A week ago, who knew that the state of Vermont would become the center of this nation’s biggest political controversy since… well, since the 2000 Presidential election.

James. M. Jeffords, a three-term senator from Vermont, announced he would quit the Republican Party to become an independent. Jeffords stated that he believes the Republican Party has become too conservative under President Bush.

Jeffords's polictical party hopping has many repercussions. The Democratic Party will now gain the power balance in the Senate for the first time since 1995. Democrats will chair all Senate committees and take control of the legislative calendar. In other words, the Democratic Party (specifically Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota), and not the Republicans will control the legislative agenda in the Senate.

Talk about questions to debate...

Is it fair for a Senator who has just won re-election under one party to continue serving his 6-year term after changing party affiliation?

What about Vermont voters who voted for Jeffords as a Republican? How about his staff?

What would you do if a Senator from YOUR state changed his/her party affiliation while in office?

Do you believe the country will be better off with a Democratic senate?

How big of an impact will Jeffords’s announcement have on President Bush’s ability to accomplish his goals?

Whatever happens in the weeks and months to come, one thing is for sure right now. As New Jersey Democratic Senator Robert G. Torricelli said last week "(this moment is) filled with opportunities and perils." It’s going to get interesting…