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
I hate to see him go but at least he is more honest about than Joe Lieberman Who has been a Republican for the past few cycles.
Looks like Democratic reps from center-right districts have seen the writing on the wall. Three are retiring and now one is changing parties. We haven;t heard the last of this yet.
...and thick and fast they ran at last, and more and more and more... this is just the beginning, as people wake up to the 'New' Washington – YES WE CAN – have Chicago corruption as the new norm in DC.
I was a Democract for over 30 years...still love a few of the 'true, real and honest' ones..but I saw the corruption and disgust and just could not be a part of that garbage anymore....
Kudos to you...you do what you have to do.
Maybe he could swing by Nebraska and pick Ben Nelson up and take him along to Republican obscurity too!
Griffith isn't living by the concepts of the Democratic platform, which is like the "blble" of his party. Apparently he has no loyalty to the Democratic platform.
It used to be that the party's beliefs and concepts are what made a person attracted to that party.
Nowadays it has to do with how to win votes in one's district. If you have a better chance as a Republican, then just quit your party and walk off.
I have no respect for Parker Griffith.
Don't let the door hit you on the keister.
Boy, talk about the party of intolerance...the liberal dems lied to get control of congress and see it slipping away. Welcome aboard Parker, a doctor who could see the sham this heatlhcare bill really is.
Wow! Good for the country. Even though he is late but it is better decesion. This is real principle against party...
Goodbye, he lives in Alabama any questions????????????
I really cant blame him
he was republican all the long. a fake democrat..... and from ALA. too. its not a surpise.
Well, based on his voting record, he was a DINO anyway. Will likely fit in better with the Republicans.
However, I find it interesting that it is so easy for politicians to switch party labels. Makes you wonder if there really is any difference after all.
Later, loser.
This guy makes Lindsay Graham look like Al Pacino.
There is really only one cure, vote all of them out and start over.
When the Dems have to resort to smoke and mirrors, bribes, and dead of the nught votes to pass the socialist agenda, I expect any decent legislator to jump ship.
Good for him. It's too funny!! Some are retiring and others changing parties, I guess they see the writing on the wall.
good riddance
Hmmm, and we care because why?
treason is the term I would use to describe this yo yo
Throw the bum out!
Ahhhh! He must be drinking the Koolaid (or the tea)! Why else would he defect to the party who brought us 8 years of George Dubya, tricky Dick Cheney, and an unjust war that has taken the lives of thousands of our precious young men and women? Good bye Mr. Griffith. No loss here....
What a looser....I hope the republicans put up a strong canidate against him in the primary.....Will he turn back to democrat if the economy and jobs improve greatly before the election...He should just run as a very conservative democrat.....Time to do away with party labels and all should be voted on their ideas and performance not party label.
Just asking wasn't george wallace a democrat?
The GOP still controls absolutely nothing... who cares? Griffith will run as a republican and lose to a true democrat. Oh look, health care reform is going to pass by Christmas.
We don't want him in the Republican party! He is still a Democrat scab. Only reason for doing this is to have a job and he sees the writing on the wall. Democrats will lose HUGE in 2010. Hopefully he won't be the Rebpublican nominee.