HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A U.S. House Democrat who opposes the health care overhaul announced Tuesday he is defecting to the GOP, another blow to Democrats ahead of the midterm elections.

U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith spoke to reporters at his home in northern Alabama, a region that relies heavily on defense and aerospace jobs.

"I believe 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," Griffith said as his wife Virginia stood by his side.

The 67-year-old radiation oncologist was narrowly elected last year in a district that includes Huntsville and Decatur. President Barack Obama lost badly there to Republican John McCain.

Griffith also slammed the health care overhaul making its way through Congress. He was one of 39 House Democrats to vote against a version of the bill that narrowly passed.

"I want to make it perfectly clear that this bill is bad for our doctors," he said. "It's bad for our patients. It's bad for the young men and women who are considering going into the health care field."

He said after the press conference that his defection had nothing to do with concerns about whether he could win re-election as a Democrat. He also said he had not talked to any fellow Democrats about switching parties along with him.

"If they do, I hope it's on conviction and not politics," he said.

Alabama Democrats defended Griffith against GOP claims that he was soft on terrorism during the 2008 election, and the head of the state party said he is disappointed by Griffith's defection now.

"Democrats of every stripe and philosophy sweated and bled for this man," said Joe Turnham, chairman of the state party. "He narrowly became a congressman through the hard work, votes and financial contributions of thousands of Democrats. Today, they feel betrayed."

Turnham said Griffith should return money to Democratic donors — something the congressman said he would be happy to do.

Griffith had accumulated one of the most conservative voting records of any House Democrat. He was one of seven Democrats to oppose Obama's economic stimulus measure early this year and also voted against an anti-global warming bill pushed strongly by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Democrats will hold 257 House seats to the GOP's 178 after Griffith's switch.

Several veteran House moderates have announced their retirements next year, giving Republicans hopes of picking up a significant number of seats in the November elections.

Jim Spearman, executive director of the Alabama Democratic Party, said the switch "shouldn't come as a surprise" with the way Griffith voted.

"We will be working strongly to put a Democrat in there," Spearman said.

Good for him.
He's a Democrat who barely got elected in a Republican State.

Now he'll be reelected and be a Dem in disguise. You can lead a horse to water. but you cant make it drink.

If not elected Alabama will get another Dem to represent them.
This is a win, win for the Dem party.

isn't that speculation?

Does it matter?
He didn't agree with his house Dems on one bill. Does that suddenly make him think like a Republican?

I doubt it. He will just be an infiltrator to get reelected in a Republican State that he barely won in last time.

Now if we can just get more Dems to do the same thing, we might just cure a very un-american and dying party.

LOL

It really doesn't matter to me. I was curious as to how you came up with that.

But does this not send a message, of sorts?

I read past the headline.



and then lower in the article,

ok...now I see where you got that. But does that take away from the fact that he is going against his own party because of the health care?

He's a Representative of the House.
They already passed their bill. Evidently without his vote.

If he went to the GOP over health care I say go because if you are not a true democrat I do not want you in my Party.

I suspect he'll find out rather quickly how being a RINO second-stringer who helps pull the sled means the view never changes. Democrats have always tolerated conservatives amongst their ranks-- the GOP barely tolerates moderates in theirs.

-Kerry O.

Good for him.
He's a Democrat who barely got elected in a Republican State.

Now he'll be reelected and be a Dem in disguise. You can lead a horse to water. but you cant make it drink.

If not elected Alabama will get another Dem to represent them.
This is a win, win for the Dem party.

LOL,

Very interesting. Turn the Republican party into the Democratic party. I hear there is no difference from some anyway.

As long as they get the racists out of the Republican party and the fundamental religious folks, they will be alright.

There is nothing wrong with being a real conservative if you are not racist and can control your religiousity.

I wonder what would be said if a Republican switched sides

Something like this.....

" THANKS GOODNESS HE'S FINALLY SEEN THE LIGHT " accompanied by a few people dancing in the streets.

Funny how they completely brush off dissension in their ranks, yet would be jumping for joy if it was the other way around.

Either that, or they would accuse him of being a Republican " plant " to try to split up the Democratic Party...lmao

Oh, I don't have to wonder-- I've seen how reviled Arlen Specter was when he switched. As an Independent in Pennsylvania, I voted for him when he was a Republican and I'll vote for him again.

On the other hand, I see that Rick Santorum is exploring a run for the Presidency. It wouldn't matter to me if he became a Democrat tomorrow, there would still be no way I'd vote for him.


-Kerry O.

Ron Paul can't make up his mind what he is, and it seems not to make a difference.
No matter what party he claims he still can't convince more than 2% to vote for him.

Thank Common Sense for still existing in America!