[tom h]

Billybob, that is one wonderful story about the honorable Senator from Oregon. But, I disagree with your basic premise that a politician shouldn't switch parties.

We elect men, not parties, every two years, and we entrust with them the decision-making responsibility for us. And, this means that if the gentleman's opinions or inclinations shift over time, or if his party moves in an unfavorable direction, he must do what his conscience tells him.

Voting to organize with the other party is no more of a "turncoat" act than voting with the other party a la Zell Miller of Georgia. People change! If you were in a Republican club in your hometown, and one of the officers stood up and announced that he had switched registration and was leaving the club, and provided a heartfelt explanation, would you hate him, rough him up, and throw him out in the street? No! You might gently ask him to resign his office, or initiate a recall, but you would respect his switch if it was conscientious and honorably done.

Don't get me wrong -- I am a very conservative Republican and view Jeffords' switch as an act of betrayal, but it was his motives that were suspect. I do not view the switches by Richard Shelby and Ben Nighthorse Campbell that way. And, to be candid, Jeffords' departure probably was one of the reasons that Republicans regained the Senate because the obstructionist Democrats only increased voter frustration before this month's elections.

I'm glad to have Jeffords on the other side because without him our party is closer to its principles. His switch was a purifying act.

[lepton]

If you were in a Republican club in your hometown, and one of the officers stood up and announced that he had switched registration and was leaving the club, and provided a heartfelt explanation, would you hate him, rough him up, and throw him out in the street? No! You might gently ask him to resign his office, or initiate a recall, but you would respect his switch if it was conscientious and honorably done.

I think it's a bit different if he'd just gotten elected based on running on your platform - then he's obviously of lesser character.

[Congressman Billybob]

I have no quarrel with a politician changing parties while in office. That is exactly the way the Republican Party came into existence in 1854 in Congress. I am only pointing out that there are honorable -- and dishonorable -- ways to accomplish such a change.

I agree that the Republican Party is well rid of Jeffords, and well served by the gain of Ben Campbell. It would be well served also by the addition of Zell Miller. But because he's been a Democrat for 70 years, he will remain one, yet vote his conscience and speak his mind. That's okay, too.

And I agree with you that the sleaziness of Jumpin' Jeffords' move was one part of the national mosaic which made a significant majority of Americans decide to dump the Democrats from majority power at ALL levels of government.

Congressman Billybob