I didn't see this diaried this morning and I thought it was worth mentioning.
Via Huffpost this morning:
Republican State Senator Joins Democratic Party
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Republican state Sen. Nancy Riley, complaining there is no room in her party for moderates, switched to the Democratic Party Thursday and threw a new obstacle at GOP hopes of taking control of the Senate for the first time in state history.
Okay. Good. I'm glad. But the timing of this move makes me skeptical. Plus she is from Oklahoma who was seeking a moderate voice within GOP. Still, the article itself is an eye-opener and I think ALL AMERICANS WHO VOTE should read it.
"The moderate Republican has been pushed aside for the extreme right wing," Riley said. Riley, a member of the Senate's GOP leadership team who holds the title of minority whip, said she has received no support among Republicans in the state Senate.
Um...yeah...that's not exactly a revelation, is it?
She said her shabby treatment was in part because she is a woman.
"We're supposed to be the cheerleaders and not be serious-minded," Riley said. "A pat on the head and a roll of the eyes is basically what I've gotten over the last four years."
And you didn't know this before you joined the party? Sheesh!
Don't get me wrong because I'm all for people joining our party, but the fact that she has come to this conclusion now makes me think...well, she is from Oklahoma, so maybe I'll give her a break.
Here's my favorite quote in the article; something we've always known:
Riley, of Sand Springs, said Senate GOP leaders have said "we'd rather be in the majority rather than be right" and "it's all about making the other side look bad" while developing strategy.
9/11. Fear-mongering. Impugning our patriotism. Iraq. The Patriot Act. Justice Roberts and Scalito. Tax cuts for Haliburton, KBR, Rupert Murdoch, Paris Hilton and Co. $5.15: Minimum Wage. $3.49: The price of Unleaded Regular gasoline at my neighborhood gas station. The Ghost of New Orleans...I'd go on, but I can't sit here for another 4 months just to list every Goddamned thing that this administration and GOP are responsible for.
Riley's switch strengthens the Democrats' tenuous hold on the Senate. Democrats held a 25-23 majority before Riley came on board and will control the body 26-22 going into the pivotal fall elections. Republicans took control of the state House in 2004 for the first time in more than 80 years.
Riley, a former teacher, is in the middle of her second four-year term in the Senate and does not face re-election this year. She was re-elected in 2004 with more than 66 percent of the vote.
Coffee said Republicans probably will recruit a candidate to run against her in 2008.
Well, I'm glad you've decided to join our party, Senator. But trust and support are earned by your actions from here on out.
Oh...as for your reelection campaign in 2008...I'll be praying for you, your family, neighbors, dogs and cats alike. And I hope you've never held another woman's hand in public or private because you know...they might accuse you of being a lesbian.
Riley surprised many when she received 23 percent of the vote in last week's statewide Republican primary for lieutenant governor. She said she spent only $40,000 on the race.
"The moderate Republicans thought I was the alternative vote," she said.
Her strength forced a runoff between House Speaker Todd Hiett of Kellyville, who received 43 percent, and state Sen. Scott Pruitt of Broken Arrow, 34 percent.
Riley said she approached Morgan about switching parties in June, after she had filed as a candidate in the GOP primary but before the July 25 election. She was uncertain if she would have gone ahead with the party switch if she had won.
"That's a question we'll never have an answer to," Riley said.
Okay, whatever. All I want to know is, are you true blue (or at least willing to become true blue) or are you a Lieberman shade of Blur?
Welcome to the party, Senator. I hope you're genuine.