Congressman Rodney Alexander switches to Republican Party

[NewJerseyDem]

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/1_1/breakingnews/6501-1.html (subscription required)

In a last-minute reversal, freshman Rep. Rodney Alexander (D-La.) filed to run for re-election as a Republican late Friday — a move that elated Republican leaders and stunned fellow Democrats in Washington.

Alexander, who had resisted earlier GOP overtures to switch parties, initially filed as a Democrat on Wednesday. He then refiled as a Republican on Friday, the last day for candidates to qualify in the state.

“I just decided it would be best for me to switch parties, that I would be more effective in the 5th District in the state of Louisiana as a Republican,” Alexander told The Associated Press.

Details about when Alexander’s affiliation switch would be official were not immediately available Friday night.

[lancdem]

1. What an idiot

Switching to a party that's on the way down. Good riddance, turncoat!

[kikiek]

2. In other words he would be awarded "pork" for his district for his votes

in favor of the repugs. Disgusting. I hope he is voted out.

[NewJerseyDem]

7. I assume he got offered a seat of the Appropriations Committee

Louisiana is losing their one congressman on the Commmittee becuase David Vitter is running for Senate. So, I'm guessing that the GOP has offered him a seat on the committee.

He isn't going to get voted out. He represents a fairly safe GOP district and it was a complete shock that he won the seat in 2002 and as an incumbent he will be safe.

[schultzee]

15. Alexander's nothing but a PIG!

[clydefrand]

3. What can he do as a republican that

he can't do as a democrat? Get more money dishonestly? Why else would you switch.

[Career Prole]

16. Halliburton stock options.

the customary repuke party welcome wagon gift. :puke:

[Hawkeye-X]

21. Hopefully, revenge will be best served as a dish...

When Dems take over the house on a overwhelmingly majority and Alexander doesn't get any commiitee seats except Committee to deal with Presidential Fecal Matter and cleaning the sewers and make sure it is * free.

[ibegurpard]

4. The LAST day to qualify.

What a fucking scum. If I remember correctly this is the guy every one was supposed to be so elated about because he had won in a very conservative district in Louisiana. Please tell me why again we should be happy to dilute Democratic Party policy to appease these scum-sucking MOLES.

[I Lean Left]

9. The LAST DAY???

So they have a candidate and we don't???????

Unbelievable. What a skunk. Didn't the Republicans already have a candidate??

[NewJerseyDem]

12. We have someone

Zelma Blakes apparently filed as a Democrat but she isn't a viable candidate at all. Republicans have Jock Scott, a former state representative.

[lottie244]

5. Hey, we need some 'spookes' in their camps. think Zell Miller

I would like to see a few more Dems switch and become spies for the party.

[Hawkeye-X]

6. Only if Carlos was here...

He could explain why. This moron barely won his election, and was one of two runoffs that involved Landrieu. I hope Miss Mary will give him a severe thrashing.

[Kolesar]

24. You'll find him hanging out at Daily Kos

:evilgrin:

[loudsue]

40. Another good reason to stay away from Daily Kos!!

That was one mole we have been happy to do without!!

:kick:

[tkmorris]

46. Damnit I must've blinked

What's the scoop on Kos?

[yankeeinlouisiana]

8. Here's another link

that doesn't require subscription.

http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louisiana/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1091833743316810.xml

Edit: Does anyone know anything about Zelma "Tisa" Blakes, of Monroe?

:shrug:

[JDPriestly]

10. Of it's all the same to him,

it shouldn't make any difference to us. A true Democrat would never consider switching. No loss.

[liberalpragmatist]

11. Breaux is Gonna Be PISSED

In May Alexander almost switched but was threatened by Breaux. At least at that time (I'm not sure what the situation is now), former Rep. John Cooksey was planning to run as a Republican anyway. Breaux threatened to run another Democrat over Alexander, probaby denying Alexander a spot in the runoff.

Does anybody know if this is still a viable plan? Is Cooksey running?

[NewJerseyDem]

14. Cooksey chose not to run

Breaux is very, very pissed. But, I doubt there is anything he can do. The filing deadline has now passed and there is one Democrat running, but she is unlikely to have a chance. I doubt there is anything anyone can do. Democrats should back Jock Scott, the Republican already running just to try to screw Alexander. I don't know if Scott will still run but hopefully he will, if Democrats can't get a candidate.

[RB TexLa]

47. La 5th District

I lived in the 5th District of Louisiana the first 25 or so years of my life. It has always been a conservative area, however it was seemingly forever represented by conservative Democrats. Not Zell Millers but actual Democrats.

Alexander waited till the last minute to make his switch, allowing him to take in as much Democratic money as he could, and to keep any prominent Democrat out of the race. He also kept John Cooksey out of the race. Remember in Louisiana it is an open primary, so there can be Demo vs Demo and GOP vs GOP runoffs. A race between Alexander, Cooksey and a Democratic state senator or rep would have been very close and could have produced a runoff between Alexander and either or could have even squeezed him to third although that would be very hard if his staff had done any kind of decent job of constituent service over the last two years. That is the real power of incumbency. There are many people that will put politics aside to vote for the person whom they feel got grandma or Uncle Joe their disability check or whatever was done. Jessie Helm's office was legendary for constituent service.

The runoff between Alexander and a Democrat would have been very close, what he did was put that off for two more years. I think he would have probably beat a Democrat in the race, wouldn't have had much time to raise money, or become known in parts of the district outside of her or his home. The 5th district is very much a front porch campaign district. Cooksey would have been a much tougher opponent this go around. Is already known and personally liked by most in the district, and in a runoff with Alexander would have gotten the bulk of the Democratic vote. 06 will be interesting, Cooksey will be pushed by north side Monroe to run and I can't see why he wouldn't. A number of Democrats will be foaming at the mouth to run. Same scenario pretty much plays, a runoff with Cooksey or a Democrat. Whichever I think the edge goes against Alexander. The same plan will be used against him that he used. A conservative Democrat or even Cooksey to an extent will paint him as extreme, Alexander will have to move majorly to the right of the GOP to hold off Cooksey who will not move to the right on too many social issues. I would not be surprised if it is a Demo/Alexander runoff to see Cooksey hold off on endorsing or give a very luck warm endorsement of Alexander. He really doesn't feel he owes the GOP anything after not backing him for the US Senate when he was the only congressman in the race.

But as far as this year, the other candidates are both unknowns who I don't see doing anything against Alexander. I'm sure the Democrat will get a much higher vote total due to this but Alexander is not going to debate or even acknowledge either of them.

[derby378]

48. For Alexander

Tu non si omu, si na pezza e nenti;
Carne venduta i carogna infamanti.
Tradisti lu cori di tanta genti;
Tu si cuntrastu, sbirru e cunfirenti.

You are not a man, you are nothing;
A carcass bloated by shame.
You have betrayed the hearts of many;
You are a spy and you are a traitor.

[funkybutt]

49. Welcome to the DU + info on one of Rodney's Challengers

check out info about a Rodney's democratic challenger heree

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=155x401

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. In some parts of this country, it probably doesn't matter if

you're Republican or Democratic because the candidate votes in a conservative manner anyway. I hope that will change come the next election.

[Southsideirish]

17. "Good riddance to bad rubbish!" n/t

[Doomsayer13]

18. turncoat

what ever happened to keeping one's word? Breaux worked hard to get him elected and he stapped him the back. Good riddance, then.

[Rev. Day-Bu]

19. Maybe he would simply be more comfortable...

Maybe he would simply be more comfortable in a party where lying and smear-tactics are considered acceptable.

What a moran.

[quaoar]

20. Louisiana politics

Is definitely not for anyone with a heart condition.
This is sleazy and slick at the same time.

I'm sure he switched parties because he figured it would guarantee his election -- run as a Republican and cut the legs out from under his GOP opponent, file at the last minute and prevent a name Democrat from entering the race.

He will probably pull it off.

But he needs to be shown two years from now that what goes around comes around.

[bluestateguy]

22. Is a Republican running against him in the primary?

Hopefully, Republicans will not be fooled and vote for a real Republican in the primary.

[NewJerseyDem]

25. Well, there are no primaries in Louisiana

There was a Republican running. He is former State Representative Jock Scott. However, there is a possibility that he will drop out of the race, I assume. However, in Louisiana there is just an initial election, where if a candidate gets over 50%, he wins, and if no candidate gets over 50%, the top two, regardless of party, advance to a runoff in December.

[Jokinomx]

23. Good Riddance... he must have always been a repug...

Its better we know what he truly is...rather than saying he is a Democrat and never supporting their views. I wonder if we can safely call this a "FLIP/FLOP?

[Jack Rabbit]

26. A rat jumps on to a sinking ship

!!

[jono]

28. LOL

[AlFrankenFan]

27. Just read about it

here: http://orangecounty.cox.net/cci/newsnational/national?_mode=view&_state=maximized&view=article&id=D84A2G680

It's damn depressing. That's all I'll say.

[Zynx]

29. Piece of shit. He could at least have given some warning.

[pifflePill]

30. I wonder what reaction he would enact if he went from rethug to Dem

It's sad when any member switches party but would R to D make less noise than his current switch?

[thebigidea]

34. why is it sad when any member switches party?

What a strange sentiment.

Still pissed about Jeffords?

[Piperay]

38. Go ask them at

the 'freak republic' how they like R that turn to D, why don't you????

[Media_Lies_Daily]

31. He must like rearranging the deck chairs on the Neo-Titanic.

[Wabbajack]

32. What a state

A David Dukeite is running as a DEM in the 1st district

[MidwestTransplant]

33. That's tantamount to buying internet stocks just before the bubble burst!

[w4rma]

35. Dishonorable. Dishonorable people like him shouldn't be Dems, anyway. (nt)

[Tight_rope]

37. I totally agree...He is a disgrace to the human race.

I wonder how much they offerred him...or did they threaten to reveal some dirty deed that he was involved it...

What a punk.

[ThePhilosopher04]

36. FLIPPITY FLOP!! Just like Billy Tauzin and Richard Shelby!!

Screw 'em all as far as I'm concerned.

[Piperay]

39. Zell Miller should do the same

of course he would never do that before speaking at the repuke convention as a Democrat, that would spoil all his fun. x(

[0007]

41. Wow!

[montana_hazeleyes]

42. I wonder

what the devil:evilfrown: is doing with all the souls that are being sold to him lately?

[erpowers]

43. They Should Have Gotten Rid of Him Earlier

The Democrats should have kicked him out of the party when he first began to say he might leave the party. The saddest thing about this is that he waited until the last day to change parties. Senator Landrieu is right he is a coward. He could have at least given bothe parties a chance to pick someone to run against him. This shows his true colors. Rep. Alexander is not in this for the people, he is in this for himself. He did not switch parties because ideological differences, but because he wanted more attention and wanted to be on a committee. If he wants more attention he should change his job all together and become a stripper,that will give him a lot of attention and a good bit of money. As for the people of the 5th district, they should vote against him just for the simple fact that he does not care about them, but only cares about himself.

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nayt]

45. well at least

he switched before the election, and not after.