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):
Limestone is a Republican county. In fact, Limestone is the only county Wayne Parker carried.
Lawrence, Jackson, Lauderdale, and Colbert are all counties where local races are decided in the Democratic primary but that were all carried by McCain and which in normal state elections only lean slightly Democratic. Almost the entire legislative delegation from that part of the state is Dem except the Republicans in Huntsville.
I know what North Alabama is. I also know that those counties will stay like they are until someone gives them a reason to switch. Legislature taking probably switches Lauderdale and Colbert immediately and probably switches Jackson soon after. Lawrence takes more time but it can go too.
And he also has utility outside of his district too. The Dems will be too busy trying to hold the legislature against the Artur Davis onslaught. They won’t recruit a decent opponent. That will free him to campaign in counties in other North Ala Dem counties campaigning for GOP legislative candidates.
And if you’re going to criticize him for switching parties then you’ll have to criticize Roy Moore, Bob Riley, Richard Shelby, Gorman Houston and all the other ex-Democrats who are now vital members of our Alabama Republican Party
I live in his district, I do not want that man in office! He is not a conservative, he will be another Snowe job. Yes, admittedly he has voted with Repubs. lately, but he has been put under tremendous pressure to do so. We have 2-3 that are running in this area that would do better in the office, one who really has a chance to win. His polling has been better than Griffiths’.
Bribery. Illegal act by Obama. Impeach the Kenyan!
If he’ll give us the legislature and the county governments of Lauderdale, Colbert, Jackson, Lawrence, Marion, Franklin, etc would you be willing to put up with him till 2012?
We can’t take Mo Brooks all across that district and have him campaign as a convert with our candidates. We can do that with Griffith and I’ll guarantee you Griffith campaigning with Dial means he takes Benefield’s seat.
If we take the legislature in 2010 we’ll control the state for generations. Can’t you put up with Griffith for two more years for that?
If the persons policy doesn't change then it's only a publicity stunt for the persons personal political gain. The GOP's been through DEM Party Exodus before and that is quite a bit of what caused the current GOP downfall which actually started in 1995. Liberalism was not checked at the door and DEM liberals were welcomed with open arms. The GOP doesn't need party changers it need s changed hearts and policy. Today was no major victory despite Chairman Steele's braying in Democratic Donkey tones otherwise.
This is a huge victory for the Alabama Republican Party. Right now I give two craps about the rest of America. I’m concerned with what this means in Alabama.
If Democrats hold the legislature next year the status quo continues. Rural counties remain Democrat. Democrats control the legislature. And guess what else? Should Dems hold the legislature they are going to redistrict the Congressional delegation because there are several configurations that would give the state a majority Dem congress delegation.
If we take the legislature those rural counties will soon shift Republican and we’ll have the legislature for generations. Griffith doesn’t mean much nationally. He was a back bencher before and he’ll continue to be a back bencher now. But for us in Alabama, he could be the difference in taking the legislature.
And I’ll just remind you this. Ronald Reagan was a Democrat at one time in his life. Jumping on Griffith before you’ve seen how he’ll vote as a Republican is asinine. I suspect he’ll be just like Shelby and I like Shelby.
I have. Richard Shelby is useless to the constituents. Roy Moore is on his own moral crusade, Bob Riley is a true RINO (with his tax hike ideas and gambling), and the list goes on.
Most of all, from now on read what I type. There was no mention of Limestone going for Parker Griffith. Which one of the GOP RINOS are you? When are you people going to learn this is about COUNTRY not PARTY???
The GOP had control of the Congress for 12 years and not one time cut spending, passed No Child Left Behind, and backed stupid hate crime legislation, etc. The GOP record speaks for itself.... the best thing “We the PEOPLE” can do is push for TERM LIMITS to stop the Professional Politicians from ruining what is left of our republic.
I agree, Richard Shelby is hardly a RINO, probably a top 5 conservative Senator and a former Democrat.
That guy Reagan was OK too.......
With the Election of the Marxist Kenyan, we now have a two Party System in this Country.
The Republican Party and the Communist Party.
I am in agreement with the get rid of the rinos group - 100%. However, you can’t get rid of all of them asap simply because they aren’t all up for re-election in 2010. So, given that they won’t all be gone as soon as we’d like, this one guy in Alabama can be viewed as a tool, as a means to an end.
While it might be viewed as compromising the no rino rule, I think Azalea’s local knowledge and willingness to give a year of his life should be respected. Politics has never been and never will be a venue where compromising never happens and purity of principle always rules. Down with rinos but if we can use one to great advantage before replacing him, it just makes sense to do so.
Make a mistake once and it's just that a mistake. Make that same mistake twice and maybe you might ought to find out why it's still happening and do something about it. Make it a third time and you have no one else to blame but yourself. The GOP went through the Post Carter to POTUS Reagan era DEM exodus, followed by the 1994-95 DEM exodus to the GOP. Both of those helped make the GOP the other Liberal Party it is today.
WAKE UP! The DEMs can send over 50 or more House members to join the GOP and laugh all the way into next election and a two party super majority owning both parties as they now almost do.
So, why did he wait until THE BILL was past cloture to do it? It only needs 50 votes to pass now. He’s playing both sides, as politicians usually do.
Well, he’s a representative meaning that he cannot vote in the Senate regarding cloture...
Oh, of course... tee hee
Blame it on the late hour... Or too much egg nog!
Merry Christmas!
Miz AzaleaCity, you make a lot of sense. I hope it works out for you folks in norther Alabama.
I don’t believe he has that much clout to give us the legislature. He is in as much trouble with the democrats and independents as he is with the republicans, even more so. He has a local radio talk show host that has been on him and has weakened the man in all areas. Griffith is not as liked as you think. I know Alabama’s state politics stink, but putting Griffith up as the poster boy will not do what you think it will. He voted for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker, alot of people, even the conservative dems. remember that more than they remember his comments against her. Those comments against her were seen for what they were..his way to try to save himself.
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