Jeffords appearance at Kirk fund-raiser angers GOP
Posted on 05/20/2002 6:05:25 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP
Jeffords appearance at Kirk fund-raiser angers GOP
05/20/2002
HOUSTON - Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, who is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, angered Republicans by inviting U.S. Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont, an independent, to attend a $5,000-per-person Houston fund-raiser Sunday.
Republicans say it is inappropriate for Mr. Kirk to invite Mr. Jeffords to campaign on his behalf because the Vermont senator was responsible for President Bush's biggest political setback when Mr. Jeffords left the Republican Party, giving Democrats control of the Senate last summer.
"He is here helping to raise money for Mr. Kirk, who is supposed to be supporting G.W. Bush but cannot possibly be supporting G.W. Bush when he is out here getting money from jumping Jim Jeffords," said Cheryl Daringer, who was among a dozen protesters outside the private home where Mr. Kirk's fund-raiser was held.
Mr. Kirk dismissed the criticism, saying that if he is elected to the U.S. Senate, he will be able to put the issues most important to Texans ahead of partisan politics.
"Most Texans thought it was a pretty good thing and pretty courageous when Phil Gramm switched parties and when Rick Perry switched parties," he said.
Dave Beckwith a campaign spokesman for Texas Attorney General John Cornyn, the Republican who is running against Mr. Kirk for Sen. Gramm's post said that Mr. Gramm, unlike Mr. Jeffords, resigned his congressional seat before switching parties.
Mr. Jeffords said he became an independent because he disagreed with the Republican stance on the role the federal government should play in funding public education. Mr. Jeffords said he and Mr. Kirk agree federal money is necessary to improve school systems across the nation.
"Most Texans thought it was a pretty good thing and pretty courageous when
Phil Gramm switched parties and when Rick Perry switched parties," he said.
That just goes to show how out of touch with Texans you are, Ron! 
Most Texans were NOT happy with Jumpin' Jeffords switch!
I know Gramm faced re-election when he switched, didn't Perry do the same? I know Jeffords waited till he had 6 yrs unchallenged until his "moral courage" became apparent.
What delusion is this chick under, that a DEMOCRATIC nominee is supposed to be supporting a Republican? And what is with this outrage? It comes as a surprise that a man who leaves a party might attend fund-raisers for those who are running against his former allies?
No.. not if you are an informed voter. My prediction is that this will be a dirty campaign and this is just the beginning.
However, I doubt that many Texas Republicans will find it surprising that Jeffords is campaigning for Democrats. He got a big payback for his "principles," a big book deal, just to mention one of his many rewards.
He's just an ugly old man in my opinion, and boring! Use him in more campaign events I say!
You are so right..............now let's just PRAY his constituents are of the same mind............I wonder what Jeffords 'payment' was for appearing at the Kirk fund-raising event!! He can probably name his own price!! What a slimeball!!
Jeffords, by the way, odd that he would profess to be an independent yet went to the democrat Ron Kirk to support in Texas. He is "pie in your face, Mr. President". I live in Houston and had I known about this I would have been there protesting.
It just seems like a Poke in the Eye for him to come all the way to Texas to help
'em out (I guess we don't take it layin' down!)...........
Republicans say it is inappropriate for Mr. Kirk to invite Mr. Jeffords to
campaign on his behalf because the Vermont senator was responsible for
President Bush's biggest political setback when Mr. Jeffords left the
Republican Party, giving Democrats control of the Senate last summer.
It was discussed...that a Back stabbing, vote theiving, party jumper was HARDLY a person Kirk should rely on to show his COMMITMENT to President Bush.
Seems to me that Kirk might as well have said he is a Bush supporter and then ask Osama Bin Laden and Al Gore to help him raise money so he can go to Washington to help President Bush!
Ah, but the media HAILED it as a Principled move! Jeffords, a man of principle! < /sarcasm>
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