Posted on 09/26/2008 10:27:02 AM PDT by atomic_dog
Republican congressional candidate Jeff Taylor said Thursday he is quitting the Republican Party because it has turned away from the family and small-government values he admires.
Taylor, 49, a Salinas agribusinessman who won the GOP nomination in June to challenge long-time incumbent Democratic Rep. Sam Farr of Carmel, said he changed his party registration from Republican to "decline to state."
"It's been on my heart for months," Taylor said after a news conference to announce his departure from the GOP fold. "I have been hearing this nagging spirit say, 'This is the way I want you to go.'"
Taylor said he went to the county elections office in Salinas to change his registration after the morning announcement at a pumpkin patch operated by Young Life Monterey County, a Christian youth group.
Taylor said he is still running for Congress, but that he would dedicate his campaign efforts now to passing Proposition 8, the ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to make it impossible for same-sex couples to marry.
"Proposition 8 has always been my main core issue," said Taylor, who also challenged Farr in 2006 with a last-minute, write-in campaign.
Taylor said his dismay with Republicans grew this week as the Bush administration rolled out a $700 billion plan to avoid a Wall Street financial meltdown. "If we allow our government to pass a $700 billion bailout, then everyone should be tried," he said.
Nothing wrong with being an Independent.
When I see someone grandstanding like this during trying times, I think someone needs to check his/her finances closely to see if there has been some significant change in the wealth of that individual and where the new found wealth originated.
Also, W., it seems, is the only Republican in Washington in favor of this plan.
He should maybe get down in the trenches and fight with the ones fighting the good fight.
Sometimes you have to work within the system for change.
As a conservative, it’s easy for me to understand his personal descision, but for him to do this after winning a GOP primary makes me think he’s got other character issues.
He basically admitted he would not be able to withstand the pressures of D.C. it he did win the seat as a Republican.
With that state of mind, Congress could never listen to the will of the people . . . oh, they never do, LOL.
Agreed. He would have been a help in the Congress, keeping McCain in check from his liberal impulses (maybe) ... but now he will just lose...and will be a "non-factor".
But would he vote with the Republicans, Democrats, or be a caucus of “one”?
From the little I read, I would guess Republican as long as yall are voting as conservatives:’)
agreed, providing he does stand for something. I am with him on Prop.8, but where is he on other issues. There are too many wishy-washy folks around. A person who stands anything, stands for nothing.
He should’ve considered that before taking the GOP nomination.
Wow, what a quitter. A candidate with courage would have stuck around and worked to improve the party.
Buh-bye, Jeff.
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