A true American Hero!

I called Sen Ben Campbell a turncoat when he switched parties and so to be fair I have to say the same for Jeffords. But Donna Brazil stated it best --"Jim Jeffords did not leave the Republican Party, the Republican Party left James Jeffords." Trent Lott was asleep at the wheel for this one and deserves to lose his leadership position in the Party. Bush deserves some of the blame because members of the Republican Party could not even get through to him, most notable Sen. Snowe, when they found out Jeffords was about to switch parties. But most of the blame lies squarely on the radical right wing of the Republican Party who refused to accept Jeffords heartfelt opposition to the President's tax plan. It was those right wing members with vows of retribution against Vermon't Dairy Farmers that drove Jeffords out of the GOP. Good on 'em!

I have absolutely no political respect for this man. While I believe it is an exceptional to find someone who makes decisions based on his values, I would feel betrayed if I voted for him. By making this change, he has show he is not the man he said he was during the campaign; if I voted for him, it was for him as a republican, supporting the views espoused by himself and the party. He is no longer the same man. I'd push for a re-call election. Standing up for your convistions is something of which to be proud, but when you are the elected representative of the people, and you "change your mind" mid-stream, you should step down and let the people have someone that will stick to the platform and promises.

Jeffords has integrity thank God he is standing up to the crap unfolding in Washington GO JEFFORDS somebody has to represent the working class that doesnt have money invested in the oil buisness, and friends in low places.

The republican politican I have most respect for. I watched his historical speach directly at CNN: What a thrill! I loved each second of it, & the coolest was the crouds that didn't want to stop applaud! James Jeffords will surthenly not become the Republican candidate in the next president election, but it would have been could if he would! Then I think even Al Gore, Jesse Jackson, Hillary Clinton, or whoever will become the Democratic rival, will have serious troubles with winning the title! I admire Jeffords a lot & wish him the very best for the future! An old saying tells us that "Honesty last the longest". I'll change it a bit to fit the current situation: "Braveness & courage last the longest!"

Hey, the man is so full of testosterone he could donate some to all those hawks from the south. Please tell me something. What would you have done if you were, as he was by his own party, threatened with withholding of support and political contributions. If you were humiliated as he was but not being invited to an honor of one of his constituents, if you were told that in the next election you would not be supported by your own party. Would you have had the balls that this guy has? We need more like him. People who really care about their flock regardless of political affiliation. Meanwhile our wonderful president elect fiddles with his fingers about the energy crisis because it doesn't affect the rich and powerful. The hell with the rest of us. His 10 year plan is not going to do anything for me when I will have lost it all. And the saddest part is the HE didn't really win. As they say "only in America". And I thought this stuff only happened in the banana republics.

I have a lot of respect for Jeffords. Here is a guy who is not by any means considered a maverick in the Senate and was respected by both sides of the aisle. He was a moderate Republican who tended to vote Democrat on many issues. Yet, he made the courageous decision to switch party affiliations to Independent because his beliefs were not in line with the Republican Party. He did this knowing that his change would switch the balance of power in the Senate. Anyone can make a decision when there is little on the line. How great it is to see a man who will make a difficult choice and stand up for his convictions, no matter what the repurcusions are.