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American Morning
Senator Jeffords Seeks Advice From Former Senator Robert Stafford
Aired May 23, 2001 - 09:06 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Now, let's get back to our top story: the possibility of Senator Jeffords switching parties from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party. The senator consulted about switching parties with the man that he replaced in the Senate 13 years ago. Former Vermont Senator Robert Stafford says Jeffords called him a few days ago.
Senator Stafford joining us by phone from Rutland, Vermont.
Senator, good morning, thanks for joining us.
ROBERT STAFFORD, FORMER U.S. SENATOR: Good morning.
KAGAN: What can you tell us about the conversation you had with Senator Jeffords recently?
STAFFORD: Yes, I can, but I can't illuminate the situation very much because our conversation was fairly long and rambling. And we both grew up in the same part of the same little city in Vermont about 20 years apart.
KAGAN: Did he share with you - did Senator Jeffords share with you his frustration with the Republican Party and why he was thinking about switching?
STAFFORD: We did not really discuss what he might do. And I felt constrained not to offer advice unless I knew what he intended to do. So he didn't tell me and I didn't offer much advice. We simply discussed the situation for a while, our personal families, which have been close for years and years. And I -- the conversation ended without my knowing what his intention is at the present time whether he's going to leave the party or not or become an Independent or not.
KAGAN: So you can't give us insight into that, sir, but can you tell us how this is playing back home? How are folks in Vermont feeling about this news that it looks like Senator Jeffords will leave the Republican Party?
STAFFORD: Well, I think there will - there will be an obvious reaction to that. Democrats will probably be pleased. Republicans will probably be somewhat peeved.
KAGAN: Well, sir, and what about the voters who sent him to office as a Republican?
STAFFORD: Well, they will be, I expect, rather unhappy.
KAGAN: Tell...
STAFFORD: But I think Jim has to think about that and that ought to be prior to what he has been doing. I had hoped I might get a chance to talk to him yesterday but - last night, but he was too busy to do it and I'm too old to stay up late.
KAGAN: Well, we're a little bit younger and we - it's hard for us to stay up late as well, sir.
Senator - former Senator Stafford, thanks for joining us. We do appreciate your time.
STAFFORD: You're welcome.
KAGAN: Yes.
STAFFORD: Yes. Bye.
HARRIS: Senator, we know how you feel!
KAGAN: Yes, it's hard for us to stay up late.
HARRIS: Big time.
Well, Senator Jeffords' decision is raising some questions about the future of the tax cut legislation, as we just discussed moments ago. The Senate is scheduled to take up that measure again this hour. Dissatisfied Democrats have offered dozens of amendments this week, most of them to scale back tax cuts for the wealthy. Republicans are still determined to get the 11-year $1.35 trillion tax cut passed and sent on to the president by Memorial Day.
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