Jeffords Warns GOP: Pressure Can Backfire

Washington Post ^ | may 4, 2003 | Helen Dewar

[FairOpinion]

Vermont Sen. James M. Jeffords had some not-too-subtle words of advice yesterday for Republicans as they push reluctant GOP moderates to support President Bush's tax-cut package: Don't forget what happened the last time you tried this.

It was two years ago this month that Jeffords decided to bolt from the Republican Party and become an independent, tipping the balance of power in the Senate to the Democrats until the GOP regained a narrow majority in November.

Now, Jeffords said in delivering the Democrats' response to Bush's weekly radio address, Republicans who disagree with Bush on fiscal priorities -- an apparent reference to Sens. Olympia J. Snowe (Maine) and George V. Voinovich (Ohio) -- are being pressured to toe the party line. Bush recently chose Ohio as the backdrop for a sales pitch on his tax-cut bill, and the Club for Growth, a conservative advocacy group, has run ads showing Voinovich and Snowe flanked by the French flag, which was not meant as a compliment.

[FairOpinion]

Isn't this just precious, Jeffords delivering the Dem response and "warning the GOP"?!

[Thebaddog]

He would be the type to cuddle up with Chafee. Who's the receiver?

[TLBSHOW]

Maybe Olympia J. Snowe and George V. Voinovich are in talks with Jeffords to become full rats?

[OpusatFR]

Maybe he thinks every other moderate Republican can be bought by the dems, you know, the classic projection of one's own thoughts into a given situation?

Sorry, Jeffy, most people won't sell out....like you did.

[anniegetyourgun]

Jimbonehead, don't forget what happened to libs who misunderestimate the Prez - see 2002. And you'll be lucky to get out of 2004 without loss of a few more seats in the Senate. Thereby rendering Vermont senators even more meaningless.

[LasVegasMac]

the Club for Growth, a conservative advocacy group, has run ads showing Voinovich and Snowe flanked by the French flag, which was not meant as a compliment.

ROTFLOL!!!! Wish I could see the ad!

I'm surprised Jumpin' Jim did not use the standard party line, "I'm deeply saddened and, oh yes, deeply concnerned also, that ......blah blah blah.

Screw him.

LVM

[Jhoffa_]

LOL! LOL!

Jeffords is advising the Republican party..?

BWAHHAHAHAH!! It's too much!

Hey, BTW.. (LOL!) Have they disassembled his precious Dairy Monopoly yet?

[Numbers Guy]

Jim Jeffords was always a Democrat, he just finally formalized it--and promptly lost all his leverage, poor baby.

If Snowe and others want to jump ship, they'll really enjoy being part of the minority after Nov 2004.

[laurav]

Two thoughts:

1. Jeffords is trying to remind people he exists. I think his books have even been shoved out of the remainder bin to make space for more interesting reads.

2. Republicans who don't support income tax cuts are not Republicans. I can understand the differences on issues such as abortion, immigration, gay rights, etc., but if you aren't in favor of lower taxes, there is no reason to be a Republican.

[Nagual]

Jumping Jim, Baghdad Bob, Jumping Jim, Baghdad Bob.

Confusing, isn't it?

[FairOpinion]

"Jumping Jim, Baghdad Bob"

Don't forget, there is also a "Baghdad Jim (McDermott)", just to make it even more confusing. ;)

[sd-joe]

Getting rid of Jeffords was a hugh plus for the Republicans in the long run.

It showed other lefty Republicans that the party could be pushed only so far. Just like handling Iraq makes a very effective demonstration to other bad guys.

It got rid of a negative voice from within the party that totally infuriated the party ground roots. It is hard to take a position as a party when someone on the inside is vocally opposed to it.

It gave the Republican base a hugh incentive to get active and take back the Senate.

What the Republicans need to do is to continue to clean out those who claim to be Republican, but don't agree with the Republican principles.

[mrsmith]

Message from the least significant, unacknowledged member of the minority party:

"All you Republican Senators defying Bush- look at me!"

[dark_lord]

Lest we get overconfident, Illinois is highly likely to elect a Dem senator to replace Fitzgerald. This is because the Illinois Republican party has become completely corrupted. It is likely they will nominate a RINO and the conservatives will not vote for the RINO. And the Dems now control the Illinois state government lock, stock, and barrel.

[FairOpinion]

Message from the least significant, unacknowledged member of the minority party:
"All you Republican Senators defying Bush- look at me!"
---

Great point!! That should make all would be Republican traitors think twice about defecting from the Republican party.

[GreatOne]

Who is Jim Jeffords?

[FairOpinion]

"(The Statue of Liberty now holds a baseball bat and she's yelling 'You want a piece of me?') "

---

Great sig line! :)

[LasVegasMac]

misunderestimate

Is that really a word?

One can estimate. One can also underestimate. If you "misunderestimate" does that mean you are back to estimate? Or still in the underestimate category?

Such complicated issues for a great Sunday afternoon, no? I’m not being the grammar Nazi here, I can - and frequently do - butcher with the best of them! Just never seen that word used before. My spell checker does not like it either.

LVM

[LasVegasMac]

Getting rid of Jeffords was a hugh plus for the Republicans in the long run.

I can you are series.

LVM

[anniegetyourgun]

Misunderestimate = a Bushism.