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Hours After Congressman Switches To GOP, Obama Talks Of 'Major Disaster' In Alabama
npr ^ | December 22, 2009 | Ken Rudin

Posted on 12/22/2009 7:07:17 PM PST by opentalk

The big political news of the day is the party-switch by Alabama Rep. Parker Griffith. Elected to his first term in 2008 as a Democrat, today he announced he has become a Republican.

Meanwhile, a press release from the White House Office of the Press Secretary, which arrived only moments ago, reads as follows:

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Alabama and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Tropical Storm Ida during the period of November 9-10, 2009. There was more to the release, but let's face it, we all know what Obama is talking about. Personally, I think he was overreacting.

But here's some fun stuff about the Griffith switch -- stuff I'm NOT making up.

Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, was understandably thrilled with the news of Griffith joining the party:

I would like to sincerely welcome Congressman Parker Griffith to the Republican Party. On the eve of the Senate voting on President Obama's and Harry Reid's government-run health care experiment and in the wake of four House Democrats announcing their plans to retire, Dr. Griffith's party switch sends a strong message to all Americans that there is no longer room in the Democrat Party for mainstream Americans. ... Elected officials like Parker Griffith that faithfully represent their constituents and their own personal convictions even under the extreme political pressure are the kind of politicians Americans want and deserve. John Boehner, the Republican leader in the House, was equally ebullient:

Parker Griffith is a dedicated public servant who has consistently put the best interests of his constituents first, and it is in that spirit that Republicans welcome him. All year long, Alabamians have been well-served by Congressman Griffith's support for conservative principles and his rejection of Washington Democrats' wrong-headed, liberal policies. Whether it was the trillion-dollar 'stimulus,' the national energy tax, or a government takeover of health care, Congressman Griffith has consistently sided with Republicans and the American people to call for better solutions rooted in common sense. He has also stood up to Speaker Pelosi by joining efforts to advance 'read the bill' reform and to ensure that not a single taxpayer dollar is used to fund abortions. Now, check out the ad the National Republican Congressional Committee ran against Griffith in 2008, when he faced GOP candidate Wayne Parker, who was strongly backed by the NRCC. Politics is politics, but this one is worth watching (courtesy the Daily Beast):


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: alabama; obama; parkergriffith; taxmoney
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To: opentalk; MsLady
He thinks the US tax money is his to throw around for his own agenda and discretion. As Michael Steel said recently , He his giving Americans the middle finger (paraphrase)

Doesn't work like that, a disaster is declared by both GOP and socialist POTUS's almost every week, and the declaration is subject to formulas and observations by people on the ground, its not like he has any discretion, if the damage exceeds the proscribed limit per population a disaster is declared.

Sometimes it just takes longer to assess the damage, POTUS Muzzie HUSSEIN can't just decide he won't make a declaration if the threshold is met.

21 posted on 12/22/2009 7:42:34 PM PST by Rome2000 (OBAMA IS A COMMUNIST CRYPTO-MUSLIM)
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To: MsLady

Thanks for the link. I was skeptical too.
Unbelievable, this is politics at its worst.


22 posted on 12/22/2009 7:45:17 PM PST by Jean S
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To: scott7278

It’s really unlike his character. Something definitely is up. Just weird.

Thanks! May your Christmas wish come true!


23 posted on 12/22/2009 7:48:41 PM PST by getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL (****************************Stop Continental Drift**)
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To: AzaleaCity5691
You have to understand Alabama politics to understand how important this switch is and why at all costs Griffith has to win that primary. I have retired from working and haven’t been on a campaign in several years and hadn’t been looking to do it. I’m willing to go up to Huntsville and rent a dingy apartment for a year if my being there is necessary to get Griffith re-elected as a Republican. That I’m willing to give up fishing and waking up at noon tells you how serious this is and how vital it is.

The link at the source has the Republican ad they ran against Griffith with audio of him saying "America's greatest enemy is America and its materialism. We have nothing to fear from radical Islam."

You're willing to give up fishing to campaign for somebody with those views?

Why?!?

24 posted on 12/22/2009 7:48:45 PM PST by Wissa ("So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause."-Padme Amidala)
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To: Rome2000

Thanks, the timing is worth questioning, like anything else with this administration.


25 posted on 12/22/2009 7:48:50 PM PST by opentalk
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To: opentalk

Any idiot company that takes the Federal funds from Obama and his crooks sets their company up for Federal control and takeover.


26 posted on 12/22/2009 7:50:56 PM PST by Chewbacca (My gun has killed less people than Vice Pres Biden's motorcade.)
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To: Jean S

This abandoning of communist tyranny is just beginning. Not only in the South but look for disaffection all over the country.These bastard know where their bread is buttered.


27 posted on 12/22/2009 7:51:16 PM PST by catarac
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To: Paige

“....Parker Griffith will be nothing more than another RINO added to the GOP.”

Yes I believe you are correct. Parker Griffith is a Democrat. A legitimate old style Democrat, not of the Socialist/Communist ilk that prevail in that once viable American Political Party.

Parker Griffith has joined the Republican Party currently under assault by the same Socialist/Communist forces that subdued the Democrat Party, and he will sit with, and fit with those RINO forces involved in the progressive demise of that once viable American Political Party.

If there is benefit, it is that he is no longer a voting number under the Democrat umbrella.


28 posted on 12/22/2009 7:53:24 PM PST by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists...Call 'em What you Will, They ALL have Fairies Living In Their Trees.)
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To: opentalk

Found it on another thread...

Cheers!

29 posted on 12/22/2009 7:56:10 PM PST by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: combat_boots

>> He declared a disaster in AL?

Yeah, he got punked. Someone told him it was Alah Bama.


30 posted on 12/22/2009 7:56:27 PM PST by Gene Eric (Your Hope has been redistributed. Here's your Change.)
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To: getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL

Walking around money for Acorn?


31 posted on 12/22/2009 7:59:29 PM PST by listenhillary (I believe AGW is real now. It was caused by scientists and greenies LYING!)
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To: Wissa

Parker Griffith is from North Alabama. In North Alabama almost all local offices in rural counties are decided in Democratic primaries. Republicans have to vote in those Dem primaries or else be disenfrachised in local elections. This leads to Dem primaries producing candidates that reflect the will of the entire electorate who can then rise to higher office (Legislature) where they remain as Democrats.

Those people in North Alabama are still Democrats because they associate the GOP with Lincoln and Reconstruction and because their local Dems all play Blue Dog in what is essentially still the old one party system. Without cities and suburbs, there’d be no GOP in the state. The countryside is stll Dem.

There is also the fact that North Alabama Democrats run the Alabama legislature and use that power to keep the legislature Dem. These all lead to most rural sheriffs being Democrats (and county governments) as for most rural Alabamians, voting Dem in the primary is the only way to get a vote.

If we can take both houses of the legislature next year we control redistricting. We’ll turn what would be a small majority in the legislature into a large one with good district drawing. This will cause many of those Democratic officials to become Republican and those two things will kill the Democratic Party and liberal movement in this state and basically shift the political situation to what it was in the old one party system when it was a constant conservative rule over the state.

Griffith is someone we can take into those deeply Democratic and deeply conservative counties and switch conservative white voters still calling themselves Democrats to our side, taking with them legislative seats and county governments.

Dump him in ‘12 if you want. I don’t care. Legislature ain’t on the line then. But for 2010 I want him out on the trail campaigning with every Republican legislative candidate for the symbolism that he represents.


32 posted on 12/22/2009 8:00:54 PM PST by AzaleaCity5691
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To: opentalk

LOL...I expect others to follow suit...switching parties. Karl Rove talked on FoxNews how unbelievable to change to a party in the minority......he said it is just unbelievable.


33 posted on 12/22/2009 8:06:40 PM PST by shield (A wise man's heart is at his RIGHT hand;but a fool's heart at his LEFT. Ecc 10:2)
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To: Gene Eric
Alah Bama.

Which of the 54 states is that one?

34 posted on 12/22/2009 8:07:46 PM PST by catfish1957 (Hey algore...You'll have to pry the steering wheel of my 317 HP V8 truck from my cold dead hands)
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To: AzaleaCity5691

Thanks for taking the time to explain your logic. Makes sense if it works.


35 posted on 12/22/2009 8:07:54 PM PST by Wissa ("So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause."-Padme Amidala)
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To: Rome2000

Is David Norcross related to George Norcross?


36 posted on 12/22/2009 8:11:17 PM PST by Lynne
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To: MsLady
DRUG TESTS FOR ALL PRESIDENTS AND THEIR ADMINISTRATIONS! Starting with Barry Soetoro. He is obvious on something. The law is the law. Why should Barry take illicit drugs and get away with it.
37 posted on 12/22/2009 8:11:27 PM PST by timestax (CNNLIES..BIG TIME)
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To: AzaleaCity5691

Parker Griffith is a RINO. What do YOU not get ?


38 posted on 12/22/2009 8:12:46 PM PST by Paige ("All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing," Edmund Burke)
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To: Lynne

Have no idea, definitely not ideologically.


39 posted on 12/22/2009 8:17:18 PM PST by Rome2000 (OBAMA IS A COMMUNIST CRYPTO-MUSLIM)
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To: AzaleaCity5691
RE: Those people in North Alabama are still Democrats because they associate the GOP with Lincoln and Reconstruction and because their local Dems all play Blue Dog

Man alive did you get that one wrong. Huntsville and the surrounding area is a very mixed area of military, government, business, and other workers. The only county in N. AL that may come close to your analysis is Limestone County. Northeast Huntsville, where Alabama A & M is located, is where the final push took place to give Parker Griffith the House seat. Check out the numbers, they are there for all to analyze.

40 posted on 12/22/2009 8:18:58 PM PST by Paige ("All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing," Edmund Burke)
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