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

[fieldmarshaldj]

I'm surprised Alexander actually went through with the switch. Technically speaking, he is MORE liberal than Chris John (and only 16 pts. more conservative than the most liberal member of the delegation, African-American Rep. Bill Jefferson), scoring only a 48 from the ACU. I would presume, though, with the switch, that it will free him up to move a bit more rightward. If he stays in the 40 range as a Republican, that's not going to be much to crow about, as that is clearly in the liberal Republican range.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"I also think Tennessee... (is) overrepresented by Dems in their delegations, but someone who knows those states would know the specifics of how their seats are drawn up."

Oh, brother... don't get me started on my state. 'Rat gerrymandering is as Tennessean as fiddles and Dolly Parton's breasts.

[JohnnyZ]

Technically speaking, he is MORE liberal than Chris John (and only 16 pts. more conservative than the most liberal member of the delegation, African-American Rep. Bill Jefferson), scoring only a 48 from the ACU.

ACU rating based on 2 years in Congress ..... not very reliable indicator IMO

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

I imagine Pelosi and co. have also had Alexander on a tight leash. Let's see how he does when he's free from that brood.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"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."

It's a "trickle-down" effect. Southern states started voting for Republicans at the Presidential level decades ago ('50s/'60s), then Congressional/Gubernatorial ('60s/'70s/'80s), followed by legislative and local ('90s/'00s). It doesn't happen overnight. AL will have a GOP legislature eventually, but it may take as long as another 20 years.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"ACU rating based on 2 years in Congress ..... not very reliable indicator IMO"

Actually, just 1. They haven't released the '04 ratings yet. He may have already moved out of the 40s.

[Chode]

and the hits, just keep right on coming!!!

[TheBigB]

If the Republicans can get control of Alabama's state legislature

I'm not holding my breath on that one.

Some of Alabama's state reps and senators have been in office so long it's hard to remember when they weren't. We're making progress slowly, but it's hard to get past the old "Oh I've known so-and-so for fitty years; I couldn't vote agin him!" Ideology doesn't matter as much. Truth to tell, not too many of them are outright leftists. My old state rep, Bill Dukes (used to be Mayor of my hometown) is as conservative as they come. But with the preponderence of Dems in his district, it's the only way he can win. He's one of the only Dems I've ever voted for. In those really local races, people vote for whom they know the best, and like I said, many have been in office for waaaaay too long. We used to have an all-Dem State Supreme Court less than ten years ago. Now it's all Republican. Strangely enough, when people have to vote for statewide offices, or for offices where odds are they've never met the people running, ideology matters more and Rs win more races.

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

Louisiana will see two thirds of its legislature term limited out in 2007. I don't think we can gain control, but I think we can make big inroads.

[TheBigB]

Does an ACU rating in the high 40s mean he's a conservative Dem and we can like him, but the same rating for a Repub means he's a liberal Repub and we can hate him? :)

[Gritty]

This guy doesn't look very "conservative" to me...

Representative Rodney Alexander (D)
5th Congressional District, Louisiana
Democrat, Years of Service: 1

ACU Ratings for Representative Alexander:
Year 2003	48
Year 2002	N/A
Lifetime	48

[EmilyGeiger]

20 years?? Egads, we can't wait that long. Oh the horror. :) Seriously, it will be a relief when it does happen. There are some legislators who really need to be expunged from office.

[ride the whirlwind]

Welcome home, Mr. Alexander.

We left the on for you.

[dvwjr]

Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, both Southern Governors could not win Virginia. What makes you think that a liberal Yankee Senator could win? Even JFK did not carry Virginia in 1960.


dvwjr

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Louisiana will see two thirds of its legislature term limited out in 2007. I don't think we can gain control, but I think we can make big inroads."

True, although LA's legislature is bizarre, anyway. They've had Republicans serving in leadership roles even without a majority.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Does an ACU rating in the high 40s mean he's a conservative Dem and we can like him, but the same rating for a Repub means he's a liberal Repub and we can hate him? :)"

Precisely. :-)

[fieldmarshaldj]

Same here in Tennessee, but a lot of them are RINOs. :-(

[Bogey78O]

Today was the last day to qualify. The last possible day for him to switch before the election.
If the voters disapprove then they have to vote him out in 3 months.

[THE MODERATE]

North Carolina has 13 house seats 7 Republicans 6 Democrats I doubt this will change this year for a make up of what can happen in these districts.

Democrat
1. Has a registration of 77% Democrats and 48% black voters.
It is not and will not be in play.

Democrat
2. The Republicans won this seat in 1994 and probably
it had the congressman not lost because of a scandal
in 1996. Since then redistricting has made it slightly
Democratic but when the current congressman, Bobby
Etheridge retires it could be comparative.

Republican
3. Despite what some people think, Walter Jones, jr. has
this seat as long as he wants it. When he retires the
seat has been drawn for Democratic Senate leader Marc
Basnight to take if he wants it, but he may not run,
the Republicans have made overtures to Basnight to
in the past. Jones was a Democratic legislator so who
knows.

Democrat
4. Although the GOP has won this on two occasions, 1984
and 1994, but they lost it back fairly easily both
times, this is the Chapel Hill district.

Republican
5. Just this week I read that this could be the Rodney
Alexander district of 2004, who knew then, this
is a Republican district, the Democrats are
united on a conservative county commissioner, and
the Republicans are very divided. Still if Foxx
wins this primary, I think she will, she will
probably win in November and even Jim Harrell
have a difficult time holding this seat as a
Democrat.

Republican
6. Is not likely to be competitive when Howard
retires, which I think will be in 2006, but
it will be an interesting primary.

Democrat
7. The Republicans have been courting Mike McIntyre
since he was elected. He is a very conservative
Democrat, as is the make up of the district. I
think McIntrye could win as a Republican but as
a Democrat he is unchallengeable. When he retires,
not anytime soon, a like minded Democrat will
probably replace him.

Republican
8. Robin Hayes has done an exceptional job holding this
seat. When he retires it could be close depending
on who runs either party could win.

Republican
9. The GOP has held this seat, 1952, longer than any
other seat in south, save the Tenn. 1st and 2nd,
I see no reason for that to change.

Republican
10. The Republicans are in a bitter primary, but the
Democrats have a very weak candidate, the runoff
winner, Huffman I think will easily win in
November.

Republican
11. I hear that Asheville is becoming a pillar of
liberalism, but the rest of the district is
not, when Charles Taylor retires, within the
next four years, the Dems have a shot but
the GOP has a better one.

Democrat
12. Is not competitive.

Democrat
13. In the right circumstances the GOP could win this seat
holding it is another question.

The legislature is currently
Senate 27 D
23 R
House 61 R
59 D
but the Democrats effectively control the house because of Rino's. This is important because this was a watershed year for state politics. Instead of crossing the bar a group of dissident house Republicans did as Walter Jones, Jr said "Set the party back 20 to 50 years". I do not know if that will be true but they did lose a golden opportunity to gain the Senate, and possibly keep the house and those do not come around often.

[Redmen4ever]

AL stands for "at large" ... reminds me of the Abbott and Costello routine. Drill Sargent Abbott is speaking to recruits. (Abbott to recruit #1) And where are you from? "LA." You mean Los Angeles? "No sir, Louisiana." (Abbott to recruit #2) And where are you from? "LA." You mean Louisiana? "No sir, Lower Alabama." (Abbott to recruit #3, who is Costello) And where are you from? "LA." You mean Lower Alabama? "No sir, New Jersey."