Fifth District Alabama freshman Congressman Parker Griffith’s party switch from Democrat to Republican after less than a year in office leaves Democrats with a 257-178 majority in the House of Representatives.

The GOP’s magic number to retake control is 40 seats, now that Griffith, a retired oncologist, has deemed the Democratic party, “Bad for the country,” adding, “Unfortunately there are those in the Democratic leadership that continue to push an agenda focused on massive spending, tax increases, bailouts, and a health care bill that is bad for our health care system, bad for our patients, and bad for our physicians.”

Griffith had been one of the House’s 52 fiscally conservative so called “Blue Dog” Democrats. Most come from Republican leaning or swing districts where the Obama agenda may be unpopular enough to cost them re-election.

Of the 51 remaining Blue Dogs, less than half, 21, are safe for re-election.

Tune into Special Report with Bret Baier on Fox News Channel at 6pm ET for a full report from Carl Cameron.