White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan
“We’re disappointed, but the president was elected to get results. He’s going to continue to work with Republicans and Democrats as he has been doing to get results for the American people.”
Senator Joseph Biden, Delaware Democrat
“It would be a truly dramatic change in the way things function.”
Skip Vallee, national committeeman for the Vermont GOP
“My concern for Jeffords is that his legacy will be as one of Benedict Arnold.”
Sen. Phil Gramm, Texas Republican
“It’s a free country; people do what they want to do.”
Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Colorado Republican
“I think the big loser in this whole thing is going to be the Bush administration. We’ll still get along with Jim, he’ll still vote his conscience as he did before regardless of which party he’s in, but the Bush agenda is certainly going to falter with the change of leadership in the Senate.”
Sen. Robert Torricelli, New Jersey Democrat
“This will significantly alter the legislative landscape in Washington. Now we can genuinely debate with George Bush. We’ll have a chance to portray an alternative agenda.”
Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican
“Tolerance of dissent is the hallmark of a mature party, and it is well past time for the Republican Party to grow up.”
Jim Jeffords, Vermont Republican-turned-independent
“I am confident it is the right decision. I was not elected to this office to be something I am not.”
