Why 4 Republican Leaders Switched Over to the Democratic Party

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.care2.com/causes/why-4-republican-leaders-switched-over-to-the-democratic-party.html

by Kevin Mathews February 10, 2015 2:30 pm

An individual’s personal politics are generally deeply held beliefs, so what is it that prompts someone to make a big switch and declare a change in party affiliation? To find out, let’s look at four of the most notable and recent political converts. Though all of these politicians joined the Democratic Party, their reasons for doing so are varied:

1. A Desire to Help All Constituents

The most recent switch came just last week by former Mississippi State Senator Tim Johnson. Though previously a Republican, he announced that he would be seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for lieutenant governor to fix the ongoing mistakes of Republicans. Johnson called Mississippi Republicans’ actions to block Medicaid expansion and slash the budgets of local hospitals “the final, deciding factor” in changing his affiliation.

“Why join the Democratic Party?” Johnson asked at a press conference. “We are all Mississippians first. Elected officials should be in the business of helping all Mississippians, not picking out who to hurt.”

In such a red state, Johnson won’t have an easy time with his election bid, but he’s banking on the fact that Mississippi residents, like him, are tiring of Republican tactics. Meanwhile, Mississippi Republican Party Chair Joe Nosef has publically floated the idea that Johnson was never a real Republican anyway.

FULL story at link.

[Scuba]

1. To drag the party even further to the right? No thanks.

[BrotherIvan]

5. They've been doing it for quite some time

As one can see every day on DU.

[Kermitt Gribble]

8. +1

[Mnemosyne]

2. Easier to sabotage the Dems that way. nt

[Cha]

3. KICK KICK KICK

[msongs]

4. none of em looked like any kind of leader nt

[BrotherIvan]

6. I know some will think this is a win

But why can't Democrats run and help elect an actual, well, Democrat? They only person in all of Mississippi is an actual Republican? Or the same bullshit that only the most conservative Republicans in Democrat's clothing can win in the South. It's the Landrieu way of thinking and it's killing the party.

[stillwaiting]

7. And it's killing the middle class, working class, and poor. Literally in some cases. nt