US Democratic lawmaker switches to Republican party

People Daily ^ | 01.03.04

[Dr. Marten]

US Democratic lawmaker switches to Republican party

US Representative Ralph Hall, a Democrat from Texas, switched to the Republican Party Friday night, a news report said.

With Hall's switch, the Republicans strengthened their grip on power in the House, with 229 representatives against 204 Democrats. There is one Democrat-leaning independent and one vacancy in the lower house of parliament.

Hall, 80, was first elected to the House in 1980.

His move was seen as a result of the Republicans' drive to remake Texas' congressional districts more to their liking, which has been strongly opposed by Democrats arguing the redistricting plan violates minority rights.

The plan has been approved by the Justice Department, and a court ruling on its legality is expected.

Hall, who has filed to run for re-election as a Republican after serving more than 20 years in the Congress as a most conservative Democrat, reportedly said he would switch or resign if it hurt his district to be a Democrat.

[skinkinthegrass]

...drip...drip...drip

the Clintoons' Legacy continues...

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[taxcontrol]

Another RINO we DONT need.

[Ciexyz]

kewl!

[TexasCajun]

Another RINO we DONT need!

I see this happening on a national level once the Rats learn they will never be elected on their real core beliefs.

[padfoot_lover]

I wonder why he doesn't just retire after 20 years; he's 80!

[NonValueAdded]

He's as much of a RINO as Newt Gingrich.

So you mean he was a DINO? If he switched during the hijacking of the Texas Legislature, I'd give him higher marks than switching now that the district has (maybe) changed. I suppose he could spin it that he simply changed to match the demographics of his constituency. Better to have a RINO than a DINO when it comes to counting sides.

[Ragirl]

So much for Dr. Dean's predictions....lol drip drip drip

[leadpenny]

http://capwiz.com/c-span/bio/?id=556&lvl=C

A WWII Vet. Good move, Ralph!

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Another RINO we DONT need.

RIGHT! I mean his conservative rating only runs about 95% the last few years and 83% lifetime, why would we want someone like that?

[Salvation]

How many more?

[Unmarked Package]

Some of the Democrats in Texas are quite conservative compared to some Republicans in the House as indicated by the ACU Rating for US-Rep Hall

Ralph Hall (D)
4th Congressional District, Texas
Democrat, Years of Service: 22

ACU Ratings for Representative Hall:
Year 2002	88
Year 2001	96
Lifetime	83

[Starter]

There is one Democrat-leaning independent and one vacancy in the lower house of parliament?

Guys, at least *try* to learn our teminology, 'kay?

A billion people, and they can't find an editor who knows the word "Congress"...

[hillary's_fat_a**]

I believe he was a speaker at the House Managers Thank You Impeachment Dinner [put on by Free Republic and Free Congress Foundation] that I attended at the Washington Hilton. He was a great speaker. I say Welcome Aboard!

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Yay!

Can anyone tell me who else has changed their party affiliation in Congress?

[SteelTrap]

My district! Yeah! About time.