Koster’s switch: Principles or politics?

by J Scott Christianson, Columbia Daily Tribune Columnist

For most politicians, switching political parties can only be done once in a career. We voters can easily move back and forth between parties as times change, but there is no going back for an officeholder. The deserted party simply doesn’t want the traitor back, no matter what the cost.

Last week, Harrisonville Sen. Chris Koster made a dramatic switch to the Missouri Democratic Party, surprising members of both parties with his courageous move — a move no doubt driven mainly…