[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Why not press Thompson to run, get re-elected, then let the Republican governor (it is a Republican, right?) appoint another conservative?

That's still a LOT of effort for him to go through, if his mind isn't focused on it. Not to mention that it could be seen as unethical, and deny Republicans the moral high ground to criticize Jeffords.

[tndarlin]

The problem is that we are in the middle of a Gov race. So we do not know who will be the next Gov.

The race is down to two people, Bredesen (D) and Hillary (R).

[GraniteStateConservative]

You're kidding right? Sen. Shelby and Nighthorse Campbell both switched without giving the voters a shot at voting them out.

Jeffords isn't a traitor for switching to Independent-- he's just a Senator we hate-- no diferent from Daschle.