Parker Griffith Staff Resigns: Nearly Every Member Quits

[kpete]

Source: Huffington Post


Parker Griffith Staff Resigns: Nearly Every Member Quits


Nearly every staff member of Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Parker Griffith's office quit Monday morning in response to his decision to switch parties. His chief of staff resigned, along with his entire legislative and communications team -- many of whom have worked for Griffith since before he arrived in Washington.

"Alabama's Fifth District has deserved and has benefited from great Democratic conservative leadership since Reconstruction. And until now they had it," Chief of Staff Sharon Wheeler said. "I appreciate Congressman Griffith's being a very dedicated congressman. But we believe he made a mistake -- a well-intentioned but misguided mistake that is not in the interest of the great people of North Alabama who elected him a year ago as a Democrat. As his staff, we wish him only the best, and we all remain committed to the citizens of the Tennessee Valley. But we cannot, in good conscience, continue working for him. It is with deep sadness that we leave our work for the Fifth District. But because we are unwavering in our own principles, we have no choice but to move on. We do not know what the future holds, but we are taking a leap of faith with the belief we will soon find ourselves in the employment of principled public officials."

Joining Wheeler were Legislative Director Megan Swearingen, Legislative Assistants Brian Greer and Will Crain, Press Secretary Sean Magers, Legislative Correspondents Arinze Ifekauche and Chase Chesser, Staff Assistant Mary Lou Hughston, Congressional Fellows Dr. Anjali Shah Kastorf and Leslee Oden and intern Andrew Menefee. They waited until the winter break was over so they could return to Washington to resign. Griffith's campaign consulting team dropped him when he announced his party switch.



Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/04/parker-griffith-staff-res_n_410280.html

[jpak]

1. Purists

:evilgrin:

[RainDog]

22. lol n/t

[laughingliberal]

35. ROFL!! nt

[Enthusiast]

43. That they be.

[razorman]

62. I guess they each had a decision to make.

Were they Democrats first, or Griffith partisans. Looks like they made their choice.

[roguevalley]

99. considering they lost a job by choosing, good for them

[razorman]

113. It certainly took some guts, especially in these economic times.

Although I'll bet that some other congresscritter would be willing to hire them.

[PatSeg]

102. That's what I was thinking

At first I was surprised, but then realized their jobs WERE political and it is likely they had loyalty to their political party first and foremost. Also they know their district better than we do and they may know his days in Congress are coming to an end.

[scentopine]

74. LOL - thanks for that

[readmoreoften]

83. +1

He should've kept all his Republican views but stayed in the party. He'd be accepted then.

[tsuki]

87. He'd have run the party. nt

[Larry Ogg]

103. I have a dream...

That one day men will be judged by the content of their character; and not by the “D” in front of their name.

[Xipe Totec]

2. Maybe Sharon Wheeler would like to run on the Democratic ticket? n/t

[gratefultobelib]

3. Good for them!

[Soylent Brice]

4. good.

i would be astounded even further had they not. real dems don't campaign for repukes.

[BolivarianHero]

25. Real Democrats don't ban sex toys either...

And the Talibama "Democratic" party did just that in 1998 when they controlled both the state house and the state senate. They also allow the fundietard leader who spearheaded the campaign to get them banned to lead the state assembly in prayer at the beginning of every session. There are some good, progressive Democrats in Alabama, but they represent the party's fringe, sadly. Every time a law to repeal it has been proposed, the "Democratic" house and assembly vote against it. Why can't parties expel people they way they can in Canada?

[Jamastiene]

29. +1

[BolivarianHero]

40. Why thank you...

At least when the Democrats hold power in stereotypically conservative places outside of the South, such as Salt Lake City, home to the most progressive string of mayors in recent memory, they don't behave like Republicans.

[femrap]

44. Those 'toys'

made the bama boyz feel rather small....so they had to go.

[Soylent Brice]

53. seems to be the most plausible explanation in circumstances such as these.

[Soylent Brice]

55. "Talibama"

:rofl:

awesome.

[ingac70]

84. Most Southern Democrats....

are really Republicans longing for the good old days.

[Larry Ogg]

110. I think you meant to say that real dems don't knowingly campaign for repukes

If only people could recognize the character of someone just by looking at them, I think the world would be a much nicer place.

[liberal N proud]

5. People with principles

[Goldstein1984]

6. Liberal Integrity

"...because we are unwavering in our own principles, we have no choice but to move on."

[burning rain]

7. Good to see they have basic loyalty to the Democratic Party....

although I have the deepest reservations about Blue Dogs.

[Jamastiene]

30. +1000000

[perdita9]

8. The Strength of their Convictions

You don't see that much anymore. Every one of those aids should be drafted into leadership positions within the AL democratic party.

[CRH]

76. They do seem to have what counts, principles. ... n/t

[KamaAina]

9. Turncoat FAIL.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Would that Traitor Joe's staff had shown the same integrity.

[tomg]

10. That is integrity. nt

[newtothegame]

11. No news here. n/t

[JNelson6563]

12. Awesome.

:-)

[Stuckinthebush]

13. He always seemed greasy to me

Alabama politics are greasy anyway.

Oh, well. One more fool in my state to put an R behind his name.

[valerief]

14. Weren't they conservatives to begin with? How did that help America? nt

[TheEuclideanOne]

15. Good question.

To me it sounds like they would be finally showing the correct letter, instead of that misleading "D". Giving the benefit of the doubt, maybe this was the last straw for them? If I was helping a politician that was standing up against the Health Care reform bill, I would have real doubts as to what I was doing there. If I didn't, I probably would not mind finally being called a Rethug.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

19. i am going to guess they were not as conservative and picked the less corrupt of the parties

[valerief]

23. Why didn't they pick a liberal pol to work for then if they weren't conservative? nt

[La Lioness Priyanka]

26. no, i am sure they are more conservative than say a North eastern democrat

just not as conservative as a southern republican

there are degrees of gray in these philosophies

[valerief]

34. The only difference between a conservative Dem and a conservative Repub is

what?

They're anti-gay, anti-abortion, pro-corporation, pro-war. What's the difference?

[Sherman A1]

41. I am a conservative Dem

fiscal conservative (like we should pay as we go) and what folks do in the privacy of their own lives I care not one wit. I would regulate corporations into the dirt, I am anti war (which I believe to be a real conservative view) and anti Military Industrial Complex

I really think the terms liberal / conservative have been so screwed over as to be meaningless anymore.

[femrap]

45. The repugs have become

associated with being religious fanatics, imho.

[katkat]

50. Sherman

You and I hold similar views. I say I'm a fiscal conservative and a social liberal.

[demosincebirth]

54. I agree with you

[V_Byl]

56. Agreed...

I can't tell who's who anymore anyway. Doesn't seem to matter what party you vote for, everyone is a free trader to some degree or another, which makes all of them against basic human rights IMHO... either that or you get 60 'Dems (Yeah, I know it isn't 60 Democrats)' and you can't even get health care legislation through the Senate w/o it being a corporate hand out.

Corpratocracy, and the 'politics' is just a show.

[BobTheSubgenius]

86. “Politics is the entertainment branch of industry.”

- Frank Zappa

[valerief]

92. So true, but they need better acts! nt

[No Elephants]

109. Great retort to a great quote!

[No Elephants]

106. Great quote. Sad, but great.

[LiberalLovinLug]

58. So true

As it is defined by the 'other side'.

For those on the right, Pelosi is a 'San Fransisco' liberal, Obama is an out and out socialist. When they are business as usual corporatists, with slight nods to their base such as minimum wage increases.

For those on the left, Limbaugh, Bush, and Cheney are called "new conservatives" or neo-cons. When they are actually wanna-be fascists. No compromise scorched earth approach to their 'enemies'.

[mdmc]

69. curious - if you don't mind

What do you think of Ron Paul.

I am a liberal. A big government, tax and spend liberal. But I got to say I dig Ron Paul and get along real well with local conservatives.

[Sherman A1]

78. I think he is right on some issues and don't agree with him on others

I too, have had great discussions with a former GOP local committeeman and we got along great on most fiscal issues (as he said, it's a matter of how you elect to spend the $'s) . The social ones ( choice, etc) not so much so as there is not a whole lot of room to work (but, even there we could at least be civil). We often discussed process as opposed to our views as we both pretty well knew where the other stood. I did tell him that if he ever decided to run for the State Legislature I would come and pound in yard signs for him as while we disagree, I know he is a decent guy.

[CRH]

79. Let me butt in, ... if republicans were like Ron Paul, ...

with the two divergent views we could still have a great country. He comes from the heart, from a different perspective sure, but never with vicious intent. Being a liberal, dealing with his intellect, would give meaning to the process of democracy, and illustrate what statesmen of past and statespersons politically correct, should be.

[mdmc]

104. true

[No Elephants]

108. Do you mean a " pay go" liberal? Or are you simply for higher taxes and

indiscriminate spending? (Sorry, but until now, the only use of "tax and spend, big government liberal" I knew was a slur coming from the mouths of Republicans.)

Are you anti-choice, like Ron Paul?

Are you anti-separation of church and state, anti-gay and pro war, like the conservatives with whom you say you get along so well?

Guess I'm really not getting where you stand from what you chose to share in your post.

[mdmc]

116. Perhaps it is a slur, but I mean it in the 1984 DNC Mario Cuomo way

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x545687

I support government workers and oppose outsourcing.
I support a culture of life. I have a very complex take on this issue, but it comes down to supporting reproductive rights while working with pregnant women to help them avoid abortions that they don't want to have, but are considering due to barriers in their lives (money, addiction).
I support separation of church and state.
Pro gay rights.
Anti-war (like Ron Paul).

All politics is local. The local conservatives are mild neo-cons, but on the local scene they are passionate about accountability (and our local elections are always decided on which democrat can be considered the most accountable). In the last election there were 6 democrats running for 2 seats (no GOP or Conservatives). The Cons and GOP chose two Dems that they thought were the most accountable, and ran them on their ticket. They lost cause we generally only elect dems here.

I love political debate and prefer to debate the other side. I learn alot from the other side.
I really only debate two things =
1. Cheney deserves a fair trial.
2. Ray-gun was the worst President of my lifetime.

Peace out!

[valerief]

91. I think you're right. nt

[No Elephants]

105. Good point, which may be why people have begun to use terms like

"progressive," instead of liberal. However, that, too, becomes meaningless when DLCers call themselves progressives.

[Sherman A1]

118. Precisely

The terms simply don't work anymore in my opinion and trying to pigeon hole someone into a convienent label is frankly pretty dumb. I am conservative on some things as I mentioned, but liberal on others, some I simply don't give a rat's behind about , moderate on others so where does that put me?

I believe that we are all that way, which is why I just don't think the labels work.

[jeff47]

71. Did you miss the part where they were from Alabama? (nt)

[valerief]

93. Has Alabama seceded? nt

[hughee99]

97. Politicians who don't get elected don't have too many people working for them.

I wonder how many staff members went to work for him after he got elected, because it was a job... and if you work for a Democrat, at least you'll have a chance to meet other, better Dems that you might be able to work for in the future.

[No Elephants]

101. Apparently, they consider themselves "conservative Democrats."

Whatever the hell that means. I think Griffin's voting record was something like 14% Democratic and, apparently, they were okay with that, as long as he had a (D) after his name.

[Hippo_Tron]

59. Congressional staffers' political views are not reflective the people they work for

If you want to be a congressional staffer you pick a party and then you get a job with whatever member you can get a job with. Many of the staffers in his office (particularly the younger ones) are probably just as liberal as you or I. The reason they left his office is that since he switched parties they would essentially have to do the same to continue working for him. That would basically mean they could never work for a Democrat again.

[valerief]

94. I understand now. Thanks. nt

[Blue Owl]

16. Loyalty...

Of the good kind!

[SpiralHawk]

17. Americans acting like Americans

Republicons acting like Republicons.

[wordpix]

18. Hooray for them!

[ChiciB1]

20. NICE!! Some Good News Today, Where Usually It's Just Another

story that makes me feel left out! If not the Representatives we have, at least some of the people "behind" them have a spine! STAND UP for what you believe and NOT just "follow the leader!"

I must say, I feel a little sprinkle of Democracy standing today! Even as it's a bit chilly down here in Florida, this REALLY warms my heart!!

I'm sure they will probably find work easier than some, but they did the RIGHT THING1

[Peace Patriot]

21. "...but Brutus is an honorable man."

Can't help noticing the resemblance to Antony's speech exposing Brutus' dishonor, treachery and disloyalty in the murder of Julius Caesar (as written by Shakespeare), with Antony's ironical refrain, "...but Brutus is an honorable man." Shakespeare would have understood this letter.

[RedCloud]

24. Instead of "quit" say "pulled a Sarah Palin."

This means quit before your time on the job is over. I know it doesn't fit in with their situation for they are not reprehensible and running from problems, but I would like to see "pulled a Sarah Palin" as a national euphemism for "quit".

As in "the beloved St. Louis Rams pulled a Sarah Palin yesterday and decided to tank the last game of the season and get that number one overall draft pick assured."

[katkat]

51. RedCloud

No. You're not distinguishing between quiting for a good reason and wimping out.

[City Lights]

27. Good for them!

Nicely done, staffers! :patriot: :toast: :yourock:

[KG]

28. Parker Griffith Can't Lose

[struggle4progress]

52. Current predictions are that the AL-05 R primary could be boatloads of fun for Ds

watching from the sidelines as the teabaggers go after the former blue dog for insufficient ideological purity

[blueworld]

31. Kudos! Bravo!

I wish more folks would abandon the particular type of slimy swine who run for office in one party & shift to another. Like Joe Liberworst or Nanny Bloomers etc. Arrogant opportunists who are only committed to their own power & ego.

[Flatulo]

49. What about Arlen Specter? He switched from R to D.

[hughee99]

85. Or Jim Jeffords. n/t

[NBachers]

32. How's that workin' out for ya so far, Parker?

The only problem is, now the Rapture Toadies can crawl in and fill the vacuum.


Sorry, I actually like toads and frogs. I'm using them metaphorically in this instance.

[southernyankeebelle]

33. I wish we would see more principled people on both sides of the isle.

I hate fence sitters and I don't care what party they belong to. I will never forget Mr Richardson (not sure if it was his name) but during the Nixon administration he wanted him to fire someone who was investating his administration and he said no and he quit in protest. Where are those heros during the Bush administration. They did nothing yet many knew what was wrong.

[beltanefauve]

36. Eliot Richardson n/t

[No Elephants]

111. Not only AG Eliot Richardon, but also Archibald Cox (special prosecutor),

and Deputy AG William Ruckelshaus. Nixon fired Cox for doing his job, and the other two quit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Massacre

[laughingliberal]

37. Good for them! nt

[Demeter]

38. Maybe They Got a Better Offer?

Sounds more like rats deserting a sinking ship. By returning to DC, they could be on the DC staffer job market.

They want to be on the winning side, perhaps. It's no fun working for the side out of power. Imagine the company they would have to keep.

I wish them luck. They are gonna need it.

[The Stranger]

39. Someone needs to get everyone of them a job. They need to land somewhere.

[AlbertCat]

42. Translation:

"Whew.... finally a legit excuse to bail on this toad!"

[struggle4progress]

46. 50 Richest Members of Congress (CQ 2009)

... 44 Parker Griffith ...
http://innovation.cqpolitics.com/cq-rollcall/richest_members_of_congress_2008

[No Elephants]

115. They must be combining spouse's weath or Kerry and McCain probably would not have made the list.

[struggle4progress]

47. Can We Have Our $1,076,370 Back? (OpenLeft Aug 2009)

... Voting for Speaker is the first vote of every Congress, and only two choices are offered: a Democrat and a Republican. Griffith just said he won't vote for the Democratic option .... this means that on the off chance Parker Griffith is still in Congress in 2011, Democrats will actually need 219 seats to control the House ... In addition to voting against the stimulus, the budget, the climate change bill, cramdown and, in only a little while, health care, Griffith won't even vote for a Democrat to control Congress. Is there any possible reason left to support this guy? ... Given Griffith's statements, as long as he is the Democratic nominee in AL-05, it is a net negative for the party that Democrats control the Alabama fifth congressional district. The district is a ridiculous R+12, and will could very well be wiped out by redistricting in 2012 anyway. Most importantly of all, it is held by Parker Griffith. As such, it plays no role in maintaining a Democratic majority, much less a progressive majority, over the long-term. There are, however, two roles it does play. First, Parker Griffith offers bipartisan cover, both in votes and in media quotes, to everything Republicans are doing. Second, If the the the DCCC spent $1,076,370 electing the guy. What a waste of money. That is money that could have been spent in any of the other 434 congressional districts where the Democratic nominee would actually vote for Democrats to control Congress ...
http://openleft.com/diary/14793/can-we-have-our-1076370-back

[Ilsa]

70. I hope his campaign is stripped down to pencils, legal pads, and tin cans with string.

[struggle4progress]

48. AL-05: Parker Griffith Can Lose (Daily Kos)

by DavidNYC
Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 08:06:03 AM PST
Could newly-minted turncoat Parker Griffith get teabagged to death? It's looking like a real possibility. You'd think that if the NRCC could score a party switch (always a big deal), it would come with assurances that the primary field would be swept clear. And just a few years ago, when the Republicans were in the majority and promoting conservatism was equated with supporting Bush, I have no doubt that would have happened. (After all, no GOPers complained when Rodney Alexander changed parties.) But today, with wingnuts demanding absurd levels of purity, it's a different ballgame ... You can vote against the Democrats on every single big-ticket item - the stimulus, the Obama budget, cap-and-trade, healthcare, finacial regulatory reform, and even equal pay for women - and they'll still find something to hit you on. In this case, Mo Brooks is smacking Griffith for his WaPo "Voting with Party" score. Nevermind that Griffith has one of the lowest scores on the list ... http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/12/23/818224/-AL-05:-Parker-Griffith-Can-Lose

[AlbertCat]

57. get teabagged to death?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

What a way to go!

:rofl:

[mstinamotorcity]

60. the twain did not meet

Some how it probably means that running as a democratic candidate,he would lose in the next election cycle.Changing parties he would have a better chance with repug support. Thats the Arlan trade off.IMHO. I am glad to see that his staffers found integrity in the true belief of they have done the right thing.Sometimes it is hard to choose between having an income and core principals.Loyalty to the cause.Admireable.I wish them the best of luck!!!!Looks like a good Democratic challenger can get a good team with some of the inside track.I wouldn't be mad.B-) B-) B-)

[CRH]

81. Good post your are probably correct, ...

"Some how it probably means that running as a democratic candidate,he would lose in the next election cycle.Changing parties he would have a better chance with repug support. Thats the Arlan trade off.IMHO."

I think you could be spot on. Aint it sad, when a republican in democrat's clothing, aint much different that a rat in a republican's rags. What te' hell is tis country cummin too. 'Theys alls skunks, you doin mine me sayin'.

[dcsmart]

61. proud of them

[FarLeftFist]

63. Keepin it real.

[onehandle]

64. He'll be picked off by a teabagger in the primary and then maybe another Dem will win.

Keep it up, teabaggers. And remember, breathe through your nose.

[penndragon69]

65. Great!

I hope they deleted ALL of his vital files from his hard drives.
Let the refugs do all the leg work to get him back on track.
Goodbye you useless Libercrat!

[Hepburn]

66. Work for a Republican?

Fuck no...:rofl:

[NecklyTyler]

67. Form letter from Parker Griffith to staff:

Dear Staff,
With all the changes we are having in this new year, some changes in the conditions of employment have been implemented. Effective immediately, it is required that all paid staff members be registered Republicans. If you are registered other than Republican, you resignation is expected before close of business January 8, 2010. Failure to tender resignation will result in disciplinary action including termination, forfeiture of salary, and an intensive smear campaign conducted on the Internet.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

/vr/

P.S. Staff who resign and subsequently show a change of registration to Republican will be given top consideration for re-employment.

:sarcasm:

[DarthDem]

68. Awesome

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

[rasputin1952]

72. Kudo's to the staff...

they have integrity...something Griffith should try to acquire.

He's gone in November...:woohoo:

[K8-EEE]

73. "great Democratic conservative leadership?"

I'll pass on conservative anything, thank you very much! In my mind "conservative" has a connotation of either corrupt or stupid.

[CRH]

75. But, ... it really does just go to show ya, ...

what many of the supposed democrats of this congress really are in their hearts. Republicans. No judgement passed, just reality.

[Mendocino]

77. Once he went to the dark side

their pay was likely slashed in half, health care eliminated, the heat was turned down, and they had to bring their own toilet paper.

[CRH]

80. If you are from Mendocino, you should send them your hemp paper, ...

they could smoke it and perhaps dispel their despair un poco.
:-)

edit: as usual, spelling, arg!

[rpannier]

82. He's gonna be out of office by 2011 anyway

The republikkans have said they don't want him and the Party is already mounting 1 or 2 challengers to him in the primary.

He won't even be on the ballot for the General Election

[DissedByBush]

88. You deserve what you get

when you elect and support someone solely based on his party affiliation.

Next time, try voting or working for the PERSON.

[donheld]

89. Whoooohooo

[Ken Burch]

90. Now, he's going to hire his cousin Peter from Quahog, Rhode Island, as chief of staff

(they never COULD spell very well in that family).

[earcandle]

95. Go Dems!

[Loudmxr]

96. Years ago I was trick or treating with my goddaughter in the neighborhood..

of her Assembly district. Next to mine so I new the race. We came upon the house of the Republican running for the seat. None of his neighbors had his sign. When your closest neighbors desert you... you better quit politics.:hi:

[alp227]

98. It's still the 19th century in Alabama's fifth district?

"Alabama's Fifth District has deserved and has benefited from great Democratic conservative leadership since Reconstruction."

:rofl:

C'mon, get with the times, constituents!

[No Elephants]

112. You seem to have misunderstood that sentence.

[alp227]

117. But I thought that the Democratic party was conservative pre-Great Depression

Am I wrong in my history? I'm talking about the Democratic Party that used to support slavery and the KKK. Oh, and the 1896 Democratic presidential candidate, William Jennings Bryan, was a rabid opponent of teaching evolution in public schools. Please clarify. I mean, why would Griffith's staff resign despite Griffith being a good "conservative Democrat" in his time in office? When in fact, the Republican party is the modern conservative party these days?

[Hubert Flottz]

100. I wonder if Legislative Director Megan Swearingen is a descendant

of Marmaduke Van Swearingen?("Blue Jacket")

[Odin2005]

107. Good!

[No Elephants]

114. The article names those who left. I wish it had also named those who stayed.

Many of his campaign consultants left as well, but one named Joey Cici stayed with him. (Politico is not as discreet as is Huffpo and named him.) http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/1209/Griffiths_consultants_dropping_him.html


If the guy voted with Democrats something like 14% of the time, I can't say I'm sorry he decided finally to admit what he really is.