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Obama 'More Renewal Than Departure' Says GOPer

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August 12, 2008 12:44 PM

ABC News' Teddy Davis, Hope Ditto, and Rigel Anderson Report: Former Iowa Republican Rep. Jim Leach endorsed Barack Obama on Tuesday, saying that the Illinois senator's platform is rooted in "old American values that are as much a part of the Republican as the Democratic tradition."

"Barack Obama's platform is a call for change," said Leach. "But the change that he so gracefully is articulating is more renewal than departure."

Asked if Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., will be joining "Republicans for Obama," Leach said, "I think we'll wait for Chuck to make that announcement. I just hope that he's considered for [Obama's] Veep."

Leach announced that he was backing the presumptive Democratic nominee while participating in the conference call launch of "Republicans for Obama," a group that is designing a website contrasting the records of the presidential candidates.

Leach was joined on the call by two other Republican opponents of the Iraq war: former Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee and Rita Hauser, a lawyer who served on President George W. Bush's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board and the President's Intelligence Oversight Board.

Chafee, who left the GOP in March so that he could vote for Obama in the Rhode Island Democratic primary, criticized McCain for changing his stance on the Bush tax cuts.

"I served with McCain and we were the only two Republicans to vote against the Bush tax cuts," said Chafee, referring to a Senate vote in 2001. "He says now he would make them permanent. It's a different John McCain."

The former Rhode Island senator also charged that the Bush administration has damaged U.S. credibility on torture, wiretapping, and carbon-dioxide regulation.

Hauser said she wants to see the war in Iraq ended in a responsible way, adding that she fears that McCain would represent a "third Bush term."

"It's difficult to walk away from your nominee but you have to put your country first," said Hauser.

After three decades in Congress, Leach was defeated in 2006 in a major upset by Democrat Dave Loebsack. Following his loss, Leach became a professor at Princeton and then was tapped by Harvard to become the interim director of the Kennedy School of Government after former director Jeanne Shaheen left her post to challenge Sen. John Sununu in New Hampshire.

The McCain campaign responded to Leach's endorsement by urging reporters to ask the former Iowa congressman about Obama's criticism of Leach's financial deregulation bill (Gramm-Leach-Bliley) as a lobbyist-driven deal that contributed to the subprime lending crisis. Leach's measure repealed the Glass-Steagall Act, opening up competition among banks, securities companies, and insurance companies.

During a March interview with Bloomberg's Al Hunt, Obama said the repeal of Glass-Steagall was not well-thought through.

"You had $300 million worth of lobbying done by the financial institutions," said Obama. "They wanted to compete because they were seeing big profits in some of these areas. It wasn't necessarily the best thing to assure that U.S. consumers were protected or that the financial markets remained stable and sound."

Asked if he thinks Glass-Steagall should be restored, Obama said, "Well, no. The argument is not to go back to the regulatory framework of the 1930's because . . . the financial markets have changed substantially."

"The question is," he added, "how do we build new regulatory systems that are flexible, that reflect new realities, that aren't going to put undue constraints on innovation in the financial markets, but nevertheless will encourage the transparency and accountability that we need and will maintain trust between investors and counterparties and the banks so that you don't see what's happening right now, which is a complete lock-up of the credit system. . . ."

August 12, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred, Veepstakes, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (170)

User Comments

Read and weep pumas

Posted by: angie | Aug 12, 2008 12:51:53 PM

mccain's chickens are coming home to ..... (you know the rest)

LOLOLOLOL

Posted by: johnosahon | Aug 12, 2008 12:57:37 PM

Trying to hold onto their jobs. Obama has a more than a cult following. But has a base of scared followers who are much more dangerous

Posted by: SNOBama | Aug 12, 2008 1:02:36 PM

Old McNasty is toast.

More right thinking Republicans are starting to jump the sinking McWar ship.

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Aug 12, 2008 1:07:14 PM

I'm still floored by hot head's words on the David Letterman Show from 2001.

There's no way this guy should be allowed anywhere near the Oval Office.

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 1:08:33 PM

Paul,

Start weeping now because barack Obama will be POTUS.

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Aug 12, 2008 1:10:33 PM

By the way, I agree with that line about renewal.

The change Obama is advocating is changing back from some of the more dangerous developments in recent years to what had been a more reasoned and dare I say it "conservative" foreign policy.

Make no mistake. There's nothing conservative about neo-conservative approaches to the rest of the world.

And also make no mistake about McCain - I didn't realize this until today, but he's one of the neo-cons. He's not the best and brightist of them, and perhaps the other neo-cons were a little more careful about what they told John after his Letterman debacle... but he's one of them.

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 1:12:30 PM

The Repugs are toast.

Electoral College and Senate/House Snapshot today 08/12

PRESIDENT
Obama 289
McCain 249

SENATE
Dems 56
Repugs 44

HOUSE
Dems 241
Repugs 194

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Aug 12, 2008 1:16:01 PM

Mcains own party members are against him and backing obama me being an independent i am really hoping for a obama/hagel ticket!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: angie | Aug 12, 2008 1:19:28 PM

Angie - I don't think it will happen. I like Hagel a lot, but Obama would have a lot of problems with Hagel on the ticket.

Outside of Iraq and standing up to neo-con stupidity with regard to foreign affairs, Hagel is from the other party for a reason. He differs from Obama on a number of issues.

McCain will have the same problems if he picks Lieberman, who despite basically being a neo-con, was a Democrat for a reason. But then Lieberman can change and McCain/Lieberman could market itself as the all flip flops all the time ticket.

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 1:25:22 PM

Meanwhile McCain has the endorsement of Lieberman, a guy who actually was on the presidential ticket in 2000! That TRUMPS this by a long shot.

Also, Jerome Corsi's new book on Obama (the REAL Obama) is #1 on NYT.

Love it! Read it and weep Obamabots.

Posted by: Jo | Aug 12, 2008 1:28:16 PM

Jake,

The title of this story hides the fact that "Republicans are jumping ship".

Why dont't you just title it "Republicans for Obama".

I am amazed at how much you will do to be biased in favor of your media darling McSame.

I am sure if it were against Obama or Clinton, the headline would be screaming.

Talk about fairness and objectivity.

Jake are you still writing from the Kremblin?

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Aug 12, 2008 1:29:13 PM

Yobama and Revend Wright will be sent back to South Chicago in November.

Posted by: Larry | Aug 12, 2008 1:30:45 PM

Paul
Hagel is more in sync with obama i think that would make a great ticket hagel brings foreign policy experience besides he is one of the good repubs so to say as far as liberman he would be good for mccain everyone knows hes out to destoy the dems he was never a democrat more like a repub spy

Posted by: angie | Aug 12, 2008 1:31:12 PM

The American people aren't a cult. The american people support Obama. Anybody who calls the American people a cult either doesn't understand America or doesn't belong in this country. anti american idiots.

Posted by: John92 | Aug 12, 2008 1:32:53 PM

Yeah, but Jo, your candidate is nuts.

He gave away the Iraq attack plans in October 2001, on the David Letterman show no less. And he also gave away that the neo-cons were likely to generate an artificial rationale for invading Iraq. The one McCain floated was that Iraq may have been behind the anthrax attacks.

The only thing was, no one listened to McCain back then. Now, when he may be an election day away from the Oval Office, people are starting to wonder who this guy really is.

And what they're finding is pretty eye-opening.

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 1:33:20 PM

LARRY
Mcain come november can go retire and get the medical treatment he needs one can cleary see dementia and althimzers are setting in!!!

Posted by: angie | Aug 12, 2008 1:33:46 PM

The NEOCONSERVATIVE AGENDA is a fundamental departure of the values that our country is based upon. Proponents, defenders and enablers of this warped philosophy drape themselves in the American flag while casting aspersions on those who dare critique their Faux Patriotism and the belligerent destruction of the cohesion of the World community. One need only look at the history of the 3rd Reich for evidence of similar mindset.

Posted by: Christopher London | Aug 12, 2008 1:35:08 PM

"It's difficult to walk away from your nominee but you have to put your country first," said Hauser."

Not ideology. Not religion, Not Party. When you accuse more than half of Americans of being traitors and terrorist sympathizers. When you ask government job applicants what it is that they like about George Bush (fearless leader) that makes them want to serve HIM, then you have a problem.

Watch more, un-indicted Republicans back Obama.

Posted by: thebob.bob | Aug 12, 2008 1:37:29 PM

Unbelievable. Come on, Jim, WHAT are you thinking???? If you're even thinking at all!!! Undefined "change" is NOT a good thing. Calls for "unity" can disguise supression of individual viewpoints for the sake of "the party" or "the nation" or "the vision."
What makes anyone think bringing the Chicago machine to DC is a good idea?

Posted by: dahozho | Aug 12, 2008 1:37:41 PM

The NEOCONSERVATIVE AGENDA is a fundamental departure of the values that our country is based upon. Proponents, defenders and enablers of this warped philosophy drape themselves in the American flag while casting aspersions on those who dare critique their Faux Patriotism and the belligerent destruction of the cohesion of the World community. One need only look at the history of the 3rd Reich for evidence of similar mindset. At least some Republicans see the inherent wisdom of turning away from a group of extremists who have hijacked their party.

Posted by: Christopher London | Aug 12, 2008 1:38:20 PM

By the way, the McCain campaign can't even follow Cliff Notes very well.

When it plagiarized Wikipedia to sound authoritative about Georgia, it summarized a couple paragraphs (others it took word for word) and introduced a couple historical mistakes.

McCain said Georgia was an ancient country. It isn't.

McCain said Georgia was one of the first countries to adopt Christianity as an official religion. It wasn't.

What Wikipedia clearly says, though seemingly beyond the comprehension abilities of the McCain campaign, is that Georgia was formed from the lands of several ancient tribal nations, one of which - Iberia - was among the first to adopt Christianity as an official religion.

John McCain - the best foreign policy experience that can be read from Wikipedia... well, almost.

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 1:40:48 PM

Ah yes Steve, the DEMONcrats do control Congress now, with its almighty approval rating. And good ol' Pelosi refusing to go along with what 70% of the country wants to do really boosts their chances. And yes, republicans are leaving McCain, along with the 28% of DEMONcrats who left for McCain after Hillary dropped.

Wake up and crawl out of your holes and read news from more than 1 media source!!!!

Posted by: J-dub | Aug 12, 2008 1:43:34 PM

A very few weak 'Republicans' are jumping ship - however, how 'Republican' were they ever. Really when push comes to shove turning themselves into Demobamabots just makes it 'legal' as they say.

Posted by: Reta | Aug 12, 2008 1:43:49 PM

Leach was a sell out and back stabber to the GOP.

After redistricting he moved to Iowa City with its left leaning Univ of Iowa to get reelected.

But as Chafee found out, the Dems are happy to have Republican Benedict Arnolds but will throw them to the wolves if they have a chance to put in their own.

Leach may also resent the fact that after he lost he wasn't offered a position in the Administration.

Posted by: True Observer | Aug 12, 2008 1:45:41 PM

Jo,

McCain's endorsement by Lieberman is one of the best things that can happen to Obama. Whiney Joe Lieberman and Lindsay Graham have their heads so far up McCain that the old man doesn't need to have a colonoscopy.

Bush/Cheney/McCain - NO MORE YEARS!!!!

Posted by: SteveCA | Aug 12, 2008 1:49:24 PM

I do not see anything in Obama's speaches or his voting record leading me to believe his platform is rooted in "old American Values". Frankly he scares me, not saying McCain would be my ultimate choice but is better than the alternative. Time will tell, just wish we could find someone who does have those "old American Values" we have strayed far from them, wonder sometimes how many really understand what those values are or what they mean.

Posted by: ALCEDO | Aug 12, 2008 1:49:37 PM

Examining Obama's reaction and comments to the Russian incursion and comparing them to McCain's comments and actions, it is clearly obvious that Senator Obama is totally unprepared for serious and dangerous world events like the situation in Georgia. And on national TV just this morning, when confronted with Obama's totally inadequate response, one of Obama's main supporters chided the commentator and stated that foreign policy should not be used as a political point. What exactly has Mr Obama been doing all this time regarding Iraq and Afghanistan if not using foreign policy as a political point? Obama simply can't have it both ways. Obama is simply un prepared to lead the free world in foreign policy. Obama is inexperiencd, clear and simple! Obama has clearly demonstrated that he is totally unprepared for the complex world of foreign policy! Russia's Putin to Obama - "NO YOU CAN'T!"
Visit this website and take a careful look and see more clear proof, in Obama's own words, that Obama is not ready for Prime Time dangerous Foreign Policy. http://www.harvybing.com The world is simply too dangerous to vote according to what's chic at the momemet. It may be considered to be "In Vogue" and "Fashionable" to be an Obama supporter, but unfortunately the dangerous people in this world aren't swayed by fashion statements.
Marie Antionette was unprepared to address the severe economic situation facing her countrymen. When confronted by mass starvation she said, "Let Them Eat Cake". In like fashion Obama, when confronted by his countrymen, who are suffering under high gas prices and who now can't afford to feed and house and educate their children indicated, "Let Them Inflate Their Tires" as a solution to High Gas Prices and the US dependency upon foreign oil. Obama is out of touch pure and simple. He is an elitist who has no common man experience.
Unfortunately the dangerous situation of world politics won't allow the American People to enjoy "On The Job Training" for our next president. On The Job Training Doesn't work for Presidential employees. It simply doesn't work in a dangerous world like we face today.
To hear even more serious Obama mis statements in Obama's own words regarding the security of the United States, visit http://www.harvybing.com

Posted by: Gerald-D | Aug 12, 2008 1:50:22 PM

John McCain gets his foreign policy experience from WIKIPEDIA ? I didn't know that.

Posted by: Ron | Aug 12, 2008 1:50:38 PM

Quick -who was the only Republican Congressperson to vote against Bush tax cuts? Mr. global citizen Leach.

Posted by: geevill | Aug 12, 2008 1:51:27 PM

Dumb misleading headline. Why not just say "GOPer endorses Obama"???

Posted by: HonestAbe | Aug 12, 2008 1:52:17 PM

"John McCain gets his foreign policy experience from WIKIPEDIA ? I didn't know that"

Obama supporters claimed McCain doesn't know how to access the internet. Another flip -flop by the Obamabots?

Posted by: geevill | Aug 12, 2008 1:52:53 PM

obaama does not even know how many states are in the union or how to compare the cost of oil with the cost of air - he is fundamentally marxist and quite the idiot - any voting or even endorsing him quite likely is as well

Posted by: whocares | Aug 12, 2008 1:53:09 PM

"It's difficult to walk away from your nominee but you have to put your country first," said Hauser.

This does not put the country first unless selling it out is what is 'first'.

Posted by: nobodycares | Aug 12, 2008 1:55:26 PM

Ron - "John McCain gets his foreign policy experience from WIKIPEDIA? I didn't know that."

Ron, McCain was caught plagiarizing from Wikipedia in his statement about Georgia yesterday.

Geevill - not a flip flop; just a new development ;)

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 1:56:37 PM

McCain keeps bragging that he knows how to win wars. He only fought in one, and by his own words he,"was tied up". So how does he know how to fight wars.

Posted by: gpabud | Aug 12, 2008 1:58:21 PM

J-dud,

I guess the only news you want us to read is Faux News.

Here is more for you.

CNN POLL OF POLLS
(Weighted Average of polls from AP-IPSOS,CBS,Gallup,USA Today, Pew, CNN/ORC)

Guess who is allways on top in this Politcal bed.

08/08
Obama 46
McCain 41

08/06
Obama 46
McCain 41

08/04
Obama 48
McCain 43

08/01
Obama 47
McCain 44

07/30
Obama 48
McCain 43

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Aug 12, 2008 1:58:52 PM

Obama shows his usual intelligence and inexperience in his talk about Georgia and Russia. " I think we need to get the UN involved". Wow what a brilliant mind. Then as usual after his advisors tell him what he should of said, then he changes his tune again. Can this idiot ever think for himself? What a scarry thought, this moron running our country. Everybody knows the Democratic party has been hi-jacked by the far left and Obama is as far left as you can get, even though he is trying to lie to Americans that he isn't. Just look at his pathetic record in the Senate. He did nothing but try to pass an inhumane law to kill alive new born babies. Obama , crawl pack under the slimey rock you came from and take Nancy Pelosi with you. Read the new book " The Obama Nation" to find out all the real truths about him and you will cringe.

Posted by: julie holycross | Aug 12, 2008 1:59:00 PM

Gerald: "Examining Obama's reaction and comments to the Russian incursion and comparing them to McCain's comments and actions, it is clearly obvious that Senator Obama is totally unprepared for serious and dangerous world events like the situation in Georgia."

I thought Obama's comments were pretty good; measured and thoughtful, and consistent with what a candidate ought to say about a dynamic crisis changing by the hour (remembering we only have one president at a time).

But I can see where others were hoping for the fire and brimstone hallow threats against Russia, such as issued by cold-warrior wannabe John McCain... with a little help from Wikipedia.

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 2:01:28 PM

I am very disappointed in Jim Leach. He has become was he warned about in his youth when he was in his third term as an Iowa Congressman: Washington insiders do not listen to the people and are the problem. This is what Jim Leach has become after 30 years of politics. He has lost his base and his foundation of what made him so beloved and successful as a Congressman representing Iowa. His endorsement of Obama shows that he is more into pleasing his new audience at Harvard and the Ivy League liberal elites, than he is remembering the working people of Iowa.

Posted by: Mitch | Aug 12, 2008 2:03:46 PM

Anyone that leaves for Obama was never truly a Repub.

Nobody can go from being pro-life to supporting a candidate that fully supports partial birth abortion...

Posted by: JT | Aug 12, 2008 2:05:09 PM

Gerald-D,
We live in such a dangerous world? Are you worried about Georgia expanding its borders even more and colonizing the U.S.? And what did your "Fearless Leader" do about the situation over there, oh , yeah that's right, he cheered on Michael Phelps in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay. You listen to too much Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly. Loser.

Posted by: MarkyMark | Aug 12, 2008 2:05:51 PM

FORMER

Posted by: RealDemocrat | Aug 12, 2008 2:05:53 PM

geeevil
Get your facts straight mccain even admitted he doesnt know how to use a computer

Posted by: angie | Aug 12, 2008 2:06:02 PM

John McCain's non-Wikipedia draft on the Georgia situation:

"Dagnabit, I don't care who started it! I'm American and all true Americans hate them Soviets... er, I mean, Ruskies! Besides, my advisors (when not working directly for Georgia as lobbyists) tell me Georgia is pure as the driven snow. Forget Iran - we need to bomb Russia! Besides, I hear they were behind the anthrax attacks."

And an aide replies:

"Uh, senator, maybe we ought to go with the Wikipedia version."

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 2:07:02 PM

Well lets see. Until this year the economy has been relatively good. Oh that's right during the spring of the last presidential election cycle it got bad until elections were over too.

So (barring anomalies with the economy that occur during election years and magically fix themselves afterwards) we recovered pretty well and have had a good economy since the market crashes and economic issues of 2000 and 2001.

Class warfare aside I think that the tax cuts did stimulate the economy.

Posted by: Cryos | Aug 12, 2008 2:07:52 PM

Everyone needs to read the Obama Nation by Corsi. If one third of what is in this book turns out to come to pass, Obama will be one of the worst disasters to ever occupy the the White House, and reek havoc on the middle class way of life in this country. Lets stop kidding ourselves, a big majority of people chosing Obama are voting for him simply because he is black. It matters not that this man will be the greatest presidential disaster to the greatest nation on earth since Mr. Carter, nor what his stance on so many issues really is. Its hard to tell because his stance depends on what time of day it is. Wake up America!!!

Posted by: toto2 | Aug 12, 2008 2:10:24 PM

"Anyone that leaves for Obama was never truly a Repub.

Nobody can go from being pro-life to supporting a candidate that fully supports partial birth abortion..."

I would disagree with this for some people since abortion is more of a wedge issue.

I would assert that mostly only neo-con republicans could go to supporting a democratic candidate. Basic conservative principles like small government, low taxes and low spending (neo-cons are masquerading as conservatives they are not conservatives) could not in their right mind vote for Obama who supports big government, high taxes and high spending.

Posted by: Cryos | Aug 12, 2008 2:11:00 PM

It must have been a difficult decision to cross party lines and endorse Senator Obama. Our country has been torn apart by wedge politics as well as the vitriolic drumbeat of lies and distortion pounded by hate radio and the Fox comedy channel. I hope this effort by this small number of Republicans to reach across the divide can turn into a movement where politicians think of themselves as Americans first and members of their parties second.

Posted by: Saxxon Domela | Aug 12, 2008 2:11:48 PM

It's just the "OP" these days, nothing "Grand" about it.

I happen to be a proud independent. That means I think for myself, and I'm not afraid to say so.

Posted by: James Hovland | Aug 12, 2008 2:12:52 PM

Hurray for Jim Leach! I always liked his honest and pragmatic approach. Too bad he lost by getting associated with the Republican party when he rejected its worst elements. We are proud in his former Congressional district.

Posted by: Tony | Aug 12, 2008 2:13:16 PM

Leach and Chafee voted against the tax cuts. Nothing more than opportunist RINOs like Huffington.

Posted by: geevill | Aug 12, 2008 2:13:44 PM

Steve - actually I just chuckle when they keep bringing that up. As an aside, I think Obama did say 57 states, but it seemed like he started to say 50, then remembered we hadn't had three primaries yet, and instead of 47 it came out 57. But it is funny to see Obama bashers keep coming back to that one.

McCain confuses shia and sunni (three times).

Oh yeah, well Obama said 57 states!

McCain says at least twice that Iran is supporting al Qadea.

Oh yeah, well Obama said 57 states!

McCain at least three times referred to Czechoslavakia in a current sense.

Oh yeah, well Obama said 57 states!

McCain says al Qaeda will take over Iraq after we leave.

Oh yeah, well Obama said 57 states!

McCain references the Iraq-Pakistan border.

Oh yeah, well Obama said 57 states!

McCain talks about how well he knows the Georgian president, yet can't pronounce his name.

Oh yeah, well Obama said 57 states!

McCain accuses Iraq of the anthrax attacks here in the U.S.

Oh yeah, well Obama said 57 states!

McCain gets caught plagiarizing Wikipedia while trying to bolster his supposed vast foreign policy knowledge.

Oh yeah, well Obama said 57 states!

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 2:14:54 PM

...... What a scarry thought, this moron running our country ......

Posted by: julie holycross | Aug 12, 2008 1:59:00 PM

====================

Poor Julie.

FYI, we already have a MORON running our country. His name is George W. Bush. He is supported by the oxymoron Cheney.

We don't need another moron John McCain to take over.

It is time to get some smarts back into the While House. Where is Bill Clinton for crying out loud.

Well, Barack Obama will do it.

I can't wait for the inauguration in Jan '09.

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Aug 12, 2008 2:16:31 PM

So there's some Republicans coming over to Obama ... then there's a bunch of women showing interest in McCain's Family Values:

http://www.womenforjohnmccain.com/?page_id=16

Posted by: Martine | Aug 12, 2008 2:17:17 PM

"It must have been a difficult decision to cross party lines and endorse Senator Obama. Our country has been torn apart by wedge politics as well as the vitriolic drumbeat of lies and distortion pounded by hate radio and the Fox comedy channel. I hope this effort by this small number of Republicans to reach across the divide can turn into a movement where politicians think of themselves as Americans first and members of their parties second.


Yes. That is why million sof us CLinton voters are crossing party lines to vote McCain in November.

Posted by: geevill | Aug 12, 2008 2:18:28 PM

John McCain and his campaign have had their feathers ruffled in recent weeks because of his incorrect statements about world geography and foreign policy so they obviously made an effort to do their homework on the situation in Georgia in order to showcase McCain's foreign policy expertise and get a leg up on Obama. Unfortunately, his information was not from his experience but from a Wikipedia entry. Talk about shooting oneself in the foot! McCain's leadership skills as reflected in the caliber of his campaign are bush league. He's not presidential material.

Posted by: JTC | Aug 12, 2008 2:18:39 PM

You are dreaming if you think Repub. are going to desert their party for Obama. It is the other way around. Many , many Dems are backing Mccain for all the obvious reasons. You have to be an American first before a certain party. Most Dems realize that Obama is a complete joke. And as for the Senate , Congress and House don't count on the Dems winning there either. Americans want American oil not foriegn oil. Obama and Pelosi think they have this worked out telling their people with seats open this nov. to say they want drilling just to get re-elected again. They have no intention of EVER allowing drilling off our land. They want to keep us dependent on foriegn oil. So all the Dems up for election have to go, so we can become energy independent and also remove Pelosi . That witch needs to GO. America , don't fall for their lies!!!

Posted by: jewels | Aug 12, 2008 2:19:49 PM

geevill - yeah, but you guys are doing it out of spite and disappointment your candidate didn't get the nomination, rather than out of consideration for American foreign policy.

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 2:20:30 PM

All the Obama naysayers will be jumping on the bandwagon in 2012. Obama is going to do a great job... and nobody is going to even remember voting for McCain.

Posted by: Blip | Aug 12, 2008 2:21:20 PM

Says Pual.

Posted by: geevill | Aug 12, 2008 2:21:34 PM

To JT: Some people actually vote the BIG PICTURE and not simply one issue. No one is ever going to find a candidate with whom they agree 100%. And not every Repug is against abortion. So you object to abortion but have no compunction about allowing McSame continue the war in Iraq that has killed thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians, including women and children. Or is that okay because they aren't American children?

Besides, if you are a male (which I suspect) you should have no say in this matter. Women's reproductive rights are the purvey of women, not men who use them as method to control women.

Posted by: catpurrson | Aug 12, 2008 2:21:40 PM

This needs to be posted every so often. Its a transcript from October 18, 2001 - John McCain on the David Letterman show.

LETTERMAN: How are things going in Afghanistan now?

MCCAIN: "I think we're doing fine... I think we'll do fine. The second phase -- if I could just make one, very quickly -- the second phase is Iraq. There is some indication, and I don't have the conclusions, but some of this anthrax may -- and I emphasize may -- have come from Iraq."

LETTERMAN: "Oh is that right?"

MCCAIN: "If that should be the case, that's when some tough decisions are gonna have to be made."

Think about that for a moment, and let it sink in.

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 2:23:54 PM

45 out of the 57 states will vote for Obama.

Posted by: pt | Aug 12, 2008 2:28:35 PM

I am a Republican. I will be voting for a Democrat for the first time in my life and you know what? I am proud to do so. I am ashamed of my party.

Posted by: Jane | Aug 12, 2008 2:29:12 PM

I am a Republican. I will be voting for a Democrat for the first time in my life and you know what? I am proud to do so. I am ashamed of my party.

Posted by: Jane | Aug 12, 2008 2:29:13 PM

I can see neo-cons everywhere shouting at their TVs that night: "Who let that idiot in the club?!!"

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 2:29:30 PM

Jim Leach's district in Iowa consisted mostly of Johnson County which by all accounts is the most (Latte) Liberal county in all of Iowa, if not the country. I should know since I was a student at the University of Iowa for 4 years and walked past his office quite frequently. Leach is basically a Democrat in Republican clothing. It doesn't surprise me one bit he would support Obama.

Posted by: borrowedladder28 | Aug 12, 2008 2:30:00 PM

Note how McCain can't even build a coherent argument for Letterman.

First he says the second phase is Iraq.

Sounds to me like the decision is made. He didn't say we have some indication Iraq may have been involved... or that armed conflict with Iraq may be necessary... He flatly says the second phase is Iraq.

Then he backtracks to finding a rationale. McCain claims Iraq may have been behind the anthrax attacks, and if so, that will force some serious decisions.

Senator McCain, more serious than the decision to make Iraq a second phase of the war?

And again, this was October 2001.

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 2:33:29 PM

give it up martine polls have shown obama leading very heavily with woman voters as well as having 85 percent of hillary woman supporters as well as most if not all of the hispanic support can you say PRESIDENT OBAMA!!! and i cant belive some woman hillary supporters would vote for a man that laughed when someone called hillary the b word and a man that joked about her daughter being ugly real respect for hillary and her daughter those supporters have!!

Posted by: angie | Aug 12, 2008 2:35:10 PM

In a way, this kind of stuff disgusts me.

On one hand, it's nice to see at least a few Repukes have enough sanity and concern for their country to try putting the brakes on the Fascist NeoNazi wing of their now far-far-far-far-right party.

But on the other hand, it's kind of annoying that the two choices in this country are the afformentioned ConservoNazis, and the "right of center" democrats who claim to be an opposition party. In 2006, Democrats were given an unprecedented victory built on the premise of opposing Bush and impeaching him and his illegal and illigitimate junta.

However, all we've seen is capitulation after capitulation by Reid and Nancy "impeachment is off the table" Pelosi. So in other words... no matter how much illegality and fraud is perpetrated by Republicans, the Democrats are going to stick to their historic role of looking the other way and forgiving/forgetting all the crimes of Republicans.

The recent FISA capitulation (Bush/Telcom illegality immunity bill) was the last straw. Obusha could have easily lead a charge against it... but he didn't. In fact, he voted FOR it. Because of that, he lost my vote now and forever. I now regret even voting for him for senate.

Posted by: JSG | Aug 12, 2008 2:35:18 PM

Guessing none of the McCain supporters will want to discuss this, though.

Posted by: Paul | Aug 12, 2008 2:35:38 PM

Paul
Of course they wont discuss it when you start stating facts they run, Then they come back with rush limbaugh and fox news lies about obama!!

Posted by: angie | Aug 12, 2008 2:41:29 PM

Apostasyusa...Obama's interview with CNN: Ending Bush's tax cut, raising FICA tax cap, middle income to receive tax rebates( what is middle-income hasn't said yet) and low-income tax payers to pay no taxes (42,000. that's not low-income, that's poverty) increase the 15% capital gains tax rate to 25% that a 60% increase you think employment levels are bad now wait until business gets hit harder with increase tax rates; raise the dividends tax, there goes the stock market, pension funds and anyone who supplements their income, such as retirees, with their stock holdings; wind fall profit tax on oil companies, anyone with good sense knows that this increase will be passed on to consumers at the pumps..tax tax tax.....those are just some of the taxes you can expect to see increase...Me I don't care,I don't have a dog in this fight, but I am expecting Obama to win therefore I am rearranging my personal assets; such as, selling what stock I do own, lowering my working hours/overtime to get under that "higher income cut-off." The funny part about it is...Dems think Repubs will be paying for all these taxes and social programs, don't bet on it..On that faithful day when the White House changes hands you will hear a loud suction sound coming from Wall Street that will be sell-offs and pension funds sinking even further...Those are the facts

Posted by: REPUB | Aug 12, 2008 2:41:48 PM

"Our country has been torn apart by wedge politics as well as the vitriolic drumbeat of lies and distortion pounded by hate radio and the Fox comedy channel."

It is too bad for moderate democrats that they didn't listen to "hate radio and the Fox comedy channel" They would have been exposed to some of the realities of Obama months before the primaries happened instead of afterwards when it was too late to realize they voted for the wrong person and were cheated.

Personally I like listening to all different viewpoints including ones I don't agree with. I go to very liberal and conservative sources as well as ones middle of the road. I prefer to hear several sides and make my own opinion.

I've heard many liberals propose to ban or get rid of fox news and talk radio. Wouldn't this be the definition of violating freedom of speech? I thought that liberals supported freedom of speech heavily and didn't believe in violating it even if you don't agree with the opinion?

Posted by: Cryos | Aug 12, 2008 2:46:15 PM

As a former Republican voter, I think it's important for self-identifying Republicans everywhere to really evaluate both the candidates and their party's actions in the past several years to see if the Republican party has left them behind.

Obama's proposals are much more mature and well-thought out than his opponent. The Republican party has lost its way, and I, for one, am turning to the only party that has a way to move forward.

Doesn't mean we all have to change our registrations though!

Posted by: Catherine | Aug 12, 2008 2:49:00 PM

Now that's what I call UNITY.

Posted by: John Powalski | Aug 12, 2008 2:54:01 PM

Can Obama be that stupid about foreign policy? Obama has called for the UN Security Council to pass a resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Georgia. Is Obama ignorant of the fact that Russia has veto power on the UN Security Council and would thus veto any resolution condemning itself. Obama is so stupid about foreign policy that one wonders how in the h## the Democrats nominated Obama in the first place. Dumb and dumber would best describe the people in the the Democratic Party who voted for Obama. Just hope when it comes to the Presidential election people are not dumb enough to vote for probably one of the most stupid Presidential candidates ever in the history of the US.

Posted by: Mary | Aug 12, 2008 2:56:03 PM

If you’re an independent, moderate or conservative on the fence about whether to vote for McCain or Obama, here’s a helpful guide:
It’s unlikely you’ll vote for Obama if you….
1. aren’t a news anchor.
2. read the New York Times for pretty much the same reason the NSA monitors radio transmissions.
3. automatically conclude that the person laughing in the car next to you must be listening to Rush. Or maybe Obama off teleprompter.
4. dislocated your shoulder trying to explain Obama’s position on Iraq to co-workers.