Broward’s top Republican official to switch parties (Florida)

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-902cmarkham,0,5552570.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

Posted September 2 2003

Broward County Property Appraiser William "Bill" Markham, who was elected in 1968 at the high-water mark of Republican power in Broward and today is the lone GOP countywide officeholder, intends to become a Democrat this week, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has learned.

Markham's conversion is a major coup for the Democratic Party, which has had little good news since 2000 when the presidential recount in Florida gave the election to George W. Bush. Although the state Republican Party does not keep statistics, a GOP spokesman in Tallahassee said Markham may be the longest-serving Republican in Florida. He has held the same office for more than 34 years.

"He'll be a wonderful addition to our party," said Mitch Ceasar, the Broward County Democratic leader.

Markham declined to be interviewed for this article. The Sun-Sentinel learned of his intentions in conversations with Markham's political consultants, leading Democrats and Republicans and fund-raisers he has consulted about his future.

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[xJlM]

1. Let me guess

He's going to design the next "butterfly ballot", right?

[meegbear]

2. LOL

[GinaMaria]

3. I had a similar thought

He's doing something with elections and most likely it will not benefit the people, it will benefit the pukes. He's suddenly a democrat after all these years? Please.

So tired of the right wing bs.

[SharonAnn]

4. The only real problem I have with this is why does he want to

remain in office for another term (or two or three)? I just don't think it's a good idea for public officials to "own" an office for the long-term. There's too much opportunity for graft, "cahootinizing", and resistance to change. In addition, property assessor can be a powerful position and arrange for low property appraisals on certain properties in exchange for "favors".

Having said that, I don't agree with forced term limits for most offices. I really think voters should be the ones to look for periodic "refreshing" of office holders in order to get some refreshing of ideas and different perspectives from time to time.

Successful business and non-profit organizations don't usually have someone staying in a single position of power for 30-40 years.

Just a thought, has nothing to do with Democrat vs. Republican.

[Changenow]

5. Why would the Democrats agree to this?

He says he isn't going to change a single position and is only doing it because his district is so Democratic now that he can't win as a Republican. Further the Republican response is not shrill but remorseful, which is not an emotion felt by Republicans particularly in defeat. Aren’t their any real Democrats who have paid their dues who can run a good campaign and beat this guy fair and square?

[MoonAndSun]

6. I agree with your post, Changenow.....

are the Democrats willing to do anything to win? They need a REAL Democrat, not a DINO.

[damnraddem]

14. They can have their shots ...

in the Democratic primary.

[dmr]

7. IIRC, changing parties isn't new in Florida

back in the 80s, the state had many Dems switch over to pug because that's where they perceived the votes were at. Political ideals mean nothing I guess when their first goal is self-preservation.

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. What coup?

He's probably going to become a DINO and still follow the goal of Florida's third party: Local Business interest.

[tom_paine]

9. Sounds like Uncle Karl is already positioning moles

Said Scott: "Bill always will remain a Republican at heart."

Oh yes, I'm suuuuuure he will...

[Mel]

11. have to say I agree with you tom_paine

Uncle Karl is positioning the moles. It's been going on for a while on the lower scale now he's moving up into the higher ranks.

[rocktivity]

10. I've heard of winning at any cost, but this is ridiculous!

It was his razor-thin win in his 2000 re-election that convinced Markham he needed to change parties to remain in office...Markham has run two polls...which found he would do well in a re-election campaign as a Democrat...In interviews with the Sun-Sentinel this year about the possibility of a switch, Markham said his platform would not change if he becomes a Democrat.
Well, I give him credit for having enough integrity to admit that he would be a DINO and not DECIEVE the voters of Broward County into believing that he esposuses Democratic values. :eyes:


rocknation

[onehandle]

12. Simply smelling the money...

The article basically says he did it to keep his job.

[jiacinto]

13. I don't understand people

This is good news, not bad news. Yet some people are attacking him for joining our party. I just don't understand people here.

[Rose Siding]

15. Did you read it?

He is changing his name, not his repub postions, basically to trick the majority dems in his district to vote for him because he is called by their party name.

[goobergunch]

16. I agree

We are the "big tent" party, right?

[SoCalDem]

17. How fortuitous.. Just in time to "help" with the 04 election

:puke: