Griffith on Appropriations Committee? Not likely
I missed this tidbit the other day in The Huntsville Times (thanks to reader Ivan for the heads up):
Although he switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican in 1994, Shelby had little to say about Griffith, who made his own switch last December.
“He has to win his race on the battlefield,” said Shelby, adding if Griffith is re-elected in November, there’s a “very good chance” he may be placed on the House Appropriations Committee.
Really? Parker Griffith on the House Appropriations Committee? That would be quite the plum job indeed. But looking at the current make up of the HAC the likelihood that Griffith would be given one of those highly sought after assignments is VERY unlikely.
There are 59 members on the HAC representing a total of 34 states, which means 16 states don’t have a seat at the table. Two of Alabama’s seven House members are already on the HAC (Bonner and Aderholt). Both are expected to be reelected and will almost certainly not step aside to allow Griffith take one of their seats. What is the possibility that Alabama would get a third seat at the table? Slim to none.
Of the states with more than two representatives in Congress Alabama has the 2nd most representation on the HAC, with 29% of our delegation on the committee. Only Kentucky, which also has two HAC members but only six representatives, has a greater percentage of their delegation on the committee (33%). If Alabama were to get another seat on HAC then Alabama would FAR exceed any other state with 43% of our delegation on the committee. Currently only five states have more than two members on the HAC: Ohio (3), New York (4), Florida (4), Texas (5), and California (7). Among those states Ohio has the fewest total representatives with 18.
Maybe Shelby was just spouting off to help out a fellow party switcher, but I really don’t think it is even remotely likely that Griffith would stumble onto the HAC in the unlikely event he wins reelection.
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Sen. Shelby would like you to know he DOES NOT endorse Parker Griffith for Congress…
http://theattackmachine.wordpress.com/2010/03/11/sen-shelby-would-like-you-to-know-he-does-not-endorse-parker-griffith-for-congress/
shelby sure didn’t sound like it when he threw out that huge steak to chew on — griffith might get on approriations if he’s reelected. if he said he’s not endorsing griffith — ok — but let him say it so that every republican who might vote in that primary hears it. shelby is no genius but he knew what a blessing he put on griffith when he said he might get on appropriations. totally impossible unless one alabama republican gets off, but shelby said it like it’s a lively possibility. hell, even if one alabama republican got off, other republicans from states around alabama would fight tooth and nail for the spot. most people who follow politics dont know the intricacies of appointments to appropriations — it’s a fascinating bit of inside congressional operations, with each party operating separately.