Leach, Chafee start ‘Republicans for Obama’

[babylonsister]

Leach, Chafee start ‘Republicans for Obama’
By Walter Alarkon
Posted: 08/12/08 01:48 PM


Former Republican Rep. Jim Leach (Iowa) and former GOP Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R.I.) touted Barack Obama as the presidential candidate who represents the traditional conservatism that they feel has been forgotten under President Bush.

In an Obama campaign conference call Tuesday, during which Leach announced his endorsement of Sen. Obama (D-Ill.), the two former lawmakers tied presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) to Bush’s positions, particularly on the war in Iraq and spending.

Leach, who served 15 terms in the House, said that there’s real Republican concern “about the occurrence of current philosophy of government and prospect that we’ll have more of the same.”

Chafee, who served as a Republican in the Senate but has become an Independent, criticized McCain for voting against the Bush tax cuts and domestic offshore oil drilling but supporting those measures while campaigning for president.

“Seeing the two different John McCains is a fracture to his credibility,” said Chafee.

snip//

But Leach and Rita Hauser, a Republican and former member of Bush’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, both emphasized the differences on foreign policy between the two candidates. Hauser said McCain’s and Obama’s responses to the conflict in Georgia underscored why Obama is the better choice. While McCain was “bellicose” and has called for Russia’s ouster from the G8, Obama is “far more the traditional person, turning to international institutions,” she said.

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/leach-chafee-start-republicans-for-obama-2008-08-12.html

[flamingdem]

1. I like this trend, let's hope the bandwagon picks up steam n/t

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. Well, this is interesting.

Maybe there is hope for some on the right after all.

[CakeGrrl]

3. Good - an antidote to the Blue Dog "Democrats" and DLC

who don't want to see Obama truly succeed.

[C_U_L8R]

4. Maybe Lieberman can join

naaaaaaah

[book_worm]

5. Let's hope Sen. Hagel will join.

[babylonsister]

6. He did...

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/08/12/the-obamacan-movement-myth.aspx

Obama may count prominent GOPers like Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, presidential granddaughter Susan Eisenhower, Fairbanks, Ak. Mayor Jim Whitaker, former Iowa Rep. Jim Leach, former Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chaffee and former White House intelligence adviser Rita E. Hauser--all of them namechecked on today's call--among his announced (or likely) endorsers.

[Inuca]

7. Actually seems like he didn't and he won't

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/12/veep-stakes-cross-hagel-off-the-obama-list/

Hagel, who is retiring from the Senate, traveled with Obama on his recent trip to Iraq, and he has not endorsed either Obama or Republican colleague John McCain in the race. Jordan Stark, Hagel’s spokesman, made it clear that it’s going to stay that way.

“Senator Hagel has no intention in getting involved in any of the campaigns, and is not planning to endorse either candidate,” Stark said in a statement. “He will be in Central and South America during both conventions on official travel. Senator Hagel is focused on his job serving the people of Nebraska as a United States Senator.”

:-(

[babylonsister]

9. I didn't suggest he'd endorsed Obama yet, but he was on the call

as a member of this Repubs for Obama group.

[Inuca]

13. I think he was mentioned in the likely category

but I guess that based on what I quoted above it is an unlikely kind of likely. Looks like Hagel is auditioning for Hamlet again.

[babylonsister]

14. Since I'd posted, I've also read he was a no-show at this meeting,

so now I have no idea. :crazy:

[AtomicKitten]

8. Leach was just grilled on Faux News. He did great!

[progressoid]

10. Holy shit. This will be a good one to send to some Repubes on my email list.

K&R!

[eshfemme]

11. ROFLMAO @ McCain whose "Democrats for McCain" are all Republicans in disguise.

When the Obama Republican effect is actually documented with many prominent examples.

[Hope And Change]

12. K & R!