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Democrat Calls Congressman Who Switched a 'Coward'

 

By JESSICA BUJOL (Direct descendent of Karl Marx! - tha malcontent)
Associated Press Writer July 7, 9:00 AM EDT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - In 48 hours, Rep. Rodney Alexander went from Democrat to Republican, friend to foe - or foe to friend, depending on your political persuasion.

 

(ap) - Well let's see, it's only been a headline, and one paragraph and the AP has already fronted "Coward", and "Foe".  It's funny, because I knew that when the next Democrat switched, that the news would be a tad more negative.  When Jeffords switched, he did so 4 months after being Elected as a DemocRAT, and his switch turned the Power of the Senate over to the DemocRATS, and in return, Tom DasHole (D) gave him the Committee Chair he was unable to earn from his own Party.  In the current example, Alexander will be on the Ballot as a REPUBLICan, and the Voters can decide on him Honestly.  What's most amazing to me though, is the lack of Alexander on the Today Show this morning.  When Jeffords switched, he was the darling of Katie Couric (D) and Dan Rather (D), and as the original AP story that I ran, that I have included below illustrates, Jeffords' switch was done on "principle", while this Alexander "turncoat" is nothing but a "Coward".  Anyway, enjoy... The Election season is in full swing, and the DemocRATS cheerleading team, the "Free Press", is in Rare form!  Keep an eye on Kerry's Excellent Christmas in Cambodia Adventure! - tha malcontent)

Democrats reacted to the news by calling the first-term congressman a turncoat and a coward. They must now gain another seat, 12 in all, to win back the House this fall. The count today: Democrats 205, Republicans 229.

A new ally, on the other hand, rang him up Friday to say congratulations. President Bush, according to White House spokesman Scott McClellan, welcomed Alexander to the GOP and wished him well.

Alexander's about-face came about in two days, but had really been in the works for two years.

After announcing his new affiliation Friday afternoon, Alexander said he had been struggling with his conservative votes for his entire term - backing the Bush tax cuts as well as the war in Iraq - and noted they had brought him criticism from Democrats.

"I just decided it would be best for me to switch parties, that I would be more effective ... as a Republican," he said.

In March, Alexander found himself under such intense pressure that he had to publicly announce he would remain a Democrat. Yet, he skipped last month's National Convention in Boston.

On Wednesday, Alexander registered at the start of qualifying for the 5th District race as a Democrat. Friday afternoon, the last day of qualifying for the Nov. 2 ballot, he made his switch, leaving Democrats no time to enter a strong candidate in the race.

Alexander acknowledged he had been courted by the Republicans but said the president hadn't asked him personally to make the switch.

"Rodney Alexander has betrayed voters in Louisiana and leaders like (Senators) John Breaux and Mary Landrieu, who have helped him. We have no use for turncoats like Rodney Alexander in the new Democratic majority," said Kori Bernards, spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Landrieu issued a statement calling Alexander a "coward."

"The most important measure of a leader is his word, and tonight Rodney Alexander proved to the people of his district and Louisiana that his word is meaningless," she said.

How voters will react to Alexander the Republican come Election Day is anyone's guess, says one political observer.

That Alexander made his move so late, effectively eliminating the possibility of having a strong Democratic challenger, may not sit well with voters, says Ed Renwick, a political scientist and pollster at Loyola University in New Orleans.

"In one sense, it was a very shrewd political move," Renwick said. "But it's a dangerous move."

There is already a strong Republican in the three-candidate field. Jock Scott is a former state representative from Alexandria. The Democrat is Zelma "Tisa" Blakes, of Monroe, a political newcomer who called herself a "domestic engineer" when she signed up for the race.

Under Louisiana's open primary system, all candidates run on the same ballot regardless of party. If no one gets more than half the vote on Nov. 2, a runoff will be held in December.

(And of course, for the record... - tha malcontent)

Jeffords Leaves Republican Party

AP/Kenneth Lambert MAY 24, 09:43 EST

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) � Sen. James Jeffords bolted the Republican Party and declared himself an independent on Thursday, giving Democrats control of the U.S. Senate for the first time since 1994.

Jeffords made his announcement after a last-ditch effort by Republicans to keep him in the fold.

``In order to best represent my state of Vermont, my own conscience and principals that I have stood for my whole life, I will leaved the Republican Party and become an independent,'' Jeffords said as his supporters erupted in cheers.

Jeffords said that he had been "struggling with a very difficult decision'' for the past several weeks.

 

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