Parker Griffith Staff Resigns: Nearly Every Member Quits

Nearly every staff member of Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Parker Griffith's office quit Monday morning in response to his decision to switch parties. His chief of staff resigned, along with his entire legislative and communications team -- many of whom have worked for Griffith since before he arrived in Washington.

"Alabama's Fifth District has deserved and has benefited from great Democratic conservative leadership since Reconstruction. And until now they had it," Chief of Staff Sharon Wheeler said. "I appreciate Congressman Griffith's being a very dedicated congressman. But we believe he made a mistake -- a well-intentioned but misguided mistake that is not in the interest of the great people of North Alabama who elected him a year ago as a Democrat. As his staff, we wish him only the best, and we all remain committed to the citizens of the Tennessee Valley. But we cannot, in good conscience, continue working for him. It is with deep sadness that we leave our work for the Fifth District. But because we are unwavering in our own principles, we have no choice but to move on. We do not know what the future holds, but we are taking a leap of faith with the belief we will soon find ourselves in the employment of principled public officials."

Joining Wheeler were Legislative Director Megan Swearingen, Legislative Assistants Brian Greer and Will Crain, Press Secretary Sean Magers, Legislative Correspondents Arinze Ifekauche and Chase Chesser, Staff Assistant Mary Lou Hughston, Congressional Fellows Dr. Anjali Shah Kastorf and Leslee Oden and intern Andrew Menefee. They waited until the winter break was over so they could return to Washington to resign. Griffith's campaign consulting team dropped him when he announced his party switch.

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Comments

[anthonytaurus]

05:34 AM on 01/07/2010

Sorry folks but as long as "conservative" sits anywhere in what you label yourself, you're already a Republican.

Democrat + conservative = Republican.

It's that simple. I'm just waiting for the other blue dog "dems" to switch parties.

Perhaps someone can explain the ideology that separates Republicans and Conservatives! What does each group want, or say they want, that is different from the other?

I think it will be a hard question to answer as it makes complete sense as to why it was so easy for Republicans to take over the tea party movement. The only thing conservatives can do is try to separate the words. As long as the ideology stays the same, you're the exact same thing.

[foxbat]

09:35 AM on 01/07/2010

True conservatives, which William F. Buckley used to call the "little c conservatives," tend to be more along the lines of fiscal conservatives. They're more moderate in their approach to social conservatism and tend to be less gimmicky and more savvy in their research/knowledge about issues/consequences. The BigC conservatives are made up of much more fringe elements that have stronger single issue targets that may or may not actually be at odds with the rest of the true little c conservative issues. For example, BigC conservatives talk alot about the government staying out of their lives and then have a single focus on making sure that same-sex marriage can't occur, citing defense of marriage, while looking the other way when those who attack same sex marriage on similar grounds cheat on their wives. BigC conservatives are the ReligiousRight, yet gleefully quote AynRand, an atheist, when talking about free market forces.

To get back to your question, I think you are correct that Big C conservatives = Republicans, but there are some of the little c conservatives who don't buy in to the completely co-opted RepubParty which has been severely diminished in its original focus by Big C conservatives. I consider myself fiscally conservative, yet socially liberal, so there's no way that I could tag myself as a Republican, even under the best of Republican Party images. Most Blue Dog dems are poltical opportunists as opposed to those who really have ideological differences with the RepubParty.

[anthonytaurus]

05:52 AM on 01/08/2010

I find that when we discuss policy, most of us agree on many things for the most part. The issue is how to go about solving problems and the magnitude of the solution.

For example, with health care reform, I found it incredibly puzzling that many Conservatives are looking to create collectives while they spurn the idea of universal healthcare as socialist. Conservatives are correct in believing that collectives will help lower their costs. Dems are correct that a universal healthcare system will lower costs as well.

However...

The idea of a collective is socialist in nature. Universal healthcare is nothing more than one large collective. So, my question to you is, which conservatives have a problem with universal healthcare? Perhaps both groups have a problem but for different reasons.

[foxbat]

09:39 AM on 01/07/2010

One other thing to remember too ... Teddy Roosevelt was a Republican. He probably fits in Buckley's little c group.

[jcole]

02:03 AM on 01/07/2010

THE STAFF OF CONGRESSMAN PARKER GRIFFITH SHOULD GET AN AWARD FOR EXPOSING THE HYPOCRITE, THEY WILL FIND JOBS WITH OTHER DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE AND IT WANT BE LONG, AND MR PARKER WILL BE OUT OF A JOB SOON, THE REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT HIM AND THE TEA PARTY ARE NOT GOING TO EXCEPT HIM UNLESS HIS RADICAL RACIST TONGUE START WAGGING AND THEY MAY BACK HIM, I SAY GOOD FOR HIS STAFF.

[SteveDenver]

12:19 AM on 01/07/2010

I salute this group of brave staffers for standing by their principles.

In this horror show of a job market, I hope they all land on their feet.

[blinkthink]

11:02 PM on 01/06/2010

A coup was staged for maximum statement and impact. We need to listen.

[Hunter Roberts]

09:06 PM on 01/06/2010

a small but noteworthy example of moral courage by his staff.

[amazinggrace]

08:41 PM on 01/06/2010

It was a huge mistake to recruit so many "Blue Dogs" when they are in fact, DINO's. I am impressed with his staff for taking the actions they did. They are the ones with integrity.

Parker Griffith...........not so much....................................................

[OneConservative]

07:45 PM on 01/06/2010

Democrats beware. We will send every last one of you home packing.

[lovenews]

08:39 PM on 01/06/2010

Shoo

[LDF]

08:54 PM on 01/06/2010

Just a dream, just a dream . . .

[EmiliaRomagna]

06:38 PM on 01/06/2010

The staff have more integrity than the elected official. T 0 0 L.

http://myspace.com/virginiadem

[Norak]

06:23 PM on 01/06/2010

Good riddance to Parker Griffith. Good job hunting to his former staff.

[fulltimespirit]

11:48 AM on 01/06/2010

I'm glad this politician was publicly punished after the shameful thing he did! He was elected by the people of his district as a democrat and he slapped them in the face! Sounds like they slapped back. Hopefully heh will be a ine-term politician!

[Lisa Ryder]

11:00 AM on 01/06/2010

The only way I see change happening in DC is to ban lobbyist and totally revamp the election process. I think we really need more than a 2 party system and candidates who qualify get the same amount of air time on public TV. No more million dollar campaign which effectively shuts out all but the ruling elite to put their own guy in office.

[Cheryl12345]

01:17 PM on 01/06/2010

I also am beginning to believe that the people we elect to the House and Senate should be barred from serving more than two terms consecutively. If they get reelected after a "break" that would be OK, but they should not be allowed to spend their whole lives digging themselves deeper and deeper into corruption.

[Lisa Ryder]

02:29 PM on 01/06/2010

Cheryl12345: I also feel if those we elect to office can't keep their election promises they should be kicked out immediately! The Netherlands holds their politicians to their promises. If their elected politicians don't keep their promises they are fired.

[Observer963]

04:51 PM on 01/06/2010

We might lose on "good" experience (if there is such a thing!) if we limit the term. However I am still more for limiting the term than not!! What I really would like to see is that once they are out, that we no more pay their salary for the rest of their lives!!! That is a complete non-sense considering: It does not apply to the rest of the citizens of this country (once you get the slip there goes your salary!) AND these guys pretty much determine how much they get paid!!! and that's another big non-sense. They should put their salaries up for vote!!!

[Anntink]

10:35 AM on 01/06/2010

His "staff" most likely consists of lifetime political appointees who have their own agenda to pursue. Everyone knows its the staff who actually do the research, meet with lobbiest and then make the decisions on pending bills. The Congressman only shows up to vote the way the "staff" tell him. If past actions by this congress are any indication, his "staff" is not doing a good job standing up for the voters. I say good riddance. They'll all be working on K-Street in no time, peddling their influence to the new staff. Let's get some new blood in DC and maybe we can get our government working for US for a change!

[ttowse]

10:04 AM on 01/06/2010

I am an independent and don't care what your politics are. I know first hand if you are a politician and your mouth is moving, you are lying. All I want to know is how much does it pay and when can I start?

[William Young]

09:55 AM on 01/06/2010

I'm glad his staff left good job for them, GOOD JOB STAFF! Maybe he should of thought twice before pulling such a stupid act of switching parties!

[afterallthat]

09:55 AM on 01/06/2010

With all the party shifting and political resignations, combined with the unmitigated greed and avarice of mega-corporations... from banking to agribusiness, this shows that the worst is yet to come.