Posted on 08/07/2004 9:08:59 AM PDT by no dems
Louisiana congressman switches to GOP Alexander leaves Democrats for re-election bid The Associated Press BATON ROUGE, La. - Rep. Rodney Alexander switched his party affiliation to Republican on Friday — making the surprise flip in the last minute of registration for the Nov. 2 ballot, virtually assuring the seat for the GOP.
Alexander, who ran as a Democrat to win his first congressional term but voted along conservative lines, had remained a Democrat Wednesday when he registered at the start of qualifying. At the time he said, “I’m not ashamed to be a Democrat, but I vote what I think the people of the 5th District want me to represent.”
Alexander said Friday he had been struggling with his conservative votes for two years — backing the Bush tax cuts as well as the war in Iraq — and noted they had brought him criticism from Democrats.
“I just decided it would be best for me to switch parties, that I would be more effective in the 5th District in the state of Louisiana as a Republican,” he said.
In Washington, Democrats reacted angrily.
“Rodney Alexander has betrayed voters in Louisiana and leaders like (Senators) John Breaux and Mary Landrieu, who have helped him. We have no use for turncoats like Rodney Alexander in the new Democratic majority,” said Kori Bernards, spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Alexander’s decision leaves House Republicans with 229 seats to 205 for the Democrats with one Democratic-leaning independent. With the switch, Democrats must now gain 12 seats this fall to win the majority.
There is another strong Republican in the three-candidate field: Jock Scott, a former state representative from Alexandria. The remaining Democrat is Zelma “Tisa” Blakes, of Monroe, a political newcomer who called herself a “domestic engineer” when she qualified on Wednesday.
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Asked if the party will get behind a political unknown, state Democratic Party chairman Mike Skinner said officials will explore all possible options.
Under the unique Louisiana open primary system, all candidates run on the same ballot regardless of party. If no one gets more than half the vote on Nov. 2, a runoff will be held in December.
Breaux called Alexander’s switch an underhanded maneuver that “effectively prevented the people of his district from a having a choice.”
“Rodney is a confused politician who has placed loyalty at the very bottom of his priorities,” Breaux said.
Rep. David Vitter, a Republican who is running for the retiring Breaux’s seat, immediately endorsed Alexander.
“Rodney is someone who has stood up for conservative principles and Louisiana values. Unfortunately, the Washington Democratic leadership does not share these values,” Vitter said.
There have been growing signs of Alexander’s disaffection with his party, and in March he found himself under such intense pressure that he had to publicly announce he would remain a Democrat. Yet he skipped the party’s national convention last month in Boston.
Alexander acknowledged he had been courted by the Republicans but said President Bush had not asked him personally to make the switch.
Boo Hooooooooo! Poor babies.
Democrats are against tax cuts and it seems even national security if its in the way of their path to power,he will sleep better at night now. Well once the death threats go away. good for him.
I'm sorry, but this is disgraceful. The guy was elected two years ago as a me-too conservative DemocRAT, voted for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker, then suddenly switches when it looks like he's going to get a tough GOP opponent. Clearly, he is a spineless opportunist. He ought to do what Phil Gramm did: resign his seat, then run again as a Republican.
***We have no use for turncoats like Rodney Alexander in the new Democratic majority.***
emphasis on the word "USE". i'm glad he defected. now he can be part of a party where individual voices matter and he is not "used" merely to keep the rest of his party in power.
i have yet to figure out which "Democratic majority" theyre talking about.....
Great Screenname.
He is not an opportunist. He has tried to be a conservative Dem in Washington & found he could not work with them. As a rookie Congressman perhaps he did not fathom the slimy punishment and evil tricks that someone like Pelosi could deliver for not voting the RAT way.
He IS running now as a Republican & his reelection is not a cinch. If the people in the 5th district support his conservative ideals, they will vote him back in.
I think it was a gutsy move. I will vote for him.
In other news, democrats say the sky is a pretty green in that new Democrat majority world. Also the streams are orange soda and all the rocks are bubblegum.
By making the switch BEFORE HE RUNS FOR RE-ELECTION, he has done essentially that, while, as Cincy29 observes, avoiding the need for the Governor to appoint a substitute. I think this is about as fairly done as such a switch can be handled.
Democratic Majority? Who writes this guy's lines? Baghdad Bob? "The Republicans are the minority and they are crushed beneath the boots of the glorious New Democratic majority."
I already posted this yesterday :)
Funny they didn't say that with Jumpin Jim Jeffords.
Actually, the governor does not appoint congressmen, only Senators.
I already posted this yesterday :)
I think you are wrong. If, for instance, a Congressman dies early on in his term, the state DOES select an interim replacement (usually his wife). The mechanism may vary by state (legislator or Governor), and I don't recall the specifics for Louisiana (I've been living out of state for the last 5-6 years), but I am certain that a mechanism for such replacement does exist.
Phil Graham and Ronald Reagan changed parties honorably. There is a right way and a wrong way, and Jeffords/Alexandar have chosen the wrong way.
No, not really, he hasn't. This is an 11th hour jump, that is only different from the Jeffords maneuver in the most literal and techinical sense.
So, when would YOU have him announce the change??? This is about as late into the term as it is possible to get, and still qualify for office as a Republican and run a campaign.
I still think this is about as fairly done as it is possible to make such a switch (and no, I don't think the "Phil Gramm" case is better---as it requires all the disorganization resulting from appointing a successor, having that successor take office, move to Washington, etc. etc.). The way Alexander handled it avoids all that dislocation.
Well, we'll just have to agree to disagree then, because I do think Gramm handled the situation in a much more professional manner.
SMGFan is correct. No U.S. House member has ever been appointed to fill a vacancy (it's prohibited in the U.S. Constitution), only a Senate vacancy can be filled (though in some states, a Governor doesn't have the power to appoint). A special election ALWAYS has to be called for a House vacancy. Both Lindy Boggs and Cathy Long (the last 2 widows to serve in LA) had to win special elections before taking their husbands' seats.
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