Jeffords’ defection unbalances power hold
by Paul D. Matson, reporter

    It looks like the party’s over.

    Or, maybe the party was only envisioned by a few energy power-hungry Washingtonians (i.e., Texas/Alaska oil barons).

    In some circles, GOP stands for Gas, Oil, Plutonium.

    Imagine the glee amongst the power producers (oil, coal and nuclear) when George W. Bush finally took office.

    However, the whole Republican she-bang may have just gone sour.

    Campaign contributions from energy cartel lobbyists to the Republicans’ presidential campaign war-chest was 75 percent of all money allocated for the presidential race.

    It would not be out of line to assume the cartel was jumping up and down, frothing at the mouth, as it were, with the assumption, their pet bills would slide easily across the congressional table.

    Imagine how betrayed they must feel now.

    With Sen. James Jeffords, R-Vt., changing alliances to the Independent Party, the balance of power in Washington may have shifted dramatically.

    Ever since Bush took office, Jeffords has been vocal in his disapproval of several key Republican legislations up for vote in the Senate, mainly the president’s energy policy.

    Instead of a possible 50-50 split on any particular vote in the U.S. Senate, which Vice-President Dick Chaney could over-come with his tiebreaker vote, the balance of power may now lean toward the Democratic side.

    With Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., turning over the reins as Senate Majority Leader to Tom Daschle, Bush should realize he could be forced to change his negotiating tactics.

    Jeffords has always been a middle of the road Republican, voting his and his constituents conscience, as opposed to voting along party lines.

    It has been known for some time that Jeffords felt disenfranchised with the Republican agenda.

    The Senator has expressed his displeasure several times to the White House, most notably over bills concerning energy, missile defense and campaign finance reform.

    Several Republican moderates may now be feeling new leverage concerning votes on certain issues with this shift in power. Many programs concern energy, environment and health care.
    In the House, the vote may now be too close to call with the Republicans holding a 221-210 majority with two independents and two vacant seats waiting to be filled.

    With several pivotal legislative issues on the horizon, Republicans may not have the votes originally guaranteed to slide their agenda down the American public’s throat.

    Also with Republicans’ losing several key committee positions, most notably, Texan Phil Gramm’s leadership of the Senate Banking Committee, it gets worse.

    The new Senate majority leader, Tom Daschle, D-S.D., expressed doubt that President Bush’s upcoming agenda, especially missile defense and his energy plan, stands much of a chance on the Senate floor.

    Nuclear power seems to be another problem winning an upcoming vote since some in congress have expressed concern over the lack of a national repository for nuclear waste storage.

    The prospect of drilling for oil in Alaska’s National Wildlife Refuge may be finished since the Democrats have regained the majority in the Senate.

    With presidential support eroding, Rep. Christopher Cox, R-Calif., asked Bush to withdraw his nomination for a federal judgeship.

    And Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has stated that if legislation on campaign finance reform and on military funding are lost on the floor and if the president’s popularity begins to erode, he may challenge Bush in the 2004 election.

    The times may very well be a changin’, or maybe it’s just business as usual.