The GOP made a strong push to switch Louisiana Rep. Rodney Alexander to the Dark Side. However, his office has released a statement saying
he will remain a Democrat.
After publicly contemplating a party switch, Rep. Rodney Alexander (La.) has decided to remain a Democrat, according to a statement released by his
office this morning [...]
Led by Louisiana Republican Reps. Billy Tauzin and David Vitter, GOPers made a behind-the-scenes push for Alexander that by all accounts was a near miss.
As late as Thursday evening, Democratic operatives were pessimistic about their chances of keeping Alexander in the fold and some expressed concern that he would announce his party switch as Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry (D), the party's presumptive presidential nominee, toured the Bayou State today.
Alexander told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he wouldn't endorse Kerry, adding: "I didn't think his views are consistent with my own, or my Congressional district."
Now note that Alexander represents what may be the most conservative district held by a Democrat. LA5 went for Bush 57-40. Alexander won the district by about 974 votes out of 170,000 cast, and is likely the most endangered Democrat this cycle. His 2004 opponent, John Cooksey, once represented the district, and won it in 2000 by a 69-24 margin.
This is all a desperate act for self-preservation. In light of all that, the fact he remained a Democrat is actually surprising.