** Action Alert ** They just keep SWITCHING AND SWITCHING

http://www.sptimes.com/2002/12/21/Pasco/County_leaders_switch.shtml ^ | TODAY | David C. Osborne

[davidosborne]

Isn't it amazing... pass it on...

County leaders switch parties.....

Click here to read full article...

God Bless the GOP!

[davidosborne]

tell all your Democrat friends to Switch now or always be in the MINORITY - Democratic Oposition Party !!

[RoseofTexas]

I don't like all those EX-RATS invading our party! This is not good at all. They have an agenda and I don't like it! SOMETHING SMELLS!!

[Libertina]

A little thin on the info, isn't this?

[friendly]

Will the last democrat with ethical principles please shut the lights off as he leaves that evil, benighted party.

[philetus]

Maybe the rats are taking a page from the gays and illegals play books.

[davidosborne]

Actually its okay.. I don't see it as invading.. I see it as siding with the Majority... We the voters will still decide who the best candidites are... of course us freepers will keep a close eye on the "newbies" to see if they try to pull the GOP to the left and publish any info here on FR.. so we can keep the list of RINO's current and keep them on their toes..

FReegards,

David

[concerned about politics]

Two of the Pasco County Democratic Party's leading lights, County Commissioner Steve Simon and Supervisor of Elections Kurt Browning, have defected to the rival Republicans.

Citing dissatisfaction with a Democratic philosophy that has tilted to the left over the years, Simon and Browning changed their voter registration to the GOP on Friday.

Good advertising for out side.
The best side, of course.
If they fail the U.S. again, like they did by being democrats in the first place, vote them back out. They can go back to ther loser positions.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Browning said the modern-day Democrats are not the same party he registered with as a teenager 25 years ago.

Unfortunately, they are. It just took him 25 years to realize that the Rats were the party of socialism, abortion, homosexuality, envirowackos, and psychos of every description.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Chill a bit. A lot of conservative people used to believe the lies. It just takes some longer to realize it than others.

[philetus]

"If a politician is only now figuring it out"

Most of them are pretty stupid about real life.

"we dont have time to teach you or trust you"

I don't trust anyone who calls him/herself a pol or a lawyer.

[concerned about politics]

Chill a bit. A lot of conservative people used to believe the lies. It just takes some longer to realize it than others.

I think people are looking around and seeing the negative affects of liberalism. They're seeing what liberals have done to this country and they're getting pretty angry about it. They've seen enough failure and despare for one generation. They want to get out and away from the dump-o-crap party.
No one can blame them for doing the right thing.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Locals need to keep a close watch on these folks.

[Imal]

The real test will come when these folks run for reelection. If they win on a legitimate (i.e., not RINO) Republican platform, then that pretty much seals it.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

How delightful. May the trickle turn into a torrent.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[scouse]

Just what the GOP needs; more people of Jefford's ilk.

[archy]

I don't like all those EX-RATS invading our party!

Remember that former Democrat Ronald Reagan switched to the Republican Party after their leftward plunge, with the comment that he hadn't left the Democratic Party, it had left him.

Hopefully, Republicans will gain a few thoughtful and experienced political theorists who see firsthand what the American people want, and have come around more toward our way of thinking, while being able to shift the left-wing opportunists and activists off into a corner where they can fulminate on their own. Maybe the Democrats and Socialists can combine their numbers and similar philosophies to remain a viable party...that oughta do it.

-archy-/-

[stand watie]

i have NO DIMocRAT friends! only PALEO-Confederates & GOP folks.

free dixie,sw

[MinuteGal]

I live in Pasco county. Browning is ok, but Simon bears watching. I've engaged in debate with him. He's actually a pointy-head pseudo-intellectual with no real organized party persuasion or loyalty except to liberalism. He put his finger in the air and made the switch.

Leni

[MissAmericanPie]

Odd that you would see this as a good thing.

[Conservateacher]

I see no problem with them changing. They are moving to the right party. If they were moving to the wrong party that would be....Wrong. Very simple. If the Jeffords switch had been reversed I would be happy. Nothing wrong with doing the right thing. Jeffords just did the wrong thing from my perspective.

BTW.. Is there a recent list of nationwide party changes? Has anyone come across one. I remember seeing an old one but nothing recent.

[DannyTN]

In the south there are a lot of conservatives who have remained in the Democratic party because it was the largest party and because the issues defined on the national level didn't always make a difference to the local level.

If these people switch to Republicans, I'm ok with it. However, I wish they had had the guts to stand with the Republicans before it was popular.

However there are also those Democrats who just want political power. They either don't have an ideaology and agenda (like Bill Clinton) or worse they do have and will say one thing to get in power so they can do something else (like Al Gore). Both of these people we want to avoid at all costs.


Unfortunately it's not always easy to tell them apart.

[Attillathehon]

Instead of deserting their party, why don't they stay and fight to reform it?

[davidosborne]

I agree with your analysis.... it is not easy to tell them apart.. but if they join the party and start participating at grass roots Republican events they will see that who we are.. and I am convinced they will like what they see.. I know so many "conservative" Democrats who will NOT switch.. just because they are stubborn and would rather stay a Democrat and vote Republican... I try to tell them how much they are missing out on.. and just associating with such Great Americans is a big enough reason to come home to the GOP!...

FReegards,

David C. Osborne

[zygoat]

I know quite a few "democrats" who vote that way because "muh daddy was a democrat" or "my family has always voted that way", and yet they openly abhor the liberal agenda. One otherwise intelligent friend actually votes dem because he is a civil war re-enactor (CSA) and Lincoln was a republican.I don't think they realize the damage they do, but I'll keep hammerin' on them.

[William Terrell]

The whole article

---

Two of the Pasco County Democratic Party's leading lights, County Commissioner Steve Simon and Supervisor of Elections Kurt Browning, have defected to the rival Republicans.

Citing dissatisfaction with a Democratic philosophy that has tilted to the left over the years, Simon and Browning changed their voter registration to the GOP on Friday.

Simon becomes the fourth Republican on the five-member Board of Commissioners, although party-line voting is rare on the board. The only Democratic commissioner is Peter Altman.

For Simon, it's a break from a past that began with his childhood in heavily Democratic New York City. Democratic Pasco Sheriff Lee Cannon helped pluck Simon from obscurity to defeat Republican Ed Collins for the commissioner's seat in 1998.

Calling himself a fiscal conservative, Simon said his party switch was "completely philosophical." He and the party have grown apart over the years, he said.

"You make this decision because you don't have any other choice, because you don't have the comfort you once had," Simon said Friday.

Browning, a longtime Southern Democrat who stresses his nonpartisanship, became the leading local voice for electoral reform after the 2000 presidential election in Florida.

His defection leaves Pasco Tax Collector Mike Olson as the last remaining Democratic constitutional officer in the county. Sheriff Bob White, Clerk of Courts Jed Pittman and Property Appraiser Mike Wells are all Republicans.

Browning said the modern-day Democrats are not the same party he registered with as a teenager 25 years ago.

He contemplated a party switch for several years, feeling uncomfortable with left-leaning ideas of party faithful. One of the last straws was the choice of San Francisco legislator Nancy Pelosi to lead the Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"I'm sitting there going, 'You know, is this really what I'm about?' " Browning said Friday night. "Shakespeare said, be true to yourself."

Republican state Sen. Mike Fasano was bubbly about the news Friday, calling Browning and Simon "great public servants."

But the double blow left the county Democratic establishment reeling. Democrats threatened retribution against their former political allies, although Browning isn't up for re-election until 2004 and Simon until 2006.

"I was fairly dismayed and very upset about it," party chairwoman LuVaunne Miller said. "They think their friends will forget in a few months. But their friends won't forget in a few months."

Also stunned was Mike Cox, former chairman of the Pasco Democrats. Cox was Simon's closest adviser in the last election, which ended with Simon's victory in September's primary against David "Hap" Clark. No Republican challenged Simon in the general election.

Cox heard of Simon's defection secondhand and had an uncomfortable conversation with his friend on Friday.

"I ran his damned race for him. I didn't see it coming," Cox said Friday. "During his last campaign Steve expressed dislike for some of the Republicans."

Added Cox, "He basically used the (Democratic) Party to get another $67,000 a year for the next four years."

Cox said the Democratic Party has always been big enough for a variety of viewpoints, ranging from ultraliberal to conservative. In fact, Cox labeled himself a conservative Democrat. He suspects the two men switched solely for their "political livelihood."

Simon called the charge ridiculous. "If there's a little R next to your name or a little D next to your name, that doesn't have anything to do with how you do your job," he said.

Browning concurred.

"I will continue to run my office in a nonpartisan fashion," he said. "But the reality is, I'm a political animal, just like everyone else in public office."

[davidosborne]

Switching to the GOP fever is spreading across the Nation.. I can see us holding 60 SEATS in the Senate in 2004!!!

Keep the hammer down folks!!

[afraidfortherepublic]

In the south there are a lot of conservatives who have remained in the Democratic party because it was the largest party...

Every place I've lived we've had a plethora of county officials who cling to the larger party, be it Dim or Republican, just to stay in their little elected slot. They are usually namby-pamby bad news public servents. Not willing to take a stand until the wind is blowing at gale force. I hate them.

My current county is known as the most Republican county in Wisconsin, but our county courthouse is full of RINOs. If party registration were to change around here, about half of our elected officials would find some reason to change sides. You gotta keep your eye on those folks.

[Eagle Eye]

And everytime a Democrat switches parties, the GOP becomes a bit more like the Democratic party. Today's GOP is FAR left of the 1960's Democratic party.

Don't get fooled and succumb to false eupohria; those Democrats are switching party labels, not philosphies.

[davidosborne]

The movers and shakers in the Republican Party are on the RIGHT track.. the more we get to join us.. even if they are not completely on board with the conservative agenda will result in us getting our 60 SEATS in the Senate.. then and only then.. can the REAL conservative agenda become a reality.. you will see a LOT of Dems running on an "opposition" platform, trying to get the fence riders to vote with them to prevent the Republicans from getting our 60 Seats.. I am sure you have all heard the lines that ONE party should not be "allowed" to hold that many seats.. and we all know that there is whole lot of voters out there that will vote for the DEMOCRATS even though they don't agree with them because they THINK the Republican Majority should not have that much "power"... we all know that we have too many Republicans that run to the center because they are afraid to stand up for real conservative values.. the best thing we can do is get our 60 seats, and then see what kind of agenda we can come up with... until that happens you will see the spineless politicians run to the middle....

Just my 2cents worth.. FWIW.. We are already seeing all the Democrat candidates running on an "opposition" platform... hopefully the sheeple out there will realize this and give the Republicans an opportunity to LEAD this country with strong Conservative Moral based LEADERSHIP...

David C. Osborne

[c-b 1]

And everytime a Democrat switches parties, the GOP becomes a bit more like the Democratic party. Today's GOP is FAR left of the 1960's Democratic party.

Don't get fooled and succumb to false eupohria; those Democrats are switching party labels, not philosphies.

You are exactly correct, this makes things much more difficult for those of us who are trying to turn the Republican party back to the "Right".

I kept tabs on the Reps, and Senators who switched from D to R back in the mid 90s, their voting records did not change, the result of those switches just made the Republican party more Liberal.

[c-b 1]

The movers and shakers in the Republican Party are on the RIGHT track.. the more we get to join us.. even if they are not completely on board with the conservative agenda will result in us getting our 60 SEATS in the Senate.. then and only then.. can the REAL conservative agenda become a reality.

Even with a 60 seat majority in the Senate, I don't see any conservative adjenda becoming a reality, there are too few conservative Senators. Too many of the current Republican Senators are moderate, to liberal.

[davidosborne]

Too many of the current Republican Senators are moderate, to liberal.

I agree with you completely.. but the struggle as perceived by the massess is really about 1 party having "too much power" this argument is ridiculous.. because unless one party as a real unquestionable majority they will continue to run to the middle... We have ALL heard it said over and over again that you can't get 10 Democrats in a room to agree on anything.. that is a clear sign of an OPOSITION party.. If the Republicans would just understand this.. and keep the internal struggles to a minimum,,, and speak with a single strong conservative voice (agenda).. the American Sheeple will see who the real LEADERS are.. and rally behind us.. God Help US if the Republicans fail to do this.. and compromise the Conservative agenda for votes... that is what is causing so many Republicans to go Libertarian.. they feel that the Republican Party has abandoned the conservative agenda in exchange for appeasement... I know this is wishful thinking.. but if we can get all the Libertarians to come home to the GOP.. and all the Conservative Independants to come home to the GOP.. we will have the votes to really get something done without constantly having to appease the Minority (liberals)...

FReegards,

David

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[stand watie]

let's HOPE!

"red nancy" pelosi is leading the DIMocRATS toward the cliff edge-let's PUSH!

FRee dixie,sw

[Eagle Eye]

Having large numbers in the GOP is meaningless if the mindsets and voting patterns of the members don't change.

A) Be aware of the political opportunists. These are those who see the writing on the wall and know that they won't get any favors as Dems in the foreseeable future.

B)Be aware of those who are just now making the switch because of 'principle'. Where were these guys 3 or 4 years ago when the clinton atrocities were in the public's view? They were STILL supporting clinton because that's where the power was.

C)Be aware that everytime another left-leaning or moderate politician joins the GOP, the less possibility there is to move the party to the Right or make it more Conservative. The more influence these changlings gain, the more the party will cater to them.

[davidosborne]

A) Be aware of the political opportunists. These are those who see the writing on the wall and know that they won't get any favors as Dems in the foreseeable future.

AGREED.....

B)Be aware of those who are just now making the switch because of 'principle'. Where were these guys 3 or 4 years ago when the clinton atrocities were in the public's view? They were STILL supporting clinton because that's where the power was.

AGREED.....

C)Be aware that everytime another left-leaning or moderate politician joins the GOP, the less possibility there is to move the party to the Right or make it more Conservative. The more influence these changlings gain, the more the party will cater to them.>

I respectfully DISAGREE with your assessment on this one.. In fact I believe the OPPOSITE will occur.. in fact, if the American people INSIST that the candidates they vote for, take a pre-election stand on the "controversial" issues, we will know where they stand on principle and be able to distinguish between the Republicans and RINO's... we have seen all too often politicians get elected without answering the "tough" "controversial" "ideological" questions... that is why FR is so critically important... we can do what the mainstream media cannot... put the facts out there on local candidates.. before they become national candidates....

[davidosborne]

I don't think we need to push.. i think she is showing the Democrats TRUE colors.. which is GREAT news for US !!... she is a PROUD liberal.. and the "moderates" can't stand that and that is one of the reasons they are switching to the GOP or independant (small i)

[Eagle Eye]

Disagree all you want, the patterns are already clear.

The more that the GOP takes in former Dems, the more the GOP begins to reflect their beliefs, not vice versa. As I've stated twice before, today's GOP is left of the 1960's Democrats. Celebrating the inclusion of MORE left leaners CANNOT make the party move to the right.

Adding more COLD water to a pot doesn't make it any warmer!

[stand watie]

our "friends at the DIMocRATs party" NEED a BIG PUSH to help them along.

it's the CARING thing to do! LOL!

FRee dixie,sw

[davidosborne]

Here in North Florida you see a lot of "Southern Democrats" that refuse to change parties, but are ideologically in line with the Republicans... they say they are doing us a favor by being a Democrat so they can vote in the primaries for the candidate that is "easiest" to beat.. then vote Republican in the General Election.. I think we would be much better off if they just switched to the Republican Party and we can identify where they are on the ideological spectrum... it is interesting to see how many Democrats are ideologically to the RIGHT of many Republicans (ie. Zell Miller).. I know we have a lot of elected RINO's in cogress and the only way we can get them out is to put their voting records out there for the world to see.. and FR is the key to that.. IMHO

FReegards,

David

[davidosborne]

ANOTHER EXAMPLE HERE....

FROM DU POSTER...

Democrats respond to SHUTTLE DISASTER...

dembabe (44 posts)

Feb-01-03, 10:37 AM (ET)

16. I am embarrassed to be HERE right now!!

This is a sick post. All you guys can think of right now is Bush!! I came here to talk about and pray for the crew. I thought we'd put our differences aside on politics on this sad day. I feel really dirty and ashamed right now.

...REF my thread..My 2 cents worth on the fact that Democrats are leaving their party...

Just one more reason REAL Americans are coming back to the GOP

[Teacher317]

Does anyone have an accurate count of how many have switched since the big electoral switch in 2002? I read a thread that put the number at 200 nationwide, but there was no source for the statistic.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[davidosborne]

Best thing to do is check locally... I know of several just here in town.. many of them prominent politicians.. I think the stats will be out closer to the 2004 election.. I suspect the numbers will be staggering..

[M Kehoe]

I went over to DU for the first time. I need a shower.

5.56mm

[davidosborne]

something you only have to do ONCE in a lifetime.. as I stated in the other thread.. I reluctantly posted the DU link knowing what Jim thinks about it.. but the world needs to see who the "Movers and Shakers" in the Democratic Party really are!!... God Bless FreeRepublic

[My Favorite Headache]

CHRIST! David what levels of LOW will they sink to? ASSHOLES!