election would be called to fill their empty seats. They could run as "new"
Republicans in a Primary which they might not win, or they could wait four
years, while "proving" themselves in their new Party and run as R's then. Even
if they won the Republican Primary as four-year "card-carrying R's," at least
two of them (in my opinion) would have difficulty winning the General Election
as Republicans.
There is no honor among thieves.
What would republicans do if members of their party were jumping ship in order to give their opposition a super majority in the State House?
A. Would they file a lawsuit against the members for perpetrating a fraud on republican voters and the republican party?
B. Would they call for the immediate resignation of the party members?
C. Would they elect a tired old man with a mean streak as their party chair?
D. Consider it a purge and say good riddance?
E. All of the above?
Statement on Party Switchers
In the biggest national Republican electoral sweep in well over a generation some Democrats survived and won re-election. The gentlemen changing parties today had just won re-election as Democrats, not Republicans; and they did so with the money, time, votes and volunteerism of thousands of Democrats from across the state. Their switch today baffles the voters and upends the process of elections. “These gentlemen have been my friends for a long time and I respect each of them personally, but I am saddened and hurt by their decision today, said Democratic Chairman Joe Turnham.”
The Republican members of the legislature have put on a full-court press to push all white Democrats to change parties after the election. Instead of respecting and working with the Democrats of the House and Senate who were fairly elected under their own party label, Republicans have with today’s announcement made it clear that they want to run Alabama as a partisan-only supermajority and will seek to impugn the rights and voices of Democrats who do not switch and come over.
The tough tasks of governing in Alabama in these lean days will require the contributions of every single member working in unison to solve problems. If today’s party-switchers felt themselves to be irrelevant in the minority, then that is a wrong assumption. They now join a majority that will be responsible for upcoming massive cuts to classroom teachers, healthcare, law enforcement and other basic services. Their switch will aid and abet draconian redistricting plans that will hurt their former Democratic Caucus members.
If today’s switchers truly believe in the ideals of the Republican Party and the democratic process; they could resign, then seek re-election in a special election in a Republican Primary and General Election and let the voters of their districts validate their switch today. Each of them should also immediately refund the monies given to them by their Democratic Caucus.
Notes:
Rep. Steve Hurst received over $50,000 from his former Democratic House caucus in his bid for re-election.
Rep. Alan Boothe received 2,644 votes November 2nd from voters in his home county of Pike who voted a straight Democratic ticket.
Rep Mike Millican received 1,103 straight Democratic votes in his home county of Marion alone.
Both Representatives Mike Millican and Alan Boothe had no Republican opposition.
One of Rep. Leslie Vance’s district counties, Russell, voted 5,094 straight Democratic tickets to 2,209 straight Republican tickets.
Rep. Vance won with more than sixty percent of the vote.
Just so we are clear about what at stake here, if the 4 Democrats flip flop to the gop they will have a super majority, meaning they pass any bill they want without opposition.
Remember what Hank Sanders said to CNN's Anderson Cooper?
Cooper asked Sanders what evidence he had that the Republican opponents would take Alabama back to Jim Crow days. Sanders said, "Well, there's a certain mean spiritness that's out there, not only in Alabama but it's in America. And that makes this election extremely important."
WWRD?
No comments:
Post a Comment