ZINGS PARTY LEADER: Is Zell Miller getting ready to pull a Jim Jeffords?

HillNews.Com ^ | Friday, September 7, 2001

[JohnHuang2]

His aides are denying it and he’ll no doubt deny it as well, but Sen. Zell Miller has again stirred the embers of rumors that he could become the Senate’s Democratic counterpart to Republican party-switcher Jim Jeffords of Vermont.

Miller launched a stinging broadside against Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe in a letter to the editor of The Washington Post last week, warning that his criticism of President Bush’s tax cut is hurting the 18 moderate Democratic senators who voted for it, including nine who are up for reelection next year.

At the same time, Miller raised the eyebrows of fellow Democrats by defending Elizabeth Dole from McAuliffe’s charge that she’s a “carpetbagger” because the wife of former Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) is thinking of running for the North Carolina Senate seat of retiring Republican Jesse Helms.

“Liddy Dole, as we say down South, was ‘born and bred’ in North Carolina,” Miller wrote. “She is no carpetbagger.”

Miller likened McAuliffe’s statements to the sound of “fingernails across a blackboard,” adding ominously, “And he’s making more and more moderates see red — the color that dominated the 2000 election map.”

Asked if her boss was threatening to bolt his party, spokesperson Joan Kirchner said, “No, no, no, no. He’s expressed those thoughts before.”

But isn’t that pretty much what Jeffords said before he deserted the GOP?

For Education And Discussion Only. Not For Commercial Use.

[usconservative]

At the same time, Miller raised the eyebrows of fellow Democrats by defending Elizabeth Dole from McAuliffe’s charge that she’s a “carpetbagger”

I wonder what names McAuliffe's called Hitlery ...

It starts with a C ... but it ain't "Carpetbagger".

[RoseofTexas]

I'll believe it when I see it!

[gov_bean_ counter]

This should come as no surprise to Freepers. It also comes as no surprise that the lamestreamers didn't see it coming. We have talked before about the gang of 12 (more or less) who would really control the Senate. We have also discussed the problem this would present the new Senate plurality leader. Talking heads vs. typing fingers. The fingers win..

[JohnHuang2]

You're absolutely right, gbc.

[JohnHuang2]

The press and pundits, it seems, are forever a day late and a dollar short.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Your 2 cents worth could make up the difference.

[JohnHuang2]

=^)

[El Gato]

Wouldn't this be a kick in the head to the Hildebeast and her fellow 'rats. Control of the Senate would switch back to the Republicans. We'd get some decent judges and justices. Tommy D, could go back to the slime pit that he crawled out of, and we could speed up confirmations of the replacements for all the Clintonistas still infesting the Executive Branch. It would put Chuckles the Cereal Killer and Fienswine into a position less able do any more gun grabbing. Speaking of positions, I just noticed that Chucky and Di are on 3 of the same Senate Committees, leaving only one that Lizard Face is on that Ms. F is not...you don't suppose....Nah! What a revolting thought, although they deserve each other.

[Coop]

The difference, of course, is that I trust Zell Miller at his word. Jeffords? I'll be a gentleman and hold my comments.

[RoseofTexas]

NAY! It'll never happen! It be great, BUT it will never happen. Still, I keep my fingers crossed :)

[RoseofTexas]

OOOPS...I=I'll

[soccermom]

I get soooooooo tired of speculation masqueraded as some sort of news. This is nothing more than a 2-week-old story with a question mark added to it.

[JohnHuang2]

Me, too.

...rule numero uno in politics: Always expect the unexpected. It could happen...

[dixiechick2000]

That IS a nice thought! ;o)

[JohnHuang2]

Good Evenin'! =^)

[Salvation]

This would be great!

[Paul C. Jesup]

You guys got to remember that there are two things about old Zig Zag that makes him a Democrat and not a DemocRat.

1. He was the only Democrat Senator to support the Bush tax cut.

2. He is so Pro-2nd Amendment that the NRA endorsed him.

By the way, I voted for him for those two reasons.

The only way I see him changing parties is that if the DemocRat Leadership pisses him off. Which might happen.

And if he does or doesn't, I'll still vote for him again either way.

Paul C. Jesup

[Salvation]

Bumping #10. You're a great writer, el gato.