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Alabama congressman switching to GOP
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Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor
December 22, 2009 02:21 PM
Representative Parker Griffith of Alabama has been voting with Republicans on key bills, and Politico reports that later today, he'll make it official and switch to the GOP from the Democratic Party.
Griffith, elected in November 2008 from a district that went heavily for Republican John McCain over President Obama, bucked his president and party on the economic stimulus bill and the health care bill.
His switch, which will give Republicans 178 seats in the House compared to 257 for Democrats, isn't near as big a get as Senator Arlen Specter's earlier this year -- which gave Democrats the 60 votes that are making much use of during this week's health care votes.
But it does give the GOP more momentum heading into the 2010 mid-term elections, when Republicans hope to retake control of Congress.
Representative Eric Cantor, the second-ranking Republican in the House, welcomed Griffith and got in a shot at Democrats.
"When a member of Congress decides to leave a 258-seat majority to join a deep minority, it is a sure sign that the majority party has become completely disconnected from seniors, young workers, and families in America," Cantor said in a statement.
"From the massive stimulus bill that wasted billions of dollars and failed to create jobs, to a job-killing cap and trade energy tax, to a government takeover of health care - the Democrat majority has pursued an agenda far outside the mainstream. Democrats are beginning to realize what most Americans did months ago - that their priorities are not in line with what Americans want right now – which is job growth, economic security, a safe and secure nation, and a fiscally sane Congress that doesn’t spend money that it doesn’t have," Cantor added.
House GOP leader John Boehner broadcast a similar message.
"All year long, Alabamians have been well-served by Congressman Griffith’s support for conservative principles and his rejection of Washington Democrats’ wrong-headed, liberal policies. Whether it was the trillion-dollar ‘stimulus,’ the national energy tax, or a government takeover of health care, Congressman Griffith has consistently sided with Republicans and the American people to call for better solutions rooted in common sense. He has also stood up to Speaker Pelosi by joining efforts to advance ‘read the bill’ reform and to ensure that not a single taxpayer dollar is used to fund abortions," Boehner said in a statement.
“With today’s decision, Congressman Griffith has added his voice to the growing chorus of Americans who have had it with Democrats’ wrong-headed policies and lack of leadership. Families continue to ask ‘where are the jobs?’ and all they are getting from out-of-touch Washington Democrats is more spending, more taxes, and more debt."
Griffith, elected in November 2008 from a district that went heavily for Republican John McCain over President Obama, bucked his president and party on the economic stimulus bill and the health care bill.
His switch, which will give Republicans 178 seats in the House compared to 257 for Democrats, isn't near as big a get as Senator Arlen Specter's earlier this year -- which gave Democrats the 60 votes that are making much use of during this week's health care votes.
But it does give the GOP more momentum heading into the 2010 mid-term elections, when Republicans hope to retake control of Congress.
Representative Eric Cantor, the second-ranking Republican in the House, welcomed Griffith and got in a shot at Democrats.
"When a member of Congress decides to leave a 258-seat majority to join a deep minority, it is a sure sign that the majority party has become completely disconnected from seniors, young workers, and families in America," Cantor said in a statement.
"From the massive stimulus bill that wasted billions of dollars and failed to create jobs, to a job-killing cap and trade energy tax, to a government takeover of health care - the Democrat majority has pursued an agenda far outside the mainstream. Democrats are beginning to realize what most Americans did months ago - that their priorities are not in line with what Americans want right now – which is job growth, economic security, a safe and secure nation, and a fiscally sane Congress that doesn’t spend money that it doesn’t have," Cantor added.
House GOP leader John Boehner broadcast a similar message.
"All year long, Alabamians have been well-served by Congressman Griffith’s support for conservative principles and his rejection of Washington Democrats’ wrong-headed, liberal policies. Whether it was the trillion-dollar ‘stimulus,’ the national energy tax, or a government takeover of health care, Congressman Griffith has consistently sided with Republicans and the American people to call for better solutions rooted in common sense. He has also stood up to Speaker Pelosi by joining efforts to advance ‘read the bill’ reform and to ensure that not a single taxpayer dollar is used to fund abortions," Boehner said in a statement.
“With today’s decision, Congressman Griffith has added his voice to the growing chorus of Americans who have had it with Democrats’ wrong-headed policies and lack of leadership. Families continue to ask ‘where are the jobs?’ and all they are getting from out-of-touch Washington Democrats is more spending, more taxes, and more debt."
tags Congress, healthcare, Republicans, stimulus
About Political Intelligence
Glen Johnson is Politics Editor at boston.com and lead blogger for "Political Intelligence." He moved to Massachusetts in the fourth grade, and has covered local, state, and national politics for over 25 years. E-mail him at johnson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globeglen. |
