Posted on 01/10/2006 8:19:29 PM PST by LdSentinal
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Rep. Sheri McInvale, who became a Democrat four years before being elected to the House in 2002, is a Republican again.
McInvale announced Tuesday she is switching parties - a decision that was met with cheers and applause by a large crowd of Republicans at her press conference, including Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings and Republican Party of Florida Chairman Carole Jean Jordan.
"We love seeing those who find that their philosophy is attune to our philosophy," said Jennings. "We're proud of you seeing the light."
Jordan gave McInvale a big hug and said, "Welcome, welcome, welcome," after the news conference. The switch gives Republicans an 85-35 advantage in the House.
Colleagues said McInvale, of Orlando, was still stinging from the fact that Orange County Democrats backed her primary opponent during her 2004 re-election, a race she won by only 51 votes.
McInvale, though, wouldn't address the issue. "There is nothing about the past that brings us here today. This is really all about the future and how we can better represent Central Florida," McInvale said. "This is more about geography. I get to go from the back row up to one of the front rows."
She also said her approach to issues will be the same. "Nothing about Sheri McInvale has changed," McInvale said. "I woke up this morning the same and I'll wake up tomorrow the same."
Democrats said McInvale will have a hard time keeping her seat as a Republican. The district, which includes downtown Orlando, is heavily Democratic.
"It's difficult to run right after you switch parties," said Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres. "Voters don't normally support party switchers in an election year."
The Florida Democratic party also pointed out that her district has consistently voted for Democrats in statewide elections, including John Kerry with 58 percent of the vote over President Bush in the 2004 election and Bill McBride and Betty Castor with 57 percent of the vote over Sen. Mel Martinez the same year.
If Republicans play their cards right in 06 there may be many more such switches.
Well its nice to have a numerical majority but if several of the pubbies are RINO's...so what? The way the current lot behaves you would think the dems have the majority.
Let's hope she's not a "mole". The partisanship between the parties is almost becoming as secretive as the US and USSR during the Cold War.
WElcome. I wish we can get some senatorsto switch parties to our favor, but We have three that could switch to democrat
Unfortunately in FL there are many ex-Dims in the supposed GOP majority legislature. Sometime their actions make one wonders if they are really conservatives. Other times it seems to be a good thing.
Unfortunately, the actions of most elected Republicans make me think they are not conservative either. Out of control spending, failure to stand up for social security reform, failure to control borders, etc., etc., etc.
More RATS abandoning the sinking ship SS Howard Dean.
That philosophy being what? Total state control of our lives vs. Total state control of our lives + minuscule tax cuts?
It's not 1994 anymore. Any Republicans preaching "philosophy" should kindly shut up.
Say WHAT ?
Oh, just frickin' great. It's "wonderful" to witness the birth of ANOTHER g-dd-mned RINO.
It's just like all the people moving from the Northeast to the South, and promptly setting about turning it into the same place from whence they came. I had sooner be with a bunch of illegal Mexicans. At least the Mexicans understand the fun in drinking, driving and shooting pistols.....all at the same time. As an example, the Yankees first burned Atlanta and then 100 years later, they bought it.
Stay your butts at home and fix your own problems. Don't be coming down here and starting the same crap (taking corporal punishment out of publik skewlz, the formation of overreaching local governments, hiring people from the quickie lube to tell me whether I can drive my car on the roads I helped pay for.....).
Dang. Get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? Once sentence addressing the post and a whole diatribe on your personal pet peeve! : )
This is just what the elites have in planning. They make this "Two-Party Cartel" so equal that whatever faction you vote in the average guy gets the shaft.
You obviously are a quite oblivious to what is happening in American society today to NOT have at least fifty pet peeves.
Seriously, firing 98% of federal employees not in the military and cancelling the programs the fed gov could no longer operate would be a good start. Furthermore, the lack of appreciation you express to every southerner who doesn't bust a couple of three caps in your Yankee gut every time you start railing about how you did things up North...well....
I'm not really that way. Just PM me and I'll come down to Lauderdale to help you pack and buy you a bus ticket.
That would really be the "failure to stand up to the elimination of Social Security" and the refund of all taxes paid in lump sum from ALGORE's lockbox.
"Well its nice to have a numerical majority but if several of the pubbies are RINO's...so what?"
Well, here is the beneit of having a numerical majority in any legislative chamber:
You have the chairmanship of all committees. You set the rules. You have a majority of members on committees. You therefore control the flow of most legislation.
It is clearly better than being the minority, losing control of all of the above.
You might review Reagan's Eleventh Commandment.
It doesn't matter who you vote for, you're still going to wind up with a Politician. - Will Rogers
She also said her approach to issues will be the same. "Nothing about Sheri McInvale has changed," McInvale said. "I woke up this morning the same and I'll wake up tomorrow the same."
... and thats the rub ....
When the only change is the lable , then you know the 2 party system is over.
We have people in our local government who run with th wind ... what ever direction it blows.
We are trying to find a way to stop dems from running as rinos , but so far no luck. You would think there would be some sort of reqiuerments .. but no ... anyone can just sign up to run on the Republican ticket.
I must have missed something. I thought the Florida rats were ready to take back the state. PULEEEEEEEEEZE!
And oh yeah please show me another poll proving how the wooden Indian will win reelection.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.