Changing Parties

[abluelady]

There have been different discussions about politicians moving back and forth between parties. I have a question which was probably answered back in high school civics, but I don't remember the answer.

If a person runs as a Dem for the senate/house, can he/she change his/her party affiliation to Repuke if it will help the "numbers" in the Senate after the election?

Thanks for the answer!

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. Yep! Although I'm not sure they're required to give a reason

They can do it...sure! But likely won't if they want to keep their seat.

[Minnesota Libra]

2. You mean after being elected as Dem then switch to Repub?? Been..........

....done quite often unfortunately.:spank:

[Totally Committed]

3. Yes.

But, most stick with the Party they run with... I mean, look at Lieberman.

That havong been said: There is hell to pay when you leave a Party. The voters get pissed off and feel "duped", the Party machine that backed you tends to try and make your life a misery as much as they can, and down the road, the trust issue could effect your fundraising ability.

But, anyone can, conceiveably leave a Party at any time.

TC

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Think Jeffords.

[Dhalgren]

5. Senator Shelby of Alabama did it in '94 (I think).

He was elected as a Democrat and after the election he switched parties. But in Alabama, hating women and minorities is a political plus for any politician...

[abluelady]

6. None of the Repercussions Named Seems to Be Worth Not Doing It

I think Jeffords went Indpendent, so his turning didn't benefit one of the major parties.

It just seems such an obvious way to me for us to take back the house. Let our guys run as Repukes in Repuke areas and then presto chango, become Dems and we take back the houses!

Even if they never get to "run" again, we will have made progress and if we do our job right, the next Dem who runs should win. :>)

[mike923]

7. Jeffords switching did have a big impact

It shifted the advantage the GOP had to make the numbers even, and since Gore was the President of the Senate at the time and the ability to break ties, it in effect gave the Dems control over the Senate. I believe prior to the swtich, the GOP had a 50 to 49 plus one independant. After the switch it became 49/49/2. Thus the heads of each committee went from being held by republicans to democrats.

I can't think of any other switch in history that had as much of an impact.

[abluelady]

8. Thanks for the Information

That was a very positive impact. I guess I wonder why it doesn't happen more often?

[prairie populist]

9. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Colorado, Dem to Repug