The disappointment is obvious.
Gov. Mike Leavitt: "THINGS CHANGE. WASHINGTON IS A ROUGH AND TUMBLE PLACE! IT'S HARDBALL POLITICS."
Some think Senator Jeffords shouldn't have done this.
Senator Orrin Hatch: "HE'S AN HONEST MAN. I THINK HE IS WRONG TO DO THIS. I THINK HE MADE A REAL MISTAKE, BUT THAT'S HIS RIGHT. AND I HAVE TO UPHOLD THAT RIGHT AND I WILL."
Others, say the image of the senate will be tarnished, at least for awhile!
Jake Garn/Former U.S. Senator: "BECAUSE IT WILL CAUSE A LOT MORE PARTISANSHIP AND A LOT OF ANGER. AND I THINK YOU WILL SEE THAT DISPLAYED IN SOME OF THE LEGISLATION."
In terms of power, the roles have reversed, and now Democrats control which pieces of legislation will live or die in the Senate. Which means Republican issues will be hard fought.
Sen. Bob Bennett: "THE CHANGE WILL COME IN THE SCHEDULE AS DASCHLE WILL DO EVERYTHING HE CAN TO BRING UP THE DEMOCRATIC BILLS AND SEE TO IT THAT THE REPUBLICAN BILLS ARE NOT BROUGHT UP FOR A VOTE."
Utah Governor Mike Leavitt adds that no matter who's in control in congress, both parties always have to work together to get things done!
GOV. LEAVITT: "THE SENATE IS A PLACE WHERE YOU NEED 60 VOTES TO DO ANYTHING. IT'S A PLACE WHERE YOU HAVE TO FIND A SENSE OF CONSENSUS, NO MATTER WHICH PARTY IS IN CHARGE. SO IT'LL HAVE LESS EFFECT THAN IF THE HOUSE WERE TO CHANGE."
Stalemate? Spinning wheels? A rudderless ship? The headlines across the country are saying it all.
But, most Republicans say, life goes on, and they'll still do the best they can for their constituents.
SEN. HATCH: "I'VE BEEN IN THE MAJORITY, I'VE BEEN IN THE MINORITY. IT'S NICER TO BE IN THE MAJORITY, I'LL HAVE TO ADMIT. BUT I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO FUNCTION WELL IN THE MINORITY AS WELL. YOU KNOW THAT'S THE WAY IT WORKS OUT BACK HERE, AND I'M GOING TO DO THE BEST I CAN."
Senator Bennett also points out that Jim Jeffords wasn't that supportive of the President anyway, and that won't change.
