Jeffords denies party switch was based on ambitions

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Vermont Sen. James Jeffords issued a written statement Friday repeating his assertions that he left the Republican party because of disagreement on policies and principles, not because of "aspirations for something else."

"In my conversations with the Democratic leadership over the past two weeks, a lot of possibilities have been discussed, but nothing has been or will be final until the Senate acts," Jeffords wrote.

Jeffords departed the Republican Party on Thursday, telling an audience in the northern Vermont city of Burlington that he anticipated many brewing policy disagreements with the Bush White House and the conservative wing of the party. He declared himself an independent, but said he would caucus with the Senate Democrats once the change became official.

VIDEO CNN's Jonathan Karl says Democrats are pleased and Republicans critical of U.S. Sen Jim Jeffords, (R) Vermont, leaving the GOP (May 24) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   ALSO Kelly Wallace reviews the week in politics

"My decision, as I described yesterday, was to leave the Republican party. It was not based on aspirations for something else. While some might find it convenient to describe my decision in terms they can understand, such tactics should be seen for what they are. I hope the spinning will stop so that we can all move on," he said.

Republicans, both privately and publicly, have been suggesting that while Jeffords complained he was treated badly by the White house and the senate GOP leadership, it was his ambitions to run for governor or to serve on other committees that caused him to defect.

Democratic sources confirmed earlier in the week that as part of the talks luring Jeffords away from the GOP, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, offered him his top post on the Environment and Public Works Committee.

Jeffords conceded Reid had offered him the chance to sit on that committee, but said the Democratic caucus must approve it.

"I hope that I will be able to take on a new challenge, and one of the options may be to serve on the Environment and Public Works Committee. I would be honored to do so... and Sen. Reid has graciously indicated this might be possible."

"But that decision, as well as others, will have to meet with the approval of the Democratic caucus, which for obvious reaons has not been involved in any discussions to date. I hope that we can resolve these issues over the next several days."

First things first

A letter sent by Jeffords to Vice President Dick Cheney on Thursday reaffirmed his pledge to remain a Republican until Congress approves a compromise tax cut plan and sends it to President Bush for his signature.

That compromise isn't coming easily to House and Senate negotiators, who are attempting Friday to ford the great distance between each chamber's version of tax relief legislation.

Some Senate aides said Friday they expected to work into the weekend on the tax compromise.

Jeffords' letter to Cheney said, "My change in affiliation is to become effective at the close of business on either the first day of the session following the upcoming Memorial Day recess, or the close of business on the date of transmittal (of the tax bill), whichever occurs later."

Jeffords made clear in his letter he is hoping for a quick compromise on the tax measure: "I hope it will assist the Senate if the recess is available to the leaders to discuss and decide the numerous transition issues the Senate will face."

The letter was sent by Jeffords to Cheney in his capacity as president of the Senate.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans began the task of regrouping Friday, as they face a new political landscape that makes them the minority party in the chamber for the first time in six years.

"A lot of people are very, kind of shell-shocked at the change. This is a major change, and it has significant ramifications for a lot of individuals," said the No. 2 Senate Republican, Don Nickles of Oklahoma.

Moderate and mainstream Republicans aired their grievances during a two-hour caucus Thursday, blaming the GOP leadership for not listening to Jeffords and the rest of them or taking their positions seriously.

"Just because we have different views, that doesn't mean that we lack principles," said Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine.

Moderate Republicans once again raised the issue of having one of their own at in the leadership, comprised of senators from the conservative wing of the party.

"We need to ensure that our voice is heard in the process because obviously we do have different views and we can't always accept fait d' accompli positions when they clearly don't reflect the view of our constituents," Snowe said.

Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, said the Republicans have done nothing to get more in touch with what Americans want, especially in key states where Republicans lost seats in November.

"We really have to face up to the fact that we lost some key seats and there really hasn't been an evaluation of that since the election. This was a very loud wake-up call and I think the caucus was awakened," said Specter.

CNN's Dana Bash and John King contributed to this report.