House Dem to switch to Republican Party
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/12/22/art.parker.gi.jpg caption="Griffith is switching to the Republican Party."]Washington (CNN) - Sources confirm to CNN that Democratic Rep. Parker Griffith will announce Tuesday that he's switching parties and will run for re-election next year as a Republican.
The freshman lawmaker represents Alabama's 5th Congressional District. Griffith won his seat last year by 3 points over Republican Wayne Parker. But the district went for Republican John McCain over Barack Obama by 23 points in the presidential election.
The Republican source was familiar with the decision but didn't want to preempt the announcement later Tuesday. The story was first reported by Politico. A Democratic aide also tells CNN Griffith is holding a staff meeting Tuesday morning to inform his staff of his decision, and will make a formal announcement at 2 p.m. ET.
Griffith was one of 39 Democrats who voted against the party's health care reform bill last month. His is only one of three Democrats to have voted against the health care bill, the stimulus measure, and the cap-and-trade bill.
Griffith pledged in August he would vote against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as Speaker next session.
With Griffith's switch of parties, the Democrats will hold a 257-178 advantage in the House of Representatives.
- CNN's Evan Glass and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this story
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Which way is the wind blowing in the Neo-Confederacy? Does he want to join Rick Perry and succeed from the Union too?
Good move, Rep. Griffith - appreciate your integrity and good judgment.
I can't believe I voted for this Dummy! Ugh!!
I'm sure glad to see all the liberals complaining as usual!
lol.......retiring, switching parties....man, the rats are jumping off the sinking ship in droves. Way to go, Barry. Way to lead your party right over the cliff.
Not surprising. My former GOP has been becoming more of a southern, regional party.
Let me know when a democrat from ORIGINAL BLUE STATE like oregon washington california or a very liberal district switched party and I will be concerned about that.
Only blinds can be fooled.
Just goes to show a democrat will do anything to stay in office.
2010 is so near,, bye bye neo demodummies
Welcome to America. Political parties are nothing more than marketing strategies. Being elected to a position of power and selling your vote are the real objectives.
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Merry Christmas and Happy new year to my Rebulican and Conservative friends.
Happy Solstice to the rest of you weirdo's
He's playing politics...He lives in Alabama for God's sakes, I'm amazed he was ever elected...
And now he has sealed his fate, making sure he won't get re-elcted. Didn't he get the memo, the republican party is over, done with, all dried up. mabe he's doing us all a favor.
JUMPING ship for another ship that already SANK!!! Politics as we know it............same old – same old................ Head strong and Dead WRONG!!
Funny how congressmen keep jumping their parties ship every time
they look like they're about to sink!
LOL
WHO keeps Electing these corporate tools into congress?
Come on people, I don't care if they're from your district or state or whatever, they are all tools for the corporations and it has never been more apparent. Republicans and Democrats alike!
Period.
The man went with his conscience and actually listened–and responded–to his constituents. Like it or not, you must respect that and give him credit.
time to vote him out flip flopper you'll be sorry you did that
Lobbiest's must have gotten to this Guy.
Alabama did not vote on party lines. It voted on racial lines. I am guessing he should think about that again.
How is this bad news for the President? A senator that is actually not a democrat is going to move over to the side he has actually always been on. He idolizes the retarded policies of republicans. It's a good thing to weed out the few morons of the democratic party and place them in the corner where ALL of the other morons are, the republican side of the house.
You should not be allowed to switch parties.. rather you resign and seek re-election with the new party.
He must be looking at the polls that show HEALTH CARE REFORM is not wanted. He must be looking at the polls that show Americans are increasingly getting angry over the lack of focus on Jobs and Economy by the Party that keeps giving everything away, increasing the national debt into the Trillions yet claims promises to work with Republicans. From an Independents point of view, it is starting to look like they belong to the same party as Hugo Chavez!
Thank God at least one Dem has the good sense to recognize the country is being wrecked by Liberals and Progressives, and is willing to change parties as a result.
I hope this is just the beginning, and that other moderate and conservative Dems will realize there is no place for them in what is essentially the country's Socialist Front.
I see people complaining about healthcare, sayin the democrats are socialist freedom haters, or that the republicans are evil obstructionists who want everyone who isn't a conservative executed...you know what I don't see? Ideas. Suggestions. Input. Just name calling and complaining. How about this? HELP CREATE DECENT HEALTHCARE! Quit complaining and party-pushing and actually DO something. Standing and yelling that each side hates america does NOTHING!
Couldn't take the dumbocratic party and being associated with uhbumba. Good for you!
There is a lot more money to steal if your a republican!