GOP Rep: Obama Could Destroy Us In The South

Florida Rep. Adam Putnam doesn't think Barack Obama can win the South. But he predicts Obama's campaign strategy will cause Republicans significant down-ticket damage:

No, U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, doesn't think John McCain is in any real danger of losing Florida, given McCain's natural appeal to veterans, independents, and pro-Israel voters. But the Chairman of the House Republican Conference thinks Barack Obama's ability to turn out African-Americans voters across the south could pose trouble for some Republican incumbents in states that McCain will still carry.

"I think you'll see House members who won their last race by 60%-65% percent lose because of the turnout model that Obama brings,'' said Putnam after taping a Political Connections interview on Bay News 9. He wasn't talking about any Florida seats, but his pick for the five races to watch in Florida: the seats held by Democrat Tim Mahoney, by the Diaz-Balart brothers, by Tom Feeney, and by Ric Keller.

Another Republican congressman agrees -- but he thinks it's a good thing.

Meanwhile, McCain might be in trouble after all: a new poll of Missouri shows him only three points ahead.

Comments

[mergina]

They are just saying that. This race is A LOT CLOSER than one may think, and getting closer day by day.

[VictorLudorum]

americans have better african americans than someone on a democratic hawks carousel...

[3Gs]

I getting it, you are not fluent in the English language. Can you please have a friend proof read before you post. Thanks.

[3Gs]

Whoops, looks like i need to proof read as well :)

[elr50]

Makes me wish the South had seceded instead of fighting the Civil War. Nobody else would miss em. Everytime I hear something violent or stupid in the news, I think, "Florida or Texas", and 95% of the time I am right.

[1099]

And what fine state can claim you as a resident sir?

[3Gs]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm in the San Fran bay area, and we are all slaves here.

[brendanm]

I'm sure you would be happy with a Confederacy just south of the US with their millions of slaves.

[WRPrintz]

While I am from the MidWest (originally), and now the West.....blanket attacks against the South are unproductive and usually downright wrong.

Rivalries in sports are all well and good...but regional conflict like this is just not helpful.

Understand, many, many Northerners are now "Southerners"...at least by proximity, and that the South has changed radically, and will continue to do so. The days of Dixie are long dead, but the days of Air Conditioning and Snow Avoidence are here for quite some time...

[sixletters]

As a Floridian, everytime I hear something violent or stupid in the news, I think "Florida or Texas" and 96% of the time I'm right.

[3Gs]

The other 4% is in Oakland, CA

[whiskeytangofoxtrot451]

Dear Republican Members of Congress:

Worried about your prospects in 2008? Maybe it's not Obama. Maybe it's the result of your years of rubberstamping war profiteering and misgovernment.

Sincerely,

The People

[Grunty1]

Take out the word "Maybe", then it is perfect.

[insanityfollows]

I am from the south, so I am qualified to make the following statements. Most of my life, until about the last 20 years or so, the south always voted Democratic, because of the resentment of the "elitist" Republican party. It used to be said that the only people that voted republican in the south were people with money. The republicans however have warped their ideology in that "conservative" as it applied to Republicans meant fiscally conservative and less funding for social programs (i.e. smaller government). As the south continues to this day to struggle financially and socially, it only made sense to vote democrat to help keep the social programs, etc... in place. (I'm not defending dependency of those programs by the way-just stating facts as I witnessed them). "Conservative" now means morally conservative, and appealed to middle america and the south where people can sometimes be less educated and more receptive to a fundamentalist belief system. Sadly, it was all a power play and many of the people who bought into the "conservative" agenda, have come to realize that they have been screwed along with everyone else. Hopefully, everyone, whatever their socio-economic class, will realize what a debacle this country has become, overcome their fear of voting for a black american, and vote for the man himself.

[LWkcma]

couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch

[truthynesslover]

Mccain doesnt have the edge with veterans anymore!

[JoeBlough]

Not since he kicked the GI Bill to the curb.

[Cilantro33309]

Why isn't HuffPo doing this story?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qRy4PnmNu8#

[eugenegerard]

Every "American" Republican supporter of John McCain should view this link.

[Larkinvos]

Rep. Putnam?
From your mouth to God's ear.

[wm1066]

The Republicans learned nothing from the 2006 election.
They didn't change thier selfish behaviour, or go to the center, They let Mitch Mcconnel drive them over the cliff. Gawd I hope they lose big!

[Skeptiqone]

Once again this kind of thought relies entirely on demographics that is, "pro Israeli, or black voters, or pro military, or senior citizens". It doesn't work this time! Obama simply has better ideas, will put together a better team, is looking for new solutions, and can actually talk and think at the same time. People are ready to vote outside of the box that politicians and pundits have put them in, because that overwhelmingly realize that it is time for a change.

This is not hard to figure out! North, South, East, West, the policies of the last eight years were a disaster.

[1099]

It is that kind of stunning naivete which (unfortunately?) is going to lose Obama this election.

[reenie217]

you are funny lol

[quinnelk]

Doug Tudor is a good candidate running against Putnam and he can win with your help. Check him out at teamtudor.org

[AmericanReflections]

Exactly HOW would Barack Obama destroy them in the South? Are they planning to secede again, or sumpthin?

[LarsGruber]

by 'them', the representative means the republican elite who hase been lining their pockets off of supply side economics and war profiteering.

[Jackyldo]

Boo hoo, Obama could do damage..
Maybe McCain is not as strong as you think Mr. Rep ??

He has strong support among Veteran's ?? of which war ??
He has avoided every vote on the new GI Bill and was not one of 53 sponsors (including 9 Republican's)of said bill.
IAVA gives him a rating of 20 out of 100 .
The VFW score him a D and Barak Obama a B+

and the Pro-Israel voters ? whatcha thinking they like Lieberman ?

[TexasDem0]

Hey Adam Putnam, who appointed you to speak for veterans?

Every time John McCain speaks, he further destroys his crumbling credibility. He is clearly past his prime and consistently shows bad judgment and the inability to grasp many important issues. His economic plan is a disaster, and his economic advisor, former Sen. Phil Gram should be indicted. Being a war monger is not patriotic nor is it pro veteran.

So the next time you speak on behalf of veterans, please note that THIS veteran wants you to make it clear that you do not speak for him.

[thundermummy]

I didn't know little Opie Cunningham was in Congress!