Funny you mention Jim Jeffords as his inclusion in the GOP was due precisely because of those in the Republican establishment who saw holding power as more important than maintaining any semblence of conservative principles. The big govt social democrats are no different and have been more trouble than they've been worth. Cheers for their exit.
BS. Jeffords is an old-line Rockefeller country-club Republican, just like your boy Rudy. (Well, except he has more principles, since he left the Party that wouldn't support his radical pro-abort agenda.)