Maybe not such a Grand Old Party after all?
I can’t tell you whether James Jeffords is going to announce he’s switching to the Democratic party tomorrow. But it’s pretty hard to imagine he’d call a press conference to announce he’s staying a Republican.
One senate staffer suggests the interesting possibility that Jeffords could become an independent but vote for Daschle for Majority Leader — much like his fellow Vermonter Bernie Sanders does in the House. But I think that’s just clever speculation — not a hint of what will happen tomorrow.
It’s hard to overstate the significance of Jeffords’ switch, if it happens. But if it does, what about Zell Miller?
P.S. Late Update … Between about 7:30 PM and 8:00 PM, the word circulated on the Hill that it’s a done deal. Jeffords is making the switch.