|
|
| Saturday, July 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
Marketplace
|
|
Sections
|
|
Service Center
|
|
 |
|
Griffith flip-flops parties
Published December 23, 2009
U.S. Congressman Parker Griffith (Huntsville) did a flip-flop of sorts on Tuesday.
Griffith, a first term representative who replaced Bud Cramer in 2008, announced at a press conference in his hometown that he is changing party affiliation. Elected as a Democrat, Griffith is now a Republican and will run for re-election under that banner.
Reaction was quick to come from both parties.
“It was a pleasant surprise when Congressman Griffith called me this morning to inform me that he is leaving the Democrats to become a Republican,” Alabama Republican Party Chairman Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) said. “However, it is not a surprise that Griffith realized the Democrat Party has now become more liberal than ever — making Obama, Reid and Nancy Pelosi the gifts that keep on giving for the Republican Party.”
In winning his first term in office, Griffith eked out a 51-49 percent win over Wayne Parker for Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District seat. The district overwhelmingly supported Republican John McCain in the Presidential race.
“The difference in the two parties could not be more clear,” Griffith said from the comfort of his own home. “Our country is at a crossroads. I can’t stand with a party that is bad for the country, hurts our economy and continues to push us further and further into debt.” Griffith said that, to be true to his beliefs and values, he is aligning himself with the Republican Party
“Parker has been a friend for a number of years, but his announcement today, and the way in which he did it, deeply disappoints me,” Joe Turnham, chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party said in a press release. “Democrats of every stripe and philosophy sweated and bled for this man. He narrowly became a Congressman through the hard work, votes and financial contributions of thousands of Democrats. Today, they feel betrayed.
“Congressman Griffith, like his successful predecessor, Bud Cramer was well-positioned as a Blue Dog Democrat in the majority party in Washington to broker for his district and become the swing voice and vote for good public policy; yet, he has left his old friends for his new friends, and will ultimately find that he has no political friends left at all at the end of the day,” he said.
A former radiation oncologist, Griffith voted against the House version of the Democratic health care bill. He also opposed portions of several stimulus bills in the wake of the ongoing economic downturn and has been an outspoken critic of proposed cutbacks in both the defense industry and NASA.
Griffith said his decision wasn’t made lightly. He consulted with family, friends and colleagues. He said it wasn’t an easy decision to make.
“This is a big day. It’s been a big day for me,” Griffith said in opening a 1 p.m. press conference. “It has been an immense pleasure to represent the people of the Fifth District of north Alabama.
“I wasn’t sent to Washington to represent a party. I was sent to Congress to represent the people of the Fifth District,” he continued. “I believe that the bills and policies being pursued in Washington are not good for north Alabama or the nation. I believe the Republican Party is more in tune with my convictions and beliefs.”
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama)welcomed Griffith to the party.
“I believe he’ll be an asset, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to advance the interests of our country and state,” Shelby said.
Shelby, elected as a Democrat in 1986, made a similar switch in 1994 soon after the Republicans captured a majority in both houses of Congress.
Griffith said he would continue to stand against the health care legislation currently before both Houses of Congress.
“I’m a physician. I understand our health care system. This bill is bad for doctors — it’s bad for patients and it’s bad for people going into the health care fields. It threatens our economy, our nation and our health care system.”
Griffith will seek re-election to a second term in 2010. He will face opposition from Mo Brooks, a member of the Madison County Commission, in the Republican primary.
Brooks, who is serving his fourth term on the commission, has been an outspoken critic of Griffith since announcing his candidacy for Congress. In a previous statement Brooks accused Griffith of straddling the fence.
“It is obvious Mr. Griffith wants to be all things to all people,” he said. “That is not leadership America needs, especially in these challenging times.
“I am a candidate for Congress because I cannot sit idly by and watch America decline,” Brooks says on his Web site. “ This election is about saving the America our ancestors sacrificed to create. As your Congressman, I will strengthen our free enterprise system and reduce government control over our lives.”
Another U.S. senator congratulated Griffith on his decision.
“I spoke with Parker this morning and congratulated him on this important decision," U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) said. "I believe his voting record and public statements on many important issues demonstrate an approach to government and spending that is incompatible with the national Democratic Party. As a Republican, he will be affirmed in his concerns about reckless spending and governmental overreach, rather than being ostracized for them. We welcome him with open arms.”
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|