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House Democrat switching to Republican Party

Congressman Parker Griffith of Alabama's 5th district.
Congressman Parker Griffith of Alabama's 5th district.
(House.gov)

© 2009 – Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Freshman Congressman Parker Griffith (D-Ala.) will announce today that he is switching parties to become a Republican.

Griffith will become the first Republican to hold the historically Democratic district since 1869 when Republican John Benton Callis was in Congress. As a retired Oncologist, Griffith plans to heavily criticize the Democratic health care bill as wasteful and ineffective.

In the past, he was a Blue Dog Democrat who voted more conservatively than most Democrats. Griffith was one of 11 House Democrats to vote against the stimulus package.

On the Democratic leadership in Congress that won’t commit to bipartisanship, Griffith remarked, “perhaps we should look at altering that.”

This summer at a town hall meeting, Griffith showed his disappointment with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. “I would not vote for her [again as Speaker]. Someone that divisive and that polarizing cannot bring us together,” he said.

(VIDEO: Griffith speaking about health care reform this summer)


For more headlines: See below.

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Baltimore Republican Examiner

Maryland native Sean O'Donnell received a B.A. in History from the University of Maryland. He is a Squad Leader in the Marine Corps Reserve and is...

Comments

  • Larry Soetoro 2 years ago
    Report Abuse

    They can keep him! He may not have been elected without lots of help from the party and local constituents. He won by few votes. Then to turn? SLIMY! SLEAZY! He should NOT be in the congress at all.

    If he stays he should have to pay back every dime he got under the pretense of being a Democrat.

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