State Lawmakers Bolt Democratic Party After Election Day

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Fox News:

Adding insult to injury for their party, at least 13 Democratic state lawmakers have joined the Republican ranks since Election Day -- deepening GOP gains and in one case handing the party the state House majority.

Democrats in five states have switched parties since Nov. 2, citing concerns about the economy and the political leanings of their constituents. The defections are a troubling sign for state Democratic operations clinging to life following their election drubbing. Though Republicans' congressional gains drew more attention, the party picked up more than 675 seats at the state level last month and in some cases took over entire state capitals.

The gains far surpassed those made in 1994, but the sudden bout of party-switching gives the GOP a chance to build their majorities further without anybody casting a single ballot.

"It creates momentum, gives us better opportunities to recruit, better candidates in the next cycle," said Frank Donatelli, chairman of Republican recruitment arm GOPAC, welcoming the newcomers and urging other wavering Democrats to follow suit.

Most of the switches so far have occurred in the south. They include four Alabama House members, five Georgia House members, one Georgia senator, and one Louisiana House member.
________

The fallout from 2010 continues to spread.

[Valin]

Fox News:

 

Adding insult to injury for their party, at least 13 Democratic state lawmakers have joined the Republican ranks since Election Day -- deepening GOP gains and in one case handing the party the state House majority.

 

Democrats in five states have switched parties since Nov. 2, citing concerns about the economy *and the political leanings of their constituents. The defections are a troubling sign for state Democratic operations clinging to life following their election drubbing. Though Republicans' congressional gains drew more attention, the party picked up more than 675 seats at the state level last month and in some cases took over entire state capitals.

 

The gains far surpassed those made in 1994, but the sudden bout of party-switching gives the GOP a chance to build their majorities further without anybody casting a single ballot.

 

"It creates momentum, gives us better opportunities to recruit, better candidates in the next cycle," said Frank Donatelli, chairman of Republican recruitment arm GOPAC, welcoming the newcomers and urging other wavering Democrats to follow suit.

 

Most of the switches so far have occurred in the south. They include four Alabama House members, five Georgia House members, one Georgia senator, and one Louisiana House member.

________

 

The fallout from 2010 continues to spread.

 

 

* The real reason.

[NCTexan]

* The real reason.

Valin!

 

I'd thought that it was due to the 'magnetic appeal' of the RNC and especially the Patton-like leadership of Michael Steele.

I now stand corrected.