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American Morning

Impact of Jeffords Departure on Bush Agenda?

Aired May 24, 2001 - 09:26   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: We're going to get some more insight now -- our senior political analyst Bill Schneider joining us now for the morning.

Bill, good to see you.

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: Good to see you, Daryn.

KAGAN: You certainly got back from Atlanta quickly last night.

SCHNEIDER: Well, there was good weather.

KAGAN: Glad to see you got back safely.

Looking at what we expect to happen in maybe as soon as three minutes with Senator Jeffords as a moderate Republican who, as we understand it, will be leaving the party, what about the remaining moderate Republicans? Does this empower them because it shows what they can do by a move or does it diminish them because of fewer numbers?

SCHNEIDER: Well, they are certainly one fewer numbers. But in a sense, they've been empowered all year because the Senate is 50-50 and even now it's going to be 50-49 and 1 Independent. When you have a Senate that closely divided, every single senator has power, and the moderates have more power than any - than any of the others because they're the ones who can defect. Zell Miller is a moderate Democrat who often votes with the Bush administration. He has a lot of power and influence for the same reason.

KAGAN: And, Bill, we'll keep you with us throughout the morning. Thank you so much. Looking ahead to Senator Jeffords' announcement...

SCHNEIDER: Right.

KAGAN: ... from Burlington, Vermont. You'll be with us, and we'll show it to our viewers live.

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