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3catwoman3

(28,383 posts)
Tue Jun 3, 2025, 04:17 PM Jun 2025

Hell has frozen over in Illinois. Joe Walsh, far right one term former congressman...

...has joined the Democratic Party!

Talk about a 180. More like a 540.

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Hell has frozen over in Illinois. Joe Walsh, far right one term former congressman... (Original Post) 3catwoman3 Jun 2025 OP
Link to story? generalbetrayus Jun 2025 #1
I'm watching Nicolle Wallace's show and heard him say it. 3catwoman3 Jun 2025 #2
do we need to deprogram him first? fantase56 Jun 2025 #3
Here's an article from The Hill. Walsh switched to Independent in 2020 and now he says he's a Democrat. Silent Type Jun 2025 #4
Walsh has changed a lot over recent years, PatSeg Jun 2025 #17
All politicians have a certain amount of BS and opportunitism Bluetus Jun 2025 #22
I agree about "honest conservatives" PatSeg Jun 2025 #24
Oh says he, does he? Iggo Jun 2025 #23
Words are words. Basso8vb Jun 2025 #5
Exactly. Show me; don't tell me. MIButterfly Jun 2025 #14
Krasnov's korrupt repube kakistocracy is bluntly evil BoRaGard Jun 2025 #6
I like what he is saying but I do not trust him yet. Irish_Dem Jun 2025 #7
He's been turned around for a while now. Tommy Carcetti Jun 2025 #8
Ok that is good. Thanks for the input. Irish_Dem Jun 2025 #10
I agree with him J-9 Jun 2025 #18
I pass malaise Jun 2025 #9
Nope, wolf in sheep's clothing. Going to try and run as a Dem only to vote a Rethug!! I hope we aren't going Pisces Jun 2025 #11
Doubtful ProfessorGAC Jun 2025 #13
During his brief time in the House, he had an office next to the hair salon I go to. 3catwoman3 Jun 2025 #12
From "The HILL": Joe Walsh says he's becoming a Democrat Wiz Imp Jun 2025 #15
welcome to the right side deary as maddam raz would say. AllaN01Bear Jun 2025 #16
Hmm... pinkstarburst Jun 2025 #19
Maybe he could have a little conversation with Fettermanchin. Cloudhopper Jun 2025 #20
Had a come to Jesus moment Blue Full Moon Jun 2025 #21

Silent Type

(12,285 posts)
4. Here's an article from The Hill. Walsh switched to Independent in 2020 and now he says he's a Democrat.
Tue Jun 3, 2025, 04:22 PM
Jun 2025

"“Three words I never thought I’d ever utter: I’m a Democrat. This former Republican Congressman, former Republican candidate for President, this former TEA Party champion is formally joining the Democratic Party. The stakes are simply too high to NOT become a Democrat,” Walsh wrote in his Substack post, before outlining his reasoning.

"“Let’s start with the obvious—a tyrant sits in the White House. The very thing our Founders feared most is here. Throw in the fact that one of our two major political parties is a real and direct threat to democracy and the rule of law. These are unprecedented, dangerous times in America. I know it. You know it. There are even Republicans who know it,” he continued."

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5330476-joe-walsh-says-hes-becoming-a-democrat/

PatSeg

(51,722 posts)
17. Walsh has changed a lot over recent years,
Tue Jun 3, 2025, 06:56 PM
Jun 2025

but still I take anything he says with a grain of salt. He tends to be an opportunist and I'm never sure if he really believes the things he says or if he's looking for media attention.

Bluetus

(2,071 posts)
22. All politicians have a certain amount of BS and opportunitism
Tue Jun 3, 2025, 08:03 PM
Jun 2025

Having said that, Walsh has been highly critical of many aspects of MAGA world. I would put him loosely in the same space as David Jolly and Adam Kinsinger, although I trust the latter two a bit more.

Personally I don't have a big problem with honest conservatives. The issue is there aren't many of them left. Perhaps Mitt Romney would count, but he didn't show much of that integrity when he was a sitting Senator who could have done something about the course we are on.

I suspect that Walsh will try to get elected to office as a Democrat. That is not necessarily a bad thing. We all need the latitude to evolve in our views, and we should give him a chance to prove that. Maybe he will become an example others will follow.

PatSeg

(51,722 posts)
24. I agree about "honest conservatives"
Wed Jun 4, 2025, 08:52 AM
Jun 2025

I may disagree with them, but I believe they are sincere in their beliefs and they have some integrity.

That said, I don't see Walsh anywhere close to David Jolly or Adam Kinzinger. Walsh was a showboater when he first entered politics (probably long before) and he seems to always be looking for an angle, changing his stripes whenever it benefits him.

Of course if he DOES run for office as a Democrat, that would be a good thing, but I would always be leery of his motives.

BoRaGard

(7,591 posts)
6. Krasnov's korrupt repube kakistocracy is bluntly evil
Tue Jun 3, 2025, 04:26 PM
Jun 2025

even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while.

welcome aboard oe

Irish_Dem

(78,705 posts)
10. Ok that is good. Thanks for the input.
Tue Jun 3, 2025, 04:33 PM
Jun 2025

I love what he is saying.
Fight like hell.

He is 100% correct.

Pisces

(6,149 posts)
11. Nope, wolf in sheep's clothing. Going to try and run as a Dem only to vote a Rethug!! I hope we aren't going
Tue Jun 3, 2025, 04:42 PM
Jun 2025

to fall for this BS

ProfessorGAC

(75,552 posts)
13. Doubtful
Tue Jun 3, 2025, 05:05 PM
Jun 2025

The red areas of Illinois would no longer vote for him.the blue areas will either know or be informed he was a Tea Party darling.
He still lives in Illinois (about 80 or 90 miles from here).
He's not going to be able to run as a dem here.

3catwoman3

(28,383 posts)
12. During his brief time in the House, he had an office next to the hair salon I go to.
Tue Jun 3, 2025, 04:55 PM
Jun 2025

Last edited Tue Jun 3, 2025, 07:35 PM - Edit history (1)

I used to pretend I had a hair in my mouth when I left so I could spit on the sidewalk.

Wiz Imp

(8,469 posts)
15. From "The HILL": Joe Walsh says he's becoming a Democrat
Tue Jun 3, 2025, 06:42 PM
Jun 2025
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5330476-joe-walsh-says-hes-becoming-a-democrat/

Joe Walsh, a former Republican member of Congress, said Tuesday he is becoming a Democrat, marking the end of his five-year streak as a political independent after leaving the GOP in 2020.

Walsh announced his formal affiliation with the Democratic Party in a Tuesday Substack post, saying he made the decision because he views the Republican Party as a threat to democracy and the rule of law and thinks defeating the GOP requires “a broad coalition of moderates, progressives, and, yes, even conservatives.”

“Three words I never thought I’d ever utter: I’m a Democrat. This former Republican Congressman, former Republican candidate for President, this former TEA Party champion is formally joining the Democratic Party. The stakes are simply too high to NOT become a Democrat,” Walsh wrote in his Substack post, before outlining his reasoning.

“Let’s start with the obvious—a tyrant sits in the White House. The very thing our Founders feared most is here. Throw in the fact that one of our two major political parties is a real and direct threat to democracy and the rule of law. These are unprecedented, dangerous times in America. I know it. You know it. There are even Republicans who know it,” he continued.

pinkstarburst

(1,847 posts)
19. Hmm...
Tue Jun 3, 2025, 07:04 PM
Jun 2025

Is he a straight white christian male? And from the midwest no less? Sorry to be a cynic, but I have to wonder given the timing if he's thinking maybe he would dip his toe into the primary for 2028, and present himself as the ultimate candidate, a "democrat" republicans would actually stomach voting for.

We may say barf, democrats would never vote for him, but then again, every other post on DU seems to be about how great democrats stand no chance in 2028 because they aren't straight white christian males, so this strategy may not be too far off...

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