Many in G.O.P. Remain Bullish in Face of Senate Loss: “Confronting the loss of the first
all-Republican government in nearly 50
years, after a scant four months in power,
many conservatives profess to be
undaunted… Conservatives have concluded that it is Mr. Jeffords who is to blame for the
sudden Senate power shift, not them — an argument that Mr. Lott was more than
happy to embrace on his own behalf.” New York Times Mr. Lott even admits he included Jeffords in the ‘Singing Senators’ barbershop quartet to “keep (him) feeling like he was part of the family.” [the ingrate!] And Joe Conason: Ready for Slime Time:Critics Slander
Jeffords. “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… Mr. Jeffords was well aware that his decision would rupture old
friendships, as he regretfully predicted the other day. After observing how his
party’s enforcers treated the Clintons and anyone else who got in their way in
recent years, he may well have anticipated the treatment he’s getting now.” New York Observer Jeffords receives death threats after party switch, accompanied by plainclothes Capitol Police since his announcement. USAToday
And good ol’ Molly Ivins says in The Nation: “When Texas sent the nation Billy Bob Forehead for President, we did, in fact, try to
warn y’all about (Karl) Rove. He not only goes after Democrats, his record of attacking
Republicans who cross him is equally distinguished. Rumor and slur campaigns are
among his favorite methods. He started using dirty tricks when he was with the College
Republicans and has since been linked to the rumors that Ann Richards is a lesbian (a
perennial for any woman in politics), that John McCain is crazy as a result of his years in
prison camp and several other notable doozies. The campaign against McCain in South
Carolina during the primaries was a Rove classic. McCain was simultaneously rumored
to be gay and a tomcat who cheats on his wife, who in turn was rumored to be a drug
addict. The news that McCain has a black daughter (adopted from Bangladesh) was
spread judiciously under the radar of the national media. Anonymous leaflets put under
the windshield wipers of cars parked at white fundamentalist churches on Sunday are
good for this purpose, as are certain radio call-in shows.”
McCain is Considering Leaving the G.O.P. Trying to build a centrist wing of the Republicans, in a widening rift with the President’s faction, and privately meeting last weekend with at least three prominent Democrats about defecting. Washington Post
