Jeffords reports death threats in wake of defection

By CNN Correspondent Jon Karl

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In the wake of his announced defection from the Republican Party last week, soon-to-be Independent Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont has received a number of death threats, his spokesman said Thursday.

"He has been threatened, and we take the threats seriously," said Jeffords' spokesman Erik Smulson.

Jeffords' decision will cost Republicans control of the Senate and complicates the Bush administration's efforts to advance its agenda through Congress.

Shortly after his announcement, Jeffords was accompanied by U.S. Capitol Police in both Vermont and Washington. Neither Jeffords nor the Capitol Police would comment on security arrangements in the wake of the death threats.

Despite the threats, Smulson said Jeffords has received an overwhelming positive reaction to his announced party shift. "People are sending bouquets of flowers," Smulson said. "We've even had people call and say, 'I'm naming my child after Jim Jeffords.' "

In a Burlington Free Press poll taken after Jeffords' announcement, 70 percent of Vermont voters surveyed rated Jeffords' job performance "excellent" or "good" -- his highest job performance ever, according to Smulson. In the same poll, 66 percent said they approved of Jeffords' decision to leave the GOP and 27 percent disapproved.