...I like people who aren't afraid, and show no fear. Yesterday it was Senator Byrd telling Judy Woodruff that the news media has been intimidated. Today it's a piece in the
Valley News. In an interview that
Senator Jim Jeffords did on Vermont Public Radio's
Switchboard, he said...
"I think it was all done to get oil," Jeffords said of invading Iraq. "And the loss of life that we had, and the cost of it, was to me just a re-election move, and they're going to try to live off it. Probably start another war, wouldn't be surprised, next year. Probably in Iran."
"Do you think that's likely?" VPR host Bob Kinzel asked.
"I probably shouldn't even talk on it, I just feel so bitter about the thinking that's gone on behind them, and the reasons they go to war and went to war," Jeffords replied. "But I feel very strongly that they are looking ahead, and that there will be an opportunity to go into Iran and try to get their son elected president. I don't know, but you do it each time they (are) going to have a new president. I'm very, very (Jeffords chuckles). Oh, well, I better be quiet"
The Republicans responded by questioning Jeffords health, and basically saying he might not be fit to be re-elected to the Senate...
...his statements on Bush's motivation in going to war drew the ire of Vermont Republican Party Chairman Jim Barnett.
"That is the highest level of irresponsibility to suggest that the president has taken the nation to war and put thousands of lives at risk for political purposes," Barnett said. "It's really outrageous, and reason enough that we ought to question Sen. Jeffords' ability to serve Vermonters in a way that makes us proud."
...Randolph resident James Dwinell, a former executive director of the Vermont Republican State Committee and the author of a political newsletter spiced with Republican red meat, wrote that Jeffords' health is the "elephant in the corner" and predicted he won't run again....
This drew a response from Jefford's spokesman Erik Smulson...
...Smulson dismissed Dwinell's prediction and said efforts to question Jeffords' health are motivated by Republicans still bitter over Jeffords' decision to leave the party.
"`Turncoat Jeffords' clearly did not work for them. Now they've sunk even lower," Smulson said. "Sen. Jeffords is in excellent health, and he's looking forward to waging a spirited campaign."
...Jeffords joins John McCain as being called too feeble or crazy to hold office, by the Republicans.