Opinion on Jeffords switch

ddl · May 27, 2001

The common idea is that "I vote for the man not the party", everyone votes for a person, but that person aligns themselfs with a party. ONe reason is for common ideas that they have and more for funding to run. The question I have for Vermont people, why did not Bennedick run as a democarat in your state. Is it that he could not win a primary as a real democrat. And what does this say about your state, this puts your state in the same box as New York. Both could not find a real democrat in their state to run and win.

Dan L

Boondox · May 27, 2001

Which is EXACTLY what we here in Vermont have!

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

Boondox · May 27, 2001

Wingnut -- Before you go around slamming all Vermonters who like Jeffords, ask yourself this: How else, given the politics of big business, could an official from a very rural state with only two electoral votes (a state that is therefore pretty much disregarded by the mainstream politicians as therefore unimportant except during their vacations) give his state a meaningful voice? And before you ridicule the NE Dairy Compact, figure out another way to ensure that we can retain our rural flavor once the little guys have been swallowed by huge agribusiness.

Yes we are proud of Jeffords. He did what's right for Vermont, and continues to "dance with him who brung him." I can't understand why folks in other states are content to elect officials more interested in their party than in their states.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

Boondox · May 27, 2001

Dan -- You miss the point entirely. Jeffords and Leahy are both doing excellent work for Vermont and Vermonters. It has nothing to do with being unable to find an opponent of the opposite party and everything with being unable to find enough voters dissatisfied with them...to the point where they'd possibly vote for another.

I don't understand how so many of you can complain about gridlock, about politicians acting like politicians instead of Americans, and then complain even more bitterly when one of them does what's right for those he represents. Though a registered Republican, I will continue to vote for Jeffords. And though a registered Republican, I've voted for and will continue to vote for Leahy as long as he continues to represent our needs so well. I'm proud that our elected officials are not mere ****** to their party.

Some of you have taken this to a very personal level. From my point of view it's like you're attacking a personal friend of mine. I know that any time he's in state, I can pick up the phone and talk personally with Jim about an issue that concerns me. How many of you in other places can say that about your officials? He doesn't know me, but he listens to my views even though I haven't donated thousands to his campaign. Can advocates of Orinn Hatch or Trent Lott say that? Jim Jeffords is not a coward, a slug, without honor or any of the other disparaging remarks I've read on this thread. Nor is he a Republican or a Democrat. He is a Vermonter, and that works for those who elected him.

Let's cool the hateful rhetoric, okay?

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

cowboydoc · May 27, 2001

Pete,
I like you and you have great comments but practice what you preach. I know Mr. Hatch through Governor Leavitt in Utah who is my cousin. When Mr. Hatch was trying to make a run for a presidential bid last year I helped to spearhead his campaign in Iowa. He was available and is still available with a phone call and is very concerned about healthcare and some other issues which I take to heart and he isn't even my state senator.

ERNIEB · May 27, 2001

Pete, Maybe I've just become jaded when it comes to politics, but nobody gets elected to the senate without money, and lots of it. Without it Jeffords would not have even been there for the people of Vermont to vote on.
Bottom line, He took the republicans money, and then dumped them to get a chairmanship.

Ernie

Anonymous Poster · May 27, 2001

Pete. Do you have the figures on the dollar amount that Jeffords spent in this last election? I have not been able to find the number, I don't believe it was all that much, butProbably more the the $18 that Sen George Aiken spent in his last campaign.

Boondox · May 28, 2001

Richard -- You're absolutely right and I apologize. I should have made a blanket statement instead of singling out any particular politician. We have a very competent senator in Jeffords, one who looks out for Vermont first, and to assume there are not others like him out there was wrong.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

ddl · May 28, 2001

Boondox
This morning in the east coast papers and on C-span, tow things were reported, the first is that Jeffords began talking to the Democrats last year about switching and what they could offer him. He must really have a strong ethical base!! The secod story was about the Repbs. in Vermont want Jeffords to resign and run as a democrat or indep. and to return the money repbs. gave him, he is supposed to have about 1/2 millon left from the last race. When you elect a person, you base his ability to do what he says by who he aligns himself with. From what I can tell only Democrats from Vermont feel thios is a good thing. Oh by the way there are no Independents only people without the guts to state how they really believe. Here was a person with his soul up for sale to the highest bidder, no man at all just scum.

Dan L