Sunday, May 16, 2010
More So the Conscience
Of all the politicians who've switched parties (and/or who have become independents) over the past ten years or so, the one who I probably respect the most is Jim Jeffords. For those of you who don't remember him, Jeffords was a moderate Republican Senator from the state of Vermont. And, yes, back in 2001, the fellow switched his status to independent and started caucusing with the Democrats (he evidently felt that George W. Bush/the Republicans on the "Hill" were veering too far to the right). I say that I admire him most, not so much because he decided against being a Republican, but because of his good timing. He made the switch AFTER he was reelected - not before, and certainly not as a means in which to get reelected.........................................................................................................Now, this isn't to say that Mr. Jeffords didn't get a lot of criticism. He did, especially from his fellow Republicans (one of which, ironically, was Arlen Specter, by the way). Some of them even went as far as to call the Senator a traitor. But, like I said before, at least he didn't sell his soul in order to get reelected. That, I'm afraid to say, is far, FAR, more the domain of Arlen Specter. Opportunism, anyone?
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2 comments:
I was cool with Jeffords switching myself back then though I was a republican at the time.
Back in the 1980's I read up, I must admit, pretty good on the workings of the communist party in the Soviet Union and I developed an extreme dislike to the fanatical zeal the stereotypical communist was suppose to pursue the goals of the party.
That has carried over to American political parties and on matters of religion. I get uncomfortable when one side or the other believes they have all the answers.
Jeffords switching parties struck me along those lines. He seemed to me to be doing it on principle. On the other hand, Specter has been caught on tape saying he switched for less honorable reasons.
Now on the matter of Crist, I like him but the jury is still out.
Crist, I'm afraid to say, is probably more along the lines of Specter and Leibermann. This said, I would probably vote for him, though. If for nothing else, than to send a strong message.
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