Jeffords, Leahy should blame themselves (WOW! Someone in VT has some sense!)

Burlington Free Press ^ | 11-19-2002 | David Howe

[The Anti-Democrat]

I read with interest Erin Kelly's article headlined "Vermont senators lose clout" (Nov. 7). The essence of her story points out Vermont's loss of influence within the U.S. Senate as it shifts from Democratic to Republican control. What is not presented in her article is how our two U.S. senators unwittingly contributed to that loss.

[SevenDaysInMay]

Why end an economic boycott of Vermont, vacationers and federal program spending? New Hampshire does not have such socialist, Party uber alles politicians and is more interesting geographically. The utopian voters of Vermont should recognize a "get real" wake-up call when they see one, or become another Rhode Island; could another Kennedy running for office be far behind?

[hoosierpearl]

I had read that Jeffords said he would caucus with the Republicans if they would let him keep his committee chair. He didn't offer to become a Republican, but to caucus with them. He was going to stay an independent. Which is what he did to give the DimDems the majority.

[lilylangtree]

Another thing to point out besides Jeffords public defection is that the demorats once again circumvented the law when they replaced Torricelli in New Jersey with Lautenberg, and Mondale replaced Wellstone just days before the election. Wasn't it proven that legally a party has so many days prior to an election to replace an individual? The above two cases prove once again that demorats favor their gain over the law of the land. What's so bloody annoying is that the demorats got away with it. Indeed, justice is blind!

[tuna_battle]

My right ear fires missiles:

[Nick Danger]

This is an article that never should have been written.

We have all these pundits in the media telling the Democrats that they need to be more up-front and open about standing up for what they believe in, and now comes this guy to explain to them what's gonna happen when they do.

Couldn't you just see the crop of 2004 Democratic Senate hopefuls proudly pointing to Senator Leahy as an example of Democrats taking a stand? And what about that heroic Senator Jeffords, the principled man who stood up for what he believed in? Damn, I was so looking forward to that.

[muawiyah]

"Unwittingly" is an apt word for what happened to Leahy and Jeffords.

It would be impolite to describe them as "brain dead", yet!

[DCPatriot]

"...They're both in the political penalty box for unsportsman-like conduct."

In soccer, they get RED CARDED, and placed on suspension.....forget about hockey. ;^)

[TigersEye]

And yes I'm a flatlander. And yes, flatlanders have a right to have an opinion!

LOL Well I moved here from CO so I don't know if I can be called a flatlander or not. Compared to CO VT is flat. Or small foothills at any rate.

Anyway, you are right about VT Repub.'s. We just elected a Repub. Gov. and Lt. Gov. because they stayed on track and avoided hot button issues though. Other Repub.'s lost because they avoided those same issues in their county races.

FWIW Leaky is up for re-election in '04 and we're working on that. Jeffords is an Independent. That means Independent Fund Raising in '06. The Dem.'s liked his treason here but they won't give him any money. Repub's will never forget. He can panhandle on the street corner for his next election.

[mlmr]

I think we need sound bites here. Names that stick like Tricky Dicky. Jumping Jeffords and Lying Leheay?

[Wingy]

I think we need sound bites here. Names that stick like..Jumping Jeffords and Lying Leahy?

That's a step in the right direction, but in four years who will care what party Jimmy used to be in? You could append "Lying" to most of the demorat caucus and be accurate. Will that curb his appeal?

I think that unless these folks make a large gaff on the order of threatening their opponent during or after a debate, then to make a difference we have to find some dirt and release it just prior to the election. Something like Bush's DWI. If you want to play this game, at leat try to win...

Be well

[brat]

" Leahy and Jeffords set the stage for their loss of stature within the Senate."

Let us hope they lose their seats as well. LOL

[Macklew]

I can't think of any other state that has more despicable Senators.....

Take at look at New York. It's a toss up!

[SunnyUsa]

"Take at look at New York. It's a toss up!"

It's close but VT still wins out for me... Leaky Obstructionist Leahy and TurnCoat Rat Jeffords !

It couldn't happen to more deserving horrible men.

[thingumbob]

Indeed, justice is blind!

Actually, I'd say that Justice is Brain Dead in those two cases.

[Straight Vermonter]

I have been saying again and again that we ain't all nuts up here! It is so nice to be vindicated.

[Cincinatus]

I can't think of any other state that has more despicable Senators.....

Well, how about Massachusetts, Michigan, California, and, last but most certainly not least, my own (current) home state of Maryland??

[The Wizard]

good post

[aristeides]

Jeffords, the so-called "independent," has been chosen to deliver the RATs' radio address on Saturday: Independent to deliver Dem's radio address: Jeffords criticizes GOP on environment.

By the way, did anybody else notice the news yesterday (that came out in connection with Pelosi's refusal to honor all of Gephardt's prior deals) that Gephardt in 2000 had guaranteed committee assignments to Socialist VT Rep. Bernie Sanders in return for his not running for Jeffords's Senate seat? Since Jeffords ended up not having serious DemocRAT opposition for that seat (he won 66%-25% in 2000), I can only suppose this was for the purpose of protecting Jeffords's seat.

[aristeides]

If Jeffords only offered to caucus with the Republicans, that could explain his denial of the Washington Times story: i.e., if he only offered to caucus while staying independent, he did not, technically, offer to rejoin the Republicans.

[PJ-Comix]

Um....This story was already posted by YOURS TRULY on this THREAD back on November 19. Remember, do a search before posting to avoid duplication.