how many other times in history has death changed majority in senate or house?

[yurbud]

With the Senate, the only other time I can think of was Paul Wellstone just a few years back. what a coincidence that we are on the edge of that again.

[NotGivingUp]

1. too much of a coincidence

[Tellurian]

6. The old saying: "There are no Coincidences in Life."

rings True.

I guess, sophisticated methods of termination have replaced outright unprovable irony, accomplishing the same goal, elimination of a problem.

Just ask yourself a Republican question.

How do we fix this? How can we change the balance of the Senate without an outright assassination?

It works for me.

[China_cat]

2. Three weeks ago I asked if we weren't celebrating

prematurely...that the time until the January swearing in of the congress members left plenty of time for something to happen to one or more of them and added that I wondered how many would die before then.

At the time I added that it was strictly tin foil hat thinking. I'm no longer sure about that.

[annabanana]

3. what "other"

I mean, other besides the one that people are going mad speculating about?

[yurbud]

4. and of course the senate serves as jury for impeachment...

[yurbud]

7. SENATE WEBPAGE, changes in majority besides election pre-2000: 0

One thing that makes it look less suspicious--a lot of senators die in office, requiring appointments.

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/senators_appointed.htm

The Senate helpfully not only lists their majorities for each congress, but all lists any mid-session changes in party ratios:

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/history/one_item_and_teasers/partydiv.htm

[Tellurian]

10. Well, wasn't this the goal?

I didn't check, but, did the previous deaths in office change which party maintained control?

[yurbud]

12. just Wellstone

[Tellurian]

13. Is that a guess? Or have you done

the real research and are stating a fact?

[yurbud]

14. uh...look up the thread a couple of posts to SENATE WEBPAGE

I wrote that post pretty much as I found the information. Whenever the majority changed for extraordinary reasons, they put in a big note on it, and there were maybe a dozen times when one death or defection would have made the difference.

[Tellurian]

15. Then this method of claiming power is nothing new..

I watched the movie, ELIZABETH, starring, Kate Blanchett.
Although, I liked her in the movie, when she needed the
votes to do her will, one of her consorts (in the movie,
unbeknown to her) locked one of the Parliamentary members
in the basement, one that would have surely rallied his
cause against her.

Next, would be an investigation. Which were legitimate or not.
However, if the investigations were't conducted at the outset, it
is doubtful, we would ever know for certain.

Thanks for the info.

[yurbud]

16. A dozen where it could have made the difference, 2-3 where it actually did, all after 2000

[Tellurian]

8. more importantly, the Senate are the body able to CONVICT!

the subjective nuances point to Republicans attempting to back their play because they absolutely,
positively, fear Impeachment and conviction of both of the rogues they've consorted with, to plunge
this country into chaos and catastrophe.

[sallyseven]

5. Jeffords changed from repuke to independent.

Changed the power from 49/51 to 50/50. Remember the world did not come to an end. bush is toast so the repukes will have to find their way. There are enough to try to do the right thing. Some are up again in 2008. cheney was not called on to break very many ties.

I had foot surgery about 1 year ago. My sister in law rushed to the hospital because when she called they said I was in critical condition. I wasn't but that is what they put out after surgery. Routine...

[yurbud]

11. Jeffords changed balance without anyone dying

[yurbud]

9. HOUSE WEBPAGE: party division rarely has spread under 10 seats

so the dead body method of changing balance would be too obvious.