More Than Half Of 'Democrats For McCain' List Have GOP Ties

In an effort to demonstrate his broad political appeal, Sen. John McCain on Saturday released a list of "prominent Democrats and Independents" who were supporting his candidacy.

The whole concept was disputed from the get-go. None of the names were particularly prominent, Politico's Ben Smith observed. And Greg Sargent at Talking Points Memo noted on Tuesday that many of the officials "have often supported Republicans in the past, suggesting that there's little if any meaning to their support for McCain over Obama."

Sargent highlighted seven such individuals, including Bill Veroneau, former mayor of Concord, New Hampshire, who originally had endorsed Republican Mitt Romney for president; former state Rep. Steve Wenzel of Minnesota, who worked on Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty's transition team; and former Massachusetts state Rep. Brian Golden, who endorsed President Bush in both 2000 and 2004.

It turns out that Sargent only scratched the tip of the iceberg. A review of the list of the new "Democrats and Independents" who have joined "Citizens for McCain" shows that more than half of the 30 members have either obvious ties to the Republican Party or are regularly touted by GOP politicians as Democratic defectors.

Take, for example, former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson, who actually contributed McCain (as well as GOP Rep. Trent Franks) in 2004. Like Johnson, Phil Hubbard, a former Democratic state legislator, also finds himself on McCain's new list. He also has a track record of backing Republicans.

Former Sheriff of Highlands County Howard Godwin, whose support McCain touted, endorsed Bush in 2004, serving on the president's National Steering Committee of "Democrats for Bush." The same holds true for Mississippi City Clerk Judi May, County Supervisor Gary Dearman, and Alderman Bill Mosby -- all former "Democrats for Bush," all current "Democrats for McCain."

Former State Representative Brian Golden of Massachusetts, likewise, endorsed Bush in 2004 and, to top it off, aided Bush's recount efforts in Florida during the 2000 campaign, according to the Boston Globe.

Other McCain Democrats have expressed past support for surrogates and supporters of the Arizona Republican. Former Lt. Governor and State Supreme Court Justice Alexander Keith backed his state's governor Tim Pawlenty in the 2002 gubernatorial race, telling the Star Tribune, "I love this guy; he can stay at my house if he wants to." Sticking in Minnesota, former Rep. Tim Penny (now a McCain supporter) left the Democratic Party in 2002 to run as an Independent in the 2002 gubernatorial race.

Meanwhile, other McCain Democrats have freely backed GOP candidates in the past, even publicly expressing their preference for the conservative brand, while even more have contributed to Republican candidates while not offering a dime to their Democratic counterparts.

Taken as a whole, approximately 17 members of McCain's 30-person list have credible ties to Republican politics, either through endorsements, financial donations or actual jobs. Of course, it's not unexpected that McCain would tout these individuals -- they are supporting him as opposed to Barack Obama, But the idea that this list is evidence of McCain's overwhelming bipartisan appeal is political hyperbole.

Update: Add a few more to the list. The St. Petersburg Times staff goes searching for the Florida Democrats that are on McCain's list and turn up a blogger who can't be reached and a former sheriff who is non-too-pleased with the attention.

Comments

[ahsaki80]

No suprise. The GOP has a bag full of stale tricks. Just seems the Repubs are the last to realize they're old and leave a bad taste in our mouths. Can't expect goodness when failed policies are unpopular with the American people.

[TheOneironaut]

Anyone shocked?

[seenitall]

as Chris Matt hews says, tell me something I don't know...

[JerryTheAngel]

It's too bad Senator McCain can't get on a computer and read this "good" news, since he has never used a computer. Saying you have not used a computer in 2008 is like saying I have never driven a car in 1955.
Or saying he has never seen color television in 1985.

And the old man doesn't even have the common sense to keep that information to himself. He almost brags about not ever using a computer. So funny and yet pathetic.

[TrevorAlan]

Does the Republican party have an organized effort to have people register as democrats so they can then make public statements that they are "crossing the line" for the repubs?

I don't understand why someone would stay in a party they never support either in voting or finances. But an organized effort to make DINOs makes sense. Modern news outlets think journalism is simply rephrasing press releases, so the ruse would never be spotted.

[kellygrrrl]

I wish I could say that Voters will see this

pretty sure the MSM won't be talking about it

too many remain glued to the Propaganda Machine in the living room

[moda31]

you left off the best entry on that list; Phil "Icky" Frye the former Democratic gubernatorial candidate from West Virginia. This "prominent Democrat" admits he ran for governor to piss off then Governor Bob Wise, who apparently was sleeping with Mr. Frye's wife.
Here's a feature on him from the Daily Show:
http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=124320

[Independent voter]

You're a dirty, corrupt ol man McCain. You're a Bush lapdog. You're a kitty kat afraid to debate Obama.

You're going to get your butt kicked REAL GOOD

[SouthpawSass]

Why do Republicans need to lie and cheat? I'm not sure who who they mistrust more, themselves or their supporters.

tsk tsk.

[HopeGirl]

If republicans would put more time being honest and stop the lies and dirty tricks, people would then see them as semi-decent human beings.

Although they believe that decent human beings are weak and just like they believe that being smart is an insult.

So the chances of them being honest and doing smart things are improbable.

[kamajii]

"If republicans would put more time being honest and stop the lies and dirty tricks, people would then see them as semi-decent human beings."...No they wouldn't.

[Obama4change]

Atomic, well said. I wish the MSM would discuss this more often, but I guess they are mainly owned by Republicans.

[crossoverwriter]

Any Dem who votes for McCain is not only a nitwit, but a true neo-con at heart.
Obama in 08.

[slope142]

More republican obfuscation. Donald Segretti, is that you?

[tschlak]

For those who haven't seen it yet, this is a story about one of those "prominent" switchers. It's hilarious.

http://wonkette.com/400539/meet-john-mccains-most-prominent-democratic-supporter

[richsmith]

Doesn't the Democratic Party have some control over who runs as a Democrat? Isn't Rahm Emmanuel doing something about this?

[scooperss]

I don't think he's in any shape to talk about anyone. He's an enabler like pelosi.

[atomic]

MURDERING CHEATING GOP REPUBLICAN CRIMINALS

One of the most unreported Republican GOP tricks is that they regularly send operatives into governmental posts posing as Democrats. What other explanation could there be to a person who claims to be a Democrat but votes and supports Republican.

The truth is that there are way less Republicans voting than Democrats. Republicans know this and have realized for years that cheating and stealing is the only real means they have of ever being elected.

They represent the elite which are a far smaller section of our society and so they have to continually create bias and confusion so that they can get votes. They can not win on their record because it is no more than the criminal stealing froom the working class and giving it to themselves. No crime gang could have done a better job of infiltrating and taking over a money making enterprise.

The GOP is nothing more than a bunch of lying criminals. That's why for the past 8 years they have done nothing but rob the banks and murder our children for oil profits and control.