Douglas clears air on Jeffords

[fromVT]

http://www.reformer.com/Stories/0,1413,102~8860~2739981,00.html

Gov. James Douglas won't cross party lines to vote for an old friend next year -- independent Sen. James Jeffords, who abandoned the Republican Party in 2001.

"I'm a Republican," Douglas said Friday. "I've always voted for Republicans and certainly will in the future."

But Douglas, who raised eyebrows last month by saying he wouldn't leverage his political weight against Jeffords in November 2006, expressed disappointment in Jeffords for making him support a party without him.

{snip}

In a January interview, Jeffords said there were "no ifs, ands or buts" about him seeking re-election.

"All the rumors to the contrary ... are based on spurious information," he said.

Douglas, asked if he thought Jeffords might retire, said: "I don't think so. I take him at his word."

[Justitia]

1. Is that "lockstepping" or "goosestepping" for repubs?

"I'm a Republican," Douglas said Friday. "I've always voted for Republicans and certainly will in the future."

Yeah, forget about voting for the right guy for the job - geesh!
So glad Charles Manson isn't running for office as a repub - yet.


:puke:

[davidinalameda]

2. there are "goosestepping" Dems on here

Charles Manson could run as a Democrat and some people on here would vote for him

[Justitia]

3. true. I could never vote for a repub, but I would consider an independent

esp one with such a record as Jeffords.

You make a valid point. And no, I would not vote for Manson if he was a dem.

[DrZeeLit]

4. Douglas is a Rep. governor in a Democratic state.

He's making concessions at every turn.

I'm sure he welcomed Democrats who crossed party lines to vote for him. I hope the Repubs run that idiot Ruth (can't think of her last name). She's to the right of Ashcroft.

Vermonters won't have any trouble crossing any lines to vote for Jim Jeffords. For the most part, he's a hero here because he stood up for his beliefs. We actually LIKE that in Vermont.

[ozone_man]

5. She who must not be named.

The one that ran on the anti-civil unions plank. Take back Vermont.

[DrZeeLit]

6. Oooh, yes... it's that one... ICK! (let her run, let her run)..... n/t

[PROGRESSIVE1]

7. .............

[johnsonrod]

8. His beliefs?

About the only thing he "believed" was that Thurmond would die in office and shift control to the democrats. Wanting to capitalize on this, he went indie. When the pubs came back in power, he made a few gestures to them to rejoin the party or at least caucus with them. He's just an opportunist, don't be fooled.

[DrZeeLit]

9. Nope.

I live in Vermont and that's not true. He is very much an independent. You can check his voting record. He has not been involved in any Republican caucus, nor does he want to. For that, read his book.

We in Vermont are very proud of Jim Jeffords. He is accessible and genuine, available to all citizens. I've called his office and talked with him. The guy who built my house has breakfast with Senator Jeffords at this little diner in his town when he's here.

He's no opportunist. He's a very real person.