Bellevue representative switches parties (R to D) to run for Senate

[Newsjock]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002864809_webpartyswitch14.html

By David Postman
Seattle Times chief political reporter

OLYMPIA — Two-term Republican Rep. Rodney Tom of Bellevue says he is quitting the Republican Party to run for the state Senate as a Democrat.

Tom will challenge incumbent Sen. Luke Esser, R-Bellevue.

"I realized the far right has complete control of the party and for me to be effective for my constituents I need to be a Democrat," Tom said today.

He said being a Democrat is not only a better fit for the changing political demographic of the Eastside's 48th Legislative District, but a more comfortable fit for his ideology, which includes support for legal abortion, gay rights and higher taxes for transportation.

more

[IndianaGreen]

1. A rat deserts the ship!

Ben Nighthorse-Campbell and Richard Shelby were Democrats that became Republicans when it became in their own interest to switch parties.

I think we are seeing the same process at work here!

[saigon68]

2. Those are 2 scum bags you referred to above.

Cowards and Quislings

[flamingyouth]

3. Interesting

Hope he defeats that doofus Luke Esser. He should be an easy target. I used to work with him at The Daily at the University of Washington, where he wrote an insipid sports column called "The Truth." :eyes: Really, the guy should just get a show on Fox and get it over with.

[Fenris]

4. He sounds like a Steven Colbert without the irony.

"Forgive me father, for I have truthed."

[DELUSIONAL]

5. In WA state the Democratic Party has benefited from defections

from the Republican Party.

The Republicans were long ago over run by the religious ding-a-lings. WA Republicans hold very little in common with the Eisenhower Republicans of my parent's generation.

Amazing that the dumb assed DC Fed Dems in Congress want to be more like the Republicans to the point that it is often hard to tell the two parties apart.

[buddysmellgood]

6. We'll see. After all, Lieberman calls himself a Democrat. eom

[SeattleVet]

7. He just now realized that the wingnuts have taken over?

Wasn't he around when the repukes ran Ellen Craswell for governor? They took over a LONG time ago.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

8. No way in hell.

They allowed the fundy freakazoids to take over their party. The HELL if we should allow the remnants of that party take over ours!

Start a new party if you want; but don't come in here to further fuck up ours!

[Rainscents]

9. Amen!

I am seeing that treands, republicans switching over and running as democra and I have my doubts about this. Especially here in western part which is mostly democratic.
I would very much like to see, true progressive running as democrat.

[depakid]

10. Seems to me it's too late

For all intents and purposes, the remnents of their party already have....

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. It's up to us to remove them over the course of the next few years

If they aren't going to vote like Democrats, they shouldn't be elected.

[SoCalDem]

12. Actually, I would have preferred he STAY a republican

and accepted their money for his re-election..and THEN switched after he was sworn in.. But then I am :evilgrin:

[Judi Lynn]

13. GOP lawmaker switches to Democrats, challenges senator

Tuesday, March 14, 2006 · Last updated 6:45 p.m. PT
GOP lawmaker switches to Democrats, challenges senator

By DAVID AMMONS
AP POLITICAL WRITER

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Republican state Rep. Rodney Tom switched parties Tuesday and will challenge state Senate Republican Floor Leader Luke Esser this fall.

An irritated state Republican Chairwoman Diane Tebelius demanded that Tom resign his House seat, but Tom said he intended to serve the balance of his term as a Democrat.

Democrats, including Gov. Chris Gregoire, welcomed the convert. Gregoire personally called him to chat. The Democratic Party said Tom's switch reflects a growing disenchantment of suburban moderates with hardline Republicans.

Esser and the Republicans said the Medina lawmaker's decision came out of the blue. The GOP is a "big tent" party and moderates were always welcome, they said. Some suggested that political ambition was the root cause.
(snip/...)

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_WA_Party_Change.html

[JI7]

14. the GOP is big tent ? HAHHAHAHHA

tell that to the women, minorities, gays etc.

[katinmn]

16. How "original!"

Don't you like how the Repukes steal everything, even memes?

Chain down the toilet, the Republicans are visiting again.

[formercia]

20. A 'Big Tent' that shrinks in the wash.

in name only....

[katinmn]

15. Hee hee. That's happened in MN a few times. I love it when

they move over to the correct side.

Not so fun when they move to the right, though.

[Mythsaje]

17. Big Tent?

Well, I guess if you're sharing a tent with a bunch of elephants and their crap, it may SEEM like a big tent. But in reality, all you're doing is standing under the elephant's tail.

[SeattleVet]

19. It has to be a big tent to hold the massive freakshow that the GOP

has become over the past several years.

[queenbdem87]

18. Thats a big tent alright!

With all of the gays and liberals accepted so openly and readily by the rethug party, how could you say otherwise?

[The Roux Comes First]

21. GOP [state] legislator switches to Dems

Some great plain-speaking from republican state rep contemplating party-makeover and a campaign for Washington State senate. Always nice to be reminded that the current "Red Menace" afflicting these United States is no more monolithic and lock-stepped than the old version proved to be.

"Welcome to the camp - I guess you all know why we're here"!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002865777_tom14m.html

OLYMPIA — Two-term Republican Rep. Rodney Tom of Bellevue said Tuesday he's quitting the Republican Party to run for the state Senate as a Democrat.

Tom will challenge incumbent Sen. Luke Esser, R-Bellevue.

"I realized the far right has complete control of the party and for me to be effective for my constituents I need to be a Democrat," Tom said.

He said being a Democrat is not only a better fit for the political demographic of the Eastside's 48th Legislative District but a more comfortable fit for his ideology, which includes support for legal abortion, gay rights and higher taxes for transportation.

[Botany]

22. Come on 06 elections!

We have to exit poll every precinct and watch the other side like a hawk but
I don't think running as a republican will be a good thing come this fall.

[wicket]

23. Welcome to the party!!!!

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[UrbScotty]

31. I second that! (nt)

[Fovea]

24. That's great!

and he's right, Dem is a better fit, and not just for Washington state.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

25. He needs to talk to this guy from AZ

Former state Senate President John Greene withdrew from the governor's race Monday, saying he could not "overcome the far right's dominance of the Republican Party" or potential supporters' apparent belief that Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano will win re-election.

Winning the Republican primary "realistically appears out of reach," said Greene, a fiscal conservative and abortion-rights supporter.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0314greene0314.h...

[BOSSHOG]

26. THE FAR RIGHT HAS COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE PARTY

Words of wisdom from someone who should know, an insider. Similar story from Arizona.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

28. If one's mantra is fiscal responsibility and pro-choice, H-E-L-L-O-O-O-O

NEWSFLASH: YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT. That guy in Arizona needs to wake up.

[Gregorian]

27. Wow.

I know nothing about this guy. I suppose he was already a Dem at heart. But WOW!

[wordpix2]

29. Welcome!

[Longhorn]

30. This is going to happen more and more often

only each person won't necessarily make a public declaration -- we'll find out at the polls!

[BR_Parkway]

32. Welcome? maybe - to me it says here are more people who want

to remain in power rather than uphold whatever convictions they claimed to have had in the first place. So they'll say what they should, meet the people they should, hold their hands out to all the donors the way they are told by the party office - and then still do whatever the hell they feel like on the simple benchmark of what's going to maintain them in power the longest - regardless of what's right, what aligns with the party's values or, heaven forbid, what is actually in the long term best interest of the people that they are elected to represent.

So sure, welcome in the short term to keep the other party from being in control - but we really, really need to replace these people as soon as possible with actual progressives that will do what's in our best interests. I'm tired of being sold out to the highest bidder all the time.

[monktonman]

33. Sorry not going for it.

ok so here we have a guy that became a repug for whatever reason in the first place and now that the winds are starting to change its ok for him to become a Dem??
Maybe I'm just bitter or something but this guy sounds like he just wants to get elected and doesnt give a flying fuck how he does it. All the while leaving a wake of shit behind him.
Cool lets welcome him to the party. WHoooopi!

[Sadie5]

34. Running as a Democrat

Will only aid them in keeping the same neocon policies as before. They think we are so dumb that we won't notice what they are up to. Don't buy into their bullcrap.

[monktonman]

35. They wont think we are dumb

They already know we are dumb. Look at all the above post's.
dumb

[calimary]

36. Kick!

One by one. Baby step by baby step.

[geniph]

37. There's already a Democrat running for that seat

so all he'll do is split the primary vote. Debi Golden is already running for that Senate seat - a REAL Democrat.

[Zorra]

38. We welcome Mr. Tom and his vote....unfortunately, however,

Democrats have learned to NEVER, EVER trust a republican. And until he proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that he really is a Democrat, which will take many, many years...

.....he will not get the Democratic nomination for a Senate seat in that district.