In an effort to fulfill his destiny as the Southern Joe Lieberman, Artur Davis has accepted a speaking role at the upcoming GOP Convention.
Former congressman Artur Davis, who officially seconded President Obama’s nomination at the 2008 Democratic convention, said Wednesday that he will cap a remarkable political metamorphosis by addressing the Republican convention this month — calling for Obama’s defeat.
Davis, 44, who served in the House as a Democrat from Alabama from 2003 to 2011, said in a telephone interview that he has been given a speaking slot at the Aug. 27-30 Republican convention in Tampa. He said he was not sure yet of the day on which he would speak.
But Davis said he planned to speak for millions of Americans who, like him, had traced a path from hope to disillusionment with Obama. After spending his entire political career as a Democrat, Davis declared in May that he has become a Republican.
Millions? Millions?
I previously highlighted the possibility of a party switch for Davis in this diary.
What happens when more Democrats really turns into more Republicans capable of undermining the Democratic agenda from within, as seems to consistently occur from the Blue Dog caucus. Where do you draw the line? I don't see the upside of a Democrat causing havoc in the party, watering down progressive legislation, only to have the failures hung on the head of the party and President, instead of themselves.
Maybe Davis just feels jilted. Maybe he was using the Democratic Party just to get into office. But between folks like him, Nelson, Harold Ford, and Joe Machin, the Democratic party is going to have to decide very soon whether it truly is willing to have its basic platform constantly questioned by its own members publicly without retribution and if they believe that is helpful to its cost long term. And when I say Democratic Party, I mean all members, not just elected officials.
I think it is about time we stop just assuming that because someone calls themselves a Democrat, they actually have an interest in the party's ultimate success.
My feelings remain the same, if not stronger. After spending a spring and summer running around pretending to be a disgruntled Democrat, he can now show his true blue dog colors to the country. And I say, without equivocation, good riddance.