Posted on 12/14/2019 12:20:47 PM PST by TexasGurl24
Officials said Saturday that Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, a vocally anti-impeachment Democrat, will join the Republican Party in the coming days following a Friday meeting with President Trump — a move that would put a political chill on the Democrats’ expected vote to impeach Trump next week.
Two Democratic officials familiar with Van Drew’s discussions in recent days said they believe he has decided to switch parties. The White House meeting was confirmed by a Trump administration official and one of the Democratic officials.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Trump uses the power of the Presidency as good as anyone.
More winning!
I can’t recall any recent rat-to-GOP switches besides Phil Gramm (late 1980s?).
Van Drew said during his campaign that, if elected, he would not support Nancy Pelosi to be the next Speaker of the House,[24][25] His first vote in Congress was “no” for Speaker which was recorded as “present” under the rules.[26]
I'd say the opposite. He's a turncoat traitor. I wouldn't trust him.
Nice to have him for the time being, but he ran as a DEM, won as a DEM, he's a DEM.
Surprising that a vast majority on that list switched to the Republicans.
Collin Peterson of Minnesota seems like a no-brainer, too. He and Van Drew were the only two Democrats to vote against authorizing the impeachment inquiry, and Peterson represents a district that Trump won by more than 30 points.
During his congressional primary campaign, Van Drew had a 100% rating from the National Rifle Association
I’m curious who the young lady is in your post.
She’s very pretty.
Marko
Sounds ridiculous and plausible at the same time.
I was wondering if something like this might happen with the Democrats that are not in favor of the impeachment.
Actually, after googling it, he’s pretty decent by RAT standards. Not on the level of Virgil Goode but he’s actually a “moderate” RAT, instead of a socialist just claiming to be “moderate” (Joe Lieberman, Joe Biden, etc.) because it polls well with his voters.
Blue Dog Coalition
Van Drew said during his campaign that, if elected, he would not support Nancy Pelosi to be the next Speaker of the House, His first vote in Congress was “no” for Speaker.
During his congressional primary campaign, Van Drew had a 100% rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA).In 2013, Van Drew voted as the only Democrat against a series of 10 gun control bills following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
In 2012 as state senator, Van Drew voted against a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey, one of two Democrats in opposition. In 2013 during his reelection campaign, the non-profit New Jersey Family First sent out flyers stating that Van Drew “supports traditional marriage and letting the people vote on the definition of marriage,” while his Republican opponent Susan Adelizzi Schmidt was in favor of same-sex marriage.
Also in 2012, Van Drew voted against raising the state minimum wage above the federal minimum wage of $7.25, the lone Democrat to dissent.
In 2019 he joined Republican John Rutherford to introduce the Atlantic Coastal Economies Protection Act, which would prohibit seismic air gun testing in the Atlantic Ocean. The state senator previously voted to withdraw from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and supported the construction of a pipeline through the Pinelands.
Of course he does represent a district that was formerly held by a Republican, so he probably “has to” throw voters a bone now and then. And he will still have to move significantly to the right to be a typical GOP congressman.
I don’t know what his voting record is in Congress, yet, since the ACU hasn’t released them for this year.
But for prior ACU ratings, Van Drew was ranked the most “Conservative” Democrat in the NJ Senate for 2018, but it was an embarrassing 19% (81% leftist) with a 36% rating (64% leftist) in 2017 and a 30% lifetime (70% leftist). That still placed him far away from the Stalinist wing of the NJ Demonrats, which were all closer to 0%.
The squish will probably switch back after Trump helps him win.
Already picking up seats!
Last was Parker Griffith in Alabama in 2009 who was fearful of losing reelection (he lost renomination as a Republican). He later switched back to the Dems.
Taqiyya
Nancy Pelosi will switch parties so that the media can report Trump was impeached by a Republican led congress.
I’ve never undersood why Joe Manchin doesn’t come out of the closet. He’s more conservative than half of the GOPe RINO senators. I don’t know what the hell he has to loose?
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