This project looks at the discourse surrounding Senator James M. Jeffords decision to leave the Republican Party. Although Jeffords was not an extremely powerful member of the US Senate, his interference with President George W. Bushs legislative agenda was a landmark move in American politics. The thesis proceeds in three parts. Chapter One introduces the subject matter, provides a literature review from both political science and communication studies, and offers the critical perspective for the entire project. Chapter Two focuses on elements of American paideia and offers a critical analysis of Jeffords Declaration of Independence,and First Anniversary, speeches. Chapter Three shows how Jeffords engages in agonistic rhetorical practices through a critical look at his Second Anniversary Speech. Finally, Chapter Four provides some concluding thoughts on Jeffords, party switching rhetoric, and offers potential avenues of research for rhetorical scholars.