Griffith Staff Walks Out
By Reid Wilson
Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL) found new friends when he switched parties, but now he will have to find a new staff.
Griffith's staff resigned Monday morning following his Dec. 22 party switch, leaving the new GOPer with little more than harsh words on their way out the door.
"Parker Griffith has abandoned the legacy of conservative leadership provided by Bud Cramer, Ronnie Flippo, Bob Jones, Howell Heflin, Jim Allen, Lister Hill, John Sparkman, Big Jim Folsom, and so many more," said Sharon Wheeler, Griffith's now-former CoS, in a statement emailed to the media.
"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," Wheeler added.
Wheeler joined LD Megan Swearingen, senior LA Brian Greer, press secretary Sean Magers, LA Will Crain, LC Chase Chesser, staff assistant Mary Lou Hughston, Congressional Fellows Anjali Shah Kastorf and Leslee Oden and intern Andrew Menefee in walking out of Griffith's office.
Losing staff is not uncommon when a member switches parties. Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-LA) had to find new aides when he decided to leave the Dem caucus, as did ex-Rep. Michael Forbes (D-NY) when he left the GOP. Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) proved a notable exception last year; he lost just 1 staffer and a handful of campaign aides when he decided to begin caucusing with Dems.
House GOP leadership and the NRCC will help Griffith rebuild his staff, a senior GOP aide told Hotline OnCall.
Good for them! Just because their boss turned out to be a traitor doesn't mean his staff needs to stand by him.
Why would he want to keep them?
The Fellows walking out is interesting, and disturbing because it calls into credibility the non-partisan aspect of the program.
excellent...this opens up more employment opportunities for those with principles and talent, unlike the democratic whores who move from office to office with no concern for this country or its constitution.
Henry Butler, whores? Really?
Since when was your mom in politics?
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