|
 ermont's
Jim Jeffords is the RuPaul of American politics. For over two decades,
Jeffords has been a reliable liberal
dressed
up as a Republican. Now he's outing himself.
Jeffords is reportedly upset because the White House didn't invite
him to some ceremonial event. You can be sure that when he announces
his defection from the Republican party, he will wrap his umbrage
in righteous indignation and a painful process of self-discovery.
That's the way of petty politicians.
As a member of the House, Jeffords frequently abandoned his president
and his party. In 1981, he voted against the cornerstone of Ronald
Reagan's economic agenda — significant, across-the-board cuts
in marginal income-tax rates. Jeffords's behavior followed him into
the United States Senate. He voted for Hillary Clinton's national
health-care plan even when many Democrats were jumping ship. He
voted not to convict Bill Clinton for his high crimes and misdemeanors
during the impeachment trial. And most recently, he voted with Senate
Democratic Leader Tom Daschle to torpedo George Bush's $1.6-trillion
tax-relief plan. Apparently it was this vote that steamed Bush and
led to Jeffords's exclusion from a White House event.
Jeffords's idea of "being his own man" involved steadfast support
for the Democratic party's agenda, while caucusing with his Republican
colleagues. There's nothing principled or even honest about this
kind of conduct. Jeffords seemed to believe that he was free to
undermine his president and party without political consequence.
It took nothing more than Bush's gentle rebuke to expose Jeffords's
true nature. The fact is that Jeffords isn't simply leaving the
Republican party; he's giving control of the Senate to the Democrats.
Good riddance.
|
