A moderate with a reputation for standing apart from an increasingly conservative Republican power structure, Jeffords has long defined himself as a renegade. He was the sole Republican opponent of President Reagans 1981 tax cut, and defied party lines by voting against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. Jeffords also opposed the impeachment of President Clinton, a decision he has characterized as personally excruciating but ultimately right.
Jeffords departure from the Republican party line was most evident in 1994, when he condemned Newt Gingrichs "Contract With America," which he worried had "a Southern, religious-right focus, which is not the United States."
Jeffords and the new Bush adminstration have got off to a rocky start, despite his importance as a member of the partys shrinking moderate ranks. Jeffords has clashed with the White House over environmental and education funding, particularly over programs for disabled students. The strains have resulted in a notable behind-the-scenes slight: Soon after Jeffords cast a critical vote against the Bush tax plan, the Senator was not invited to attend a Teacher of the Year ceremony at the White House honoring a Vermont high school teacher. Such invitations are a routine courtesy.
Political observers do not expect leaving the GOP to hurt Jeffords reputation in Vermont. His constituents, who rank among the nations most progressive voters their other Senator, Patrick Leahy is a liberal Democrat while their Congressman, Bernie Sanders, is an Independent Socialist are reportedly reacting positively to news of Jeffords defection.