March 5th, 2010
01:29 PM ET
13 years ago

Tea Partiers, Democrats unite

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/05/art.griffith.griffith.jpg caption="Rep. Parker Griffith and Rep. John Boehner are scheduled to appear together at a fundraiser next week that has drawn the ire of local groups."]Washington (CNN) - An Alabama congressman has managed to inspire a certain level of political bipartisanship, but not in a way that will make his colleagues jealous.

Former Democratic Rep. Parker Griffith rocked the political world in December when he switched parties and announced he would seek re-election as a Republican.

And now, only a few months later, his decision has prompted an unlikely coalition to form that is opposed to his re-election.

Democrats, Republicans and politically likeminded groups aligned with both political parties announced they will protest a fundraiser scheduled for March 8, in Huntsville. The headliner: House Minority Leader John Boehner.

Huntsville Tea Party, Left In Alabama, Athens-Limestone Tea Party Patriots, AAMU Democrats Student Club, The Dale Jackson Show, North Alabama Healthcare for All, Madison County Republican Executive Committee, and the Limestone County Republican Executive Committee issued a joint statement Friday announcing their intent to protest.

The involved parties share a goal, but have vastly different motivations. The Huntsville Tea Party said they will use the event to send GOP leaders the message that Griffith isn't their first choice.

"We are sending a message to the national Republican establishment: stay out of our primary," said Christie Carden, founder of the Huntsville Tea Party. "We also want to support the true conservative candidates that Tea Party activists and the local GOP have gotten behind ... We're pushing back against the political machine."

On the other side of the aisle, the AAMU Democrats Student Club took a swing at Griffith for abandoning the Democratic Party.

"We want it to be clear that our opposition is not based on his politics but rather his complete lack of integrity and character," said club president Sharda Lofton. "It is our position that Mr. Griffith is an unprincipled opportunist lacking the kind of values and political ability to make critical decisions in the best interest of the citizens of North Alabama."


Filed under: 2010 • Alabama • Parker Griffith • Popular Posts
soundoff (80 Responses)
  1. Center left-out

    Tea Party = Reactionary(train dog syndrome) at least that's what the RNC fundraising committee thinks. The Republican will play on the fears of the Tea Party movement for a smaller government then sell them out to big corporate America.

    March 5, 2010 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |
  2. Wisconsonite - It's Not Socialism, It's SANITY

    I just love those crazy Tea Partiers! They are going to bring down the Republi-won'ts and then they're going to implode with their irrational hatred! Gotta love it!

    March 5, 2010 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |
  3. archangel4

    Liberals amaze me at the hate and discontent they try to sew.Then wonder why, people are distancing themselves from them.Who would want to back anyone who acts so childish, talks so juvenile, and is so clueless to the facts.You can go to any board on politics, and see the same thing over and over.Either your very young, or very immature.Either way, you only hurt your own cause, by acting like you need a diaper change.

    March 5, 2010 04:21 pm at 4:21 pm |
  4. Liz

    The enemy of my enemy is my friend. old expression that sometimes proves very true. all DINOs should go where they belong. at least they're honest about their ideas when they have the guts to hang that stinking 'republican' label around their necks.

    March 5, 2010 04:37 pm at 4:37 pm |
  5. Dee

    People in the 5th Congressional District do not want or need Republican leadership on the national level telling them who their candidate should be. It is suppose to be government for the people, by the people. They are behaving like Socialist. That district has two good candidates. They don't need any help.

    March 5, 2010 05:51 pm at 5:51 pm |
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