Parker Griffith Switches to the Losing Team

Parker Griffith, one of the U.S. congressmen from Alabama, did something crazy this week.  Being a politician and a Southerner, the standards for “crazy” are pretty high, but Parker’s atypical action certainly stands out. Parker quit the victorious Democratic Party and joined the losing Republican Party.

It is not unknown for congress critters to switch parties.  When the Democrats took the majority, Arlen Specter decided to sail with the prevailing winds and switch to the Democratic party.  Few Congressmen have made the choice that Parker has made — to abandon the winning team for the losing team.

In doing this, Congressman Griffith puts his entire political career into jeopardy.  As a new congressman, he has not had time to build the deep relationships in his district which are necessary to keep being re-elected.  He will be facing a very angry Democratic organization during the next election.

In Parker’s own words, “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. I am announcing today that I’m joining the Republican conference immediately. Our nation is at a crossroads and I can no longer align myself with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy, and drives us further and further into debt.”

The Democrats still command a significant majority in the House of Representatives — 257 to 178.  This is a moral and political victory for the Republican Party, but is only the tiniest move in the right direction.

Welcome Parker, to the losing team!  That Spartan’s had 300 men, you are now one of 178.  I hope you enjoy fighting in the shade.