If a younger Patrick Murphy managed to Biff his way into the DeLorean and end up at October 21, 2015, he too would have found a future that didn’t make much sense. Young Patrick would have seen a world where he became a Democrat out of convenience, a world where he ran from his own actions that he took just a few years earlier, and a world where he’s sprinting left because Alan Grayson keeps calling him ‘an errand boy for Wall Street.’
We tried to sort out the future (well, present) for Privileged Patrick and…it turned out to be just as confusing. As Marty would say, this is heavy.
Murphy Was Born And Bred Republican…
“My dad’s a Republican. My dad’s my mentor. When I was 18 or whatever it was and I decided to register to vote. My dad’s Republican, so that’s what I decided to register as.” (Huffington Post, 3/6/13)
…Until He Switched Parties To Run For Congress
“Patrick Murphy began 2011 as a registered Republican. Now he’s one of the best-financed Democratic congressional candidates in the nation…Murphy switched his registration from Republican to Democrat in January. He also moved from Miami Beach to Fort Lauderdale that month.” (George Bennett, “Broward Builder Patrick Murphy Erects Candidacy To Take On Conservative West,” Palm Beach Post, 4/23/11)
Murphy’s 2012 Campaign Was Swimming In Super PAC Donations, Including Hundreds Of Thousands From His Father:
“Murphy’s father, Thomas Murphy Jr., and Coastal Construction played prominent roles in his son’s win over ex-Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West. Murphy’s dad fueled a combined $550,000 into super PACs that bashed West in ads.” (Jonathan Mattise, “Gift Triples US Rep. Patrick Murphy’s Personal Wealth,” TC Palm, 12/30/13)
…And Then, Ignoring Every Lesson Biff Taught Us, Murphy Tries To Rewrite History By Changing His Record On Super PACs
“Last week, an op-ed published in this paper criticized my strong opposition to the 2010 Citizens United vs. FEC decision which created Super PACs, opening a flood of unaccountable money into our political system. That decision is among the most detrimental to our democracy in American history, and I have always opposed it.” (Patrick Murphy, “Why I’m Fighting To Overturn Citizens United,” South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 9/11/15)
Murphy Was A Big Dollar Republican Donor
“In 2007, Murphy gave $2,300 to Mitt Romney’s unsuccessful Republican presidential campaign. In March of 2010, he gave $4,800 to former Gov. Charlie Crist’s Senate campaign. Crist was a Republican at the time, but later switched his registration to independent.” (George Bennett, “Broward Builder Patrick Murphy Erects Candidacy To Take On Conservative West,” Palm Beach Post, 4/23/11)
…And Then Alan Grayson Forced Him To Sprint To The Left On Issue…
“Now running for the U.S. Senate in 2016, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., announced on Tuesday he opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal…‘I have consistently said that I would oppose any trade deal that does not meet strict labor and environmental standards,’” (Kevin Derby, “Senate Hopeful Patrick Murphy Against TPP Trade Deal,” Sunshine State News, 10/13/13)
…After Issue…
“Murphy, a one-time Republican who represents the Treasure Coast, and the progressive Grayson are expected to tout their differences in the Democratic primary, with Murphy appealing to moderates with his working-across-the-aisle message and Grayson rallying the party’s liberal base. But when it comes to social issues such as abortion the two Democrats shares similar stances.” (Isadora Rangel, “Patrick Murphy And Alan Grayson Find Common Ground On Abortion,” TC Palm, 8/11/15)
…After Issue
“Asked about where he parts with Grayson, Murphy said, ‘The biggest difference between us is style.’” (Kevin Derby, “Alan Grayson, Patrick Murphy Offer Contrasting Styles For Democrats In Senate Race,” Sunshine State News, 10/14/15)