[Danae]

"While the timing of his announcement was unexpected, Griffith’s party switch will not come as a surprise to those familiar with his voting record, which is one of the most conservative among all Democrats.

He has bucked Democratic leadership on nearly all of its major domestic initiatives, including the stimulus package, health care legislation, the cap-and trade energy bill and financial regulatory reform.

He was one of only 11 House Democrats to vote against the stimulus. The Obama administration’s decision to scrap plans to build a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe further frustrated Griffith, according to GOP sources, since his home district contains the base for Boeing’s ground-based missile defense research.

Ironically, a National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman called Griffith a “woefully ineffective advocate for Tennessee Valley jobs” after the decision was announced in September.

Signs of Griffith’s dissatisfaction with his party began to surface publicly during the summer recess, when he received an earful of criticism from constituents. In August—one month after Republicans picked up his former state legislative seat in a special election—he told a local newspaper that he wouldn't vote for Nancy Pelosi to remain as House Speaker because she's too divisive. He joked that if she didn’t like it, he’d provide her with a gift certificate to a mental health center.

He added that if the Democratic leadership wouldn't commit to working in a more bipartisan manner, "perhaps we should look at altering that."

[Danae]

Hey, sounds to me like he is more conservative than John McCain.

I can live with that.

[DoughtyOne]

I’m not sure what his whole record is, but there’s a lot to appreciate in that post. Thanks.

If the guy’s heart isn’t with the Democrats, we should welcome him.

If he is a RINO, we should also replace him. If not, I’m glad to have him.

[KansasGirl]

What is his rating from the ACU and NRA?

[Vision]

In August—one month after Republicans picked up his former state legislative seat in a special election—he told a local newspaper that he wouldn't vote for Nancy Pelosi to remain as House Speaker because she's too divisive. He joked that if she didn’t like it, he’d provide her with a gift certificate to a mental health center.

Ha! Sound like a Freeper.

[denydenydeny]

He has bucked Democratic leadership on nearly all of its major domestic initiatives, including the stimulus package, health care legislation, the cap-and trade energy bill and financial regulatory reform. He was one of only 11 House Democrats to vote against the stimulus.

Works for me.

[Notary Sojac]

he wouldn't vote for Nancy Pelosi to remain as House Speaker because she's too divisive. He joked that if she didn’t like it, he’d provide her with a gift certificate to a mental health center.

Hey, if Pence or Boehner or King said something like that, FR would be praising them to the skies. I suggest we give this guy the benefit of the doubt at least while Obamacare is on the table, and I say that as someone who hasn't voted for a RINO since 1996.