Jackson Free Press

In a move that some Democrats find unsurprising, first-term Alabama Congressman Parker Griffith announced yesterday that he was switching his party affiliation from the Democrats to the GOP. In a prepared statement, Griffith said there was no place in the Democratic Party for a "pro-business, pro-life, pro-Second Amendment" legislator.

"He went off the reservation a long time ago," a Democratic aide told MSNBC's First Read, adding, "This just confirms what we already knew for a long time. This is not based on his voting record. It's the way in which he's conducted himself."

Griffith has been in staunch opposition to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and was one of four House Democrats to oppose the stimulus, cap and trade, and health-care reform—the others are Walt Minnick, Idaho; Bobby Bright, Ala; and Mississippi's own Gene Taylor. He also voted against Wall Street reform and the Lilly Ledbetter act, which amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to remove the 180-day time limit for equal-pay discrimination lawsuits.

Regardless, his voting record—nearly 85 percent with the Democratic Party—may well be an issue for conservative Republicans in future elections. Elected just over a year ago, Griffith said yesterday that he would return campaign contributions if asked. The Congressman has more than $600,000 remaining in his campaign war chest, reports The Huntsville Times.

Previous Comments

ID

154455

Comment

Hm... sincere or another RINO? Time will tell.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-12-23T12:05:32-06:00

ID

154456

Comment

What's your smell test, Iron?

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-12-23T12:38:17-06:00

ID

154461

Comment

All he is worried about is his own re-election. He sounds like an opportunist who thinks having an 'R' next to his name will help in the next election cycle.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2009-12-23T14:11:20-06:00

ID

154467

Comment

What a Christmas present. See ya later, partner, Congressman Griffith. Don't let the doorknob hit ya ..... Take Gene "the Snake" Taylor with you. Don't forget to take Joe Leave-a-man too. Boy, doesn't he need a good ole breakdown? He robbed Peter to pay Paul then robbed both of them. If that ain't a republican, I don't know what is? Why the Democrats still accept him is beyond me.

Author

Walt

Date

2009-12-23T18:07:43-06:00

ID

154489

Comment

I don't get why anybody, of either party, would actually vote against the Ledbetter Act. That's just plain weird.

Author

Tom Head

Date

2009-12-28T14:08:12-06:00