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

[burmajoe1]

Madam, what's with this new-speak!!? Do you call an alligator a lizard? Do you call a man a boy? Where I come from we call them lies not untruths. Get with the program, dog gonnit!!

[wanj]

That was a good endorsement!

[KathieKH]

Finally someone that will repduiate the GOP tactics as immoral,

[musicisourhigh]

Wow, oh Wow, I couldn't agree mmore

"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."

[Ipanemagirl]

Wow. and I honor these republicans that had the courage and honor and integrity to let their opinions be known! That is very rare in the GOP circle as they will most likely be reprimanded.
I'm amazed that the campaign is even this close for McCain for he led his campaign early on in a very wreck;ess, irresposible , negative and dirty way, so this warns us what he would be like as president as well.
Another point christians, remember in the 10 commandments it said: thou shall bear no false witness upon thy neighbor? Well McCain has done that since the beginning, and I wonder what kind of Christians follow him blindly that are not even aware of the commandments of their own faith! and so I rest my case.

[kcam44]

There is no good news for McCain lately. The only good news he had was Biden's foot-in-the-mouth comment about a crisis. They are desperate and they have run out of options. I almost feel sorry for McCain. With the exception of his stupid VP pick, he just ran a lousy campaign.

[useyourbrain]

McCain lied about what Biden said -- check the NYT online for the real quote. His context was totally different than what McCain lied. I think we should all use the phrase "McCain lied..." instead of saying "McCain said...."

Since all McCain does is lie, say it like it is.

[ranniez]

All I can say is that this is one brave lady. Obama must be doing something very right to have all these Republicans lining up to endorse him. I have been an Obama supporter since the primaries and am proud to be one.

[prdbldngheart]

Good for her. Now SHE is a maverick ;)

[greggegregg]

Want to send John McCain a vote of "No Confidence"?

If so, go here and sign this petition:

http://www.McCainPetition.com

Gregg

[prdbldngheart]

Shouldn't that petition read no INTEGRITY?

[zamelia]

i really wish people would stop calling Wisconsin and Minnesota swing states. I live in CA, but i was born in the midwest, and MN has not gone republican as a state since 1972 -- and WI since 1984. They're certainly not going to choose now to start.

[walk0nwalls]

Holy wow

[Bond007]

The only way McCain can win is to rig the polls,,, you Zimbabwe style.

[mmorning2]

I think her comments are extremely honourable, as well as anyone else who is distancing themselves from McCain. I truly believe her.

I can't help but wonder though....if these tactics were actually working; people weren't so tired of the same tactics from the past 8 years, would all of these Republicans be jumping ship?

[DonTampa58]

The Republican party of Lincoln, Eisenhower, Reagan is dead. The neo cons and the right wing Christian nutcases hijacked the agenda and killed it.

[3dtrix]

The Republican party of Lincoln's era was the (relatively) liberal party of his day - the conservative party of that era was the Whig party. Today's Republicans are the philosophical descendants of the Whigs - every time they claim Lincoln as one of their own they are either lying or demonstrating ignorance. Ike was a real and true Republican who would be barred from the party today. Reagan (in his role of a lifetime as the front man for the freely acknowledged "kitchen cabinet" killed the party - by using the brush fire of class warfare as cover for systematically looting the treasury, which continues to this day. (Read the papers lately?)

[knollfence]

You are soooo... on the mark.

These neocons and the people who support them are criminals, and the true republicans have seen an opening to reveal these crooks and get them out.

Also as you say this didn't just start it started with tricky dick.

[luvobama]

This is AWESOME. Our time has come!!! Vote straight democrat. We need to send a loud, clear message.

[rasit]

My hat's off to Ms. Barbara Lorman for her courage and integrity; the McCain/Palin ticket should learn from Ms. Lorman, and in my opinion it's Ms. Lorman who is putting the Country First, not John McCain...