Wisconsin GOP Official Denounces McCain Robocalls, Endorses Obama

A longtime Republican State Senator in Wisconsin history announced on Tuesday that she would be supporting Barack Obama, in part because of the negative tone of the McCain-Palin campaign and, specifically, the use of "dishonorable" anti-Obama robocalls.

"All of us should be extremely wary of the half truths and outright untruths that have been spread by the recent negative campaigning and shameful automated phone calls," said Barbara Lorman of Fort Atkinson. "While my admiration for Senator Obama has grown with his positive approach to addressing the challenges facing our nation, my disappointment with the McCain campaigned has deepened. The negative tactics are inappropriate, downright dishonorable and have no place in the State of Wisconsin."

In issuing her statement, Lorman became the latest in a growing line of GOP officials who have publicly denounced the recent tone and tactics of the McCain camp. In recent days, Sens. Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe and Norm Coleman, as well as former Secretary of State Colin Powell, have all been highly critical of the Arizona Republican's efforts to tie Barack Obama to former Weather Underground member Bill Ayers. Lorman is not, obviously, of the same national stature as these other officials. But her place in Wisconsin politics makes her an influential voice in an important swing state.

The fact that she is a lifelong Republican -- she left the Senate in 1994 and, until recently, was the longest woman serving senator in Wisconsin history -- now crossing party lines is also of interest.

"I'm a lifelong Republican, but Senator Obama is the right leader for our country and will deliver the change we need," Lorman said in a statement released by the state's Democratic Party. "After taking a careful look at the qualities of both McCain and Obama and who would be best for our country, I found that Senator Obama's ability to bridge the partisan divide to work toward solid solutions that will get our nation back on the right track meant he is the right choice this November."

Comments

[sfs53538]

Sen. Lorman has always been one of the thoughtful politicians from this area. As a lifelong Democrat, she was the only Republican that I voted for, but always did so because of her willingness to work in a bipartisan fashion, and genuinely try to do what was right. Unfortunately she was defeated in a Republican primary several years ago by an extreme right wing idealogue, who became one of the lead proponents of the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, civil unions and even many things which would approximate them.

It was truly a loss to our local community and the state as a whole to lose her as our State Senator. It is good to see her speak up in a fashion that is consistent with the principles that I have always appreciated in her.

Thanks, Sen Lorman

[susierr]

I get a chill every time another Rep. comes over to our side. It's so good to know that even some Republicans think what will be BEST for the United States!

OBAMA 08

[delmy]

WOW finally another republicant with a brain!

[NationalTreasure]

The self-serving Sens. Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe and Norm Coleman are trying to save their political butts.

[TaylorB95]

I lost my faith in the Republican party when they nominated George Bush Jr. Although I had always voted GOP before that, I voted for Al Gore. I just didn't feel that W had any significant accomplishments to warrant him President. For once I was right...and sadly so...as he has become a resounding failure. Now I see McCain and I have to wonder what happened to my party? Is it that the neocons have ruined it? Or is it blind selfishness and greed? As this campaign goes on and on I see that "the party of Lincoln" has lost its way, so far off the beaten path I wonder if they can recover. I'm not fond of the tax and spend liberals in Washington...but I do think that two years of their control will certainly get us on the road to recovery. Where are the real conservatives? The conservatives that don't care about personal social issues but care about fiscal responsibility and balancings budgets? That care about our foreign policy and respect in the world as a leader? Where have they gone?

[helen]

Moderate Republicans (the "real" Republicans) are getting fed up with what has happened to the party of Lincoln... and now, finally, after 8 long years they're speaking up... Good on them...

[pjburns11]

As more and more Republicans make their stance against McCain and embrace Obama, I am reminded of post war Germany. "Oh, it was everyone else. Not me. I never knew where all those boxcars were going. Oh, ya, I think my neighbor was a Nazi. NO, not me, not ever."

www.thetruthurns.wordpress.com

[Hedonist88]

The Republican party may just earn some modicum of respect by shunning the McCain's pathetic attempts at stoking racisim, divisiveness and negativity.

Americans deserve better. The World deserves better from Americans...

[pup sydney]

The only republican that ever had any brain and honor was Sen Chafee of RI.
Where were all this republicans that NOW jump ship
when
torture, spying with no warrants on Americans, unjustified war, raiding of pension plans, shredding of consumer protections, privatization of the army, destruction of all government agencies, extreme right wing appointments in the supreme court, destruction of the environment, tax breaks for Hummers, denials of global warming, billions for the ultra wealthy, phony drug plans and phony health plans inserted into medicare were coming out of the GOP?
How easy to jump ship when the jump is 2 inches high!

[SEQUOIABISON]

The Rodents are abandoning the USS Republican Ship as it slowly sinks into the sea.

Obama/Biden

[Chad53916]

Hey, that's right in my back yard! I feel my disgust for the Republican party easing up a little after realizing that not all of them are incapable of independent thought. I think both Democrats and Republican need to display their ability to "take out the trash" and keep our country's interests ahead of party domination.

[applebutter]

This article states, "...have all been highly critical of the Arizona Republican's efforts to tie Barack Obama to former Weather Underground member Bill Ayers."

I think what they are really trying to do is far worse. Bill Ayers? There's no there, there. But it gives them the opportunity to use the word "terrorist" in association with Obama, and from there it goes downhill to 'UnAmerican"... everything from "blacks taking over the nation" to "muslims taking over the world". Fortunately the only ppl dumb enough to run with it and think it will have sway are the hard core right-wing nuts. I almost feel sorry for the sane, intellectual Repubs. Almost.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

I bet she feels like the Neo-Con Albatross has been lifted from around her neck.

Good on her for putting decency and morals above Party Ideology.

[Kate4Change]

Great! I'm all for unity too! Let's put a stop to these negative below the belt campaigning.It's ok to go negative or debate the issues but out right lies and fear tactics are not what America wants. If you are a good leader, you should be able to express your ideas in a positive manner.

Way to go Senator Lorman!!! Where is Senator Hagel? Any other Republicans that want to save their careers and announce their endorsement for Barack Obama? We welcome the unity and you may get one of our votes in the future. =)

[notb observer]

I'm all for unity ! The generally positive tone that Obama has managed to maintain throughout his campaign is as much a credit to the man himself, as it is to a growing majority of American PEOPLE who are finally rejecting these hate based tactics that prey on the ignorant, unintelligent and fearful.

But I think there's also a time for division... The kind of division I have in mind is an old custom that was once practiced in the UK. Traitors were hung, and their arms and legs were then tied to 4 horses and their body pulled into 4 parts (hence the term "hung, drawn and quartered). The 4 parts of the body were then sent to the 4 corners of the realm as an example to other others.

There's nothing I would like to see more that a re-enactment of this old school practice, using Karl Rove as the traitor. Rove is responsible for, and played a leading role in all of the fraudulent, corrupt, illegal and treasonous activities that have defined the Bush-Cheney administration, from voter fraud, to Valerie Plame, Katrina and Iraq. No single person in modern American history has done more to harm the country.

Let's hope that Obama remembers these people, and the injury they have inflicted to the Republic when he takes office in January. Let's hope he has the balls to not let it pass, and announce a fair minded Special Prosecutor to hold these people accountable.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

While vengeance is great in movies, I'd rather have Justice in the real world.

Don't hang them, HAGUE THEM! Serve them up on Neo-Con Air - Non-stop to the Netherlands, for the Neo-Nuremberg Trials for Crimes Against Humanity including, but not limited to, War Crimes. Let THEM rot in GITMO for the rest of their miserable lives.

That would be a great start to getting our international creds back. And maybe, just maybe, bring a modicum of healing to the people who deserve it.

[geobushono]

I agree, however nothing will happen UNTIL there is HEAVY lobbying for exactly that goal.
I'll contribute to that cause, but I gotta know where to send the check.
I believe there is enough energy to keep this on the front burner, although I think we know the Dems will NEVER have the stones to put him on the plane...and that is a shame.