Originally Posted By RoadTrip I think you guys will probably like this Maverick. Arne Carlson was an outstanding moderate Republican governor of Minnesota during the 90's. Although it is probably meaningless to you guys, his endorsement carries a LOT of weight with me. <<Carlson endorses Obama, spurred by Bachmann remarks The former governor said Obama represented the best hope for an America facing an economic crisis. Star Tribune Last update: October 23, 2008 - 8:57 PM Former Republican Gov. Arne Carlson endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama on Thursday, saying Obama represented the best hope for an America facing an economic crisis and criticizing Republicans for waging a mean-spirited campaign that has "been going down all these side roads." Speaking at the State Capitol, where he was introduced by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Carlson said his party had strayed from the moderate philosophies of past Republican leaders such as Ohio Sen. Robert Taft and President Dwight Eisenhower. "I consider myself a Republican maverick," Carlson said in explaining his endorsement of Obama. Carlson had a strained relationship with his own party, including being officially reprimanded for his support of a gay rights group's fundraising effort. "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." Carlson also took aim at U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, saying that her controversial remarks of the past week suggesting that Obama may have anti-American views, had led him to endorse the Democratic nominee. After hearing Bachmann's comments, he said he telephoned former Vice President Walter Mondale, the Minnesota Democrat, to tell him of his plan. Carlson said Obama's policies on the Iraq war, economic issues facing the middle class and alternative energy solutions meshed with his own views. "I think the disappointing part of the McCain campaign has been its inability to develop a national vision," he said. MIKE KASZUBA Source: <a href="http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/32973804.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4OW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsr" target="_blank">http://www.startribune.com/pol...8O7EyUsr</a> Oh screw it. I might as well decide now. I'm voting for Obama. (No snarky comments from Mr X are required.) P.S. I will still continue to oppose the mindless bashing of conservatives on this board. They have a right to express their opinions without being mocked. You can disagree with someone without mocking them. All it takes is a smidgen of restraint and a little class.
Originally Posted By hopemax Charles Fried, a former McCain advisor, and US Solicitor General under Reagan announced he voted for Obama today too. <a href="http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/2008/10/charles_fried_s.html" target="_blank">http://www.boston.com/bostongl...d_s.html</a>
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Former GOP Gov. of Mass. William Weld also announced for Obama. I think you'll be happy with your Obama vote, RT. I don't think he'll be perfect, but I think he'll be a good one.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< In a move that surprises nobody, the NY Times endorsed Obama. >>> Nope - no surprise there. But this doesn't really fit in with the rest of the thread, which is about prominent Republicans announcing support for Obama. Totally different than a left-leaning newspaper endorsing Obama.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney >>Oh screw it. I might as well decide now. I'm voting for Obama. << I wanted to say "welcome to the dark side", but it came off sounding racist!!!
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Oh screw it. I might as well decide now. I'm voting for Obama.*** Er.. (No snarky comments from Mr X are required.) Crap.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Welcome RT!! I hope you feel secure with your vote, even if you change your mind in the end. And man, another Republican voting for Obama simply because he's Black. Why are Republicans sooo in the Black kool aid now .
Originally Posted By mawnck <------hopes this is proof that the Great Republican Reset has begun. This country will be SO much better off. RT, I would URGE you to get your mitts on a copy of "The Audacity of Hope." Just got done listening to the book on tape today. I think you'll be amazed at how much Obama's philosophies and positions agree with positions you've stated. Left wing, he is not. He bags on the Dem policies of the last few decades almost as much as he does the GOP policies of the last 8 years. I'm sure you won't agree with everything he says, but certainly quite a bit of it. After listening to that book, I seriously think he's *exactly* the right guy for the job at this particular moment in US history. Not lesser of the two evils, not even the Democrat who supports most of the things I do, but EXACTLY the guy for the whole country. Even for the wingnuts, if they'll give him a chance (which I doubt). I hope he really is the guy who wrote that book. I may be setting myself up for a humongous disappointment once he gets in there. But as of now this will be the most enthusiastic and heartfelt vote I've ever cast for President.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I've also listed to "Audacity of Hope" on CD. It was what originally switched me from a Hillary supporter to an Obama supporter. At the time I remember posting here that I thought he offered great common sense solutions that were neither strictly republican or democrat solutions. My wife and I listened to his acceptance speech at the convention while sitting on our deck in the back yard. The neighbors must have thought were were nuts high-fiving each other after every good line. Then the RNC gave me some doubts. McCain really seemed like a great man who had given a lifetime of service to this country. He seemed to provide the experience I thought we would need to navigate throught these dangerous times. I started to question if Obama was a little over-eager. Kind of like an Assistant Professor being hired at the University and then applying for the presidency two years later before he'd even earned tenure. He seemed to maybe suffer from the younger generations tendency to want it all now. So I decided I would support McCain. At first it was rather tentative. Then I stopped by LP one night and saw how bad Palin was being trashed. I figured SOMEONE who wasn't a sock puppet had to come to the defense of the ticket and it might as well be me. After a rough start I think I actually got pretty good at it over time. It got tough the last few weeks though. McCain had clearly lost his way. He wasn't telling America what he would do for them; he was telling them what they should be afraid of. I refuse to cast my vote in fear. I realized that the last time I had seen vision, leadership or energy from the ticket was at the RNC. In the end I decided that I could no longer support a man that appealed to the worst of human nature rather than the best. I didn't really withdrawn my support of McCain. He took my support and threw it away. Powell's endorsement was significant, but not the most important one to me. The most important one came yesterday from Arne Carlson, former governor of Minnesota. When Carlson thew his support behind Obama I knew the time had come.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Wow, RT, that was heartfelt, thanks . And for the record, it was for me, at least the beginning, less about McCain and more about Palin. Hell, I hated her so much she bought me back to World Events after not seriously posting here for 4 years lol. THAT'S how much of a mistake I thought this woman was and a huuuge lack of judgement on McCains part. As for Mccain and I said this a dozen times before, IF he won the nomination back in 2000, he wouldve been the first Republican I wouldve considered voting for. When he got it this time, so much of him had changed, it just wasnt the same person. I STILL dont think he would be an awful President or anything, I just feel obama would be better and the fact is Obama aligns more with my beliefs than McCain, the Iraq war being a huge one. But once McCain started to get low in the gutter, he lost ANY support he would get from me. A man who I could've at least said reluntantly I would be satisfied if he got in I can sadly not say that now. His pick of Palin and all the things he's done in the last 6 weeks has proven this man has changed too much and has become too bitter for me. In a way, I understand, I'm sure McCain really DOES believe Obama isnt ready and in his heart thinks his economic policies are wrong for America. When he speaks on those issues, I know its not BS. But when the OTHER stuff comes into play, my respect drops unfortunately and since SO many Republicans and moderates like yourself are turning away, it should only tell him his train is running in the wrong direction.
Originally Posted By Mr X Post 11, well said. ***In the end I decided that I could no longer support a man that appealed to the worst of human nature rather than the best. I didn't really withdrawn my support of McCain. He took my support and threw it away.*** I must say, this issue is the part that frustrated me the most in conversations with you. Just the fact that at times you seemed to be defending it (I know, I know..it's complicated, and yes McCain didn't DIRECTLY do some of the bad stuff and all of that). I, too, am very bummed about his behavior. I agree with you that he is a great patriot, and I wish that I could go into November fourth feeling great about WHOEVER gets the nod...unfortunately his choice of Palin and his attacks have disturbed me deeply and I've lost a lot of respect for the guy..respect that, even now, I feel I could get back if he would get out there and really DENOUNCE what he did (and granted, admitting that Palin was a mistake is really not within the realm of possibility though I wish he would do that too, but at LEAST say "my bad" on the vicious attacks PLEASE Mr. McCain!). Anyway, that's just a couple of throwaway comments, you pretty much said it all in your post and I appreciated reading it. It's obvious you have put a lot into this situation, and I can really sense what a struggle it has been.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I started to question if Obama was a little over-eager. Kind of like an Assistant Professor being hired at the University and then applying for the presidency two years later before he'd even earned tenure.*** I absolutely understand this sentiment. However, if I could offer an analogy (just an analogy, not a comparison or any sort of implication here..just food for thought)... What if a Young Albert Einstein had demanded the Presidency of his school. Or perhaps a twenty year old Mozart, claiming that he belonged in charge of the conservatory. Of course, some would argue about experience and paying your dues and all that, but there certainly needs to be room to recognize exceptional people. You may not agree, but my feeling is that Obama is quite exceptional as a leader and his youth (coupled with his EXTREMELY level head, and as Powell said "intellectual vigor") only add to the image for me. That's why it really chaffes my butt when Palin claims "*I* have MORE experience than Obama". Well, first I don't agree. I think that's an extremely specious argument given the small timer stuff she has done (yes, it's an accomplishment..NO, I don't believe it surpasses what Obama has done). But beyond that, it's rather large-headed of her, I think, to make such a bold claim in the face of the fact that the majority of Democrats CHOSE the guy as their leader. She was selected by just one guy, and there are lots of people arguing about the wisdom of that choice. Anyway..again just my 2 cents.
Originally Posted By mawnck >> I started to question if Obama was a little over-eager. Kind of like an Assistant Professor being hired at the University and then applying for the presidency two years later before he'd even earned tenure. He seemed to maybe suffer from the younger generations tendency to want it all now.<< I think this is the strongest anti-Obama argument. I'd counter it by saying that he's smart enough to pull it off, and to seek out, listen to and sort through the advice of more experienced people. My biggest fear (other than some crazy with a gun) is that the GOP will follow a strategy of stonewalling and accusations rather than working with the Dems to improve things. Which is why it's so encouraging to see all these conservatives come out in support in Obama, or at the very least decrying some of the tactics of the McCain campaign. If Obama does like he says in his book, and they meet him halfway, we should be in good shape. Party first-ism on both sides (PELOSI!) needs to stop.
Originally Posted By Mr X If one of his first acts as President is to slam the crap out of that woman when she says something partisan and divisive and useless...THAT would be a great start and I think it would put him on track to greatness... (here's hoping! )
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder I think that there's at least an argument to be made that Obama won't have won this election so much as McCain lost it, starting with the absolutely disgusting pick of Palin. After that debacle, it's been all downhill. It's hard for me to come up with a worse U.S. political decision than that one, and there have been some doozies.
Originally Posted By Mr X I disagree, actually. Don't forget, when Palin came on the scene he got a huge BOOST and was even in the lead for a short time. I'm not arguing that his campaign HASN'T been a mess, since it certainly has, but I think Obama will win based on the unavoidable market crash situation. I don't think it would've mattered WHAT McCain did, he was screwed.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney True, but you cant argue people have hated Palin even more, not less and an NBC poll 55% didnt think she could lead if something happened to McCain. Thats simply a big drag on the ticket now and McCain knows it. If he wouldve chosen a more knowledgeable and experience VP, then they wouldnt have to spend half their time playing defense about the pick which he does.
Originally Posted By Mr X Oh, I know. I'm just sayin..with the crash and all I think that's at least PART of the reason why things are falling apart and why they seem so confused all the time. Not to mention his attack ads would've been more effective if everyone wasn't saying "who gives a crap about some Ayers guy, LOOK AT MY FREAKIN 401k! now it's a 201k!! McCain, don't you even CARE?".
