Congressman Rodney Alexander (D-LA) Has Switched Parties

http://www.sec.state.la.us/cgibin/?rqstyp=CNDMD&rqsdta=110204&ID=14519062&ID=14519063&ID=14519064&ID ^ | 8/6/2004 | RepublicanWizard

[Clintonfatigued]

This is not only an embarrassment to the 'Rats in the House. It's further proof that George W. Bush is expanding his lead in Louisiana. The only southern states that Kerry has a real chance of winning are Arkansas and Virginia.

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

David Vitter's campaign sent out a press release welcoming Alexander to the GOP.

Full release here:

http://vitterblog.blogspot.com

[Paleo Conservative]

Maybe he'll get some respect now.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

Excellent news! Alexander was elected almost by accident 2 years ago in a heavy GOP district, and he toyed with switching parties earlier this year, only to be talked(threatened) out of it by Gov. Blanco and John Breaux. His internal poll numbers must have convinced him otherwise. He's a Zell Miller type of conservative RAT, so I welcome him to the party.

[Doe Eyes]

I hope he does the right thing and resigns his seat until he is elected as a Republican.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Who does your tagline quote?"

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By answering this question, I will also answer your question about the Au in my FR name. That quote is from Barry Goldwater's convention speech in 1964 (years before I was born, but still true today), since the liberal media berated him for being an "extremist" as opposed to the "moderate" Lyndon Johnson. Au is the chemical symbol for gold, and H2O is the chemical symbol for water, and signs reading AuH2O were used in the 1964 campaign. For years, Republicans were divided between the conservative Goldwater Republicans and the liberal Rockefeller Republicans, and thank God the Goldwater Republicans pretty much won the war (although the liberal RINOs are always on the attack, and have taken over in several states). Goldwater lost huge in 1964, but he moved our party to the right and set up the landslide victories by Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.

[EmilyGeiger]

Well, obviously the coffee hasn't helped me any. Hopefully, Ican get through without making anymore stupid comments. :)

[JohnnyZ]

I hope he does the right thing and resigns his seat until he is elected as a Republican.

I was wondering when the first person to post something silly like this would arrive ... not until pretty late, I'm pleased to say. What difference does Alexander's party ID make in the next 6 months? Absolutely none! Voting to organize the House was a year and a half ago. Resigning would simply deny his constituents representation in Congress. Would that be stupid, moronic, or an insult to his constituents? All of the above.

[rushmom]

Great news!

[EmilyGeiger]

You see I am going to blame my ignorance on youth, but seeing how I will be 35 in September, I don't think the excuse is going to wash. So, I will blame it on my public school education.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Wasn't Rogers' district intentionally made more Democrat by the state legislature? I think it was Bob Riley's seat before he beat Don "Singleterm"."

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Correct on both counts. It was fairly Republican leaning before RAT redistricting, but as it is drawn now Bush was held to 52% in 2000, which would make it a safely Republican district in the Northeast but is very tough for a Republican to win in Alabama or other parts of the Deep South.

"BTW, great news on Alexander's switch. Did he really run to Fletcher's right on abortion? I suppose it doesn't surprise me that he won, then. From what I heard, the 5th district is very culturally conservative."

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Yes, Alexander did make hay out of the fact that he was "more pro-life" than Fletcher, and there is no doubt in my mind that it helped him win. Fletcher believes in three exceptions to an abortion ban (rape, incest and the life of the mother), just like George W. Bush and probably most pro-lifers. Personally, I agree with Alexander's stance on abortion, but I don't think that those who believe in an exception for rape or incest are insufficiently pro-life or anything.

[LadyPilgrim]

Alabama still has 7.

Jo Bonner-1st

Terry Evertte-2nd

Mike Rogers-3rd

Robert Aderholt-4th

Robert E. "Bud" Cramer-5th

Spencer Bachus-6th

Artur Davis-7th

Artur Davis is a democrat.

[Lenmonster]

While I find this good news, I really hate the party switching mid-stream. When Jim Jeffords did it, it really screwed up the senate. Basically, it seems you're committing fraud on your consituency. Many times, we don't vote for the person...we vote for the party, and you're misrepresenting yourself if you switch.

While I know it's not illegal to switch, morally it seems that someone should stick with the party they ran under until the next election, then switch, and try to get re-elected under the new party.

[JohnnyZ]

morally it seems that someone should stick with the party they ran under until the next election, then switch, and try to get re-elected under the new party.

In case you hadn't noticed, this IS the next election.

[arichtaxpayer]

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

As I, and others, stated before, Alexander wasn't elected because of his party, but because he ran to the right, and was, more conservative than his GOP opponent in a heavily Republican district. Also, Fletcher got caught during a debate accusing him of doing something(I think it had to do with payroll taxes on employees) that Fletcher himself had done. That was devastating. You don't have to believe me, I just live in the state. But the GOP was courting Alexander the day after he was elected.

[eleni121]

Another victory...one at a time.
His email anyone?

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

Yes, Alexander did make hay out of the fact that he was "more pro-life" than Fletcher, and there is no doubt in my mind that it helped him win. Fletcher believes in three exceptions to an abortion ban (rape, incest and the life of the mother), just like George W. Bush and probably most pro-lifers. Personally, I agree with Alexander's stance on abortion, but I don't think that those who believe in an exception for rape or incest are insufficiently pro-life or anything.

True. For a Democrat to run to the right of a pro-life Republican (and not a RINO)on abortion is a rarity indeed. No wonder he couldn't stay a Dem.

If the Republicans can get control of Alabama's state legislature, they could probably shore up Rogers' district. I also think Tennessee and North Carolina are overrepresented by Dems in their delegations, but someone who knows those states would know the specifics of how their seats are drawn up.

[sharktrager]

I think you are thinking of the Senate.

[EmilyGeiger]

You know that is one of the oddity's of Alabama. On a national level we go solidly for Republican, but statewide the Dems get the election. I think the state still has some nostalgia for George Wallace. His son has switched to Republican though, so not really sure why we can't get a handle on the state elections.