House member may quit Demos
Alexander of Quitman says Kerry too liberal
Friday March 05, 2004
By Bruce Alpert
Washington bureau
WASHINGTON -- First-term Rep. Rodney Alexander, D-Quitman, is "seriously considering" leaving the Democratic Party because he says the party's likely presidential candidate is too liberal, and that he might be able to better represent his constituents as a Republican.
Alexander said Thursday that he has talked with Republican leaders about a possible switch and wants to make up his mind quickly, perhaps this weekend.
The major argument for staying put, he said, is that some leading Democrats, including Sen. John Breaux, worked hard to help him gain his narrow upset victory in 2002 over Republican Lee Fletcher.
"I'd be letting some people down who worked very hard for me and I would hate to let anybody down," Alexander said.
But he said a major reason he is thinking about making the move now is that the likely Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, is too liberal for him and his constituents. He previously said he is backing President Bush, who in 2000 won the 4th Congressional District by 57 percent to 40 percent over Democrat Al Gore.
"I'm afraid that is a factor because I'm not particularly happy with the candidate of the Democratic Party and I've already said that I won't endorse him and that I didn't think his views are consistent with my own, or my congressional district," Alexander said.
Breaux and Gov. Kathleen Blanco called Alexander on Thursday and urged him not to switch. He said he promised to consider their advice, but that he will make the decision based on what he thinks is best for voters in his district.
"I would look at how effective I could be for the people back home and that would be a major factor," Alexander said.
Tom Eisenhauer, spokesman for the Kerry campaign, said Alexander is misreading Kerry's appeal in Louisiana.
"Folks all across Louisiana, including Sens. Breaux and (Mary) Landrieu and Gov. Blanco are supporting John Kerry because of his courageous leadership and positive vision for job growth, affordable health care and a stronger, more secure America," Eisenhauer said.
Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Texas, a longtime member of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats, said he talked to Alexander on Thursday and urged him to "stay hitched" to the Democratic Party.
"I know what he's feeling," Stenholm said. "Too many of my colleagues in the Democratic Party have been way too far to the left. But I asked Rodney, 'Would you be happy following (Majority Leader) Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and the ultra-right wing philosophy represented by the Republican Party today?' "
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Bruce Alpert can be reached at bruce.alpert@newhouse.com or (202) 383-7861.
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