Rep. Parker Griffith switches to GOP

[CC27]

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.

(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30896.html

[Oceander]

Holey Moses!  Please don't let this be just another rumor planted by Rahm Emanuel.

[BlueStateSaint]

The Politico article mentioned that he's a radiation oncologist, and his medical background is the authority for his stand against the health care "reform." 

I think that he knows that a political tsunami is coming . . . that will make 1994 look like a low tide.

[franksolich]

The Politico article mentioned that he's a radiation oncologist, and his medical background is the authority for his stand against the health care "reform." 

I think that he knows that a political tsunami is coming . . . that will make 1994 look like a low tide.

One has to admit that takes some political courage, whatever courage is found in politics, to change from being a member of the majority to being a member of the minority.

He's going to lose a whole lot of goodies doing that, including access to Bela Pelosi.

[thundley4]

He has bucked the 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.

I don't think those votes make him a republican, just someone  who can see the reality of the damage those things will inflict on the US.

[JohnnyReb]

I don't think those votes make him a republican, just someone  who can see the reality of the damage those things will inflict on the US.

Sometimes known as a southern conservative democrat......a very rare endangered species that won't be found on the endangered species list.

[NHSparky]

How long will Keef Overbite spend on this issue tonight, apart from labeling the guy worst person in the world?  Hell, I might risk watching tonight just for the sputter value.

[DixieBelle]

^wear a face shield.

[Hawkgirl]

I just saw this breaking on Fox....he's not comfortable with the wheeling and dealing going on in the democrat party...Good for him...finally a politician with cojones.

[NHSparky]

^wear a face shield.

ROFL...yeah, even through the cable and TV screen, it could get pretty nasty.  And NO, I'm not going to bother waiting to see what Meaty Fingers Madcow has to say.  My tolerance for liberal BS in one night is still being built up--I can handle one or the other any given night, but not both.

[TheSarge]

How long will Keef Overbite spend on this issue tonight, apart from labeling the guy worst person in the world?  Hell, I might risk watching tonight just for the sputter value.

LOL! save yourself the grief and check NewsBusters tomorrow.

[BlueStateSaint]

One has to admit that takes some political courage, whatever courage is found in politics, to change from being a member of the majority to being a member of the minority.

He's going to lose a whole lot of goodies doing that, including access to Bela Pelosi.

Supposedly, Pelosi is one of the reasons Griffith switched.

[thundley4]

Supposedly, Pelosi is one of the reasons Griffith switched.

Yep, he has said that he wouldn't vote for her to remain as leader in the house. She is to divisive.

[The Village Idiot]

Parker Windsock Griffith



Parker Weathervane Griffith

[Ladywinter]

How long will Keef Overbite spend on this issue tonight, apart from labeling the guy worst person in the world?  Hell, I might risk watching tonight just for the sputter value.

I have been tempted to tune-in at times just to see the "false spin".  But then I think - why give him/them the ratings, even for 1 night!  gawd

[Ladywinter]

The Politico article mentioned that he's a radiation oncologist, and his medical background is the authority for his stand against the health care "reform."  

I think that he knows that a political tsunami is coming . . . that will make 1994 look like a low tide.

If he does indeed make the "switch", will the vote count go to 59?  How does this impact the HC bill's final vote?  Or does it??  Or do they only need 51 votes now.  I grasping here...

[Odin's Hand]

If he does indeed make the "switch", will the vote count go to 59?  How does this impact the HC bill's final vote?  Or does it??  Or do they only need 51 votes now.  I grasping here...

He's not a Senator. He's a Rep. from AL-5th District.

[Oceander]

I don't think those votes make him a republican, just someone  who can see the reality of the damage those things will inflict on the US.

Which makes him an enemy of my enemy, which makes him my friend.  We're in triage-land, not academic-land, so whether he's fit to wear the label "Republican" or not, if he's a friend, he's welcome to the club.

[Oceander]

If he does indeed make the "switch", will the vote count go to 59?  How does this impact the HC bill's final vote?  Or does it??  Or do they only need 51 votes now.  I grasping here...

As someone else said, he's a Representative in the House, not a Senate, so it doesn't necessarily affect any Senate votes (although it might give one or two cold(er) feet than he or she had before); however, it does suggest that Antsy-Pantsy Pelosi is losing control on her caucus in the House, and that she may not be able to muster the votes needed to pass the final bill.

[Ladywinter]

He's not a Senator. He's a Rep. from AL-5th District.

Oh.  My bad.  Now that I re-read the subject title it does say Rep. Griffith...  Just got excited there - for a moment.

[BlueStateSaint]

Yep, he has said that he wouldn't vote for her to remain as leader in the house. She is to divisive.

Even though he did vote for her to be Speaker way back in January.

[Thor]

Now we have another F'n RINO in our Congress. IMO, if he truly had any cojones, he would have stayed in his party and just voted "NO".

[Karin]

Well, BSS, maybe he's done some soul-searching since then.  He is a freshman, after all.  They all seem scared like rabbits when they first get there.  Look how Gillibrand lost any spine she may have started with.  

On the radio news this noon, they announced this.  Some spokesweasel sniffed and said "this doesn't change the House at all."  But look how close some of those bills have been!  217-215, things of that nature.  

[debk]

I think it's important to note he's a physician.

Contrary to what Obama and his MB of I want the public to believe...there are many many fewer doctors who belong to the American Medical Association than those that don't.

Yes he has the support of the AMA, but he doesn't have the support of the majority of physicians.

Young people go into medicine for a variety of reasons....they want to help people, they like science or the complexity of surgery....but mainly...they do it for the money. If they aren't in it for the money...they go into research.

Doctors are going to get hit incredibly hard by the health care bill.

They are going to have to pay more in taxes because of their income level.....

....there's not going to be any tort reform, which means their malpractice insurance will continue to climb...

while getting much less money from Medicare/Medicaid that already don't cover the physician costs in lab fees, surgical time, etc.

Congress is not doing anything to stop physician or hospital costs....no matter what they say...because as long as nothing is done about tort reform....medical costs will continue to rise and passed on to the consumer.

There are several physicians in Congress....13 in House and 2 in Senate.

[BlueStateSaint]

I think it's important to note he's a physician.

Contrary to what Obama and his MB of I want the public to believe...there are many many fewer doctors who belong to the American Medical Association than those that don't.

Yes he has the support of the AMA, but he doesn't have the support of the majority of physicians.

Young people go into medicine for a variety of reasons....they want to help people, they like science or the complexity of surgery....but mainly...they do it for the money. If they aren't in it for the money...they go into research.

Doctors are going to get hit incredibly hard by the health care bill.

They are going to have to pay more in taxes because of their income level.....

....there's not going to be any tort reform, which means their malpractice insurance will continue to climb...

while getting much less money from Medicare/Medicaid that already don't cover the physician costs in lab fees, surgical time, etc.

Congress is not doing anything to stop physician or hospital costs....no matter what they say...because as long as nothing is done about tort reform....medical costs will continue to rise and passed on to the consumer.

There are several physicians in Congress....13 in House and 2 in Senate.

I heard something that 40 percent of the doctors practicing medicine today will leave medicine if this thing passes.  Don't try to tell me that health care won't be rationed as a result . . .