Rhode Island lawmaker bolts GOP

[wicket]

Welcome to the party! :patriot:

R.I. lawmaker defects from tiny Republican party


A Republican lawmaker announced Thursday that he'll become a Democrat when the General Assembly meets next month, a decision that further reduces the already thin GOP ranks in the House.

Rep. Joseph Scott of Exeter has served 14 years as a Republican lawmaker. His choice means there are now 13 Republicans to 62 Democrats in the House. "Really, I don't think the Democrats need another one," Scott said. "There's 61 as it is."

Scott said he left the GOP because he thinks his proposals on school funding and health care reform will get more attention if he's a member of the majority Democrats. He had fought with House Minority Leader Robert Watson of East Greenwich. A spokesman for Watson said the Republican leader couldn't be reached for comment Thursday night.

Scott's decision proved another blow for Rhode Island Republicans, a party that suffered multiple setbacks in November's election. Weakened by a bitter Republican primary, U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee lost his seat to a Democratic challenger.

[roamer65]

1. 1 down, 13 more to go.

:evilgrin:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

2. Congrats RI

You're eating your elephant one bite at a time. :D

[Renew Deal]

3. "He had fought with House Minority Leader Robert Watson of East Greenwich."

The guy had enough problems and he was getting jerked around by the republicans. Welcome to the party. :patriot:

[EVDebs]

4. A "Damascus Road" moment if I ever heard of one....nt

[wicket]

5. kick

:kick:

[jcrew2001]

6. chafee

Chaffee was on the Daily Show and when stewart asked him what he accomplished the past 5 years, he couldn't come up with an answer.

Jon said "Was that what you ran on, that you didn't accomplish anything?"

Just another sad sad case of what a disaster the last 5 years have been.

[m_welby]

7. Actually, he asked what 'bush' had accomplished

Linc also had a news ocnference recently (just before the daily show appearence) where he was asked "voters have said they wee unhappy that you lost you're seat but were happy that the democrats control the senate now, how do you feel about it?"

His response: "Honestly, pretty much the same".

[wicket]

8. It's too bad - Chafee was one of the good guys

If he had switched, he'd still be in the Senate. I hope he's not done with politics for good.