Rep Ralph Hall (D-TX) To Switch Parties

Fox News Channel | 01-02-04 | Tall_Texan

[nightowl]

Ralph Hall was one of the 5 Dems to vote to impeach Clinton. Yea, he'll do just fine as a Republican. He is more of a Republican than the Republicans we have now.

[Squantos]

Call me skeptical.....too many RATS swimming to shore to make me feel good about this. Just a ribbon on a pig IMHO.

Stay safe !

[deport]

The DOJ ruling makes the new GOP map the only legal map in existence

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Maybe so but click the link in the post above showing the filings and they are all filing under the old district lines, not the new ones...... So it maybe the only legal map but that's not how the filings are being done.....

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Texas Ping.......y'all!

[Tall_Texan]

From the article:

Hall has long been among the most conservative Democrats in Congress. Speculation that he might switch parties first surfaced in 1995, when the GOP gained control of the House for the first time in 40 years. He said then he wouldn't, arguing that it would be better to try and move the Democratic party toward the middle.

I guess he got tired of arguing as his party moved further and further to the left.

[billhilly]

Thank you for that mighty fine work, that just may work. DPS, Yessssssss! {;^D

[Dog Gone]

I can't explain that. It contradicts everything I've read.

[deport]

He's got some competition it seems in the primary.....

U.S. House of Representatives District 4
Steve Clark	Rockwall	Telecom Executive	Rep	6/12/1953	1/2/2004
Bob Collins	Farmersville	University Faculty Member	Rep	4/24/1941	1/2/2004
Gene W. Cristensen	McKinney	Executive Director	Rep	9/25/1954	12/18/2003
John Graves	Longview	Attorney/Mediator/Business Owner/Church Leader	Rep	11/16/1966	1/2/2004
Ralph Hall	Rockwall	Attorney	Rep	5/3/1923	1/2/2004
Mike Murphy	Celina	Businessman	Rep	8/10/1973	1/2/2004
Jim Nickerson			Dem		12/31/2003

[demkicker]

In Texas, a conservative Democrate is not an oxymoron; in fact its commonplace. He had no need to switch.

Sorry to take you to task for your remark, but you're dead wrong. I'm a Texan and would probably have better luck finding an albino armadillo tomorrow than a conservative democrat in Texas. I suppose Charlie Stenholm is one of the last "conservative" dems, but the rest are liberal as hell (and worthless).

[steveegg]

Ralph Hall has a lifetime conservative voting record only 1% less than Ron Paul. We should...

A. Can the cynicism and welcome him. He's a good guy.
B. Vote for a fringe party candidate because the Republicans are no better than the Democrats.

Considering Ron Paul is a Libertarian in Republican clothing, the second choice isn't exactly an option.

[deport]

The Filings were due to close today, Jan. 2, for all Texas races, ..... but they have been extended until Jan. 16 for the US Congressional races only pending a ruling of the court . Thus I guess they are filing under the old districts unless and until the Court rules the new plan is legal..... Then they will have to refile under the new district map..... Who knows

[GeronL]

doesn't matter. He should be gone in the GOP primary if this is true,

[furball4paws]

I lived in Texas during McGovern. Then everybody was a Democrat and all the mess was in the primaries. Because whatever Democrat emerged after the nominations was a shoo in. I voted Democrat in the primaries for that reason. The Reps were almost non-existent. Things have dramatically changed in the LSR and, although it has been many years, maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks. However, at 80, it may not be long before his district is Republican anyway.

[BillyBoy]

Hall's switch would be the second Democrat who voted against impeachment and later joined the GOP (Virgil Goode was the first). Funny he waited until the twilight of his career to do so... I can't believe it's been over five years now since that infamous impeachment vote. I remember lurking on FR at the time. It's long past time to defeat the RINOS who stood with Clinton and embrace the handful of Democrats who stood for integrity (and remember that NOT ONE SENATE DEMOCRAT voted to impeach Slick)

NEVER VOTE FOR THESE REPUBLICANS (THE LIST)

The House Four:

Rep. Shays (RINO-CT)
Rep. King (RINO-NY)
Rep. Houten (RINO-NY)
Rep. Morella (RINO-MD) Defeated in 2002

The Senate Five:

Sen. Specter (RINO-PA)
Sen. Chaffee (RINO-RI)
Sen. Jeffords (RINO-VT) Switched to "Independant" in 2001, Caucuses with RATS
Sen. Snowe (RINO-ME)
Sen. Collins (RINO-ME)

Honest Democrats:

Rep. Paul McHale (Pennsylvania)
Rep. Gene Taylor (Mississippi)
Rep. Ralph Hall (Texas) Will Switch to GOP in 2004
Rep. Charles Stenholm (Texas)
Rep. Virgil Goode (Virginia) Switched to GOP in 2002

Charlie and Gene, come on down!!!!

[deport]

He should be gone in the GOP primary if this is true,

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I wouldn't count on it. He has had support from the republicans in his district in the past as the district votes republican about 60% or so in statewide races

[mcg1969]

Well, I could be wrong, I have been out of Texas for 13 years. But perhaps you might want to come out here to the San Francisco area for awhile, see the political landscape here... then you might understand my point of view :)

Cheers.

[GWB00]

Can someone tell me when the last time a Republican switched to the Democratic Party?

[deport]

I think last week or so the Pennsylvania Treasury or some such position went to the Democrats....

[deport]

treasury = treasurer

state Treasurer Barbara Hafer has returned to the Democratic Party.

[Buck W.]

Exactly. The polarization between the parties is increasing.

Reminds me of a joke: The dumbest Texan just moved to Oklahoma. Raised the IQ in both states!

Just a joke! Some of my best friends are Okies.