Blue Dog Says House Leaders Drove Him to GOP

Griffith has consistently voted against his party
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 22, 2009 5:01 PM CST
Blue Dog Says House Leaders Drove Him to GOP
U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith of Alabama, accompanied by his wife Virginia, prepares to address the media about his decision to switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party during a news conference at his home in Huntsville, Ala., on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)

Former Democrat Parker Griffith today blamed the Democratic leadership for his defection to the GOP, slamming congressional leaders for pursuing legislation "that is bad for our country and hurts our economy." Griffith, an Alabama doctor, singled out health care reform as a large part of his decision, deriding the bill as "bad for doctors and our patients."

The House's No. 2 Republican, Eric Cantor, welcomed Griffith's, move, saying Democrats have become "completely disconnected from seniors, young workers, and families in America.” But liberals said the conservative Griffith had been voting like a Republican anyway. One Democratic congressman called on him to return money donated to his campaign by Democrats, notes Politico.
(More Parker Griffith stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X