I’ve never really been bothered by party-switchers. If a lawmaker feels that they no longer fit into their party’s agenda and that the rival party better fits their ideology, then crossing the aisle makes sense. If I’m thrilled when Jim Jeffords leaves the GOP, I can hardly complain when someone else leaves the Dems.
That said, Rep. Rodney Alexander, who left the Dems to become a Republican on Friday, demonstrated an unusually unseemly and classless way to make the transition.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander switched his party affiliation to Republican on Friday — making the surprise flip in the last minute of registration for the Nov. 2 ballot virtually assuring the seat for the GOP.
Alexander, a first-term congressman from Quitman, had registered at the start of qualifying on Wednesday as a Democrat. At that time he said, “I’m not ashamed to be a Democrat but I vote what I think the people of the 5th District want me to represent.”
If Alexander wants to jump to the GOP, fine. It’d be a slap-in-the-face to the party leaders who supported his candidacy and helped get him elected two years ago, but a guy has to follow his conscience.
But Alexander could have made this jump any time. Indeed, he was wooed earlier this year, right before Alexander insisted he would stay with the Dems. By waiting until the filing deadline, Alexander was not only betraying the party and officials who were there for him, he was underhandedly ensuring that the Dems wouldn’t have time to find a candidate of their own. That’s just low.
Ironically, it could also backfire.
Loyola University political scientist and pollster Ed Renwick said the move could easily backfire. The fact that Alexander made his move at the close of qualifying, effectively eliminating the possibility of having a strong Democratic challenger, may not sit well with voters, he said.
“In one sense it was a very shrewd political move. But it’s a dangerous move,” Renwick said.
It’s a conservative southern district, but if voters are looking for a life-long Republican, they’ll have that option — Jock Scott, a former state representative, will be on the ballot. And no matter one’s party, it’s going to be difficult for Alexander to convince anyone that he has any sense of dignity or honor after last week’s stunt.
The other remaining question is what Alexander was promised in exchange for the switch and when the bribe was offered.
The Louisiana AP reported that Alexander has been offered a seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Given the circumstances, it’s not unreasonable to expect Alexander to explain when, exactly, he was offered this deal. (I’d also like to hear his response to calls for him to return the campaign contributions he received from Dems when he promised to stick with the party just a couple of months ago.)
And, finally, I have a hypothetical to ponder. Which would be more amusing: seeing Alexander lose in November or return to the House and join the GOP minority next year?