GOP searches for turncoats

[warrens]

Republican operatives have asked three county Democrats to switch parties as they try to shift the balance of power in Annapolis next year, including offering $150,000 in campaign funding to Councilman Pamela G. Beidle to take on a fellow Democrat in a state Senate race.

Sens. John C. Astle, D-Annapolis, and Ed DeGrange Sr., D-Glen Burnie, and Ms. Beidle, D-Linthicum, all confirmed that Republicans have approached them in the past month.

But all three said they're staying right where they are.

"I have a Democratic philosophy," said Ms. Beidle, who was a registered Republican before she ran for office in 1997. "To me, that would be lying to the citizens. I think you have to be registered based on your ideologies. I'm a moderate, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm a Democrat."

A Republican Party official said the party is always looking for conservatives, but doesn't need to offer anyone money to add to its ranks.

A source familiar with the conversation Ms. Beidle had last month with a Republican Party operative said she was offered $150,000 in campaign contributions to take on Mr. DeGrange in 2006.

SNIP

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2005/06_10-16/GOV

Trying to buy what they can't win fairly. Typical Rethugs.

[blm]

1. Another reason why their mediawhores are overhyping the antiDean angle.

Gee....big surprise. GOP using media to create division for the Dems. Who wouldda thunk it?

[Warpy]

2. Soon, they'll have to start focusing inward

and identify those who stray from orthodoxy. The right always does this and it always destroys them, usually taking a lot of other people down with them.