Georgia Senator Zell Miller warns of possible Pickering Payback

Reuters | March 15 | J.Q. Pulic

[AlGone2001]

Senator Miller committed a fraud upon the people of Georgia: he ran as a Democrat and then, after assuming his office, changed to Independent, although he often votes with the Republicans.

Miller is not an independent. He is a democrat. He has some good values, and is more of a republican than a democrat when it comes time to vote. But... he still cast a vote for Tom aschle to be the Senate Majority Leader.

I think he'll change to the GOP one day, but he is a democrat today.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Zell has never presented himself as anything other than a dem. I am not a Zell apologist...I did not vote for him. But he has served Georgia well in the Senate. He promised to represent all of Ga and he has done a fairly good job.

But he is a democrat. And a liberal one at that--but our view of liberal is not Shumer's view of liberal, which is why he votes GOP at times.

[Chad Fairbanks]

If you read a little more closely, you will see that I took what the original poster wrote regarding Jeffords, and applied it to Zell Miller, in order to make a point... that point was, it would be hypocritical of those of us who slam Jeffords to turn around and celebrate if the opposite occurs (i.e he switches and we take control back - I would rather take control via legal voting)... that's all... I was not intending to insult Miller (I'll do that when he deserves it)... I hope this clears it up :0)

[Bonaparte]

"... I couldn't care less what he calls himself"

I care because it impacts on who is speaker and on who chairs and controls key committees.

[GuillermoX]

Uh, Miller has always been a Democrat. He was appointed to the Senate to fill the remainder of the former Paul Coverdell, who died suddenly while in office. Miller then won a non-partisan race for the remainder of the term, which expires in 2004.

[anniegetyourgun]

Yes, I realize that, but given that he's not going to switch and we will have to do it the old fashioned way (elect it), I'm just happy to have him vote right.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Uhh... see post number 43 please... :0)

[lawdude]

"...the judge often put his own beliefs above the law. "

Then impeach the SOB!

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Sorry sweetie, it's late, I'm tired, husband & kids are driving me crazy & my brain went into low gear hours ago. :-)

Forgive?

[Chad Fairbanks]

No harm, no foul... :0) Same here - "Daddy, I'm hungry, and there's nothing to eat!!!!!" which, as all parents know, is kid-speak for "There's food, but it takes work to make..." drives me crazy when I just made dinner an hour ago... ;0)

[mountainfolk]

Leahy and the other liberal senators who voted against Pickering have no reason to be overly concerned about Republican retaliation. The RINOS will keep their punishment to a minimum. Thats their job. And just what has been done about the massive abuses of power by the Clintons? Nada. They not only skate free but are living high on the hog gratis the taxpayer. The Republicans need to give the dems a good thrashing but it won't happen. And certainly not by Senator Lott.

[FreedomPoster]

Because the Republicans are honorable and know that Miller ran as a democrat and was elected by democrats on democrat money.

Well lets not forget -- Miller was appointed by the governor of GA for several years after the previous Republican senator died -- and was THEN elected.

BZZZZT!! BZZZZT!! (that's a *double* BZZZZT)

Sorry, guys, but Zell Miller has never been elected to the U.S. Senate. He was appointed by Governor Roy Barnes (D-GA), to fill the unexpired term of Senator Paul Coverdell (R-GA), in 2000, following Coverdell's sudden death. The term ends in 2004.

My take is that Zell will be re-elected in 2004, should he decide to run, which he likely will.

[FreedomPoster]

Make that "elected to the Senate for the first time in 2004"

[Congressman Billybob]

To see the difference between and honorable man and a fraud, compare Jeffords now with Wayne Morse of Oregon in the 60's.

Morse became increaingly dissatisfied with the Republican Party, and eventually announced that he was an independent. However, he continued to vote with the Republicans for Majority Leader. (Had he switched, the Senate would have switched, because two Repubs died that year.)

Morse explained that his voters had elected him as a Republican, and he would vote that way for Majorty Leader until he had faced his voters again as an independent. Which he did, and was reelected.

Now, that's how an honorable man handles this situation. Jeffords, by contrast, is a fraud, a liar, and has betrayed his voters.

All this is by way of agreeing with your point that I do not want Zell Miller to pull a Jeffords. I want him to stay honest like Waynoe Morse. Though I welcome every vote he casts on the conservative side in the Senate.

Congressman Billybob

Last day: "Approaching the Heliopause from 1776."

[cajun-jack]

trent "linguini spine" lott is a pink panty wearing sissy that just had his bare butt spanked by "leaky" leahy and the other communists on that committee....and the sad part is ... HE LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!

[Bonaparte]

"...I'm just happy to have him vote right."

Me too. He votes right more often than a good many Republicans.

[speekinout]

I do not want Zell Miller to pull a Jeffords.

Neither do I. I think Zell has much sympathy for the GOP side, but he also seems to have the integrity to "stay with the one who brung you".
I would respect him greatly if he changed parties before he ran for re-election. That's the time to do it. I like the idea of respectable GOPers much more than I like the idea of just more of them.

[skr]

I was thinking the same thing. Just appoint 'em all and let the courts start processing trials in a more timely manner. The Judiciary Committee is preventing the legal system from dealing with criminals and disenfranchising the rest of the Senate from their Constitutional duty.

[anniegetyourgun]

So, I guess it would be rude to wish someone dead then.....

[BillyBoy]

>> More and more these days, I suspect that is the DEFINITION of "Democrat." Indeed, Miller has actually promised to campaign at every possible opportunity for his cohort, the ultra-lib and dissolute Senator Max Cleland, D-GA

Zell Miller (D-GA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) scored IDENTICAL ratings from the American Conservative Union. Yet somehow, most freepers have concluded that Olympia Snowe is a liberal-leaning dope who is almost useless to the GOP; whereas we're supposed to believe Miller is a principled conservative who would be better off in the GOP. Does anyone else find this odd?