Steele: 'Griffith's Party Switch Sends A Strong Message To All Americans'

RNC Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today on Alabama Congressman Parker Griffith's announcement that he will switch to the Republican party. Here's the full text:

"I would like to sincerely welcome Congressman Parker Griffith to the Republican Party. On the eve of the Senate voting on President Obama's and Harry Reid's government-run health care experiment and in the wake of four House Democrats announcing their plans to retire, Dr. Griffith's party switch sends a strong message to all Americans that there is no longer room in the Democrat Party for mainstream Americans. For almost a full year, Americans have been voicing their opposition to the Obama administration's over-reaching liberal policies and now members of his own party are saying the same thing. Elected officials like Parker Griffith that faithfully represent their constituents and their own personal convictions even under the extreme political pressure are the kind of politicians Americans want and deserve. As Dr. Griffith said today, his switch has nothing to do with partisan politics and everything to do with his principles and values about what is right for America. As a trained oncologist, it is obvious that President Obama's government-run health care experiment was the final straw for Dr. Griffith and I applaud his courage for doing what he believes is right. As we move closer to the 2010 elections, I predict we are going to see more and more people moving towards the Republican Party's core principles of less government, lower taxes, and personal responsibility and more moderate Democrats continuing this exodus from a shrinking and far left Democrat Party. As Chairman of the Republican National Committee, I welcome them all. Come on in, we'll set another place at the table for you."