[Miss Marple]

Well, I will address one issue, and that is the Jeffords defection. To blame President Bush for this is absolutely ridiculous. One could possibly blame Trent Lott, but for all practical purposes Jeffords sold his soul for a mess of pottage all on his own.

In my opinion, the defection was pushed by Jeffords getting the news from someone (and I have my suspicions who) that the Dairy Subsidy was going to be dropped by the White House.

That was not true. Jeffords acted on that mistaken assumption, and we all know the rest.

Now in this long list of gripes about the President, I do understand those who think that the borders should be closed, the airline searches should be curtailed, and other policy differences with the President. Those are understandable differences.

However, to blame President Bush for the Jeffords defection is just plain over the top...like blaming him for the forest fires out west, or the drought in North Carolina.

And, by the way, NO "Bush-bot" has so far appeared to insult the opposition, which you all apparently think we are just dying to do. I am most interested in why this post starts with insults to the Bush supporters in the replies right away, and keeps it up even when no one rises to the bait.

I have no further comments on the article, because I recognize a pointless discussion when I see one.

[Kip Lange]

Here's a link to the CNN story on the Jeffords defection (although one can hardly trust CNN not to slant to the left, it does at least give a general overview of what went on):

http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/time/2001/06/04/jeffords.html

While this may indeed be a pointless post, even discussion, if you don't wish to engage in an actual debate with me, it's worth looking back at the full story of the Jeffords defection for edification.

--KL

[Jhoffa_]

I would agree with you about Jeffords and I couldn't even go so far as to lay the blame at the feet of Trent Lott, much as I dislike him at times.

It may have been Jeffords excuse, but I think we all know he was just a small man overcome by an enormous ego.

[Jhoffa_]

Oh, and PS:

Please note that I did not defend the article. I just agreed with the headline itself in principle.

I am more concerned about our Republic than I am the survival or viability of any one man or party.. All the way from Harry Browne, to George Bush, to Ralph Nader to Alan Keyes.