Jackson Free Press

The worst dirty trick we saw this last election wasn't a campaign ad, a robo-call or an "astroturf" campaign from a shadowy coalition of instigators and carpetbaggers. (Of course, all three happened.) In fact, this dirty trick didn't happen in the lead-up to the election at all. It happened afterward—when Sen. Gray Tollison switched from being a Democrat to being a Republican, after he ran unopposed—and even after accepting money from the Democratic Party.

Soon after, Rep. Donnie Bell of Fulton, who defeated another Republican candidate while campaigning with a D after his name, undertook the same cowardly act, and arguably tipped the House with his political philandering.

Some readers might ask—why the bellyaching? Candidates switch parties frequently, particularly in the south and particularly, these days, from Democratic to Republican, as the great 40-year shift of the southern strategy is finalizing itself in the land of magnolias and palmettos.

But switching parties within 48 hours of being re-elected—and acting like you're joining a new country club instead of tossing your supporters under a bus—makes you more than a selfish politician, a scheming opportunist or a conniving tactician. It makes you a con artist.

Tollison himself says he's been mulling the change for "more than a year," but, apparently, he only got around to finally making this heart-wrenching decision after people had gone to the ballot box and put a check next to "Gray Tollison (D)." More than a year ago was exactly the right time to make this decision.

How many of his constituents and supporters assumed that Tollison was the person he said he was? How many voted for Bell because they wanted the Democrats to retain control of the House or because they thought a Democratic candidate would be better for Mississippi?

We disagree with the excuse that the only thing constituents want is for their representative to be a member of the majority. Some voters appreciate a candidate with actual principles.

If these men were slowly having this epiphany about themselves or their constituencies, why not have the intestinal fortitude to reveal that before the election and run on the merits of their beliefs and those of their new party? Why not allow Democrats to field a candidate in opposition to these newly minted Republicans, instead of running as a faux Democrat all the way to the end?

Some people vote straight-party ticket; some people vote in certain races for certain parties (like the House); some people vote because they know and respect who they think you are. To these people, these men lied.

Even worse is the righteous posture that suggests they did it for their constituents. Gentlemen, at least show enough character to admit that you acted out the charade in your own interests, not those of your voters.

Voters who saw the potential of initiatives to alter the landscape in this last election should consider another one: Let's add the ability to recall elected officials to Mississippi's constitution. We can call it the Tollison-Bell amendment.

Previous Comments

ID

165425

Comment

We need a law to make party switching after an election a crime. The switcher (dirty politician) should be made to pay all funds collected under that party's banner.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-11-17T19:14:01-06:00

ID

165434

Comment

So....who is circulating the petition for the proposed Tollison-Bell Amendment? (Where do I sign?) And what's with the comments feature? I would really like to view all the comments on one article under that article--not have to hunt and peck for a two-line fragment ending in an ellipse at the bottom of the page. Is this feature under development or something?

Author

LHB6391

Date

2011-11-21T16:24:07-06:00

ID

165436

Comment

I am all for getting some ballot initiatives going in response to their Voter Fraud. It is a long process to go through - even before you can start getting signatures. First step is getting volunteers and an organization that is all over the State, preferably some group in every county. Then is getting the wording right. Then submitting to the Secretary of State - a tough step because I think Hoseman runs a corrupt operation - for a series of approvals before you can start collecting signatures. Let me say, I REALLY want to see this happen. I have a blog post suggesting a few initiatives and linking to an overview of the whole process, with examples.

Author

BobbyKearan

Date

2011-11-22T09:00:31-06:00

ID

165445

Comment

I just signed a petition from Judith Browne Dianis from moveOn.orgPolitical Action. The title of the petition is: "Stop Mississippi's Discrimination Voter ID Law". I will forward the e-mail to someone who can post the address.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-11-22T16:02:16-06:00

ID

165447

Comment

I posted it for you, justjess. Someone else saw your post and sent it to me.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2011-11-22T16:16:37-06:00

ID

165448

Comment

I looked at the voter I.D petition through the link above but don't see that it addresses the fraudulent behavior of candidates who run on one party affiliation and switch to another once they've been elected. Is there a link to a petition supporting 'the Tollison-Bell Amendment' referenced in the above article?

Author

LHB6391

Date

2011-11-22T17:28:30-06:00

ID

165449

Comment

Thanks, Ladd. @LHB6391 I was just thinking that since a petition was already being circulated and we have been such a focal point for voter disenfranchisment, it would not be a far leap to tack thos issue on or to solicit the support of Eric Holder, AG. Also, since Jim Hood is a Democrat, he might be open for directives in handling such an issue. We are being used by some politicians who do not have the interest at heart of the people who finance and campaign for their election to a Democratic post. This as best is fraud and abuse. Great post, BobbyKearan. There are many great ideas in your post. This is real "PERSONHOOD" We want the real person that we voted for to serve the party who took them to the prom. LOL! Laughing but serious.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-11-22T19:32:19-06:00

ID

165450

Comment

@Ladd: thanks for the clarification. Didn't catch the humor the first time around...I think the issue of changing parties will have to be spelled out since apparently the existing language didn't make an impression on those who switched. "Dance with the one what brung ya!" Mississippi Fried Politics, indeed....

Author

LHB6391

Date

2011-11-22T20:01:59-06:00