Sorry, Jim (Jeffords would be "happy to caucus with the GOP")

Washington Times ^ | 11/20/02

[kattracks]

James Jeffords surely must be the loneliest senator on Capitol Hill. Just six months after the Republican leadership pulled out all the stops to get the Vermonter re-elected in 2000

[aristeides]

The host of one of the Sunday talk shows last week asked Lott whether he would take Jeffords back and give him his chairmanship. Lott joked about it, but, when pressed, said Jeffords had not asked. I think it may have been Tim Russert's show.

Somebody seems to have known something a week and a half ago.

[Republic of Texas]

As someone who has been called a prick before, on more than one occassion, I resent that.

[aristeides]

I don't think Jim Jeffords makes a reflection in mirrors.

I was surprised to read that there is a vanity mirror in Hillary's old office in the White House (which Karl Rove has now inherited.)

[AmishDude]

You didn't think Hillary actually worked in there, did you?

[Republic]

I suggest that he go do something involving his head and his anus.

Paul-you almost always cause me to chuckle and lol! You are a bad boy-never stop.

[MadIvan]

By no means should the Republicans let him back in. Once a traitor, always a traitor. Jim Jeffords is the lowest type of scum, a man who sold out his party and betrayed those who voted for him, merely so he could get some government pork and a temporary advancement in his career. He only got praised for his principles because he was helping the Democrats and the biased media fully supports their causes: raping the taxpayer, killing babies and using the Constitution to wipe their bums with.

Jeffords is reaping the consequences of betrayal - he is now marginalised, irrelevant and powerless. So what if 1 is the loneliest number. He gave up any pretence of being a loyal colleague a long time ago.

Regards, Ivan

[aristeides]

I was surprised to learn she casts a reflection in mirrors.

[Straight Vermonter]

90-9 means one primadonna didn't vote.

Murkowski was the non-voting member. Not sure what the reason was though.

[Credo]

Murkowski probably didn't vote because he has just been elected Governor of Alaska. It will be interesting to see who he appoints to replace himself.

[GulliverSwift]

As far as realpolitik goes, it would be to the pubs' advantage to allow the snake back in, but it would create a huge amount of resentment among the conservative base which would become further dissatisfied with Trent Lott, given his prior actions.

IMHO, the best thing to get Lott going is a challenge from a conservative in the primaries next time he's up. Perhaps even a Freeper? All the candidate has to do is get some fear into Lott's mind that he needs to play hardball as much as Dasshole does. I don't think whoever did it would actually win, but it'd be great if someone could do this.

[ctonious]

If Republicans want to have some fun - they should tell Jeffords that he needs to go on CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC, renounce the 'Rat party for being a bunch of obstructionist slimebags, and that he realizes the error of his ways. In return, the GOP will think about his offer...

[scannell]

Maybe they should take him (Jeffords) back and them back stab him and don't give the chairmanship (reciprocity) and then when he quits again he will totally display his prostitution for his own personal gain and his credibility will be in the tank, especially with the No vote on Home land Security.

[TigersEye]

Sen. Jim Jeffords (I) The 'I' stands for "Independent Funding". His next campaign here in VT will be interesting. Hehehe.

[1Old Pro]

The people of Vermont are losers as well. They now have two senators that couldn't bring home a slice of bacon if they tried.

[tdadams]

All the snails, toads, and snakes in America combined aren't as slimey as this self-serving moron.

Life's a b**ch, Jim. Get used to being irrelevant!

[Pilsner]

According to a senior Senate leadership source, the election results were barely in before Mr. Jeffords' office put out feelers to his former party's leaders...

Asked about the apparant treachery in switching political parties twice (he went from Conservative to Liberal to Conservative), Winston Churchill said Anyone can rat. To rat and then re-rat takes talent.

Jumpin' Jim obviously lacks talent :)

[Recovering_Democrat]

Great, except he's a liberal. He cannot and should not be trusted. A liar is a liar is a liar. Jeffords is by his actions a liar.

[jern]

this is a great, a friend just sent me this link.

[xzins]

see #60 above

[gridlock]

I like your conditions.

If you have Jeffords on board, you could lose two Pubbies and still retain control. McCain is just itching to swing the Senate and position himself as the concensus candidate in 2004. If it's 52/48 (or 53/47), that becomes much less likely.

You have to remember with McCain is that the only thing that matters to him is his shot at the big time in the White House. Right now it looks like he will never get there. Switching the Senate and running as a Dem in 2004 is his only shot.

It's not a high percentage shot, but he can't wait around until 2008. He's not getting any prettier. At the end of the game, it pays to throw the "Hail Mary" pass, just to see what happens. I'm convinced that the only reason McCain didn't do this last year was that the timing was not right and Jeffords beat him to the punch.