Farewell To Jim Jeffords: The Last Of A Dead Breed

[cali]

I'm excited about the prospect of having Bernie in the Senate, but I want to take a moment to tip my hat to Jeezum Jim as he's affectionately known in these parts. (I have no idea why).

I can't imagine I'll ever vote republican again, but twice I proudly voted for Jim. Humble, thoughtful, about as unlikely a politician as you can imagine, Jim's dedication, to those with disabilities, to the environment and to his state, was always clear.

He's a lousy speaker and perhaps the worst dressed guy in Congress (with the possible exception of Bernie). Nothing slick about him. He's in the tradition of great VT republican Senators like Aiken who stated about Vietnam: "Let's declare victory and get the hell out", Flanders, who was instrumental in taking down McCarthy, and Stafford, a dedicated environmentalist and for whom the Stafford GSA loans are named. This tradition of socially liberal and fiscally conservative, independent Republicans ended in 2001 when Jeffords resigned his membership in the Republican party, handing control of the Senate to the Democrats.

Jeffords came from an old Yankee Republican family. His father was CJ of the Vermont Supreme Court. Being a Republican was a significant part of his identity as a politician; turning his back on the party was not an easy task for him.

Jeffords voted against Alito's confirmation, against tax cuts for the rich, against ANWR and against the PATRIOT Act. He's been staunchly pro choice, and has fought for full funding for special ed.

So, I'm excited about Bernie in the Senate, but I'll never forget what Jeffords did over the years. He paid a price for switching parties. I'm grateful to him for his service, and I'm sorry he's the end of the road for a long honorable tradition.

There are no more like him.

[opihimoimoi]

1. He did his LIFE Good...fighting for what's right is always a good thing.

[Hubert Flottz]

2. Jim Jeffords is a patriot...

I admire the man's courage!

[Atman]

3. Jim has the biggest cajones in Washington

He wasn't his own man, he was his constituents' man. The only representative who actually seemed to REPRESENT instead of just voting for his own interests. Bernie will have some massive shoes to fill.

[cali]

4. Thanks.

I think I'd say that Jim was both his own man and he listened acutely to his constituents, factoring their needs and desires into his decisions. Bernie operates in the same way, as, to a slightly lesser degree, does Pat Leahy. We've got a history of good reps to DC.

[Atman]

5. I was sitting in a little diner in Ludlow a few weeks ago...

...and the locals were discussing the loss of Jim, and were pretty excited about the prospect Bernie filling his shoes. I was actually a bit surprised to hear political discussions like this in such a rural area. But these people were in tune, they were following closely. They all agreed that Bush has ruined America and it will take more people like Bernie and Jim to fix it. It was great to hear positive talk like that. Both those men do Vermont proud.

[Minnesota Libra]

6. What you described is a PATRIOT not a POLITICIAN nt

[cali]

7. Absolutely.

I'm not sure someone as unpolished and unassuming as Jim could get elected today- even in Vermont.

[PFunk]

8. Damn...

There goes the last 'real' republican. I'm sure Teddy and Dwight must not be happy campers right now. Heres a "go in peace" praise from a liberal democrait to him.

[cali]

9. kick because Jim

deserves the thanks of all of DU

[Toots]

10. Jeffords did not vote against Tax Cuts for the rich

It was his last act as a Republican before he made the switch. He has stated several times that he was in favor of those cuts. Everything else is right spot on though..

[cali]

11. Not true.

check out:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/050403C.shtml

And:

By Janet Hook
LOS ANGELES TIMES -- Washington

The first signs of trouble for President Bush’s tax cut measure have surfaced on Capitol Hill, as moderate Republican lawmakers have begun breaking ranks to oppose cutting taxes as deeply as Bush has proposed.

The two most prominent defectors are Sens. James M. Jeffords of Vermont and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, who argued that Bush’s plan to slash taxes by $1.6 trillion over 10 years is too skewed to the wealthy and would leave too little margin for error if projected budget surpluses do not become reality.

Jeffords supported tax cuts but not the ones proposed by bushco. That's one of the reasons he quit.

[Toots]

12. What was Jeffords last vote as a Republican?

:shrug: It was to pass Bush* tax cuts. It is a fact.

[mdmc]

13. God bless him and BERNIE!!!

[Rebelry]

14. Wait, why are we saying farewell?

Obviously I've missed some important news, but I've googled and checked major news sources and I haven't found anything..

Reb

[cali]

16. Jeffords announced his retirement

last summer. Bernie is running for his seat, and is way ahead in the polls.

[Greyhound]

15. It is true he will be missed. He was the type of republican I grew up wit

An honest person with the best interests of the country in his heart. The type of guy you can honestly disagree with, will listen to your arguments, and has thought out his position, and sometimes will change his mind and sometimes will change yours and, if not, you can still part friends and continue to work with on other issues.

[roguevalley]

17. I hear he is getting forgetful and I hope he isn't facing some dread

disease now. He was a man of the moment, stood up for the right and paid a price. Anyone of the triangulating bullshitters in the congress would do well following his example. Go home and have a good retirement, Mr. Jeffords. You served your country well.

[cali]

18. morning kick for Jim n/t

[blondeatlast]

19. He was a rare one that put the nation's interest first.

Imagine where we'd be if we had just 10 more like him on both sides.

:patriot: