Jeffords' Jump a Response to Changed Electorate

Vermont Senator James Jeffords made history by resigning from the Republican party-- with which he had been affiliated for more than 26 years -- and joining the Democrats in an attempt to thwart President Bush’s “conservative” agenda.

Since the Civil War and birth of the Republican Party, 16 senators have changed their party affiliation. However, none before Jeffords reversed control of the Senate.

Stunned Republicans and beltway pundits have dissected every sentence of Jeffords’ explanation, parsed every word and consulted their Ojai boards for mystic meaning.

He is said to be a liberal finally coming out of the closet, or a bruised egocentric pouting over White House slights, or a high-minded statesman determined to improve mankind, or all of the above. All wrong.

Politicians change party for one reason – their electorates have already changed party, or are about to.

Vermonters had been solid Republican since the Civil war – a people concerned about social issues. However, so-called “independents” in Vermont now constitute 55 percent of registered voters. Party loyalty has dwindled for Republicans and Democrats.

The political landscape in Vermont is changing. Thus, Jeffords has positioned himself with the majority back home and picked up a juicy power plum in the process – chairmanship of the powerful, pork-heavy Environment and Public Works Committee.

It is fair to ask: “Why now?” Jeffords had no qualms about running with Bush in the general election – conservative agenda and all. The senator voted for the Bush tax cut and played a significant role with Sen. Teddy Kennedy in sweetening Bush’s education package.

The answer to “why now” is mean and ghoulish – but who said politics was beanbag?

Daschle-led Senate Dems have mounted a deathwatch for 98-year-old Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond. It is obvious to TV viewers that the South Carolina senator is feeble and relies on prompting by aides at each elbow. He hangs on to hold the seat for Republicans.

During the late night “debates” over the tax-cut bill, Daschle Dems offered dozens of frivolous “amendments” in an effort to delay a final vote. The aim, admittedly, was to deny Dubya an opportunity to boast of victory during the Memorial Holiday.

Of such childish antics is our political system fraught.

In addition, the exhausting, pro forma late-night sessions provided an opportunity to wear down old Thurmond. While weary senators were allowed to “pair” with colleagues of the opposite party and go home, minority leader Daschle refused to allow Sen. Joe Biden to graciously pair with Sen. Thurmond.

It’s not fair to try and fool Mother Nature. Sen. Robert Byrd, (Dem.W.Va) is almost as feeble as Sen. Thurmond. Even robust individuals can suddenly become victims of accidents or diseases.

It is interesting to observe the reactions of in- house Democrats and Republicans regarding Jeffords’ switcheroo.

Sen.Tom Daschle, who becomes majority leader, rushed to the cameras to proclaim President Bush’s agenda “finished” lock stock and barrel. This is, of course, hog wash. The members of the Senate are still ideologically the same.

Twelve “moderate” Democrats – “blue dogs” by their own definition, in contrast to self-described knee-jerk “yellow dogs” – voted for Bush’s tax cut. Blue dogs have the balance of power, as they have for the last 50 years.

Jeffords voted with the Democrats more than half the time anyway. If he is a true independent – as he proclaims – he will continue to vote for 45 percent of GOP issues.

Republicans still control the House of Representatives where money bills must originate. A Republican president controls patronage and the bully pulpit.

Senate Democrats will have a committee majority to obstruct judicial appointments, and to launch legislation reviews replete with big business, polluter skin-flint witnesses to heckle.

This, also, is a two-way street. Obstructionism is a plus only with the extreme wings of a party. Now, Bush has an escape valve by which he can blame Democrats if things go wrong.

The real damage to “compassionate conservatism” can come with blocking unwelcome judges – federal, appeal, and supreme. The harpies have their own Supreme Court deathwatch. The oldest justices are considered by Democrats to be unbearably conservative.

Daschel, et al, already have declared Justice Anthony Scalia – Bush’s declared favorite – unacceptable for chief justice to replace Rehnquist who has hinted at weariness.

Now we shall see the mettle of Daschle who was successful as Senate minority leader by peeling off Jeffords. Likewise, we shall evaluate the performance of Trent Lott who was adept as Senate majority leader at cajoling moderate Democrats.

Times have changed. It is not likely that either will hold his august position after the 2002 political cycle already begun. Tighten your seat belt.

PARTING SHOTS

The XFL football league of 8 teams -- patterned after professional wrestling -- has folded after one season. It couldn’t compete with primetime TV violence.

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Al Sharpton is on a hunger strike, vying with Jesse Jackson and Louis Farakan for radical black leadership – fighting for the last deck chair on the Titanic.

Lindsey Williams is a Sun Columnist

Williams – jeffords

Sunday – june 3, 2001

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