The First Party Switcher in Congress for 2009: Democrat to go Republican?
BREAKING NEWS!!!
Blue Dog Democrat Rep. Parker Griffith of Alabama is strongly hinting that a Party Switch may be imminent.
Glen Thrush of Politico via the Huntsville Times, is reporting that Griffith told a Town Hall audience last night that he would not vote to re-elect Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the house.
Practically speaking, such a pledge could mean one of two things: Either he would abstain, or Caucus with the Republicans and vote for a Republican, presumably Rep. John Boehner, for Speaker of the House.
From Politico:
“I would not vote for her. Someone that divisive and that polarizing cannot bring us together,” he said, according to the Huntsville (Ala.) Times.
“If she doesn’t like it, I’ve got a gift certificate to the mental health center,” he added.
At the same time the Left Blogosphere is abuzz with rumors of an impending switch.
If I Ran the Zoo blog reports that a local Union President asked Griffith at the meeting if he was still a Democrat. The blog reports on his response:
In fact, applause nearly drowned him out as he walked over to shake the unhappy union man’s hand and said, “I’m an American, and a good one.”
Griffith is one of a handful of Blue Dog Democrats heavily rumored to be considering switching parties. Others include: Reps. Walt Minnick of Idaho, Gene Taylor of Mississippi (photo - right), Mike Ross of Arkansas, Don Boren of Oklahoma (photo - left) and Allen Boyd of Florida.
Historical Note - In 1994, 6 southern Democrat Congressmen switched to Republican. Billy Tauzin of Louisiana was the first. After Tauzin switched 5 others followed in fast order.
