Posted on 06/10/2004 6:37:17 AM PDT by areafiftyone
Some Republicans are hoping that sharp-tongued Democratic Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia will appear at the GOP’s national political convention this summer.
“It would be great if he could be there,” said Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.). “Zell Miller is a Harry Truman kind of Democrat. He tells it like it is. He’s plain-spoken. He doesn’t mince words. He’s the person he is, and a patriotic American.”
An appearance by Miller would help President Bush try to re-establish his bipartisan credentials at a time when he has lost his polling edge on such issues as education and the economy.
The centrist Democrat has aided the GOP’s political goals since he was appointed in 2000 to fill the term of the late Sen. Paul Coverdell (R-Ga.). Miller provided a critical stamp of bipartisanship to President Bush’s tax cuts.
More recently, Miller has expressed a willingness to assist Bush’s re-election, “if there’s any way that I can help him,” and has delivered scathing remarks about Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) at public events.
Meanwhile, Democrats are lining up the nation’s most prominent independent officeholder — Sen. James Jeffords (I-Vt.) — to attend their convention.
For now, Miller is keeping mum about his plans. Asked whether he would attend the GOP convention, Miller replied, “I don’t know. I’m not going to the Democratic convention.”
Pressed further on his way to the Senate floor, he replied, “I don’t want to get into it. I’m about to say something more important.”
The Republican National Committee would not comment on the convention’s speaking lineup.
But other Republicans say a Miller appearance would be a fine idea and a natural fit. “He’d certainly get a hero’s welcome,” said Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.).
Democrats haven’t been as inviting lately. Miller no longer attends the party’s weekly luncheon meeting, after slamming Democrats in his book, A National Party No More: The Conscience of a Conservative Democrat.
Miller’s presence might allow Bush to point to some of his bipartisan accomplishments, such as his No Child Left Behind education bill. Bush has become an increasingly polarizing figure as his term has unfolded, with his approval ratings dropping below 50 percent in some recent surveys.
In a recent poll commissioned by the House Republican Conference, 56 percent of respondents said the country was on the wrong track, with only 36 percent saying it was going in the right direction.
Outside the Beltway, state Republican officeholders also said that having Miller deliver an address at the GOP convention would provide a boost for Bush’s re-election campaign and the party.
Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones said that having Miller speak at the convention would be “very good for us.”
He said having a Democratic senator speak on behalf of Bush’s re-election could cause some Democrats to pause and say, “Maybe I need to take a second look at this.”
Jones pointed out that while Oklahoma’s congressional delegation is largely Republican, the state has more registered Democrats than Republicans, adding that he started out as a registered Democrat. He said Miller’s appearance could especially help to sway conservative Democrats.
Jones praised Miller for showing “true character” and “standing up for what he thinks is right,” adding that Miller “knows that doing the right thing is more important than toeing the party line.”
Venable partner Patrick O’Donnell, the GOP convention podium coordinator since 1992, called it “a fabulous idea” to have Miller speak, adding it would be “a master stroke if he agreed to that.”
Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Beth Harwell said that having Miller speak at the convention would be “absolutely beneficial” for Bush and other Republican candidates.
Lott, meanwhile, who also started out as a conservative Southern Democrat, elaborated on his efforts when he was majority leader to persuade Miller to switch parties. “The gist of it was, if he were 39 instead of 69, he’d probably do it,” Lott said Miller told him.
But Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) can try to make a show of his own nonpartisan credentials by enlisting Jeffords. Asked whether he would attend the Democratic convention, Jeffords told The Hill, “I’ll do whatever they want me to do.”
He continued: “I’ll stay away. I’ll come down. It’s entirely up to what they want.” He confirmed that Democratic National Committee staff members have approached him about playing a role in the convention, and did not rule out a possible speaking role.
Some of those who frequently disagree with their party’s leadership view the conventions as a necessary obligation. Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.), asked whether he would attend the GOP convention in New York, replied, “There are Rhode Islanders going, so I have to make an appearance.”
Go Zell!
RD
A cabinet position for Zell would go over well with many here!
What a great man Zell is....
(I havent learned how to quote here yet)
But he is a man who votes his heart, not his party. I love the fact that PO's the dum-o-rats so much
BAWAHAHAHAHAHA .. They can have Jeffords
I'll take Zell Miller anyday
Give 'em Hell, Zell!
Where was this guy when he was governor?
I expect Zell to be Secretary of Education one day.
Even better, he be excellent as a VP on this ticket under Bush.
Cool...
The Dems might try to counter Sen. Miller with Jumpin' Jim Jeffords? ROTF!!!!! I love the smell of desperation in the morning.
Zell has been working hard for it, as well. He could have shut up about things lately. And I think Zell believes the Democratic party cannot be saved anytime soon.
Zell is a byproduct of the Democratic Party's expansion of government . . . he created a government expansion in Georgia which helped Democrats and then used that to help Dems win Tennessee and South Carolina to his idea of bloated government, and then North Carolina Democrats are wanting the same idea, as are Alabama Democrats.
And as a South Carolinian, I am not happy with the Zell Miller style government expansion. It is hurting more people than what most of you think.
Zell Miller ping. This could help the Republicans in the upcoming election.
As musch as the RATS try to snuggle up to Cpt. Queeg....errr...John McCain...I don't see anything wrong with "Give 'Em Hell" Zell coming to NYC for the convention. He's about the only Democrat left with any class as it is.
Ditto that. Zell is a rare breed...an honorable Democrat.
These are the people to whom the reelection campaign needs to appeal. Zell Miller and Ed Koch can speak very well to this constituency. Sen. Lieberman could as well but I doubt he'd risk the undying emnity of his party establishment. He probably views the current extremism as temporary insanity and hopes the party will return to the mainstream after it loses this election. Good luck against Hillary, Senator.
Zell and Ed Koch should BOTH be given an opportunity at the podium. Let them speak before the Keynote Address -- which should be delivered by Ah-Nold. Ah-Nold is the E.F. Hutton of our Party.
For that matter, I'd love to see Joe Lieberman at our convention.
So much for the "independent" Jeffords myth. He's nothing but a lap dog for Dasshole.
The perfect running mate for a flip-floppin' waffleman is a Jim Jeffords hoppin' skippin' and jumpin' man.
It can't get any better then that! (Unless you add a swimmer or maybe a wide eyed minority whip with jello brains)
<|:-)~~
Zell represents what USED to be called "The loyal opposition". He comes from a age when democrats and republicans both believed in exactly the same thing, they just differed in how to get there. Morally, there wasn't much difference between Ds and Rs. That doesn't hold true anymore, and I think there are a LOT of Ds out there who are really, really conflicted. A lifelong loyalty is hard for them to break, but when they look around at their fellow party members......they just feel dirty.
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