A bigger majority means more Democratic defectors

The Hill

At least three dozen vulnerable Democrats have deserted their party during important votes this year — a move that could bolster their reelection chances but has left Democrats lacking unity.
The tougher their districts, the more often vulnerable Democrats have sided with Republicans, according to The Hill’s analysis of 15 major votes cast in the first six months of the 111th Congress. The analysis included major bills and votes in which at least 10 Democrats voted against their party.

The 50-plus Democrats considered vulnerable by The Cook Political Report have voted with Republicans about 20 percent of the time on those 15 votes. Some of the members didn’t desert the party on any of the major votes.

The votes include last week’s climate change bill, the stimulus package, President Obama’s budget and other votes like an amendment to cut off funding for the closure of Guantánamo Bay prison.

(More here.)