A Party Of One (Egomaniac Jim Jeffords Compares Himself To Jesus)

New York Times ^ | May 19, 2002 | DAVID WALLIS

[PJ-Comix]

May 24 marks the first anniversary of your exit from the Republican Party. The White House was furious. Trent Lott called it a ''coup of one.'' Who holds the most stubborn grudge?

Don Nickles and Trent Lott were about equal on that score. And Larry Craig. I expected it. As a moderate, you get people upset all the time.

What was the worst thing anyone said to you?

You probably couldn't print it. Those who didn't agree with my decision obviously made some rather negative remarks, both in writing and in person. I suppose the death threats could be defined as the worst.

I'm guessing that wasn't from one of your colleagues. How does a grudge manifest itself on Capitol Hill?

You get your first clue when they turn their backs on you when you come into a room. Or ignore you. Before I switched, I told Larry Craig, out of friendship -- we were singing partners in an a cappella group called the Singing Senators -- that I wasn't going to vote for him for a committee chairmanship. That was the end of the Singing Senators right there.

So you're singing solo now?

Sure, in the shower.

Have you ever considered starting a singing group with Democrats?

Too late -- they already have one. It's called Da Dems, and Barbara Boxer has approached me to try to get me to join. Shortly after my switch, the group sang me a rendition of ''Consider Yourself at Home,'' with some of the lyrics tailored to my decision.

Some on the right have likened you to Judas. Is there a Biblical figure that you identify with?

Jesus.

You're going to catch hell for that one.

I see myself as a very frank, open person who lets everybody know where they are and works for compromise. I'm a mediator, and my talents have been in pulling together people to get things enacted. There are two types of political power -- power that you see, and power that you don't see. The power that you see mostly comes from party leaders who help set agendas and engage in rhetorical political battles. The power the public usually doesn't see comes from those who work behind the scenes to reach compromise and move good, sound public policy forward. I have always worked to be the quiet, behind-the-scenes worker.

You're the only independent in the Senate. Do you think that the country needs a powerful, well-financed third party?

No, I don't. I'm not lonesome at all.

You used to meet every Wednesday with moderate Republicans for lunch. Whom do you sit with now for lunch, Republicans or Democrats?

I do join the Democrats for their Tuesday luncheon caucus, but most days I catch lunch on the run, so I don't sit with Republicans or Democrats.

As someone who described himself as ''99th on the U.S. Senate celebrity scale'' before the switch, how did you deal with notoriety? I mean, you've had a beer named after you -- Jeezum Jim Ale.

I find it amusing more than anything. The international reaction makes me wonder why the international community feels so strongly about somebody who bucked the U.S. government. That's hard for me to comprehend. I've had gifts coming from Australia -- all over the world.

How did your family react? Your son and daughter-in-law are conservative Republicans. Were they angered by your decision? How did your wife, who is a liberal, take it?

My son didn't support my switch and at one point threatened to name his first son Nixon Reagan Jeffords if I left the G.O.P. But he has gotten over it. For my wife, Liz, the switch was more of a personal matter. She had made friends with so many of the wives of Republican Senate members, and she knew that many of those friendships would be strained, if not broken, by my decision.

Have you had any interaction with the president, the vice president or other White House officials since your switch?

I have been to the White House a few times since then. On one occasion -- it was a press conference regarding Medicare and prescription drugs last summer -- the president acknowledged the ''bipartisan'' group, then quickly caught himself to acknowledge the ''tripartisan'' group. He also made a point to shake my hand before the State of the Union address. I do work with administration officials during the usual course of business, but I think it's fair to say that the relationships are limited to work.

President Bush is known to give legislators nicknames. Any idea what yours might be?

I wouldn't want to think.

[PJ-Comix]

Some on the right have likened you to Judas. Is there a Biblical figure that you identify with?

Jesus.

I know this story has been posted before but this little tidbit in it was sort of overlooked and I thought it needed to be emphasized. TALK ABOUT DELUSIONAL!!! Jeffords is actually comparing himself to Jesus. Have you EVER heard anybody do this who wasn't totally delusional? Seek help, Jim. Your overinflated ego has you floating in a delusional cloud.

I wouldn't want to think.

At least he ended this interview speaking truthfully.

[Texas_Jarhead]

What a @#!$(*%&@)# idiot!

[anniegetyourgun]

Can't wait to regain the Senate. This jerk will mean nothing to the DEMS who now claim to love him. And the R's will see that he gets a broomcloset for an office. He will be a lonely old pariah - and still ugly too.

[dighton]

“God, kid,” Johnson said in a cracked voice, “how do you stand it?” His face was stiff with outrage. “He thinks he’s Jesus Christ!”

-- Flannery O’Connor, The Lame Shall Enter First.

[PJ-Comix]

Should he now be referred to as Jesus Jeffords? The frightening thing is that he was NOT kidding. He actually does compare himself to Jesus. It takes an egomaniac of the most extreme type to be this delusional. He probably think folks should worship him.

[DMZDave]

Anyone believe Jeffords would have switched if the Republicans had 52 senators and he would not have been given a chairmanship? No? Then let's not be delusional about his switch having anything to do with principle. He is simply a political opportunist plain and simple. He did what was best for Jim Jeffords and to hell with his friends, his party and his country. But the New York Times loves him and that was clearly important to him.

[GOP_Lady]

This guy just can't make up his mind on anything.  I just saw a CNN segment about Jefford's party switch this evening.  The day before he switched, he was raising money (making phone calls, I think he said) for fellow Republicans.  I can understand a person leaving a party if something horrendous happens only (i.e., independence in 1776, Civil War, etc.), but he had absolutely no reason to leave the GOP -- none -- period.  He supported Bush during the Presidential campaign, so he had no reason to support him afterward.  This man is just fickle. He should very much be ashamed of himself and what he did to this country.

GOP_Lady

[who knows what evil?]

Delusional doesn't even begin to describe this mentally-disturbed little man. He is STRONGLY pro-choice, and has received recognition from many baby-killing organizations, NARAL, among others, during his tenure as Senator. While on a fundraising tour with the "Singing Senators" in Vermont, he turned up at my church on Sunday morning, along with John Ashcroft. The pained expression on Jeffords' face as the collection plate approached was priceless...I've never seen it take so long for a man to retrieve his wallet from his pants pocket in my life...time seem to stand still.

[PJ-Comix]

He is simply a political opportunist plain and simple. He did what was best for Jim Jeffords and to hell with his friends, his party and his country.

And yet because he compares himself to Jesus, he must actually think he is the only one in the Senate without sin. Read the interview again. He was DEAD SERIOUS about the comparison.

[IoCaster]

"I find it amusing more than anything. The international reaction makes me wonder why the international community feels so strongly about somebody who bucked the U.S. government. That's hard for me to comprehend. I've had gifts coming from Australia -- all over the world."

Iraq, Iran, N.Korea and China too?

Yes, he is a disgusting, simpering, self-absorbed, traitorous, delusional idiot.

[PJ-Comix]

While on a fundraising tour with the "Singing Senators" in Vermont, he turned up at my church on Sunday morning, along with John Ashcroft. The pained expression on Jeffords' face as the collection plate approached was priceless...I've never seen it take so long for a man to retrieve his wallet from his pants pocket in my life...time seem to stand still.

That's because he thought you all should have been worshipping HIM, not making him make a contribution like the rest of you mere mortals.

[GOP_Lady]

"I find it amusing more than anything. The international reaction makes me wonder why the international community feels so strongly about somebody who bucked the U.S. government. That's hard for me to comprehend. I've had gifts coming from Australia -- all over the world." That says it all right there folks -- those people are the same people who protest against our great country and our great President.  Sick.

GOP_Lady

[tubebender]

Fox news ran a piece with the 'RATS and Judas celebrating their "anniversary". Just a bunch of lowlifes crawling out from under the rock.to shed their skin.

[weikel]

More like Judas.

[uncbob]

Most politicians are egomaniacs and this guy is just glowing with all the praise the NYT and the liberal media are showering on him

As Al Pacino the devil said

"Vanity I get them with vanity"

And the devil will be eventually be paid

[hut1hut2]

Fox news ran a piece with the 'RATS and Judas celebrating their "anniversary".

The media was celebrating too! CNN was just giddy.

[anniegetyourgun]

Yep - to both of your posts!

[anniegetyourgun]

Yes, his actions were so transparent. At least to everyone but the media. But then, they fell for John McCain too....

[Bommer]

Well, he's Christ like.....Anti-Christ!