Former Rep. Mickey Edwards (R-OK), writing for The Atlantic:
"Here's the thing. One campaigns as a member of a party (Madison's warnings against parties -- permanent factions -- having been long since disregarded) but on election steps across an invisible line and becomes not a representative of a political faction but a part of the government sworn to serve the nation's interests rather than the cause of partisan advantage. That may lead one to vote for or against a proposition, but for reasons other than, and far more important than, the desire to be true to one's team. Olympia Snowe is guilty of no more than having taken her oath of office seriously. It's something more of her colleagues should try."