Giving Jim Jeffords His Due Credit - Howard Dean, DNC

With his retirement from the Senate looming, I had expected to hear moderate Democrats laud and lionize the supreme act of patriotism that Jeffords committed in May 2001.

If the Senate splits 50-50, a Lincoln Chafee, Arlen Specter, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, etc. may be inclined to follow Jeffords' example, to deprive Cheney the Iraqeteer of the tie-breaking vote to organize the Senate.

Instead of demonizing all Republicans, the Dems may wish to hedge their bets against the Split Senate Scenario.

Running a nationwide thank-you ad (out of DNC coffers) for Jeffords would serve many purposes:

1. It would sow the seed in other potential Senate defectors' minds.

2. It would remind moderate, independent-minded, progressive Republicans that at least one lifelong Republican broke publicly with the President and the GOP "leaders" to follow his conscience. That reminder may just be enough to make the difference at the polls in some tight races.

3. It would show that the Democratic leaders are truly willing to work in a bi-partisan fashion, rather than rushing headlong toward retribution.

- Dave