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

[OldLeatherNeck]

I live in a very small and Very RED Texas county. However, times are changing. Our local Democrats have raised far more money, by many orders of magnitude, than previous campaigns. Our local Democratic headquarters has been besieged by requests for Obama yard signs and bumper stickers. Even more telling, our office manager reports that, on a daily basis, at least one or more Republican comes into the office requesting campaign material for Barack Obama and US Senate Candidate Rick Noriega. Not only do these former (or current) Republicans pick up signs, they are leaving significant cash contributions for the local Democratic Party! While it is not feasible that this county will turn Blue this year, It is very probable that it will become Purple enough to give Karl Rove heartburn. After all, this county is Karl Rove's voting home in Texas!!

It also must be noted that General Colin Powell's endorsement has made a VERY big difference to many elderly retired veterans that live in this county!!

[thebluecrayon]

Great report. Go Texans! We'll all be looking for Rove's comments if TX does go purple this year.

[goodtomeetyou]

"McCain's appreciation of the beauty of Asian women was so great that David the American economist had to move his Thai wife to the other side of the table from McCain as McCain kept aggressively flirting with and touching her. Needless to say I was irritated at his large ego and his rude behavior towards his wife and other women..."

A recent MUST READ Article about John McCain

http://letters.salon.com/news/feature/2008/10/06/florida/permalink/948aafe8edb1ed57915c317702e1acb4.html

[DaveNorthwest]

I'm an Obama supporter, but the letter that you have linked to seems to me suspect in its authenticity at best. It looks like someone's smear tactic and is utterly unverifiable. I don't think we need to get in the mud.

[goodtomeetyou]

You have every right to your opinion Dave, I happen to believe every word in the article or I wouldn't have posted it. To me the truth is not mud. Thank you for your input.

[thebluecrayon]

I would like to see this article investigated further. Some things seem too awful to be true. I'm sure HuffPost could try to contact the writer and see if the story holds up after further examination. If it's fake, then it will get debunked. If it does, then it needs to get more publicity. Send to huff tips perhaps?

[LemonMeringue]

Salon is credible and I assume they validated this first.

[TequilaMockingbird]

I am not sure this even merits investigation.. McCain's Temper, Frequent Outbursts and Foul Mouth were common knowledge I had thought.. He has never seemed to have ever had any qualms about being an arrogant jerk.. If that story isn't true.. it might as well be...

[dlinguist]

If it's all the same, I'd rather we stick to the issues, something the McCain camp has failed to do to their detriment.

[MMJones]

Colin Powell is to be commended for beginning the high profile domino effect of remaining GOP politician support. If any Repub politicians in my state continue to support McPalin ticket, for the first time in my long voting record, I will vote strictly party line...

OBAMA/BIDEN '08

[Americanium]

I got my new voter registration card today and I will be voting in the morning....Before I vote for a Republican I will put my ballot in a bottle and throw it in the Atlantic Ocean.

[GoBarryGo]

Welcome to the big tent, Sen. Lorman! We're happy to have you and hope you like it so much that you'll stay permanently.

[DevRock]

Where the hell were all of these people 4 years ago?????

[ratzy222]

No kidding - we tried to convince the country we needed change 4 years ago but I guess Bush hadn't screwed up enough stuff yet to make it 'stick'

[mistlesuede]

Sadly you are both correct. I worked my tail off for Kerry/Edwards knowing that four more years would be devastating to the country and the world. I do think they had the votes, there was too much fraud in Ohio to overcome. The votes were there or would have been if the dirty Ken Blackwell and the Bush campaign hadn't screwed the black voters.

[Grunty1]

There wasn't a big enough backlash against Neo-Con failure yet.
He is just saving his own ass.

[goatboyslim]

Well, let's not forget John Kerry, as much as we might try-no way in Hell was Colin 'Me Lai Massacre" Powell going to endorse the original Winter Soldier.

[ChangeSupporter]

Most of us did not truly believe we would witness this kind of history being made in our lifetime. What is happening here in America is huge. We are all fortunate to be part of this. I will be proud to tell my future grandchildren that I was present when America voted a black man into the White House.

A new day is dawning and we are present to see it. How blessed and fortunate we are.

God Bless the Obama/Biden ticket. God Bless America.

President O....we are ready!

EVERY VOTE IS NEEDED...VOTE NOW (to avoid the rush!)

[jmpfjoy]

You said it, Change! When I was a child, discrimination and segregation were still a fact of life in America. I was just thinking tonight how much we have grown and changed as a nation and how far we have come, all during my lifetime. I feel so fortunate to be able to be a part of this wonderful time in history.

[thebluecrayon]

That is powerful indeed. I do hope we make history on Nov. 4th!

[namewithheld]

I think it's called survival mode.

[tbsykesopinion]

I agree. I told my sister the other day.....Even rats know when to jump off a sinking ship!!

[alwaysme]

LOL! I truly agree.

[LettuceB1]

I would agree except Barbara Lorman isn't a Senator anymore so she has no campaign to save. I trust she's doing it for the reasons she stated, same as Powell. Bless them for using the good sense that God gave them.

[SimJack]

I hope these people are having an honest moment of clarity and conscience. But I don't rule out that they may be doing this just to save themselves and future political careers. Sorry for being a bit cynical but some people will always put themselves and their agendas first. Nonetheless, every one evolves and has th capacity for positive change, and I refer you to the historical figure, Angulimala, a teacher of Nehru and Gandhi.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angulimala

Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world", I believe most of us are doing this right now.

[ValereP]

To see waves of long-time Republican stalwarts, officials, senators, and senior statespersons rejecting the despicable McCain/Palin & Rove/Schmidt campaign to stand up for larger principles of honour, ethics, integrity, democracy... moves me to tears. Something very large and transformational is happening here. (Yes We Can?)

[BluePride]

Sam, Patti and a 22-year old Diane - A Change IS Gonna Come:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTba2ERcsrw

[SpringDoc]

Great video... Thanks for adding it up. It can kind of make the eyes leak.

[eirrac]

I've known Barb Lorman for years, and I'm so happy she's supporting Barack and Joe. Her late husband (and one of our best state legislators ever ) would be so proud of her choice.

[TomTheAlmostUgly]

Have any Democrats at all (other than Joe-das Lieberman) endorsed McCain? Whereas every day now, another Republican politician or Republican newspaper endorses Barack Obama.

[mnyobpres]

JOHN MCCain losing his mind... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLVSURlFoQs

[Cybersquirt]

Wow. Speakin' of bein' a maverick.. :D

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