I don't expect Linc Chafee to switch parties any time soon. But he seems to have told Charlie Bakst, head political writer for the hometown paper, The Providence Journal, that he's still seriously considering it. And he's already operating as the de facto 52nd member of the Senate Democratic Majority. What do I mean by that? He told Bakst that if and when the Senate flipped back to Republican hands (like with a Torch indictment, say) he'd seriously consider switching parties and flipping it back. Take a peek at the article and see for yourself.