Posted by Political consultant Steve Raby (D) has confirmed to the Political Parlor that he has lined up consultants for a potential run and is looking at lining up his fundraising.
Insurance executive Wayne Parker (R) attended the state GOP’s Red, White, and Blue Dinner Friday night and the party’s meeting the next day, leaving some to conclude that he was looking like a candidate. As one party regular told the Parlor, “He never attends these things.” Parker was the GOP nominee in 2008.
Incumbent Parker Griffith, Mo Brooks, and Les Phillip are running on the Republican ticket. This will be Griffith’s first campaign as a Republican after switching parties in December. Democrats Taze Shepard and Mitchell Howie have expressed strong interest in the race.
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Parker Griffith lost all of his committee assignments. He can bring NOTHING to the district. The Democrats have made him their number one target. They have to keep their soldiers in line. When one defects they have to punish him so that others won’t follow suit. Parker Griffith’s effectiveness in Washington has been dismal.
He has been caught lying on several occasions.
1) “Griffith said Wednesday that his office hadn’t sponsored a poll to gauge his electability as a Democrat, nor did he commission anyone else. That contradicts a report in Congressional Quarterly that said Griffith’s office confirmed Wednesday that he did commission a poll, though “he declined to release the specific polling questions or the results of the survey.” Huntsville Times, December 24, 2009.
2) GRIFFITH MISREPRESENTED COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT FACTS TO THE MEDIA
“After a news conference where he announced his party switch, Griffith said it wasn’t a given that he’ll lose his committee assignments. He said to take that away from him could make Democrats look “small and punitive,” and he doesn’t believe the party will want to appear petty.” Huntsville Times, December 23, 2009.
Griffith loses his committee seats on Science and Technology, Small Business & Transportation and Infrastructure. Huntsville Times, December 23, 2009.
“Griffith’s staff at the start of January had told The Times he anticipated new assignments by Jan. 12. Ten days ago, Griffith told The Times that North Alabama would be pleased when he finally does receive those seats.” Huntsville Times, January 31, 2010.
“In a letter dated Dec. 20 to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, or two days before his announcement, Griffith officially resigned his (committee) seats by rule.” Huntsville Times, January 31, 2010.
Griffith still has no committee assignments. February 2, 2010.
3) GRIFFITH BREAKS PROMISES TO REFUND CONTRIBUTIONS BY DEMOCRATS.
Story #1; Day 1: GRIFFITH PROMISED TO RETURN ALL CONTRIBUTIONS TO ALL WHO REQUEST THEM. “The congressman, who held a news conference in his Twickenham home, said he’ll give back any of those contributions if people ask him to. He said they’d have to fill out a request form, and he’d return it. Griffith has more than $600,000 left in his war chest.” Huntsville Times, December 23, 2009.
Story #2; Day 2: GRIFFITH EXCLUDES DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE FROM HIS REFUND OFFER. The next day, on December 23, 2009, Griffith “excluded money spent on his behalf by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.” Huntsville Times, January 14, 2010.
Story#3; Day 22. GRIFFITH DENIES REFUNDS TO ALL 2008 CONTRIBUTORS. ”U.S. Rep Parker Griffith neglected to mention the fine print attached to his seemingly broad offer to refund campaign contributions. Griffith . . . initially said he’s return the campaign cash of disappointed supporters. On Tuesday, Griffith referred questions about his return policy to a staff member. She then referred questions back to Griffith. On Wednesday, Griffith told the Times: ‘There is no cutoff date.’ But this week many supporters who asked for their money back were surprised to be turned away with a form e-mail, which says that the money given in 2008 (will not be refunded).” Huntsville Times, January 14, 2010.
REMEMBER HE SAYS THAT HIS VIEWS ARE STILL THE SAME :
Parker Griffith states, “I have not changed a bit” since his 2008 campaign and election. (Huntsville Times; January 14, 2010).
1) Griffith pledged in writing to support raising income and inheritance taxes by repealing the Bush tax cuts. Huntsville Times; January 12, 2010
2) Griffith pledged in writing to deny employees the right to a secret ballot in votes on whether to unionize (i.e. – pledged support for “Card Check”). Huntsville Times; January 12, 2010.
3) Griffith pledged in writing to impose a deadline date for leaving Iraq, regardless of whether the job was done or victory was obtained. Huntsville Times; January 12, 2010.
4) Griffith actively campaigned for government run health care (then known as “Universal Health Care”) in his 2006 campaign for Alabama Senate and 2008 campaign for Congress. Huntsville Times, May 31, 2006 & August 25, 2009; Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee News Release, January 21, 2010.
After pushing Universal Health Care, he claims to be leaving the Democratic side because of the Health Care Bill on the table right now. What??? Not everyone will be covered by the current bill, therefore, his old position was actually more liberal than the one the Democrats are pushing today. Griffith claimed to have switched because the Democratic Party moved away from him. The facts presented clearly show that Parker Griffith’s switch was done for political, not ideological reasons. When it comes down to it, the guy just can not be trusted.
I don’t really care who the Democrat nominee is. That person has no chance. But, I sure hope Wayne Parker doesn’t enter the race. We need to focus all our efforts on getting Parker Griffith out of there. Wayne Parker has had his chance (several times!) and the people have spoken. Now it’s time to rally around Mo Brooks and elect a tried and true conservative.
It looks like Taze Shepard is a definite. He will have the resources and credibility to run a vigorous campaign. Anyone who says this race will be decided in the Republican primary is shortsighted. In other circumstances, in this environment, that might be the case. But these are no usual circumstances. If Parker Griffith somehow survives the primary he will emerge even more damaged than he is now. He will never win over the Tea Party wing of the Republican Party. And Democrats (and probably some independents) are motivated to beat Griffith. This general election WILL be a race. The race will be a damaged Griffith or an extremely conservative Mo Brooks(or perhaps 4th time candidate Wayne Parker)against the Democrat. As for the Democratic primary, my money is on Taze Shepard. He appears poised to run and seems excited to take on Griffith and his dismal record in Washington. When a congressman tries to be all things to all people (as Griffith attempted), they end up being alienating everyone and being terribly ineffective. Shepard will come out strong and will be seen as common-sense moderate willing to work with people to help north Alabama. As for Steve Raby, while he has an appealing style, has seemed unwilling to make the leap of faith necessary for a run for Congress. A Congressional candidate must be 100%, and if Raby is still deciding, he could never be 100%.
This race will draw national attention. The country will be watching to see what happens in north Alabama, and whether the party switching Griffith will be able to survive the wrath of the Tea Party and then go on to energize the conservatives and win a general election. The odds are against Griffith, whose clever trickery will most likely backfire.
In response to northalabamapol – I agree with much of what you have said. However, you might now want to be so quick to say that Shepherd will win the primary – Steve Raby will be strong opposition and many insiders are already predicting a vitory for him. Regarding the GOP side, I agree that Griffith is a long shot, especially because I believe there is a dark horse candidate who has a solid team, and who has proven he can raise the funds needed to win. Yes, I am talking about the guy you left out, Les Phillip. The ONE problem with him has been the doubt people had about him raising money. However, I have it on very good information, that his Q1 is off to an incredible start, and he led the pack in Q4. If he can have the funds needed to get his message out, where people can match him to it, he will be in a run-off against Griffith, and will take him down easily.
All that said, as a result, this will be the best AL05 race since ‘94.
It would be nice if people would not take up the entire page with their comments. I would say everything is a toss up (primaries and general). I get a kick out of people on here that take campaign propaganda (Dem or Rep) as truth.
And just so you know, Energy and Commerce is far better than the committees Griffith had served on. He is the only Freshman on this exclusive committee. “exclusive” means it is so important and time consuming that members are not allowed to serve on another committee. He would have very little say in policy (including NASA) as a freshman on the other committees, but is sure to help Alabama far more on the smaller E&C committee, especially as he moves up in seniority. People don’t realize what a big deal for Alabama this is. The only better assignments could have been ways and means or approps.
While I am not a big Griffith supporter, didn’t vote for him last go round, it would be nice if people knew all the facts about committee assignments before parrotting what others say.