Open Letter To Senator Zell Miller

(This is a copy of the second letter I have sent to Zell since Tuesday's election. I'm not so crazy to think that the junior staffers reading these will take the time to pass them on to Zell, but it's fun to lament. This site allows me the opportunity to have someone read them anyway.)

Today’s Washington Times reports (to my disappointment) that you will not consider a switch to the Republican Party. Clearly, now is not the appropriate time for conversion. A switch at this moment will appear both cowardly and opportunistic. However, as the Democratic Party emerges from its search for its soul, I would humbly ask that you reconsider this position.

It is essential that the Democrats establish a clear distinction between their positions and those of President Bush. This leftward swing will also differentiate you from the leadership of the Democratic party and create the opportunity needed for you to align your convictions with your political party.

Some may argue that Barnes lost due to the flag controversy. Some may argue Cleland lost due to his failure to pass the Homeland Security bill. Without exit polls, no one can say for sure. However, it is clear that both were once extremely popular. Both are now gone. Cleland lost despite your appearance in many of his campaign ads. Your endorsement could not salvage his seat.

The foundations of Georgia politics have changed. While the national Democrats will soon move sharply to the left, Georgia has moved decisively to the right. You do receive enormous attention as a rogue Democrat. However, the Republicans’ sweep of Georgia despite your campaigning should raise questions of your longevity in the Senate as a Democrat. An unelected rogue receives little attention.

Again, I would humbly ask that you reconsider your party affiliation. You agree with Republican principles. Follow the example of my representative in the 9th congressional district Nathan Deal. Please join us. Put the energy that swept Georgia to work for you in your next campaign. We will make you proud.

Welcome, fellow 9th district member.

Good luck with Zell- he will some day realize the democrats have changed but he has stayed true. I don't think he'll ever go pubbie, but he will go indy if he stays in politics IMHO.

There is nothing dishonorable in changing one's political affiliation if it is done in the right way. For example, Jim Jeffords certainly did not go about it the right way. In fact, it was downright dishonorable. For Jeffords did not change parties out of a sense of moral conviction. He did it for personal gain. The 'Rats offered him some power in exchange for abandoning his party and handing control of the senate over to them. This makes Jeffords a traitor.

But there are many who change parties for the right reasons. I did it back in 1980 when I switched from being a Democrat supporting Jimmy Carter to an Independent supporting John Anderson (and eventually to a Republican supporting Ronald Reagan). In fact, even Ronald Reagan himself switched from being a Democrat to a Republican.

I would welcome Zell Miller into the Republican Party any time. But I agree with you that now is not the right time. In the aftermath of the GOP sweep, it would seem blatantly opportunistic. Zell merely needs to wait a few months for things to get so wacky in the Democratic Party that switching parties will seem like the sane thing to do. I sincerely hope he makes the jump for I believe he is more like us than like them.

I'm a Virginian and only know our two Senators: John Warner (R-VA) and George Allen (R-VA).
Do you know of any other conservative Democtat Senators like Senator Miller? I mean, is he the only one?

My other question that, to me, is as important as winning in Louisiana in the run-off election and gettinng the fraud cleared up in South Dakota to gain John Thune as Senator:
How can we, as citizens, urge our Senators or would it even matter, to get them to pick someone else as Majority Leader other than Trent Lott?

We need to get a whole shopping list of things that need doing and Trent Lott "reaches across the aisle" too much and with the hate the Dems now have for Republicans, Trent Lott draw back a stump doing that...

Anyone but Lott. Mitch McConnell, Don Nickles, Bill Frist.
I would write or call both my Senators if that would make a difference...

Zell's never going to change parties. He stated awhile back that where he comes from, people are born as Democrats and die as Democrats. In addition, he's not really influenced by the need for re-election. He's a lame duck. He won the special election in Georgia a couple of years ago for his seat and he will only serve one term. He's in his 70s and promised his wife he'd get out of politics a decade ago.

Of course...he did also promise her that he'd only serve 1 term as Georgia governor and then served two!

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