CAN JUMPIN' JIM JEFFORDS BE FAR BEHIND?

Decker eyes switch back to GOP: Decker's party change in January made history. (DAN KANE, 8/23/03, News & Observer)

The man whose shifting loyalties redefined the state House of Representatives this year may be at it again.

Rep. Mike Decker's switch to the Democratic Party in January deadlocked the House and resulted in a historic co-speaker-led coalition. But in recent days, he has been talking to people about rejoining the GOP.

Decker would only confirm that he's thinking about switching back. [...]

Legislators say that under the House rules a shift to a 61-59 Republican majority would not lead to another speaker vote or a change in committee assignments for the rest of the session.

But it could make the difference for Decker's political career. Until this year, Decker had served nine terms as a Republican in a heavily Republican district.

The question for Decker is, will Republicans accept him back?

Hard to look principled when you do stuff like this, isn't it? Posted by Orrin Judd at August 23, 2003 11:02 AM