So some middle of the road, left coast type "moderate" liberal decides to leave the Republican Party and become an independent. Well, okay, bully for him. He didn't like the way the "game" was being played and decided to try and do things his own way; sounds like someone with a spine no matter how much I may disagree with his decision (no idea what he stands for, just saying in general).
I don't know what the DUmmies and Mr Maddow are so excited about, he didn't defect and become a leftist dem. I imagine that he's going to be a pain in the ass for both sides.
Oh well, the DUmmies will scream for his head when he doesn't do what they want, much like the howler chorus at FR screamed for Scott Brown's when a Massachusetts Republican didn't act like a hard line Southern Conservative.