Longest Serving GOP Elected Official in Florida Switching to Democrat Party

South Florida Sun-Sentinel ^ | 9/2/03 | Buddy Nevins

[.cnI redruM]

Wow! The Democrats now control......
What does this guy do anyway?

[My2Cents]

Another sad symptom of Alzheimers.

[wardaddy]

a whore is a whore

[putupon]

BUSH MUST BE TERRIFIED BY THIS BIG NEWS!

With 15 billion of our hard earned dollars given to African Despots for their Swiss accounts, Socialized Medications for Seniors who don't need them, etc., etc., etc., I believe our beloved compasionate so-called conservative leader has beaten him to it.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Ooh. The ASSESSOR is switching parties. What news/not.

[Coleus]

This is breaking news??!!

This guy is switching parties to keep his job, that's all.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

(AP) Members of Congress who have changed political parties since the 1950s. In the past 20 years, 14 Democrats have switched to the Republican Party, while only one Republican has become a Democrat.


Democrats to the GOP:

Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado, in 1995.

Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, in 1994.

Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas, in 1983. He joined the GOP while in the House. He was re-elected to the House and then to the Senate.

Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, in 1964.

Rep. Virgil Goode of Virginia, in 2000. He first changed to be independent. Later he switched to the Republican Party.

Rep. Nathan Deal of Georgia, in 1995.

Rep. Greg Laughlin of Texas, in 1995. In the following election, he lost in the primary.

Rep. Billy Tauzin of Louisiana, in 1995.

Rep. Mike Parker of Mississippi, in 1995,

Rep. Jimmy Hayes of Louisiana, in 1995. In the next election, he lost a bid for Senate.

Rep. Tommy Robinson of Arkansas, in 1989.

Rep. Bill Grant of Florida, in 1989. He lost re-election in 1990.

Rep. Andy Ireland of Florida, in 1984.

Rep. Eugene Atkinson, of Pennsylvania, in 1981. He was defeated for re-election in 1982.


Democrat to Independent:

Sen. Harry Byrd Jr. of Virginia, in 1971.


Republican to Democrat:

Rep. Michael Forbes of New York, in 1999. He lost re-election in 2000.

Sen. Wayne Morse of Oregon, in 1952, switched to become an independent. In 1955, he switched to the Democratic Party.


Switch back:

Sen. Bob Smith of New Hampshire, became independent in 1999 during a failed run for the presidency. He returned to the Republican Party.

[george wythe]

Florida is a paradoxical state, very conservative in some areas while extremely liberal in others.

Florida electorate can be broken down in several groups with strong political leanings:

East Coast Retirees: Usually senior citizens from the Northeast who vote Democratic.

Cuban-Americans: Usually vote Republican

West Coast Retirees: Friendlier to the Republican Party than their East Coast Counterparts.

Redneck Riviera; Mostly conservative, usually voting Republican

African Americans : Democrats

Gays: Democrat voters

People who don’t fit the above categories, especially the I-4 corridor (Tampa-Orlando) denizens, are swing voters who tend to go with the winner without any strong attachment to any party.

Since Broward County has a very large percentage of East Coast Retirees, Gays, and Blacks, it goes without saying the Broward is a Democratic stronghold. Republicans do not need to apply to countywide elections.

[Becki]

"He'll be a wonderful addition to our party," said Mitch Ceasar, the Broward County Democratic leader ...

If he will be a "wonderful addition" to the Democrat Party, are we really loosing much????

It doesn't sound like it.

Becki

[lilylangtree]

Sounds like the appraiser was like the turkey from Vermont.

[ambrose]

Wow! Who will switch next? The Dog Catcher?

[Timesink]

Apparently the GOP never thought very much of William "Bill" Markham either, if the guy's never risen above county property appraiser in THIRTY-FOUR YEARS! I haven't even been alive for 34 years!

Bye bye Bill, see ya in ... well, the Broward County property appraiser's office I guess, since you're never going anywhere else until the day you die!

BWA-HAAAA....

[Clintonfatigued]

It's a tiny coup for the Democratic party, but nothing of great significance. It's primary value is public relations. If this makes the Democrats feel better, then let them enjoy it. But it's not any sign of a serious long-term trend. If people really want to see a trend of party-switching, to to northern Florida.

[Clemenza]

Excellent analysis. My precinct in Miami went for Bush by 71% in 2000. My parent's preceinct in Boca Raton (Palm Beach County) went about 78% for the Goreon. This pretty much fits into your analysis.

If I hear anyone say that Florida is or was "solidly Republican" I will throw up!

[HitmanLV]

Longest Serving GOP Elected Official in Florida Switching to Democrat Party

Ah, senility is setting in!

[FreeReign]

Best quote I've seen yet to confirm that politics is all about getting reelected.

Politics is all about getting reelected -- just like -- business is all about making money.

So what! Neither is necessarily a bad thing.

It is up to the individual to decide where to take his business and it is up to the individual to decide who to vote for in a political election.

[ladyinred]

Markham's conversion is a major coup for the Democratic Party, which has had little good news since 2000 when the presidential recount in Florida gave the election to George W. Bush

Ho Hum, well at least the Supreme court isn't named as giving the election to Bush for a change. This guy must have become old and senile to switch to that party.

[samantha]

Bill Markham is saving his job. I never liked him. His family name and money got him elected,but he pissed away so much money,he filed for bankruptcy and left a lot of his creditors out in the cold while he was able to keep his mansion. Mitch is pumping up this for all it is worth(nothing IMHO) because a lot of Broward dems want someone else in his job,and he will take any,and I mean ANY positive right now. GOOD RIDDANCE!

[JoeSixPack1]

They've got Miriam Oliphant. How much worse can it get?

[Kuksool]

***If I hear anyone say that Florida is..."solidly Republican" I will throw up!***

Non-Floridians assume the Sunshine State is solidly GOP because of the huge number of elected GOP officials. Republicans have veto-proof majorities in the General Assembly and hold an 18-7 advantage in the Congressional Delegation. Also the nearly all of the Constitutional Offices are held by Republicans. However, it must be noted that the GOP strength in FL is a mile wide and an inch deep. The GOP success in FL is due to the masterpiece of gerrymandering by Jeb Bush.