[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            A GROWING TREND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NEWT GINGRICH

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 21, 1997

  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call attention to a 
growing trend in America: Democrats who have switched to the Republican 
Party. These officials were tired of the same old liberal social 
philosophies which characterize the Democrat Party as the party of 
higher taxes, bigger government, and moral permissiveness. A classic 
example of this liberal thinking was the Clinton administration's 
proposed takeover of the health care industry, a scheme which had 
Democrats running for cover in the 1994 mid-term elections, when 9 
million more people voted Republican than in 1990 and the Republicans 
took control of Congress for the first time in 40 years.
  The Republican National Party has added 18 new elected officials to 
its ranks within the past week. Since Bill Clinton and Albert Gore were 
elected in 1992, 349 elected Democrat officials have now joined the 
GOP.
  Last Thursday, North Dakota State Representative Michael Brandenburg 
switched to the Republican Party, saying, ``I knew I had to make the 
change to stay true to myself and my own beliefs.''
  On Friday of last week, Topeka, Kansas City Councilman Vince Cook 
renounced his affiliation with the Democrat Party and joined the 
Republicans. ``Nationally, regionally, and locally, it [the Democrat 
Party] has been associated with fund raising irregularities, political 
patronage, and professional and personal scandals,'' said Cook. 
Clearly, the growing campaign fund raising scandals surrounding the 
1996 Clinton/Gore Campaign is fueling the flight from the Democrat 
Party.
  Last Saturday in New Jersey, Evesham Mayor Gus Tamburro joined the 
Republican Party and endorsed Governor Christie Whitman, saying, 
``Under Christie Whitman's leadership we have reaped the benefits of 
jobs, tax cuts, and economic growth. That's why I switched parties.''
  On Monday of this week, 13 elected Democrats in Texas switched to the 
Republican Party at a ceremony hosted by Governor George Bush. Among 
those Texans who abandoned the Democratic Party was Presiding Judge of 
the Court of Criminal Appeals, Michael J. McCormick. To date, 90 
elected Democrats have jointed the GOP in Texas alone since 1992.
  In New York this week, Liberty Town Supervisor Richard Martinkovic 
changed his party affiliation and stated, ``I join the Republican Party 
today and look forward to working with all elected officials . . . to 
serve the people, not be served.''
  And finally, in my home State of Georgia, State Representative Scott 
Tolbert announced his decision to join the GOP. Tolbert gives 
Republicans 79 seats in the 180-seat State House of Representatives, 
the highest number since Reconstruction. At a ceremony in Jefferson, 
GA, Tolbert commented, ``After watching the Democrat Party in action, I 
knew I had to make a change.''
  I welcome each of these 18 new members to the Republican Party. The 
door to our party remains open to all who are committed to the ideals 
of smaller, smarter government with lower taxes and more freedom for 
the American people.

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