Two Kansas Republicans turn Democrats, much ado about nothing or serious trouble for the Republican Party?

It’s an indicator of the failed Republican policies. Kansas in particular was especially harmed by Republican tax cutting measures.

It all sounds great until the average middle class family doesn’t have a school to send Johnnie to.

I guess I would see it as a betrayal of their constituency. It is probable that they were elected because their voters didn’t want the Democrats in office.

@seawulf575 I agree with you. It happened in my state, but we voted a Democrat in as governor and within a year he switched his party to Republican and aligns with Trump on most issues now.
To me this bait and switch tactics. This is not what we signed up for.

@seawulf575 In a statement I read, the two lawmakers said they were switching to be more in line with the views of their constituencies. I’m sorry I can’t source it at the moment.

I am sure there was polling data in the mix. What politician does anything strictly on principle?

I doubt it means much. They were moderate, and so the voters will either dismiss it as “they were always Democrats” or “they were always more Independent.” I say that sort of thing about Bloomberg for example. I felt that way when Gote chose Lieberman as a running mate, I wasn’t happy with Gore’s choice. I think some politicians hope switching parties will influence Republicans to not vote for Trump. They are making a statement. Or, they finally realized the previous party they identified with isn’t a good fit, but the voters already knew in most circumstances in my experience. Changing parties probably in the end has more to do with where the money is going to come from than anything. Follow the money.

@janbb that may be, but it might also be their bluster. How often have we seen politicians lie? My feeling is that you don’t switch parties to be more in line with the views of your constituency. At least not AFTER the election. They got elected based on their views. If they carry through with their views or vote based on their constituency, it doesn’t matter what party affiliation you have.

@chyna I had forgotten about what happened in your state. When that governor was running in your primary was it not apparent that he was with the republicans on some issues? Or, he really flipped from everything he had said formerly?

If a person can be a traitor once, they can be a traitor twice. They may be democrats THIS week, but I wouldn’t trust them long term.

Kansas did that? Cool.

Kansas was the acid test for right wing nut job conservatism, and Kansans paid dearly for the “innovations”. The Brownback led destruction of everything from the public schools to municipal government reduced the state to a bankrupt landscape with the talent fleeing in droves along with crucial resources vital to recovery. The bleak and relentless destruction of the state was an out and out 100% Republican show & none of that “both sides are responsible” bullshit will wash this time.

@jleslie He totally flipped. Voters had no idea he would do that. I hope he isn’t voted in next time, because as @elbandit says, if you are a traitor once, you can be again.

Yeah, I know @stanleybmanly. I’m one of his victims.

There are plenty of Democrats (probably most of them actually) that I wish would just switch to the Republican party, instead of pretending to be progressive and actually being pro-corporate neoliberal scumbags who sabotage the party against any meaningful progress on populist policy.