Is Sen. Jim Webb Hinting at a Party Switch?

David Paul Kuhn snagged a fascinating interview with Virginia Sen. Jim Webb.

As you may recall, Webb was secretary of Navy under Reagan, but in 2006 ran as a Democrat against then-Sen. George Allen, ultimately defeating him.

Kuhn's interview may spark speculation that Webb is laying the groundwork for a future party switch. Webb voted for health care reform, but tells Kuhn:

"I told him this was going to be a disaster," Webb recalls. "The president believed it was all going to work out."

Kuhn goes on to note that Webb "identifies himself as a Democrat. But he has few Democratic leaders to identify with."

Related: Joe Manchin Is Not Switching Parties, Democrat's Spokesman Says

Policy differences aside, a practical reason Webb might consider changing parties is that in two years he could face either the current Virginia governor or attorney general or possibly a rematch against George Allen. Webb was able to win in 2006, a very tough year for Republicans, after Allen uttered the word "macaca," a pejorative term aimed at a Webb supporter of Indian decent. But for Webb, getting re-elected in 2012 could be tougher.

Of course, Webb might have a hard time convincing conservatives to back him if he does switch.

As The American Spectator's Jim Antle wrote,

The trouble with Webb is that, with few exceptions, he didn't seem very interested in demonstrating his independence while Virginia looked like it was trending Democratic. Now that it is swinging back in the opposite direction and he is up for reelection in 2012, Webb is reminding us of his pre-Senate conservatism with some more idiosyncratic populist flourishes.

Typically, after a "tsunami" election, some members of congress retire or switch parties. We haven't heard too much talk of that yet. But if the political environment remains relatively similar to where it is today, I'd expect some defections.