State Sen. Burton Switches To Mississippi GOP

The Jackson Channel.com ^ | Dec. 30, 2002 | The Associated Press

[JohnnyZ]

Former Newton Mayor First Elected To Senate In 1991

NEWTON, Miss. -- Veteran state Sen. Terry Burton, of Newton, is now a Republican.

Burton said Monday that he reached his decision independent of Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck's much publicized switch.

Burton was elected to the Senate three times as a Democrat.

[JohnnyZ]

This was an anticipated follow-up to Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck's switch a couple weeks ago. The state senate is now at 31-21 Dems. There is speculation that there may be more switchers out there . . . stay tuned!

[concerned about politics]

Democrats are wise to leave their party.
The Clinton legacy of desolation is just starting. It will take years to clean up the terrorism and the economy, and generations to repair the moral decline.
They might better get out now while they still have a job.

[dead]

No matter which way you move, it's still a scummy thing to do to your contributors and volunteer supporters.

[ACAC]

He made this announcement now because the election is in less than a year. Filing for the Nov. 2003 election ends in March. He was just announcing that he is going to run as a Republican this time. It is not like he did this at the beginning or in the middle of his term.

[RoseofTexas]

I agree! Freepers, KEEP a close eye on those switcharoos! Can we say, WOLVES in sheep clothing! I take nothing for granted when it comes to the RATS! Vacant LOTT is an example!

[dead]

Thanks for the clarification. That is the better way to do it.

[tomball]

Beware of democrats in republican clothing.

[winin2000]

Well, this is a pretty good indication there's no Lott fallout in his own backyard.

If Lott was damaged, my guess is the backlash is from core supporters miffed that he groveled instead of standing his ground.

[OPS4]

B.S. The people are sick of the Dems and the voters agree
with Senator Burton. Just watch the next election.

The Dixiecrats got totally smeared over the past two
months by the Dems. and now what goes around will come around.

Ops4 God Bless America
The worm has turned!

[JohnnyZ]

Also, if the supporters put principles above politics they should still be fairly happy -- Burton, et al, aren't changing their principles, just their party. He was, and is, a conservative.

[rs79bm]

Veteran state Sen. Terry Burton, of Newton, is now a Republican

Welcome aboard, my friend.

[aristeides]

There is speculation that there may be more switchers out there . . . stay tuned!

Does suggest the existence of a Lott backlash.

[JohnnyZ]

Beware of democrats in republican clothing

Actually, what we have here is a conservative casting off his rags in favor of a new Republican suit. But if you want to demonize folks like Ronald Reagan, go right ahead!

This and any additional Mississippi switching is also important for the governor's race, where Haley Barbour will take on incumbent Ronnie Musgrove. It tells conservative voters who've been voting Democrat forever that they should be voting Republican.

[CanisMajor2002]

Fine and dandy, but what caused him to switch? Did he go pro-life? Lower taxes started sounding good? Got pissed off at the teachers unions? Or perhaps as one poster says he just wants to be on the winning team?

I don't know this guy. If he truly has a change of heart, or maybe he was a conservative all along, fine...but he only hurts the party if some true conservative in his area has to step to the back of the bus because he's in there.

[JohnnyZ]

More on why Burton switched.

"The Star: What principles, concepts or core political beliefs held by the Republican Party attracted you?

Burton: Strong family, anti-crime, strong military, pro-business and opportunities for all citizens are some of the core principles of the party that I strongly support."

Democrats control state government in Mississippi, so these folks are switching to the minority, though it's quite likely they're on the leading edge of a drive to at least parity between the parties in state government. I assume he's already pro-life; even a lot of Rats in Mississippi, like Ronnie Shows, are pro-life.

[deport]

Does he have futher statewide or national ambitions... or has he gave any indications?

[unspun]

Ronald Reagan switched parties. Of course he wasn't in office at that time, but if he were, it would still have been fitting, would it not?

[JohnnyZ]

I believe he's in Chip Pickering's district, and Chip's generally considered first in line to run for Trent or Thad's senate seat, so Burton may want to run for Congress eventually, but as far as I know he hasn't given any indication.

[Bogie]

Well said, yet I detect that the devil will now be barking at the heels of the Republicans.

The only way for the pro empire anticonstitutionalists to win, is to control both parties.

[KQQL]

No Lotty effect..............//