stusi
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posted on May 23, 2001 11:15:33 AM new
Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords is said to announce on Thursday that he is switching from the GOP to become an independent. The balance in the Senate, now even, will then shift to the Dems. He is said to be unhappy with many of the current administration's policies. What are your thoughts?
[ edited by stusi on May 23, 2001 11:25 AM ]
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gravid
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posted on May 23, 2001 11:23:05 AM new
On CNN just now they said he was going to be an independant.
http://www.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/05/23/jeffords.senate.02/index.html
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uaru
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posted on May 23, 2001 11:24:58 AM new
I've seen reports he's considering it. He went ahead an announced the switch? I'm sure the democrats are doing a happy dance over than news.
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nefish
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posted on May 23, 2001 11:26:33 AM new
Daschle is said to be "giddy".
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stusi
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posted on May 23, 2001 11:39:41 AM new
gravid- yesterday it was reported, perhaps erroneously, that he would become a Dem. Today it was reported that he would become independent but work closely with the Dems! IMHO,I have a gut feeling that Dubya's faith-based program will lead to additional cases of identity crisis.
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Linda_K
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posted on May 23, 2001 12:18:55 PM new
Should be an interesting week. That article also said, "Republican sources, meanwhile, said they are courting Democrat Zell Miller of Georgia to switch to their side. Miller had been expected to release a statement immediately after Jeffords on Wednesday, but the status of that now is unclear; aides did not disclose its contents.
Wonder if there will be more that decide to switch. This could go on and on, with the power continually shifting from one side to the other.
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Shoshanah
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posted on May 23, 2001 12:33:31 PM new
Heard about the possibility of it, yesterday on NPR News. Am turning radio on right now. Should be announced this PM.
********
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HJW
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posted on May 23, 2001 12:40:46 PM new
Now, George has the US Senate playing musical chairs! What's next?
Helen
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krs
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posted on May 23, 2001 12:53:53 PM new
Strom will croak.
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HJW
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posted on May 23, 2001 02:20:40 PM new
With a little oxygen support he may be around for a few days. He is only 98.
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rancher24
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posted on May 23, 2001 06:56:32 PM new
How frightening it is that Dubya's so bad his own party members are defecting!
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gravid
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posted on May 23, 2001 07:05:56 PM new
From what they were saying on the TV tonight the Whitehouse has been downright rude to him on several occasions. When the Senate is split 50/50 that does not seem like a bright way to act.
They just had an award for teacher of the year given to a teacher from his state and he wanted to come but was pointedly dis-invited. I suppose they were so confident in their authority nobody considered that he had options.
I have had bosses like that, that think they own you, and when you remind them they are just renting and take a hike they can't comprehend how you could want to work anywhere else.
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chococake
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posted on May 23, 2001 07:11:23 PM new
It's good to know someone on that side has some character, hopefully, others will follow.
Word is Strom has had a couple of bad days this week. Really don't think he will be around much longer - living or dead. 
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gaffan
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posted on May 23, 2001 07:18:45 PM new
Bringing up the question of just how you'd be able to tell.
-gaffan-
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rAWbuNzEl
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posted on May 23, 2001 07:24:23 PM new
This is great news! Unfortunatly, the local news said that the Republicans were going to try to "buy" some Dems over to their side. Politics just keeps getting dirtier and dirtier .
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krs
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posted on May 23, 2001 07:27:55 PM new
But Strom could be replaced by another republican, and there would be little effect. This 'defection' is extraordinary because the entire balance of power will shift away fron republicans in the senate. Dumbya will have an almost impossible task in trying to push any piece of legislation or judicial appointment.
"This isn't about a single Senate seat. It's about controlling the legislative agenda ...and it's about the federal judiciary,'' said Sen. Bob Torricelli, D-N.J. ``This is an enormous shift of influence in the federal
government."
It's often said that the people in Vermont have a lot of good sense, and this guy has proved it.
The republicans are desperately trying to get him to change his mind, even to the point of promising him tenured chairmanships, and support for favorite programs.
They're also trying to work on his support and campaign contributors as well as trying to convince a democrat to switch parties to compensate as in:
"Stunned Republicans contacted Jeffords' contributors and backers in hopes they could prevent his defection. They also reached out to Democratic Sen. Zell Miller (news - bio - voting record) of Georgia, hoping he might abandon his party and offset Jeffords' anticipated move. Miller slammed the door shut with a statement that said, ``I will not switch to the Republican party and have no need to proclaim myself an independent.''"
Great news!
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chococake
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posted on May 23, 2001 07:37:14 PM new
gaffan - I must admit I don't know a whole about the man. But, it seems he is a true moderate, and not happy with the direction Bush has taken. Plus he was shunned, because, of his voting record. Not agreeing, and thus not voting within the Republican line.
This couldn't be easy for him, so I think it shows character to take a stand like this both personally and politically.
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krs
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posted on May 23, 2001 07:41:20 PM new
Was Gaffan talking about Strom?
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chococake
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posted on May 23, 2001 07:43:37 PM new
Oh, maybe he was krs. How bout it gaffan?
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gaffan
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posted on May 23, 2001 08:26:36 PM new
Indeed. Sorry for the apparent ambiguity. I was talking about how one could tell if Strom had departed this non-astral plane of existence.
And Strom would likely be replaced by a Democrat; SC's governor is a Democrat, and I don't believe such interim appointments require legislative affirmation.
And as krs points out, Jeffers' decision is way bigger than a single senate seat, and more than just numbers on each side. A particularly intractable judiciary committee's majority members could, for example, prevent every single judgeship nominee from ever being voted on on the senate floor...
-gaffan-
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chococake
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posted on May 23, 2001 08:38:30 PM new
LOL, you're right gaffan, they can't tell if he's in or out most of the time.
This is a biggie, and it will be interesting to see what loops this roller coaster will take next.
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krs
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posted on May 23, 2001 09:23:36 PM new
You can bet that Bush and his machine are pulling out all the stops tonight with threats, payoffs, and any sort of political misery they can muster for Jeffers.
Hope he's strong.
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rAWbuNzEl
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posted on May 23, 2001 10:18:16 PM new
He must be fairly strong. He made it this far. I hope he has his phone turned off.
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krs
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posted on May 24, 2001 12:16:44 AM new
Well don't get your hopes up too high. He might only be playing for power within the republican party.
Have to see what tomorrow brings.
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Femme
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posted on May 24, 2001 07:00:19 AM new
Mr. Jeffords just announced that he will become an Independant.
Regardless of where you stand politically, how could anyone not have respect for someone who is highly-principled and acts according to their conscience, regardless of the consequences.
This could be political suicide for Mr. Jeffords. Vermont's Republican voters most likely won't forget this "act of treason".
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krs
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posted on May 24, 2001 07:35:31 AM new
He'll gain from it, but in any case he's seated until 2006.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010524/ts/congress_jeffords_dc.html
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chococake
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posted on May 24, 2001 10:13:45 AM new
Wow, did you notice how bad Bush looked this morning? He must have been up all night. He looked tired and his face was so tight it looked like it might crack.
Now I wish McCain would defect. If he did, and ran in 2004 he would have a good chance of pulling votes.
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Shoshanah
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posted on May 24, 2001 10:14:45 AM new
Femme...I hope your prediction will prove to be invalid... Just look at it this way: Win or lose, he has "spoken out" against the bushytail cabinet...That, in itself, shows great strength of character. And for every republican who is going to bad-mouth him, remember, there will be an unhappy Democrat who felt "cheated" when shrubtail "bought" the Presidency, and will stand strong behind Mr. Jeffords. ...All "check and balance"....
Mr. Pres: Mazel Tov, as we say in French 
Bon Voyage on your man-made turbulent Presidential Journey...Take heart though! Remember: "Things go better with "Coke"...
********
Gosh Shosh!
About Me
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ZeroKnowledge
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posted on May 24, 2001 10:33:24 AM new
Senate Balance To Shift reads the headline:
In name only.
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krs
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posted on May 24, 2001 11:23:37 AM new
your name says it all.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washdc/2001-05-24-fallout.htm
[ edited by krs on May 24, 2001 11:49 AM ]
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