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Clinton Fundraiser Endorses McCain in 'Personal' Decision

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September 17, 2008 6:55 PM

ABC News' Hope Ditto Reports: Top Hillary Clinton fundraiser and member of the Democratic National Committee's Platform Committee Lynn Forester de Rothschild endorsed Republican presidential nominee John McCain on Wednesday.

Speaking to members of the media at the Capitol Hill Club, Rothschild denied that Clinton had any influence over her endorsement decision, stating that the two have not spoken since before the Democratic National Convention in August. Rothschild said her endorsement decision was a personal one and one that came after consideration of the vice presidential picks and convention performances.

"I really think that they [McCain and Palin] will bring the bold, bipartisan, centrist change we need in Washington," said Rothschild.

Rothschild went on to cite specifically McCain's record in the Senate as a primary influence in her decision. She said in such an important election, where economic and foreign policy issues are on the forefront, she considers McCain the best choice.

"John McCain will look for the best solutions to America's problems. He is not an ideologue and he is not beholden to special interests."

Rothschild said she hopes her decision to publicly endorse McCain will give like-minded Democrats the confidence to follow suit.

Though Rothschild said she has not yet met Sarah Palin, she "thinks she is pretty cool," and wants to see a woman in the White House this election cycle. And Rothschild says that Palin's conservative beliefs don't concern her.

"I am pro-choice and I am sick and tired of Democratic party using the choice issue using it as a noose around womens' necks," Rothschild said. "Bush has been president for eight and we still have every right to choose what we do to our bodies."

While the announcement may raise eyebrows, those following Rothschild through the course of the primary are less than shocked by her deference. While still working on Clinton's behalf, Rothschild said of Obama to CNN in July, "frankly I don't like him. I feel like he is an elitist. I feel like he has not given me reason to trust him."

During her tenure as a Clinton fundraiser, Rothschild brought in more than $100,000 for the campaign. A lifelong Democrat, Rothschild served on the DNC's Platform Committee, a position she said on Wednesday that she will now abdicate.

Still, her party loyalty is not lost. Quoting Reagan, Rothschild mimed, "I didn't leave the Democratic party, the Democratic party left me."

And, she is still maintaining some of her liberal mentality. When asked if McCain really invented the Blackberry, Rothschild retorted without hesitation, "No, that was Al Gore."

September 17, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (261)

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Obama fans learn well -- if a person doesn't favor Obama, sling slime! But never, never get around to a real issue. Doing so exposes the shallow one's lack of depth.


Posted by: dl | Sep 17, 2008 7:30:24 PM

Why won't she cooperate?? MAYBE it is because, just as the Democrats claimed when the Republicans were trying to impeach Bill Clinton, that she sees this as a big witch hunt? I would not cooperate either. Once a level of fairness comes into play, then she should cooperate. As long as the panel is being chaired by an avowed Obama supporter, I would not cooperate either.

Posted by: Niko_in_Oakland | Sep 17, 2008 7:31:06 PM

Let's exercise our right to free speech while we still can. Our right to privacy is all but shot, thanks in part to Obama's vote in favor of the government wire-tapping whoever, whenever they want.

Posted by: Patrick | Sep 17, 2008 7:32:16 PM

Just great - another idiotic Clinton supporter joins the ranks. I can't stand Clinton and don't agree with her on anything. I think Ron Paul has got the right idea. When all of these crazies start supporting our candidate, something has got to be wrong with our candidate.

Posted by: 1percenter | Sep 17, 2008 7:32:39 PM


Straight from Obama's mouth: "Let the race-baiting begin!"


Posted by: dl | Sep 17, 2008 7:32:59 PM

If I were still a Democrat (after the primaries I was not) I'd be embarrassed by the nastiness of my party. I would not have thought such liberal people would be so mean, snide and downright abusive to anyone who doesn't go along with their agenda.

I'm one of the many new (formerly democratic) independents.

Posted by: Franconia | Sep 17, 2008 7:36:34 PM

"Once a level of fairness comes into play, then she should cooperate. As long as the panel is being chaired by an avowed Obama supporter, I would not cooperate either."

The moron was saying that there was going to be a big October suprise. Too bad she can't fire him too.

Posted by: Mack | Sep 17, 2008 7:36:35 PM

Never heard of the "Lady", and don't expect to ever hear from her again.:-)


"de Rothschild" doesn't like Obama because he seems like an elitist! LOL

Sounds like she could use a little MORE education, though.

1. It is NOT the Democrats who keep using the "choice issue" as a noose around women's necks". That would be the pro-lifer's.

2. She's not worried about Roe V. Wade being overturned, since it has withstood 8 years of the Bush administration? Well, that is phenomenally stupid. Roe v. Wade has not been overturned because the conservatives do not YET have a bullet-proof majority in the Supreme Court. If McCain/Palin win they will cetainly have the opportunity to stack the court with conservatives for years to come.

An incredibly stupid argument.


Posted by: niccolo m@chiavelli | Sep 17, 2008 7:37:22 PM

"I didn't leave the Democratic party, the Democratic party left me."

Huh?

It was disingenuous when Reagan said it, and an outright lie when Ms. Rothschild uttered it. The policy differences between Obama and Clinton (whom Rothschild favored) are microscopic. It's nonsense for anyone to claim that opting for Obama over Clinton constitutes a change in the party's tenets or prescriptions.

Look, I have no problem with Rothschild or anyone else selecting one candidate over another, and speaking to one's choice. But making up a phony "explanation" such as this is something else entirely. By saying what she did (assuming the quote is accurate), Lynn de Rothschild is either a liar or a stupid person. She's John McCain's problem now.

Posted by: Stendhal | Sep 17, 2008 7:37:32 PM

I hope more and more high profile Dems get on board the Maverick/Reformer ticket....instead of staying in the closet. I'm sure Hill and Bill are going to be voting the McCain/Palin ticket too, so she can run again in 2012.

Posted by: Debra | Sep 17, 2008 7:37:51 PM

Rothschild going to get trashed by the libs, TOO?? Libs are so dumb - they can't figure out why some women DON'T AGREE WITH THE LIB GOBBDLDEGOOK!! "STRONG CONSERVATIVE WOMEN" DO NOT EXIST IN THE LIBERAL MINDSET. As Spock would say: "IT IS NOT RATIONAL." But then rationally is not part of the lib mindset either. Example? "WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT PALIN." Then why did the libs and mainstream media started trashing her within an hour after her address to the Rep Convention? FEAR - NO DOUBT!!!

Posted by: Jimbo | Sep 17, 2008 7:38:39 PM

"WHY ARE THE REPUBS SO IN LOVE WITH THE WEALTHY---I MEAN SUPER WEALTHY"

Do you want to rethink that, Babs?

Posted by: Mack | Sep 17, 2008 7:39:47 PM

Personally, I wish people would be more responsible with their spending and credit. I feel for the people who lose their jobs and have to lose their homes. It's the ones that bought enormous homes and ridiculously expensive SUVs that they couldn't afford-and they knew it- when they lose their homes I don't feel for them.

I am going to school on loans that I will have to pay back. I have a tiny apartment that I can afford and I take the bus. It's not glamourous, but I'm not struggling and stressing, trying to pay things I shouldn't have got in the first place!

Posted by: Roscoe | Sep 17, 2008 7:43:10 PM

Yesterday, lots of bad economic news, lots of people still hurting from Ike and where does Obama wind up last night? Hollywood fund raiser - with all the other crazies. Did he have his teleprompter with him? Rothschild has it right - THE DEMOCRAT PARTY HAS LEFT HER - AND MILLIONS OF OTHERS. I live in OH and many of the guys I work with are long time Dems, BUT NOT IN THIS ELECTION!!

Posted by: Jimbo | Sep 17, 2008 7:48:43 PM

Yeah...the elite turned out last night for a $30,000 a person fundraiser where BO hauled in 10 million (or about a thousand a second) to hear Streisand. Add that to the 66 million BO brought in in August, but heard BO needs 40 million in FL alone to battle McCain (who is ahead there). As usual, Obama spending 3 to 1 overall against McCain. When is he going to get it? Eighty five percent of this country has made up their minds DESPITE THE DEBATES. When this thing is over $800 million will have been flushed down the toilet during financial crisis...is there something wrong with this system or what?
Lynn Forester (Rothschild) has it right. McCain bucks his own party, Bush, is BI PARTISAN and wants the best and brightest in his cabinet...REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, the wealthiest to take only $1 a year. Doesn't care who gets credit....egos aside (doesn't sound much like Obama).
Obama was will to diddle with an early troop withdrawl so as to benefit him....is there anything this guy has done for ANYONE BUT HIMSELF?

Posted by: Debra | Sep 17, 2008 7:49:45 PM

rodney -- you're an idiot !!!

Posted by: dl | Sep 17, 2008 7:52:14 PM

Let's me honest this person voting for her tax benifits to remain the same. She has the right to change her mind,but that is one vote, young people will win this election, because unlike the old folks with limited education, they have a better sense of knowing the McCain/Palin will not do it for them this election. Stop believing in polls, how many of you have been apart of any? Obama is winning, and by the way she made her money the same way McCain did, marry it.

Posted by: ashmaya | Sep 17, 2008 7:52:59 PM

She's exactly right. She is just one of millions who feel screwed over by the DNC. And the more you bash her, the more like her we'll see.

Posted by: Viv | Sep 17, 2008 7:53:07 PM

And Rodney, using all caps makes you look like a child.

Posted by: Viv | Sep 17, 2008 7:54:52 PM

After the way Hillary threw in the towel at the convention, I can understand why her supporters might switch to McCain.

Hillary disgraced herself AND her contributors (like me) by giving up without a fight.

I never thought Hillary Clinton would melt into such a wimp.

Posted by: Rhys | Sep 17, 2008 7:55:09 PM

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