The political fortunes of President Bush received a serious jolt yesterday as a little-known senator from the small state of Vermont left the Republican Party. The move threw control of the US Senate into the hands of the Democrats by a 50-49 majority, with one Independent.
Senator James Jeffords, a lifelong Republican, bolted his party and declared himself an Independent who will vote with Democrats on organisational issues.
"Increasingly, I find myself in disagreement with my party," he told cheering supporters in Burlington, Vermont.
The defection is a major embarrassment for Mr Bush, but more importantly it may halt the progress of his legislative agenda. With Democrats in control of the Senate, Mr Bush faces an uphill battle to pass his education and energy legislation.
Moreover, his nominees to the US Supreme Court will face considerable challenges. Loss of control of the Senate also puts into question many of Mr Bush's candidates already nominated to the federal judiciary.
The effects will be felt almost immediately as important committee chairmanships change hands after the holiday recess. For example, Senator Edward Kennedy is expected be named head of the Health, Education, Labour and the Pensions Committee.
In a speech shortly after Mr Jeffords' announcement, President Bush defended his political platform.
"Our agenda for reforming America's public schools and providing tax relief for every taxpayer represents the hopes and dreams of Main Street America," Mr Bush said. "Our agenda for reforming our military, and modernising our military to defend America and our allies represents the best hope for peace."
Of the defection, he said: "I respect Senator Jeffords, but respectfully, I couldn't disagree more." Following the announcement, Mr Bush said: "I was elected to get things done on behalf of the American people, and to work with both Republicans and Democrats, and we're doing just that." Mr Jeffords explained his historic move, the first time that such a defection has shifted control of the Senate.
"I understand that many people are more conservative than I am and they form the Republican Party," Mr Jeffords said.
"Looking ahead, I can see more and more instances where I'll disagree with the President on very fundamental issues - the issues of choice, the direction of the judiciary, tax and spending decisions, missile defence, energy and the environment, and a host of other issues, large and small," he said.
He had been "struggling with a very difficult decision" for the past several weeks. As recently as the November elections he had "no thoughts whatsoever" about changing parties. Increasingly Republican moderates have felt out of step with the party, none more than Senator John McCain. He said he hoped the Republicans would "grow up" and recognise that tolerating dissent was part of a mature party.
Senator Robert Torricelli, a Democrat from New Jersey, said: "This isn't about a single Senate seat. It's about controlling the legislative agenda. It's about the federal judiciary. This is an enormous shift of influence in the federal government."
Mr Jeffords (67) won re-election to a third term last year. Polling shows him to be the state's most popular politician. He has served in elected office in the state since the 1960s and in the Congress since 1975 - 14 years in the House and 12 years in the Senate.
AFP adds: "It certainly complicates the President's agenda," said Republican Senator Chuck Hagel. "With the Democrats in control and setting the legislative agenda, it is up to them what items they prioritise."
Democratic senator and current Senate Minority Leader, Senator Tom Daschle, who is likely to become the chamber's new leader, said political compromise would still be crucial to passing legislation.
"A historic 50-50 Senate now becomes history itself," he said. "What does not change . . . is the need for balanced compromise."
Senate Republicans said they were disappointed by the decision. However, some acknowledged their party's growing intolerance was partly to blame.
"The message is be not only tolerant by appreciative of the fact that there are different views on issues and don't condemn or retaliate or seek vengeance against those who disagree on specific issues," Senator McCain told reporters.
However, Republican Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee, chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, claimed that "on big-ticket items it's going to remain the way it always is".