I think they’re blowing smoke, but don’t underestimate the power of Hopenchange or the bandwagon effect of a bill whose passage is a fait accompli.

Given the ever-increasing partisanship around the issue, which Republicans might ultimately cast a “yea” on the economic stimulus package?

The Fix polled a handful of wise Democratic Hill operatives today on that very question. In the Senate, possible GOP switchers include George Voinovich (Ohio), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Richard Lugar (Ind.) while in the House Reps. Fred Upton (Mich.), Mike Castle (Del.) and Jim Gerlach (Pa.) are potential switches, according to these sources.

I get the logic of Voinovich and Lugar — they’re from blue-collar purple states and have to prove they’re doing something to create jobs — but what’s Murkowski’s excuse? She’s from Palinland! It’s time to cowboy up. Exit question: Do we kick these three out of the caucus, too?