Obamacans: Prominent Republicans Line Up Behind Obama

[Big Dakota]

October 24, 2008, 11:49 am
Obamacans: Prominent Republicans Line Up Behind Obama


Susan Davis reports on the presidential race.
Since Colin Powell crossed party lines to endorse Barack Obama last Sunday, a steady stream of prominent Republicans have endorsed the Illinois senator over rival John McCain.
Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld is endorsing Obama today at a press conference in Salem, N.H. Weld was a public supporter of Mitt Romney in the Republican primaries. In a statement, Weld called Obama a “once-in-a-lifetime candidate who will transform our politics and restore America’s standing in the world.”
On Thursday, former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson endorsed Obama at the state capitol. “I think we have in Barack Obama the clear possibility of a truly great president,” he said. “I would contend that it’s the most important election of my lifetime.”
Scott McClellan, a former spokesman for President George W. Bush, also endorsed Obama Thursday. USA Today reported that McClellan told CNN in a taping to be aired this weekend that Obama has “the best chance of changing the way Washington works.”
Ken Adelman, a prominent conservative on foreign policy matters announced his support for Obama on Tuesday, telling the New Yorker that his decision was based on temperament and judgment.
Adelman called McCain “impetuous, inconsistent, and imprudent; ending up just plain weird” in his handling of the U.S. economic crisis. He also was unsettled by McCain’s choice of running mate. “Not only is Sarah Palin not close to being acceptable in high office—I would not have hired her for even a mid-level post in the arms-control agency,” Adelman wrote.
UPDATE: Add Charles Fried, a Harvard Law professor and former Solicitor General in the Reagan administration, to the list of Republicans supporting Obama. Fried’s vote for the Democratic ticket is particularly harsh, as he was associated with the McCain campaign. Fried voted absentee for Obama this week, and informed McCain campaign general counsel Trevor Potter of his decision in a letter where he stated he could not support McCain in large part because of his selection of Palin as his running mate.
*To find out which newspapers are backing the presidential rivals, check out WSJ’s “Who Endorsed McCain?” and “Who Endorsed Obama?” pages.

[Danny White]

[Rogah]

Colin Powell: Certainly a prominent leader and prominent Republican who has endorsed Obama. Powell could have made a serious run for the Presidency himself had he wanted to. Arguably Obama's most important endorsement - except for Oprah, of course

Bill Weld: This is the guy who's nomination for Ambassador was sabotaged (Borked?) by his own party. So I wouldn't consider him a "prominent" member.

Scott McClellan: Not terribly surprising after his book, which was quite critical of the Bush administration. He's sort of the Dick Morris of the Bush administration only, hopefully, without the solicitation of prostitutes. There are those who may feel the word "turncoat" applies (to both those individuals).

Arne Carlson, Ken Adelman, Charles Fried: Gotta be honest with ya... never heard of any of 'em.

[Cajuncowboy]

Charles Krauthammer said it best...

"These are people who are now lining up to make sure they don't miss out on the big parties and state dinners if Obama wins." (Paraphrased)

[CanadianCowboysFan]

perhaps but why is it when a Democrat supports the Republicans, he is a man of principle (even if it just because he only cares about Israel) but the Republicans that support a Democrat are only in it for themselves?

[Beast_from_East]

Republicans can read polls just like the rest of us.

They smell Loser-dom.

Time to flock to the winner, Cajun makes a good point about that. If it was Obama that was fixing to go down to certain defeat, do you think these guys would still be endorsing Obama???

Outside of Powell, I dont think so.

[Maikeru-sama]

Besides Colin Powell, I don't know who any of these guys are.

[Cajuncowboy]

Originally Posted by Beast_from_East

Outside of Powell, I dont think so.

You are absolutely right about that.

[Danny White]

Originally Posted by Beast_from_East

Time to flock to the winner, Cajun makes a good point about that. If it was Obama that was fixing to go down to certain defeat, do you think these guys would still be endorsing Obama???

Outside of Powell, I dont think so.

Originally Posted by Cajuncowboy

You are absolutely right about that.

Zero chance that Powell makes that endorsement if Obama were down by 10 points.

[Trouble]

Originally Posted by Big Dakota

Prominent Republicans Line Up Behind Obama

Colin Powell

Former Massachusetts Gov.William Weld

former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson

Scott McClellan, a former spokesman for President George W. Bush

Ken Adelman, a prominent conservative on foreign policy matters

Prominent Repuplicans line up behind Obama?

Other than Colin Powell, their all a bunch of former (unemployed) has-beens.

[burmafrd]

And they are not CONSERVATIVE.

Show me one CONSERVATIVE who is supporting Obama.