Posted on 02/16/2005 7:35:01 PM PST by FloridianBushFan
Vermonters From Both Parties Back Jeffords
2 hours, 17 minutes ago
By CHRISTOPHER GRAFF, Associated Press Writer
MONTPELIER, Vt. - Sen. James Jeffords (news - web sites) may be a man without a party, but he has plenty of high-powered friends. Facing his first re-election bid since leaving the Republican Party, the Vermont independent on Wednesday got an endorsement from Sen. Patrick Leahy (news, bio, voting record), D-Vt., and a boost from Republican Gov. James Douglas, who said he will not campaign against Jeffords because he "has served the state well."
Jeffords, whose first 26 years in Washington were as a Republican, infuriated GOP leaders four years ago when he became an independent, saying the party had become too conservative for him. The move gave Democrats control of the Senate until the 2002 election.
Jeffords often sides with Democrats, and Leahy said he will do everything he can to ensure his re-election next year.
"Jim has shown the kind of independence you expect in Vermont," said Leahy, adding, "I look as this as a Vermonter, not as a Republican or Democrat."
Howard Dean (news - web sites), former Vermont governor and newly elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee (news - web sites), also has endorsed Jeffords.
Douglas said that although he will support any "qualified Republican" who runs for Jeffords' seat, he will not "actively campaign" against the senator.
"I will support my ticket but Jim's a great friend and has served the state well and I'm not going to work against him," the governor said.
James Barnett, the state Republican chairman, said Wednesday that Douglas' declaration will not deter the party from challenging Jeffords.
"We will field a strong candidate and will wage an aggressive campaign," Barnett said. "I think the governor has a long-standing friendship and I understand that he is not going to be out there pounding away at Senator Jeffords."
It just shows that Vermonters don't get it.
apparently leahy means:
"independence" = democrat.
Jeffords is a SLIME BALL that stabbed the Republicans in the back who voted for him. If he had served out his term and run as a Democrat, I would have no problem with that, other than his being a Democrat. But to change parties the way he did was gutless.
By the way, this is an Associated Press article. Notice the key phrases that liberals love to use to describe liberal Republicans or turncoats like Jeffords. "Independent" is one of their favorites.
Man, I have more respect for Kennedy than I do for Jeffords. At least Kennedy won't be stabbing you in the back. You know where he is coming from.
Jeffords is such a dick, I hope he keeps his seat and spends the rest of his political career useless and neutered in the minority.
Any Green Mountaineers out there know if the Rats will even bother to nominate anyone to run for the seat? It could make it fun if they do -- a three way race and maybe a genuine Republican could get in? I'm guessing not, but there is the James Buckley precedent in New York. Hard to believe that Vermont was once a Conservative state (albeit 70 years ago.)
You're right..and do they think I will bring my "Texas money" to their state during fall foilage season?
Not just no; but He!! no!
Saying he won't work against him isn't the same as saying he backs him. Typical AP spin.
Yeah--the water.
BTW, tell Bush's dad he's knows where Kennedy is coming from; after giving fatass an award, Kennedy viciously attacked W. It's fine to be a ferocious political opponent, but his personal attack was as under handed as they come.
Jonah Goldberg said it best about VT in his columnn today about Dean:
"Dean was famously the governor of Vermont, where lifestyle has become a religion for its urbane yet fashionably rustic citizenry. The flinty old Vermont of yore has given way to the Vermont of Architectural Digest and wealthy transplants from New York and Boston."
26 YEARS! He's been there way too long....time for new Republican in that seat.
No doubt that Republican Gov. James Douglas is a RINO.
This means that the Dems aren't going to field a candidate against him - of course, since he is in their caucus, he is a Democrat for all purposes other than name.
30 years and counting. Judas Jim and Leahy were elected at the same time, the Watergate election of '74. Apparently Gov. Douglas has failed to notice his "friend" is no friend of the Republican Party and his "moderate" voting record has moved to the LEFT of 'Rat Leahy and Socialist Sanders.
Listing the great Vermonters...wait just a second..it will come..ok..here it comes..great Vermonters..oh damn..oh..Howard Dean..yeah..ok..that is one..kick butt..yeaaahhhhhhhhhh
Vermont.....The GAY State.
Is it possible to expell a state from the union?
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