel of Nebraska for one). They may be quickly distancing themselves from Bush as the second term begins to falter and "Bush Fatigue" sets in across America.