Wisconsin GOP Official Denounces McCain RoboCalls,Endorses Obama

[democracy1st]

"All of us should be extremely wary of the half truths and outright untruths that have been spread by the recent negative campaigning and shameful automated phone calls," said Barbara Lorman of Fort Atkinson. "While my admiration for Senator Obama has grown with his positive approach to addressing the challenges facing our nation, my disappointment with the McCain campaigned has deepened. The negative tactics are inappropriate, downright dishonorable and have no place in the State of Wisconsin."

In issuing her statement, Lorman became the latest in a growing line of GOP officials who have publicly denounced the recent tone and tactics of the McCain camp. In recent days, Sens. Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe and Norm Coleman, as well as former Secretary of State Colin Powell, have all been highly critical of the Arizona Republican's efforts to tie Barack Obama to former Weather Underground member Bill Ayers. Lorman is not, obviously, of the same national stature as these other officials. But her place in Wisconsin politics makes her an influential voice in an important swing state.

The fact that she is a lifelong Republican -- she left the Senate in 1994 and, until recently, was the longest woman serving senator in Wisconsin history -- now crossing party lines is also of interest.

"I'm a lifelong Republican, but Senator Obama is the right leader for our country and will deliver the change we need," Lorman said in a statement released by the state's Democratic Party. "After taking a careful look at the qualities of both McCain and Obama and who would be best for our country, I found that Senator Obama's ability to bridge the partisan divide to work toward solid solutions that will get our nation back on the right track meant he is the right choice this November."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/21/wisconsin-gop-official-de_n_136573.html

[featherman]

1. Greaat story

[BrklynLiberal]

2. That is pretty impressive. It is awesome how many folks are crossing party lines to endorse Obama.

I wonder if this has ever happened to this extent before in a Presidential election.

[quiet.american]

9. Obama is so amazing, if he were a Republican, I would...gasp... vote for him. :) nt

[FatDave]

11. Reagan Democrats?

I'm not sure if party officials crossed over, I was pretty young at the time. Probably did though. Reagan was a huge deal (a huge deal I never got).

[rebel with a cause]

15. Reagan had great PR and the MSM behind him.

I fell for it hook line and sinker. Had two young kids and no time to read up on what was happening. Didn't know until years later the dirty stuff Ronnie pulled in the Iran hostage deal to get the election. It took the Iran-Contra thing and bush senior to push me over the edge to the Democratic party. "No new taxes!"

[goclark]

20. Bet more are crossing for Obama in that voting booth

They know it is not in America's best interest to have a Finished Fool in the WH. They already had one of those for 8 years.

[CakeGrrl]

22. Yep, the 'Reverse Bradley'

The MSM is so hot to try to make the Bradley Effect happen, but they won't talk about what I think makes more sense this time around: that there are plenty of people who won't publicly say they'll vote for Obama, whether it's because of political or racist peer pressure, but know that a vote for him makes much more sense to protect their own financial or employment interests.

[FrenchieCat]

3. Keep 'em coming! They know they want to.

[Phredicles]

4. This election is shaping up to be a matter of people with integrity vs.

people without.

[Connonym]

8. also intelligence and lack thereof

Mediocre isn't what we need in a president or a VP and it's really disgusting that so many people seem to feel that the president should be just like them. The position requires an extraordinary person and anyone who doesn't get that is clearly suffering from psychotic delusions.

[tblue]

5. This is like the Crane Kick at the end of The Karate Kid.

Mr. Miyagi tells Daniel, "If do right, no can defense."

[firedupdem]

6. Great! People know what this country needs! n/t

[HughMoran]

7. Wow!

Republicans that do the right thing always surprise me.

[Omnibus]

10. Republicans that do the right thing surprise me too.

Isn't that sad?

The only reason we expect them to be evil, amoral scum is that that opinion is being constantly reinforced by their behavior.

Here's hoping BO&JB can change the tone...

[FatDave]

12. So who has McCain got left at this point?

He's got the crazy fundies, but they're only with him for Palin. Everybody else, even in his party, seems to be jumping ship.

[CreekDog]

13. Doesn't matter

they'll just have to find a racist in PA to offset it. :sarcasm:

[Hippo_Tron]

14. Far more Republicans jumping ship than Democrats were at the height of GOP popularity

[barack the house]

16. Ultimately their support for McCain was also a regret about 2000 and>

the treatment he got from Bush. With McCain doing this on principle they can only support the other guy.

[genna]

17. This makes me think about Lieberman. HOW

can he feel good about this election season when he threw over any remaining Democratic party affiliation by throwing Obama's name around so nastily.

WHERE is Joe going to go from here.

[gordianot]

21. I can think of a few places for him to go.

[No Elephants]

18. You mean, one of them is intellient, sane AND honest? Quick! Freeze her eggs!

[elkston]

19. I'd like to know where Christine Todd Whitman stands on all this.