Former Congressman and Obama Ally Artur Davis Weighs Political Bid…as a Republican
- Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:22pm by
Erica Ritz
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(Photo: AP)
Artur Davis was once described as “the Obama of Alabama.” A former congressman in the state, he was considered a rising star in the Democratic Party after his early endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008, and was even mentioned as a possible attorney general for the current administration.
However, the Harvard-educated lawyer has seemingly been growing disenchanted for several years. He openly criticized Obama’s signature healthcare legislation, and was one of very few Democrats to actually vote against it.
Now, Davis is officially crossing the Rubicon in announcing that, if he chooses to run for office again, it will be as a Republican.
He wrote on his website Tuesday:
[Parties] change. As I told a reporter last week,this is not Bill Clinton’s Democratic Party (and he knows that even if he can’t say it). If you have read this blog…you see the imperfect musings of a voter who describes growth as a deeper problem than exaggerated inequality; who wants to radically reform the way we educate our children; who despises identity politics and the practice of speaking for groups and not one national interest; who knows that our current course on entitlements will eventually break our solvency and cause us to break promises to our most vulnerable—that is,if we don’t start the hard work of fixing it.
Davis at the 2008 DNC (Photo: AP)
On the specifics, I have regularly criticized an agenda that would punish businesses and job creators with more taxes just as they are trying to thrive again. I have taken issue with an administration that has lapsed into a bloc by bloc appeal to group grievances when the country is already too fractured: frankly, the symbolism of Barack Obama winning has not given us the substance of a united country. You have also seen me write that faith institutions should not be compelled to violate their teachings because faith is a freedom, too. You’ve read that in my view, the law can’t continue to favor one race over another in offering hard-earned slots in colleges: America has changed, and we are now diverse enough that we don’t need to accommodate a racial spoils system. And you know from these pages that I still think the way we have gone about mending the flaws in our healthcare system [in] the wrong way—it goes further than we need and costs more than we can bear.
Taken together, these are hardly the enthusiasms of a Democrat circa 2012, and they wouldn’t be defensible in a Democratic primary. But they are the thoughts and values of ten years of learning, and seeing things I once thought were true fall into disarray. So, if I were to leave the sidelines, it would be as a member of the Republican Party that is fighting the drift in this country in a way that comes closest to my way of thinking: wearing a Democratic label no longer matches what I know about my country and its possibilities. [Emphasis added]
Davis concludes by warning that he likely couldn’t satisfy a typical Democrat or Republican “litmus test.” He concludes:
A voter and a columnist have all the freedom in the world to say these things; perhaps a candidate does, too. Should I ever cross that bridge again, I will be trusting voters more than ever (despite having seen how wrong they can get it!) to test ability more than rigid ideology, and to accept that experience changes minds (if it is so in our lives, why shouldn’t it be so in our politics?) I might well decide that all of that is asking too much, and that party demands too much for a guy who doesn’t fit a partisan caricature. Or I might someday not so far off say, “Let the people decide.” Stay tuned.
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Comments (69)
Sargon_Starblade
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:53pmWhen Democrats grow up they become Republican. This reminds me of my sister who was a Liberal Democrat, that never looked at facts and just went with her gut. Then she got a job and saw her paycheck, which caused her to look at what the government was spending her mony on and who was spending it. She is now a Republican.
Report Post »gperky
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:57pmThats why BO is campaigning at the colleges and universities. That is the mentality of today’s youth and he is going to capitalize on that.
Report Post »SocialistSlayer
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 3:08pmIn the words of Regan – Trust him but verify his actions!
Report Post »ms.sandman
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:48pmI’ve made this comment numerous times about myself. Typical bleeding heart liberal in college…then I grew up and got a job!!!
Report Post »fixer
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 1:49amjust another rat jumping from the sinking ship.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:50pmPoor guy will now feel the wrath of all those ‘compassionate” liberals. He better get used to being called names. “Uncle Tom” is one of their favorites. I’m not so sure this leopard can change his spots, though. He seems a bit to left leaning for most conservatives and would be just another RINO to me. I am glad he sees the Obama agenda as too far left and radical.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 1:14pmReagan was a Ex Democrat…….then he became the best president in my lifetime
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:08pmYes, most of us, Dem or Rep recognize that Reagan was our best President besides Lincoln, the Republican who stopped slavery in America. (Like Liz Warren bragging, he was my ancestor.)
At one time I was a Dem because I didn’t know any better. When I came of age, I began to question
things and realized I could no longer follow the democrat beliefs. That was when I voted for Goldwater. (don’t win them all)
From that day forward, I couldn’t believe a word most liberals said. Some are only misinformed and the others know it’s the only way they can control what they want with lies and misinterpretation and out and out stealing from the citizens of the United States to pad their own pockets, A game they like to play and do very well. (was that a compliment?)
Report Post »moussiagilda
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:49pmAfter me, the deluge.
Report Post »lapitup
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:48pmAnd stupid people will believe him. Do they think we are fools; maybe we are?
Report Post »FatManChew
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 1:45pmFirst of all, if you believe any of them then you might be stupid to begin with. I’ll judge everyone by their actions and not their affiliations.
Report Post »Leader1776
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:13pm@FATMANCHEW
Report Post »Nail on head. Too many supposed Republicans that act as liberal progressives. Too many machine Republicans that are RINOs. So many Republicans that have sold out the Constitution and the country’s citizens.
woodyb
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 4:55pmFOOLS??????
We elected Obama, didn’t we????????????????
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 1:32pm@fat & @leader
Agree with both of your posts!
Report Post »MarsBarsTru7
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:46pmWoo Hoo! Welcome to the club sir. The air is a bit fresher over here, but it the place still needs some cleaning up. Please feel free to grab a broom and help us sweep out the rest of the RINOs. Let’s try to make a real difference, in the name of liberty, together.
Report Post »DarthMims
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:44pmArtur Davis embarassed himself in his bid for the Democratic nomination for governor of Alabama. Some of the most negative ads I have ever seen or heard came out of his camp against Ron Sparks, who eventually got the nomination, only to lose to the Republican Bentley. Not being racist, but if the party welcomes him, it will just be to have another token black Republican like Allen West.
Report Post »gperky
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:44pmWow, a guy that can think for himself! He doesn‘t fit the standard and certainly doesn’t fit the thought patterns of a left wing or even mild Democrat. He is even more of a conservative than most republicans. This is what we need more of in the country. Someone that thinks about what this country needs instead of what a group or voting bloc needs. Afterall, we are supposed to be one America!
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:43pmIf you were ever a democrat, liberal, progressive just dont run. I mean I am sure he will win because of who these republican sheep keep electing.
Romney – Progressive, big spender, war monger, pro choice, pro gun control, pro ndaa, pro patriot act, Romneycare, pro big banks, pro bailouts, pro Ben Bernanke, pro FED.
I am sure this guy does line up with Romney on everything but Romneycare.
You morons who have voted this clown in deserve four more years of Obama.
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:42pmThis guy isn’t even RINO material. Maybe try as an Independent? He’s just the same as what we have now passing NDAA, etc. All the current politicians are thinking party and not country.
Washington needs a constitutional re-boot and the Washington politicians need the boot. Utopia is closer than you think. The framework IS in place…all it needs is implimentation.
NoBama 2012
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:45pmDoes the word, “INFILTRATION” mean anything to anyone? THIS MAN IS ***NOT*** TO BE BELIEVED.
Report Post »He is only doing this to infiltrate the Republican party so HE CAN CHANGE CONSERVATIVE POLICIES TO LIBERAL POLICIES.
maxedout
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:42pmHopefully he’s a domino.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 1:08pmHalf white? (kidding) I hope so too. Trust everyone but cut the deck
Report Post »Obama Snake Oil Co
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:42pmI think its good to see what I do as a democrat, the party has changed for the worse. Although I am still registered as a democrat, its slim pickins for me this coming election……sad to say, it will be almost all R this time.
Report Post »gperky
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:56pmI think most people can see after we put Obama in office that what we need is a real conservative in order to get our country back on track and bring this nation back together again. It has never been so divided as it is now except maybe during the Civil War and we don’t want a repeat of that. I am not a great fan of Romney but he is definately better than BO. I am hoping that Romney can get us back on track and then we can get enough conservatives in office to fix this country. Just please, NO MORE BO BS!
Report Post »grams09
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 1:00pmSlim pickings on the republican side too.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:42pmSomeone at the DNC is going to call him & tell him to get with the program or else.
The DNC plantation is like the Hotel California.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 3:00pmWell said.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:41pmSo here is the question; genuine conversion after seeing the destruction Obama is bringing on or just another political turncoat?
Report Post »red_white_blue2
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:40pmThis man looks like he has seen the light! I pray there will be many others between now and November. I plan to help educate anyway I can those that need it.
Report Post »Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:40pmIf Obama just started a talk show, or became a musician, he’d have a lot more power & influence over people than as a president.
Report Post »Truthbeliever2
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:39pmSee now the Democrats are total communists and The Republicans are now Democrats. We in America are a hopeless herd of SHEEP!!! LOL
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:52pmBeen saying that for years. McCain, for instance, along with Romney, are old time Kennedy Democrats, cuz the Overton window has moved left. It’s where ya gotta be to get anything done and get re-elected. But Reagan was no saint either. His tax law put a lot of businesses out of business because these businesses that went out of business were my clients at the time.
NoBama 2012
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:38pminteresting……. If he is being honest. Welcome
Report Post »Wandaers
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 4:19pmUsually we call people like this “Rino’s”. They have to be tested before we can actually call them Republicans!
Report Post »ilovetheusa1
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:38pmin other words, I am a loser Dem and have no chance of getting re-elected, so I better go Chameloen.
Report Post »Truthbeliever2
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:37pmKeep voting Republican or Democrat. Like it really matters.
Report Post »ONLY4UANDME
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 1:51pmWell, The Dem’s have really been exposed! Time to infiltrate where ever they can.
Report Post »Welcome Black Carter
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:15pmIf you think is does not matter Just watch what is happening to this country with Choom-bama at the helm.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:37pmI was a member of the RNC during the Reagan Years… but when they called for support the other day… I told them that I do not support their Choices… and that I only give to Individuals, now!
Report Post »DarthMims
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:36pmArtur Davis embarassed himself in his run for governor of Alabama in 2010. Some of the most negative campaign ads I have ever seen or heard came out of his camp, and they were aimed toward the man who he was running against for the Democratic nomination, Ron Sparks. Not being racist, but if the party welcomes him, it will just be to have another token black Republican like Allen West.
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:35pmAuthur Davis was turned into a sleeper cell for the Democratic party. They want to get him into the Republican party so they alway can claim by partisan support on the crap he’ll vote for as a Republican.
Report Post »ArcticDodge
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:35pm“growth as a deeper problem than exaggerated inequality; who wants to radically reform the way we educate our children; who despises identity politics and the practice of speaking for groups and not one national interest; who knows that our current course on entitlements will eventually break our solvency and cause us to break promises to our most vulnerable”
How could this guy ever have been a democrat?? I welcome anyone wanting to fight and save this country of ours.
Report Post »Thors Hammer
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:35pmI hope he’s serious, and not just changing political titles to ride what’s going to be an anti-Obama wave in November. If he’s seen the light, welcome! We see no race or gender, and encompass all who want a strong America again.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 12:35pmAugh Ough I need to forward this to my Brother
Report Post »