AL-05

Griffith On Party Switch: 'Politically, It May Have Been A Mistake' (VIDEO)

Ben Frumin | June 3, 2010, 12:13PM

Parker Griffith (R-AL)

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL), who switched from the Democratic to Republican Party in December only to get crushed in his new party's primary on Tuesday, said yesterday that he's at peace with his party switch -- even though it might have been a political mistake.

"I do not regret changing parties," he said at a news conference. "I think it may have been, politically, it may have been a mistake. On principle, it was the right thing to do and I'm happy about it."

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AL-05

Dem-Turned-GOPer Parker Griffith Loses Republican Primary

Eric Kleefeld | June 2, 2010, 12:21AM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL), who switched from the Democratic Party in December 2009, has been defeated in his Republican primary by Madison County Commissioner Mo Brooks. Griffith is now the second party-switcher to lose his new party's primary this year, following Pennsylvania's Republican-turned-Democratic Senator Arlen Specter.

Griffith has conceded the race. With 99% of precincts reporting, Brooks has 51% of the vote -- just above the 50% needed to win without a runoff -- with Griffith at 33% and businessman Les Phillip with 16%. Griffith was elected to a Democratic-held open seat in 2008, winning a 51%-49% race in a district that John McCain carried 61%-38%. He switched parties in 2009, citing the health care bill and Democratic spending as major reasons for his decision, after having already voted against such big-ticket Democratic items as the stimulus, cap-and-trade and health care.

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2010 elections

Voters Headed To Polls Tuesday In Three State Primaries

Eric Kleefeld | May 31, 2010, 3:29PM

Tomorrow will be a busy primary day in three states, with races that could provide some more hints into the extent of any establishment vs. grassroots party feuding, especially on the Republican side.

The races will occur in three states: Alabama, Mississippi and New Mexico. It should be noted that Alabama and Mississippi use runoff elections if no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote in a primary. And since many of these races are wide-open contests with three candidates or more, there could be quite a few runoffs to come.

So let's take a look at some of the key contested races for tomorrow.

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AL-05

Dem-Turned-GOPer Parker Griffith In Spirited Primary Fight Tuesday

Eric Kleefeld | May 31, 2010, 9:01AM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL), who was elected as a Democrat in 2008 and switched to the Republicans in December 2009, could be facing a tough challenge in his primary this Tuesday.

Under Alabama law, a candidate must receive over 50% of the vote in the primary, or else he would have to compete in a runoff election in July. A Republican source in Alabama told TPMDC that Griffith's two challengers, Madison County Commissioner Mo Brooks and businessman Les Phillip, are competing for the same voters against Griffith. "I'd give him probably a 60% chance of getting to 50 plus one," the source said, explaining that Griffith is favored to win but also that a runoff could be tricker for him.

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Fundraising

First Quarter Fundraising Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 5, 2010, 7:06PM

Former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA)

Here are some key fundraising numbers from today and this past weekend:

• Former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA), who is seeking to oust Republican-turned-Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter, announced that he raised over $2.3 million, and has over $4 million in cash on hand.

• Freshman Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO), who was one of the eight House Democrats to switch from a no to a yes on the health care bill, raised over $500,000 -- and more than $355,000 of it came in the last two weeks of the quarter, after she'd announced her support for the bill. So clearly, the Dem base rewarded her for rejoining the party fold on this very crucial vote.

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Deem And Pass

House Defeats Two GOP Motions Against Deem-And-Pass In One Day

Eric Kleefeld | March 18, 2010, 5:50PM

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY)

The House of Representatives today defeated not one, but two attempts by the Republicans to attack the deem-and-pass maneuver for passing the Senate health care bill through the House, as part of a reconciliation package.

Earlier today, the House rejected a resolution from Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL), who switched from the Democrats to the Republicans in December, to require a direct vote on the Senate bill itself instead of the deem-and-pass procedure. The margin of defeat was 222-203 -- which might be reasonably seen as a clue for further votes to come. (Late Update: Technically, this was a vote to go forward on a procedural motion by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), rather than interrupt business and hold a vote on Griffith's resolution, as Republicans were demanding.)

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NRCC

Boehner: Rangel's Money Is Tainted -- Unless It Went To Republicans

Rachel Slajda | March 9, 2010, 12:08PM

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH)

The National Republican Congressional Committee has been attacking Democrats for not returning contributions from Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), who this week stepped down from his Ways and Means chairmanship over an ethics investigation, and calling his donations "tainted money."

But House Minority Leader John Boehner doesn't have a problem with the "tainted money" Rangel gave to Rep. Parker Griffith (AL), a Democrat-turned-Republican who switched parties in December.

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Health Care

GOP Touts Parker Griffith On Health Care -- After Previously Accusing Him Of Abusing Cancer Patients (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | March 5, 2010, 6:10PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL).

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL), who switched from the Democrats to the GOP in December, will be delivering tomorrow's weekly Republican YouTube address -- presumably from the standpoint of being a medical doctor who is opposing the Dems on health care. As we've previously noted, there is a huge irony in this particular doctor being embraced by the GOP -- after they openly accused him of some very serious acts of medical malpractice, when they ran against him in 2008

"The fact that a doctor who left the Democratic caucus is delivering the address this week is no coincidence," an anonymous senior GOP aide boasted in an e-mail to news organizations. "This is a shot across the bow of any 'moderate' Democrat in the House who is considering voting for a health care bill loaded with tax hikes, Medicare cuts, and notorious backroom deals."

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Parker Griffith

Party-Switcher Griffith To Refund-Seekers: 2008 Money Is Gone

Eric Kleefeld | January 15, 2010, 4:58PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL), who switched from the Democratic Party to the GOP in December, appears to be modifying his promise to return donations from Democrats who are unhappy with his switch. He is now including only money raised for this cycle, the Huntsville Times reports -- the cash spent to elect him as a Democrat a little over a year ago is gone.

Griffith is not required under the law to return any donations, but some form of refund is often made by politicians who switch parties. The Times points out that Griffith had made an offer to return money to any donor or to the national Democratic Party, upon a request being submitted in writing. However, refund-seekers are now being answered with a form letter telling them that the money spent in 2008 is gone, and will not be given back. Only money donated within the 2010 cycle will be returned.

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Parker Griffith

Party-Switcher Griffith's Capitol Hill Staff Quits En Masse

Eric Kleefeld | January 4, 2010, 10:10AM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

In a stark public move to distance themselves from their former boss, former staffers for Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL) sent out a press release this morning announcing that "nearly every staff member" has quit as a result of his party switch from the Democrats to the Republicans.

The quitting staffers are chief of staff Sharon Wheeler, legislative director Megan Swearingen, senior legislative assistant Brian Greer, legislative assistant Will Crain, press secretary Sean Magers, legislative correspondents Arinze Ifekauche and Chase Chesser, staff assistant Mary Lou Hughston, Congressional fellows Dr. Anjali Shah Kastorf and Leslee Oden -- and even an intern, Andrew Menefee. The only staffer remaining, Magers tells us, is the Congressman's scheduler Leigh Pettis.

"Alabama's Fifth District has deserved and has benefited from great Democratic conservative leadership since Reconstruction. And until now they had it," Wheeler said. "But Parker Griffith has abandoned the legacy of conservative leadership provided by Bud Cramer, Ronnie Flippo, Bob Jones, Howell Heflin, Jim Allen, Lister Hill, John Sparkman, Big Jim Folsom, and so many more."

Wheeler concludes by saying that the staffers are "taking a leap of faith with the belief we will soon find ourselves in the employment of principled public officials." That's a pretty strong insult against Griffith, who has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum that his switch was allegedly motivated by electoral considerations. The clear implication is that finding a principled politician to work for would be a change.

The full press release is available after the jump.

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Parker Griffith

Dem Prospect Ron Sparks Not Running Against Parker Griffith

Eric Kleefeld | December 29, 2009, 10:16AM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

The Democrats just missed out on recruiting a top-tier candidate to run against party-switching Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL), with Alabama's Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks set to announce today that he won't be running.

Sparks is currently running for governor, but had been urged by national Dems to switch to the House race after Griffith switched from being a Democrat to the Republicans.

As of right now, Griffith's greatest danger is in the Republican primary, where he'll face plenty of criticism for his past Democratic allegiances, donations to Democrats like Howard Dean and Harry Reid, and the accusations of his detractors that his switch was motivated by political necessity instead of principle.

Parker Griffith

Alabama GOP Chair Forgives Ex-Dem Griffith's 'Sins' -- But Others Aren't So Magnanimous

Eric Kleefeld | December 28, 2009, 5:58PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL) has been getting a mixed reception from his state's GOP officials, since he switched from the Democratic Party last week. Some of his new Alabama co-partisans are glad to have him in the party, while some are against it -- and others even want to go so far as to ban him from the Republican primary.

State GOP chairman Mike Hubbard is welcoming Griffith despite the party's past attacks on him, and Griffith's own jousting with the state GOP when he was a state legislator. "It's almost like coming to your church and asking forgiveness for past sins," Hubbard told the Montgomery Advertiser. "You don't turn them away. We'll forgive him for his sins."

On the other hand, state Treasurer Kay Ivey, a candidate for governor, hasn't been so hospitable: "Political self-preservation isn't a virtue. In fact, political expediency is an insult to every grassroots activist who commits untold hours in devotion to getting candidates elected."

In addition there is Hugh McInnish, a Fifth Congressional District Republican committee member, who is proposing a drastic push-back against Griffith: Banning him from receiving the GOP nomination altogether. However, McInnish admitted to me that this idea was not likely to succeed at this juncture.

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Parker Griffith

Alabama Republican Pol Slams Parker Griffith's Switch From Dems To GOP

Eric Kleefeld | December 24, 2009, 2:06PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

Rep. Parker Griffith, the Alabama Congressman who switched from the Democrats to the Republicans this week, is now being denounced by none other than a statewide Republican elected official in his home state.

The Huntsville Times reports that State Treasurer Kay Ivey, who is also a candidate for governor, is openly doubting Griffith's sincerity: "Political self-preservation isn't a virtue. In fact, political expediency is an insult to every grassroots activist who commits untold hours in devotion to getting candidates elected."

Griffith is already facing challengers in the Republican primary,
and some big-name conservative activists are calling for his defeat. In previous years of his political career, Griffith had declared that he was for "health care for all of the citizens," and he'd also donated to Howard Dean and Harry Reid. So some people aren't taking seriously his protest that the "far-left" Democratic Party wasn't welcoming him.

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Parker Griffith

Buh-Bye! Democrats Take Away Parker Griffith's Cmte Assignments (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 23, 2009, 6:38PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

To a nearly empty House of Representatives this afternoon, a House staffer slowly and methodically stripped Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL) of his committee assignments. Griffith's switch from the Democratic party to the GOP yesterday meant he lost his Democratically-assigned seats on the Science and Technology, Small Business and Transportation and Infrastructure. Now it's up to to his new party to assign him new committee seats.

After the jump, the video of the committee stripping from C-SPAN today.

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Chris Carney

GOP Looking For More Party Switchers, Uses McCain To Target Chris Carney

Eric Kleefeld | December 23, 2009, 5:41PM

Rep. Chris Carney (D-PA)

Republicans are going fishing for more party-switching House Democrats, the Politico reports -- with the latest target being second-term Pennsylvania Rep. Chris Carney, who received a phone call from Sen. John McCain himself.

Senate Republicans are also reportedly receiving a list of party-switching targets in the House.

"I just said, 'Whatever you do, I know that you'll make right decision for the country,'" said McCain. Carney is also being courted to switch by Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Bill Shuster. Carney was elected in 2006 by a 53%-47%, defeating a scandal-plagued Republican incumbent. He was re-elected by 56%-44% in 2008, at the same time as McCain carried his district by 54%-45%.

If someone were sitting down and making a list of obvious targets in the Democratic caucus that Republicans could court, Carney wouldn't be at the top of it. He voted for the House health care bill this past November, which surely wouldn't endear him to the conservative GOP activist base. However, a House Republican told the site that they'd gotten "a nibble" from Carney, whatever that means. Politico also reports: "A source familiar with the call [with McCain] said that Republicans thought Carney may be susceptible to McCain's entreaty because, like the senator, the 50-year old House member served in the Navy."

A Navy background makes for a Democrat becoming a Republican? How about they try Admiral Joe Sestak next?

Parker Griffith

Griffith: 'The Far Left Tilt' Of Dems Didn't Want Me

Rachel Slajda | December 23, 2009, 3:20PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL), who announced yesterday that he was switching parties, said today that he left the Democratic party because he was no longer welcome there.

"I felt the far left tilt of the Democratic party no longer welcomed me or my ideas," Griffith said today on Fox News.

Watch:

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Parker Griffith

Dems Searching For Their Griffith Opponent

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 23, 2009, 8:17AM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

Alabama Democratic Party executive director Jim Spearman told TPMDC his party is more than ready to move on from Rep. Parker Griffith's party switch, but probably won't find a candidate to run for the seat until after the holidays.

"There are no specific names yet," Spearman said. "There will be several people" on the party's shortlist for nominees. Though he said he was in discussions with national party leaders yesterday, he said the Democrats have yet to discuss a replacement candidate or plan to get behind one.

Spearman said he was still surprised by Griffith's turn away from the Democrats, who Spearman said used to be a "Liberal." (Yesterday afternoon, Politico dug into Griffith's fundraising past and discovered he contributed $1,500 to Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign).

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Bobby Bright

Alabama Blue Dog Bobby Bright, Asked Whether He'll Stay A Democrat: Merry Christmas

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 6:21PM

Rep. Bobby Bright (D-AL).

Earlier today I asked the office of Rep. Bobby Bright (D-AL), now the only remaining conservative Democrat from a McCain district in Alabama, whether he could end up following in the footsteps of Rep. Parker Griffith and leaving the Democratic Party -- and I received a very inconclusive answer.

Bright has a lot in common with Griffith, who announced his party switch earlier today: Both are freshmen from districts that voted heavily for John McCain in 2008; they each won their races very narrowly; and both have voted against the big-ticket items of the Democratic agenda this year. So I asked what Bright's thoughts were on Griffith, whether he was committed to staying with the Democrats, and what his overall concerns might be about the political situation in Congress.

His spokesman just sent me back this statement from the Congressman: "In this season of great promise, we should focus on that which draws us together: faith, family, and service. These are not partisan values and as I have said many times, we are stronger as people, communities, and as a nation when we seek common ground rather than focusing on what divides us. I hope, for a few days at least, we can put politics aside and focus on the true joys of the Christmas season."

Parker Griffith

Griffith To Face Two GOPers -- And Probably A Democrat, Too

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 22, 2009, 3:18PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

When Rep. Parker Griffith (the brand-new R-AL) switched parties today, he increased the number of candidates he has to face before getting reelected by a factor of three.

Both Republicans who were already vying for the chance to face Griffith in the general election next year say they'll stay in, eager to square off against Griffith sooner rather than later. And in a fiery statement this afternoon, the state Democratic party promised to find a new candidate to run for the seat.

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Parker Griffith

Palin Welcomes Griffith To GOP: 'Congratulations Alabama!'

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 3:08PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL) and Sarah Palin.

Rep. Parker Griffith (D-AL R-AL) might be facing some opposition on right after his party switch, but he is being welcomed to the GOP by one top name: Sarah Palin.

Palin posted this on her Twitter account: "Congratulations Alabama!And all Americans concerned about Capitol Hill's current agenda;Rep Parker Griffith just did the right thing.Welcome"

Other big right-wing names, such as the Club For Growth and Erick Erickson, are already laying the groundwork for a primary challenge against Griffith by what they would think of as a truly loyal conservative. But so far at least, Palin is greeting the new GOP Congressman with open arms.

Parker Griffith

Griffith Announces He's Joining Republican Party

Rachel Slajda | December 22, 2009, 2:33PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL).

Rep. Parker Griffith, a Congressman from Alabama's fifth district, officially announced this afternoon that he's switching from the Democratic to Republican party.

"As most of you know, I was elected by the people of north Alabama as an independent conservative Congressman," he said in a press conference.

"I have become increasingly concerned that the bills and policies pushed by the current Democratic leadership are not good for north Alabama or our nation and, more importantly, they do not represent my values and convictions," he said.

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Parker Griffith

Flashback: GOP Accused Griffith Of Abusing Cancer Patients, Cheering For Radical Islam

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 2:11PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

The Republican Party is taking a great moral leap in welcoming Rep. Parker Griffith to the caucus -- accepting someone who they believe deliberately gave poor care to cancer patients in order to make money off of them, and who hates America and sympathizes with radical Muslims on top of that. At least, that's what their ads against him in 2008 said!

Griffith, of course, is the Alabama Congressman who who just officially announced in the last few minutes that he is switching parties, from being a conservative Democrat to being a conservative Republican. The National Republican Congressional Committee ran some pretty hard-hitting spots against Griffith in the 2008 campaign -- which were taken down from their YouTube account today. However, a source with an interest in the race was able to capture them first, and gave them to us.

Here's one that accuses Griffith, a medical doctor, of a practice known as "warehousing" cancer patients -- meaning to deliberately give poor care to patients in order to keep them bedridden and make more money from their medical treatments. "His approach caused unwarranted pain and suffering," the announcer said, "but it meant more money for him."

Another ad accuses Griffith of hating America, and apparently even sympathizing with radical Islam -- with audio of the candidate himself speaking! "America's greatest enemy is America, and its materialism...We have nothing to fear from radical Islam." The ad then repeated the audio of him saying "America's greatest enemy is America," and the announcer declared him "wrong for Alabama."

Parker Griffith

Conservative Backlash Against Griffith Party Switch Begins

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 22, 2009, 12:18PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (D-AL)

If Rep. Parker Griffith (soon-to-be R-AL) thought the Republican base would welcome him with open arms, he may be getting a wake up call as news of his party switch spreads across the internet.

Two prominent names in the conservative movement -- Erick Erickson at RedState and The Club For Growth -- have promised Griffith will have a tough time convincing Republicans to vote for him, despite the fact that he's now one of their own. Griffith, a self-professed Blue Dog Democrat, has been far to the right of House Democrats this year, even promising to vote against another term as Speaker for Nancy Pelosi.

But those stances aren't enough for Erickson and the Club, both of which say the GOP primary will be a tough one for the Democrat-turned-Republican.

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