Jeffords receives death threats after party switch

By William M. Welch, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Vermont Sen. Jim Jeffords has received death threats since he announced his defection from the Republican Party and tipped control of the Senate to Democrats, aides say.

Jeffords has been accompanied by plainclothes officers from the U.S. Capitol Police since announcing last week that he would become a political independent.

Lt. Dan Nichols, spokesman for the Capitol Police, would not comment on the threats or the protection Jeffords is receiving.

Jeffords is in Italy this week attending an international conference of legislators on global environmental issues, said Erik Smulson, his press secretary. He is expected to take over the chairmanship of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee as part of a deal he made with Democrats.

Jeffords said last week that he will leave the GOP because he disagrees with President Bush and party leaders on key issues. Since then, his office has been inundated with phone calls, letters and other expressions of sentiment. Smulson said nearly all comments from Vermont voters have been positive, while comments nationally have been divided. Vermonters have sent dozens of bouquets of flowers to Jeffords' offices. One caller said she will name her soon-to-be-born son Jim as a result of his switch.

Jeffords' party change takes effect after Congress returns from its Memorial Day recess next week. With the change, the Senate's evenly divided partisan ratio changes to 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans and one independent — Jeffords, who will vote for organizational purposes with Democrats.

When the Senate convenes on Tuesday, Republican Trent Lott of Mississippi still will be majority leader. By the end of the day, Democrat Tom Daschle will be recognized as majority leader. The broader changing of the guard, including swapping majority and minority committee office space, will take about six weeks to complete.

In interviews on two conservative radio talk shows Wednesday, Lott called Jeffords' switch "a coup of one." He said he and other Republicans had gone out of their way to accommodate the moderate Vermont senator and make him feel welcome — even including him in a GOP barbershop quartet known as "The Singing Senators."

"The truth is, it was to try to keep Jim Jeffords feeling like he was part of the family," Lott said.

Lott blasted efforts by some Republicans to blame him and the White House for the defection.

"The only person to blame here is Jim Jeffords," he said. "The voters of Vermont voted for a Republican, and the person who changed that was Jim Jeffords."

Lott vowed that Republicans will force the Senate to consider President Bush's priorities by amending Democratic legislation. "The president's agenda will be heard and voted on," he said.

Contributing: Jim Drinkard

-- Those Friendly Republicans (will@kill.you), May 31, 2001

Answers

Poisonous accusations about Mr. Jeffords have been spewed up by the same pundits who routinely praise George W. Bush for uplifting the atmosphere of Washington. Their bile carried the usual aroma of hypocrisy. Changing the tone was only a self-serving slogan, the kind of cheap sanctimony that winners forget as soon as they sense they might be losing.

These conservatives, who in previous years have welcomed every Democratic turncoat with glee and gloating, didn’t notice how ridiculous they sounded when they suddenly began to wail about the treachery of the Jeffords move. Nor did they seem to realize that by spraying him with venom, they might gradually push other moderate Republicans toward a similar crisis.

The chorus of denunciation was evidently orchestrated by Karl Rove, the President’s top political adviser, who tried to save face by questioning Mr. Jeffords’ motives. The spectacle of a scoundrel trying to damage the reputation of a decent man should disturb the conscience of every fair-minded Republican. And there was once a time when it would have.

-- Joe Connason (observer@ny.com), May 31, 2001.

Speaking of Jeffords, the following was pointed out by a tv news reporter yesterday. I found it rather amusing...

On the Jeffords website there is a "contact" page which reads; - "Please use the following form to contact me with your comments and concerns." - The form is to be filled out and includes a field in which to write your comments/concerns. Unfortunately, after having spent the time and effort to complete this form, you discover there is no "submit" button.

http://jeffords.senate.g ov/contact.htm

-- CD (costavike@hotmail.com), May 31, 2001.

CD, It has been taken out receintly. I wrote him last week befor he switched from there and it had a submit button at the time.

-- Cherri (jessam5@home.com), May 31, 2001.

I as well emailed Jimbo. Told me he got sick of all the Republican morons yelling at him.

I asked him why he didn't just delete the entire page. He said he liked fucking with them.

-- (pas@fortheeasilyamused.com), May 31, 2001.