Ex-Democrat Artur Davis to speak at GOP national convention
There are a few moments in any national presidential-nominating convention that are designed for drama: the keynote address, the speech by the running mate and, of course, the speech by the nominee. But the GOP this year is trying to add another one in a Zell Miller-esque address by a longtime Democrat.
Democratic congressman-turned-2012 RNC speaker Artur Davis (Source: OfficialArturDavis.com)
And this longtime Democrat happens to be one of the first members of Congress to endorse Barack Obama for the presidency in 2008, the man who seconded Obama’s nomination at the Democratic convention in Denver: Alabama’s Artur Davis.
Davis’ switch to the Republican Party earlier this year was well-publicized, but I’m not sure anyone predicted he’d be a headliner at the 2012 GOP convention, announced alongside four people Mitt Romney reportedly considered as potential running mates: Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. (U.S. Senate candidate Connie Mack of Florida was also announced today.)
There have been rumors a Republican, perhaps Jon Huntsman, will address the Democrats’ convention in Charlotte. It would take more than Huntsman, in my view, to trump what the GOP gets with Davis.
Here’s what Davis said in a press release by the Republican National Committee:
The talk and inspiration moved so many of us four years ago, but unfortunately we haven’t seen the action to back it up. We were promised jobs and we got job-killing mandates and regulations. We were promised a fiscally responsible government, and we got trillion dollar deficits, debt that has never been seen, and small business burdened with new taxes, and threatened with more taxes. The time for talk is over. At the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Republicans take a step to undo the mismanagement and nominate Mitt Romney as the next president of the United States.
I believe the official term for that kind of statement from that kind of ex-supporter is “fightin’ words.” We’ll have to see whether Davis proves as effective a turncoat as Miller was. And/or whether Davis ends up challenging any liberal cable-news commentators to a duel:
– By Kyle Wingfield
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393 comments Add your comment
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 16th, 2012
11:35 am
“Oh, Tiberius, if I had a dollar for every one of your misspellings and other grammatical snafus, I’d be a very very rich man indeed”
Proof once again that SlickRick doesn’t really read my posts very well.
Everette
August 16th, 2012
11:35 am
UnderPaul Ryans budget you won’t retire until you’re. 125 years old .
yuzeyurbrane
August 16th, 2012
11:35 am
tiberius–Ryan is not stupid and his undergraduate degree was in economics, but neither is he considered an economist, much less a Nobel Prize winning economist like Krugman or Stiglitz. Nor even like David Stockman, Reagan’s Budget Director. They all say the evidence does not support Ryan’s assertions and worse, that he really hasn’t presented any credible evidence to support his proposals. I am not an economist, but their analyses have more credibility with me than the apparent Ayn Rand based opinions of Ryan. Rand was a philosopher who appeals to emerging 15 to 16 year old intellects. Most of us later come into contact with the real world and know that her ideas bear little relationship to reality. It sounds more like Ryan suffers from a case of arrested adolescent development.
SBinF
August 16th, 2012
11:35 am
Gosh, funny the only folks throwing out epithets about the guy are conservatives….”claiming” it’s what liberals will do. Your own bias is showing.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 16th, 2012
11:36 am
A black man strolls off the liberal plantation and the dummycrat mob sets upon him, go figure.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 16th, 2012
11:36 am
“UnderPaul Ryans budget you won’t retire until you’re. 125 years old .”
Gee, I hadn’t seen THAT DNC talking point, Everette.
Care to cite the source of that statement?
Ann Coulter: Our Blacks Are Better Than Their Blacks......Davis is a JOKE
August 16th, 2012
11:40 am
@Tiberius – pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 16th, 2012
11:24 am
I see that Tick has changed his moniker again.
_______________________________________________
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
At least my beliefs and opinions never change.
I cannot say the same for Uncle Tom Artur Davis.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 16th, 2012
11:41 am
I’m sorry, what was Jon Huntsman total vote count in the Republican primary before his campaign crashed and burned? Or did get any votes? I can’t seem to remember.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 16th, 2012
11:43 am
“Rand was a philosopher who appeals to emerging 15 to 16 year old intellects.”
I can’t believe I’m replying to someone with the moniker “yuzeyurbrane”, when you don’t even follow your own name.
Rand’s “philosophy” (minus the atheism) is deeply rooted in the collective works of the Federalist Papers. You know, the writings of our Founding Fathers? The ones that are the basis for the Declaration of Independence and our Bill or Rights?
So, yeah, that philosophy launched the greatest nation on the face of this earth, yuzeyurbrane, but according to you, it appeals to emerging 15 or 16 year old intellects.
If only you’d follow your own moniker.
Belly Laughs
August 16th, 2012
11:44 am
I’m sorry did Artur Davis win his last election? I can’t remember.
Ann Coulter: Our Blacks Are Better Than Their Blacks......Davis is a JOKE
August 16th, 2012
11:45 am
@I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin…
August 16th, 2012
11:36 am
A black man strolls off the liberal plantation and the dummycrat mob sets upon him, go figure.
______________________________________________
PLANTATION?
You are right….Artur Davis is a SLAVE to the CONS and will
always be a slave to them.
po
August 16th, 2012
11:45 am
A Blue Dog Democrat from Alabama now supports the GOP . . . say it isn’t so . . . yawn. Next you’ll be telling us Joe Lieberman is going too
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 16th, 2012
11:45 am
That’s funny, JOKE forgot what it was supposed to shriek at Artur and I reminded it.
Hillbilly D
August 16th, 2012
11:46 am
At least my beliefs and opinions never change.
I’ve seen it posted on here many times that people changing their opinions is a sign of growth and open-mindedness. You can’t have it both ways.
Everette
August 16th, 2012
11:47 am
Who are you the spell check king ? I’m. driving . I don’t have a hill billy palm pilot like Sarrah Palin . You Betch !
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 16th, 2012
11:47 am
Strange that the most bigoted comments come from the liberals on this blog.
Pizzaman
August 16th, 2012
11:48 am
Aren’t most Republicans today ex Democrats? It’s that way in GA especially among politicians. So what’s the big deal?
House Slaves Usually Live Better Than Field Slaves
August 16th, 2012
11:48 am
Ann Coulter: Our Blacks Are Better Than Their Blacks……
And they live better.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 16th, 2012
11:49 am
“You can’t have it both ways.”
Of course they can, Hillbilly D! It’s the only way to justify their comments / actions.
iggy
August 16th, 2012
11:49 am
“Who are you the spell check king ? I’m. driving”
Home from school riding around the front yard on your Big Wheel?
Jefferson
August 16th, 2012
11:50 am
Let me know what he says.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 16th, 2012
11:51 am
Hey Everette. If you’re driving and texting, you’re not only breaking the law . . .
. . . but you’re an idiot for endangering others.
Is commenting on Kyle’s blog really worth putting other lives in jeopardy?
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 16th, 2012
11:52 am
I said in about the fifth post that Davis would be branded as an Uncle Tom. Thought that would at least delay the inevitable for a page or two, but alas, Ann Coulter, couldn’t resist. Freedom of thought, not allowed for black Americans.
Hillbilly D
August 16th, 2012
11:53 am
Isn’t texting and driving illegal in Georgia?
East Lake Ira
August 16th, 2012
11:55 am
Smart dude – don’t agree with his politics though.
Funny he couldn’t get re-elected after his switch though – not that he tried mind you.
Should be an interesting speech as long as he brings some substance. If he goes all spittle and vitriol, I may have to change my opinion of him.
Lynnie Gal
August 16th, 2012
11:55 am
I have to congratulate the Republicans. They finally found a black man willing to speak at their convention so they can showcase their diverse (ahem) schedule of speakers. As the cameras pan across the GOP audience–you know, those guys who cheered during the GOP debates when, given a scenario about a young man without insurance dying of a brain tumor. yelled LET HIM DIE!! (The crowd roars)–if you find a black person or hispanic among that crowd of angry white men (&a few women) you can just about count them on one hand. The GOP has defined itself as the party of wealthy white men (and their wives.) Who else supports them?
Hillbilly D
August 16th, 2012
11:57 am
Aren’t most Republicans today ex Democrats? It’s that way in GA especially among politicians.
This is true. I used to have no choice but to vote in the Democratic primary, if I wanted to take part in elections for local offices. In about two election cycles, that changed. Now, I have no choice but to vote in the Republican primary, if I want to take part in elections for local offices.
iggy
August 16th, 2012
11:58 am
“The GOP has defined itself as the party of wealthy white men (and their wives.) Who else supports them?”
Refusing to work, not becoming wealthy and living off the govt is, of course, your choice.
@@
August 16th, 2012
11:58 am
Isn’t texting and driving illegal in Georgia?
Most likely, sitting around & drinking would be closer to the truth. Probably a little tokin’ mixed in with the alcohol.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 16th, 2012
11:59 am
Lynnie Gal
when, given a scenario about a young man without insurance dying of a brain tumor. yelled LET HIM DIE!! (
Where did you read that, Jet Magazine? Can you post a link?
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 16th, 2012
12:01 pm
In about two election cycles, that changed. Now, I have no choice but to vote in the Republican primary, if I want to take part in elections for local offices
That changed when Lyndon Johnson (D) signed the civil rights bill
The racist South went from being Democrat to Republican real quick.
House Slaves Usually Live Better Than Field Slaves
August 16th, 2012
12:02 pm
@Hillbilly D
August 16th, 2012
11:46 am
At least my beliefs and opinions never change.
I’ve seen it posted on here many times that people changing their opinions is a sign of growth and open-mindedness. You can’t have it both ways
__________________________________________________________
I BELIEVE in God
My FAMILY comes first
I AM a LIBERAL for life
I AM compassionate and kind
I BELIEVE that you reap what you sow
I BELIEVE in KARMA
I DO unto others …………..
SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 16th, 2012
12:02 pm
Refusing to work, not becoming wealthy and living off the govt is, of course, your choice.
Who does that ?
I dont know of anybody. All the poor people I know work their tails off at blue collar jobs. Sometimes more than one.
And they usually dont have insurance.
iggy
August 16th, 2012
12:06 pm
Many do that. Ive known a plenty who consider being a Waffle House waitress a good career move. Ive known a plenty who would rather sell drugs, steal from Ingles, live at the Motel 6, than get a job.
Let the lazy starve.
@@
August 16th, 2012
12:06 pm
Lynnie Gal:
If I’m not mistaken Condoleeza will also be speaking at the RNC. Luis Fortuno (one of my favorites) Marco Rubio, Susan Martinez, Ted Cruz…
maybe more.
The New Black Panthers will be there representing your side in protest.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 16th, 2012
12:07 pm
Hillbilly
The people in the south fled from the Democrat party, so the pols had to follow. When Al Gore is ranting about closing the coal mine in your town, if you are a pol, you don’t want to be anywhere near him. When Obama is boasting that he hopes to raise your electric bill, you run the other direction. Algore, Kerry, Obama, Reed, and Pelosi were not something a southern pol wanted to be closely associated with.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 16th, 2012
12:07 pm
”These Ne-gro-es, they‘re getting pretty uppity these days and that‘s a problem for us since they‘ve got something now they never had before, the political pull to back up their uppityness. Now we‘ve got to do something about this, we‘ve got to give them a little something, just enough to quiet them down, not enough to make a difference.”
~Lyndon B. Johnson (Democrat)
Dusty
August 16th, 2012
12:07 pm
Well, it sounds like to me Artur Davis is a man whose vote goes to the preson he thinks can best handle the job. He voted for Obama last time (I believe) and sees how that went. So now he wants something better.
I think Davis may be typical of many black voters who recognize failure when they see it and will not vote again for Obama. Romney is obviously our best hope for all people. . Astute voters are well aware of that.
That certainly
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 16th, 2012
12:09 pm
@@
Once again the post of the day!
The New Black Panthers will be there representing your side in protest.
Atta girl!
Hillbilly D
August 16th, 2012
12:10 pm
That changed when Lyndon Johnson (D) signed the civil rights bill
The racist South went from being Democrat to Republican real quick.
But that’s where you’re wrong. The change in my area took place in the early 1990’s.
Dusty
August 16th, 2012
12:12 pm
On my last post,, 12:07
“That certainly” wandered in but you can throw it out.
SBinF
August 16th, 2012
12:12 pm
I love when folks trot out the tired line that people vote Dem because they don’t want to work.
Silliness. A strange correlation, folks with advanced education tend to be liberal. Do all of us educated liberals, many with advanced degrees, really refuse to work??
Hillbilly D
August 16th, 2012
12:12 pm
Ive known a plenty who consider being a Waffle House waitress a good career move.
Waffle House employees make more money than most folks realize. They have really good profit sharing plans, etc.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 16th, 2012
12:13 pm
Lyndon Johnson mired blacks in poverty and broke up their families and for this, he’s a liberal icon.
You know what I mean?
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 16th, 2012
12:14 pm
The New Black Panthers should be at the dem convention protesting the astronomical unemployment rate among black Americans and women, during the Oblamer regime.
Oblama
August 16th, 2012
12:14 pm
Mismanagement = perfect description of the Obama administration. In the private sector mismanagement gets you fired.
iggy
August 16th, 2012
12:16 pm
“I love when folks trot out the tired line that people vote Dem because they don’t want to work”
Take a cruise around Jimmy Carter Blvd and I 85 or Indian Trail and I 85 or OakBrook Pkwy and you will see. And Ive never seen many advanced degrees trotted out around those areas.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 16th, 2012
12:16 pm
But that’s where you’re wrong. The change in my area took place in the early 1990’s.
It was happening before that.
The “Solid South” took awhile to change.
Johnson told an aide, “We have lost the South for a generation”, anticipating a coming backlash from Southern whites against Johnson’s Democratic Party. Moreover, Richard Nixon politically counterattacked with the Southern Strategy where it would “secure” votes for the Republican Party by grabbing the advocates of segregation as well as most of the Southern Democrats.
Johnson was right. The conversion of the South from almost exclusively Democrat to almost exclusively Republican started when he put down that pen.
iggy
August 16th, 2012
12:17 pm
Even better yet take a cruise around Gwinnett Place Mall.
@@
August 16th, 2012
12:17 pm
About those Waffle House employees.
Upper management is required to work the grills periodically so as not to lose sight of what those who work under them do.