Texas Democrat switches to Republican party

[TCO]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Texas Rep. Ralph Hall switched parties Friday night, filing for re-election as a Republican after nearly a quarter-century as one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress.
"I've always said that if being a Democrat hurt my district I would switch or I would resign," Hall said in an interview with The Associated Press. He said GOP leaders had recently refused to place money for his district in a spending bill and "the only reason I was given was I was a Democrat."

In an interview in which he said he had filed to run as a Republican, he also said he didn't agree with "all these guys running against the president."

Hall's switch follows a GOP-led drive — bitterly contested by Democrats — to remake Texas' congressional districts more to their liking. Party strategists contend they can gain five or more seats through a mid-decade redistricting, a change that could greatly strengthen their grip on power in the House.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-01-03-hall-party-switch_x.htm

[TCO]

1. I don't think this means the end of moderates in the Democratic party. The Demos will continue to have people like Joe Leiberman and MTG. (centrists who are at the right wing of the Democratic party.)

2. What it signals is an end to DINOs. To guys who are conservatives on a general scale. But wear a Democratic label.

[Shi Huangdi]

He's probably doing this to avoid losing his seat to redistricting.

[MrFun]

I doubt this is a sign of any near-future, significant political realignment.

[Ramo]

He's probably doing this to avoid losing his seat to redistricting.

That's exactly why he did this.

[TCO]

Originally posted by Shi Huangdi
He's probably doing this to avoid losing his seat to redistricting.

And my ass is probably hairy. Sheesh. did you read the link?

[TCO]

Originally posted by MrFun
I doubt this is a sign of any near-future, significant political realignment.

Did you read my second post? How about taking the discussion further. you ****forbrains.

[KrazyHorse]

Good God. Put some effort into the insults.

[Spiffor]

****forbrains is not bad.

[KrazyHorse]

It's a pretty standard phrase here.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by TCO
1. I don't think this means the end of moderates in the Democratic party. The Demos will continue to have people like Joe Leiberman and MTG. (centrists who are at the right wing of the Democratic party.)

2. What it signals is an end to DINOs. To guys who are conservatives on a general scale. But wear a Democratic label.

Well, I guess you and I are in basic agreement on these points.

Oh, and thanks for your insult.

[Fake Boris]

He said GOP leaders had recently refused to place money for his district in a spending bill and "the only reason I was given was I was a Democrat."

OH MY GOD!!! I hope it's a joke.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Oncle Boris
OH MY GOD!!! I hope it's a joke.

I doubt it is. Repugs are massive pork barrelers. Before the Repugs took control of Congerss in '94, the average Dumbocrat distract recieved $35 million more in Federal prok than the average Repug district. Since the Repug take over, Repug districts now recieve $612 million more in Federal pork than Dumbocrat districts.

[DanS]

Re #1, I don't think it's the end for moderate democrats, but it's a recognition that many of the GOP wedge issues have cut pretty deep among many moderates over the last decades. Whether or not these issues will continue to do so is up for debate, but at least one democrat has made his prognostication.

[GhengisFarbâ„¢]

Texas Democrats are a lot like Oklahoma Democrats, there are very few people in our states that would align themselves with the National Democrats and their agenda.

But that has to do with our culture and values. Most Texans and Okies can't relate to the attitudes and issues Californians and New Yorkers feel passionate about. Maybe its because we're not as cramped in large cities, maybe its because we don't have such a large number of immigrants, and then maybe its the fact that everybody around here has a shotgun and Joe Smoe doesn't go poking his big nose in somebody else's business without getting his big nose shot off.