Exclusive: Rep. Parker Griffith switches to GOP

Politico ^ | 12/22/2009 | JOSH KRAUSHAAR

[Danae]

POLITICO has learned that Rep. Parker Griffith, a freshman Democrat from Alabama, will announce today that he’s switching parties to become a Republican.

According to a senior GOP aide familiar with the decision, the announcement will take place in this afternoon in his home district in northern Alabama.

[AFreeBird]

I’ve got a “MyGov” app on the iPhone and looked him up. Under donors to his campaign; in the over $10K list, I count 9 unions.

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

Short synopsis of Griffith's voting record

[TomServo]

This asshat will do/say anything to stay in office. Bigtime!

[donna]

What honorable person would have been a Democrat up till now?

[Senator Goldwater]

"Whatever, we’ll take him. Whatever it takes to stop the bill. That should be our first priority at this stage. "

I'd sign for this.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Hasn’t been in office long enough to get a rating for the year, only arrived in DC this past January.

[Lazamataz]

And so it begins.

[yellowhammer]

Awesome...with a few more switchers, retirements, and a little luck the GOP will have a majority Jan 2011.

[jpl]

Yeah, that looks like a pretty decent record to me in a short time period. I’m willing to give him a fair chance.

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

Short synopsis of Griffith's voting record

[Maine Mariner]

That is how I am seeing it.

[Lazamataz]

I hate you.

[FroggyTheGremlim]

Oh, I don’t know. Sometimes a convert ends up a stronger believer.

Welcome him but watch him. If he is truly a Conservative, praise him and support him. If not, look for someone else.

[gov_bean_ counter]

The guy has deep Democrat roots in Alabama. He had a well financed campaign. The Republicans ran Wayne Parker against him. May has well have run my pet cat. The guy was a total loser. (but I digress).

IMO, he is doing this with the tacit support of a lot of Democrats who are growing more and more uncomfortable with the direction their party is heading. This isn't as much a high five for the Republicans as it is a back hand to Pelosi.

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

Short synopsis of Griffith's recent voting record

[acoulterfan]

So when he votes like a DEM the Dems will say that whatever is being voted on was “a bipartisan vote”?

No more Spectors!

[who knows what evil?]

We’ve seen this before...he is switching for one reason...to keep his job. He is still a Democrat at heart. He will wind up biting you in the back end later; get rid of him now.

[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.

[Josephat]

Give the guy a chance. After being inside the den of iniquity and seeing firsthand what they are about, I would guess that there will be more men and women of conscience who choose the light over the darkness.

[Panzerlied]

Norman Thomas was to the right of McCain!