Jim Leach, Obama Supporter And Former GOP Congressman, Will Address Democratic Convention

DENVER -- Just as the Republican Convention will showcase Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats have found their own former party rival to deliver a prime-time speech here at the Democratic National Convention: Jim Leach, the former GOP congressman from Iowa who has endorsed Barack Obama for president.

Leach is scheduled to speak at 10 p.m. ET Monday, the opening night of the convention, according to a copy of the official lineup of convention speakers obtained by The Sleuth. He's sandwiched somewhere between Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, and Caroline Kennedy, who will be delivering a tribute to her ailing uncle, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who has brain cancer.

Leach, 65, made a surprise announcement on Aug. 12 that he was crossing party lines to endorse Obama, saying, "This is simply not a time for politics as usual." On that day, he and former GOP senator Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, among others, announced the formation of Republicans for Obama.

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Comments

[SEQUOIABISON]

You mean all we could find is one basically unknown defector to match the GOP's use of Lieberman?

We need to push hard for a security wonk like Chuck Hagel or someone with his stature that opposes the war.

Obama/Biden

[LORISNJ]

Smart man.

I have been wondering about Senator Arlen Spector and where he stands on McLoopy vs OB - haven't heard a peep from the man. You would think that if PA is going to be a key state that he would have voiced his undying support for McLoopy but I haven't seen it, have you?

[ShanniC]

It's nice to see more and more people coming to their senses about McCain and the disaster that awaits us should he become president. It's a scary thought yes, but some of these Republicans, Independents, and misguided Hillary supporters are not yet swayed.

[Organic-Guy]

This gives me hope or a little at least. Maybe I've been right all along and this country isn't as divided as the Repub's have tried to make it.
Now, if we can get the whining Hillary supporters to vote democratic we're all set!

[JJ30]

We will glady welcome Republicans for Obama into the winning party! Democrats need to unite and this PUMA stuff is getting on my very last nerve. Maybe the Obama camp shoud made an ad for the Reps for Obama just like Mccain made one for Hillary supporters.

[ShamusNYC]

It would be great to see ads featuring 'Repubs for O' articulating why they are making this stand. Would also love to see Hagel and Luger finally make the endorsement, as well as Powell.

Simple, direct, too the point would work.

[FogBelter]

Why on earth Jim Leach, cosponsor of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which repealed the provisions of the Glass Steagall Act, which prohibited Bank Holding Companies from owning other Financial Companies and led directly to the economic mess we are in now, is speaking at the Convention is beyond me.

If Leach is there to apologize, then fine ... otherwise I could care less what he has to say. I don't see him speaking as a coup for the Democrats.

[themodernleader]

Druidlady and Foxbat. Both your comments were thoughtful and elucidating. I might add that the Republican Party was hyjacked by the Bush family and their financial interests (Kevin Phillips: American Dynasty, 2004). The best thing that Republicans could do is switch to the Democrat Party and bring innovative ideas for the public good. The more conservative, patriotic Americans should form a new Republican or other party from the ashes of the Bush Bunch infliction upon the once respected Republican Party. In any event this election must be earth shaking and givie unequivical governing right and duty to the Democrats. If they behave as the past administrations, then the people have the duty to form a new political movement without either party. But I hope that the coalition that Obama is putting together is not already reigned in by our present despicable leadership.

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

GOP=GRUMPY OLD PARTY

[oldwiseone]

If we insist

on making the distinction

of left and right

of liberal and conservative

so be it

:liberals are for people

conservatives are for business

allowing conservatives to rule the country

is like letting the horse

take the rider

where the horse wants to go

to fill his belly

with green stuff

But if this great nation of ours

is for the people

and by the people

and of the people

we must grab the reins again

or lose our direction

forevermore

The direction we are headed in

will certainly take us

over the cliff

or we can turn around

and climb the mountain

[druidlady42]

BEAUTIFUL!

[Ramirez]

Mixed metaphor. Can't climb a mountain on a horse.

[lizr]

If there are switchbacks you sure can.

[wm1066]

You've never seen "Lonely are the Brave"? with Kirk Douglas?
Kirk climbs a mountian with his horse.

[IowaKid]

Great answer... and so very true but how many people will have the courage?

[BADEN]

OK, I'll ask...

WHY?

[druidlady42]

Leach is the kind of Republican who represents what the REAL Republican Party--in past, more honorable times--used to represent, when Republicans thought for themselves and put the interest of the United States AHEAD of Party power!----- A time when honorable men would not tolerate DIShonorable, dishonest actions of a President, even of their OWN Party! That's what's been missing the past eight years!

The mess we see our country in today is primarily because of robotic Republicans, marching lockstep with a rogue President, intimidated by their Party leaders to never deviate from Party talking points, and using the votes with which they were entrusted only to WIN POLITICAL POINTS, instead of following their conscience to do what was RIGHT for America and our Constitution!

How refreshing to see a "turning away" from this kind of mindless, win-at-all-costs politics! Keith O. had two representatives from Republicans for Obama on his show the other night, and they were WONDERFUL! Some of our shamefully inept Democratic "leadership" should have been required to "listen up" to their analyses of the troubles with our economy!---Succinct, intelligent reasons to support Obama's plans!

[afgail]

Former congressman Leach lost his last election because he followed the dictates of Tom Delay rather than his own good judgement. And Leach paid the price. He lost in a sqeaker because he didn't heed his conscience nor his district. Nice to see he's back in tune with his own moral compass to do what's right for the country. Welcome home to the sensible center Jim. The Republican Party could do worse than rebrand itself in the mold of the likes of Jim Leach before he caved to the likes of Newt Gingrich and Tom Delay.

[TheSecularist]

Republicans have never represented the people. At least not since Goldwater. The mess we're in today did not begin with Bush, it began with Goldwater and really took off with Reagan. Reagan gave Christianists and bigots a strong voice in the Republican party. Reagan began all the "anti-big government" nonsense that took money away from our schools and our infrastructures. Reagan began trickle down economic policies that left the middle class without real wage increases for 30 years. Reagan pushed globalization policies that rewarded corporations for exporting American jobs to other countries. During all that time he touted all the low-paying retail jobs his policies created. What was particularly dismaying was that short-sighted, well-educated yuppies (and those hard-working, poorly educated folks as well) bought into it. Now we're all paying the price with crumbling infrastructure, outrageous health care costs, and exorbitant education costs. The Republicans seem to miss an essential point. What is the purpose government if not to improve the lives of its people?

[thecanadian]

Congressman Leach is correct.
The World needs some direction and this move by a Republican Congressman should be welcomed and highlighted.
Obama should ignore all the distractions and POUND on the economy.

[grata2ude]

All republicans who are tired of the same old policies of this last administration are welcomed aboard.

Its for the good of this good country.

[IMWorf]

Those of you not from Iowa may not be familiar with the fact that not only did former Congressman Leach represent us for 30 years, but that he did so as the Congressman from what has to be the most liberal district in Iowa, encompassing Iowa City and the University of Iowa, which is full of exactly the sort of "ivory tower liberal elitists" that the McCain campaign is desperately trying to paint Senator Obama as. Oh, the irony... He was once mentioned somewhere as one of very few people in Congress to get both "Iraq war" votes right, yes the first time and no the second. I'm proud to have voted for the man several times once I moved into his district (including 2006, based on that "no" vote).