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

[8isEnoughPeriod]

Thank you Senator Lorman for proving once more to me that there are REASONABLE voices also on the other side of the aisle. You have herewith done a great service to your Country and yes, to your party.

[ensure]

Speculation: Google CEO Eric Schmidt to Work For Obama?: http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/10/speculation-google-ceo-eric-schmidt-to-work-for-obama.html

McVoting at California's drive-thru polling booth: http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/10/mcvoting-at-californias-drive-thru-polling-booth.html

[ensure]

African American vote could be key in US presidential vote: http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/10/african-american-vote-could-be-key-in-us-presidential-vote.html

Barack Obama to hold election night party in Chicago: http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/10/barack-obama-to-hold-election-night-party-in-chicago.html

[skippy20008]

She's only doing this because she and Obama are both black. She's what?

Oh, never rmind.

[Emlyn]

What are you? A Republican?

[WDemDem]

It was a joke because she is not black (read: Limbaugh nd Buchannan)

[3dtrix]

I know Hpost discourages wit and irony, and lots of us are tense as the election draws near, but relax, you two - Skip was making a funny...

[luvobama]

I didn't even know she was black. i thought she was jumping a sinking ship.

[Frenchy9]

Well noted!

[Rictracee]

oh yeah... these GOP candidates are rejecting this type of slime campaigning its being rejected by the american people. these GOP candidates want to get re-elected.. of course they want to seperate themselves from Mccain..

[norkas]

I have a Republican frind who has race issues and started suppoting Obama 2 months ago. Many Republicans that Mc Cain Palin is a very very dangerous ticket. Please believe many Republicans will get into the voting booth smile and vote for Obama. They may not tell there families or friends but take my word for it.

John Mc Cain has a very bad temper what normal person wants this person in office with a Palin who is extreme right other then the Extrem Right.

Everyone knows many many Americans will be packing there bag and making a exit out of America if Mc Cain Palin win this.

[luvobama]

It's the palin effect. scr@w bradley.

[NeoLiberal]

Rightfully they should.

They also know that they will ultimately need to work together to solve our nation's problems.

McC and P are dividing our nation. That's not reaching "across the aisle."

[WhatsLeft]

Could it be she doesn't want to get dragged down with a sinking ship? If she is for real, and not trying to save her own political skin, then good for her. All are welcomed - Hello, My name is Barbara and I'm a recovering Republican.

[hogoza]

Hello Barbara!!

[luvobama]

Keep coming back. it works.

[ilovemycat]

This is off the subject but I have a question. Apparently in West Virginia the polling machines are automatically defaulting to Mccain when the voter is actually voting for Obama. They are being told to hit the button again and, in some cases, it's defaulting McCain for a 2nd time. They tell them to hit the button again and it finally accepts the Obama vote. Now, my question is, and it may be a dumb one, but is there anyone out there that knows enough about these voting machines to know if the first vote, which went to McCain, will be the one that actually registers and not the 3rd vote that was originally suppose to go to Obama?

[WhatsLeft]

Good question. Or will there be two votes for McCain for each push of the button? Does only one vote register?

[ilovemycat]

There is a Voter Hotline number to report any problems you may be having if you should be voting by machine. If you are voting for Obama but it's selecting McCain, please call this number: 1-877-462-6608. Pass it on.

[ilovemycat]

Exactly. When they say to keep hitting the button, is that just a bunch of bull and is the 1st vote, which went to McCain, the one that is counted. Anyone out there know?

[hogoza]

Are you serious about what you are saying, it seems to me that McCain is getting 2 votes and 1 for Obama. You people need to call the specialists. DO IT NOW

[NoMoFearNoMoHate]

this wouldn't be a plausible voter fraud - the returns would be so abnormally high that it would surely be caught - unless it was programmed to only do this occasionally.

[Diana]

Call your local democratic congressperson. Also, call the obama campaign. they are monitoring this closely.

[norkas]

These ignorant MORONS who designed the voting need to be sued and the dummies who approved must never have anything to do with voting machine again.

When voting the line that seperated Obama Mc Cani is almost does not exit. All they had to do was to leave a half inch between Obama Mc Cain so no ones finger can touch the boarder of MC Cain.

I have seen ego IDIOTS in my life but these lowlife take the cake. So far i have not heard this happening to John Mc Cain yet on the electronic machines. Could they have done this on purpose? The answer is yes. I find this suspicious that it is only happening with Obama voters.

Do Not Trust what they say it needs to be checked carefully the extreme right wing will do anything including risking jail to win.

[ilovemycat]

McCain's name always appears first on these machines so there is no chance of anyone hitting his name close to the line and getting Obama. It's a joke. CNN & MSNBC are both talking about it. I doubt that it will get any attention through the local stations however. Corporate Media at it's best!!

[brooksidebeast]

I have heard that the Obama campaign has 5,000 lawyers specializing in election law dispatched all across the country. They may get away with stealing a vote or two, but it won't be enough. Put a fork in him, he's done!

VOTE!

[SconnieGrl]

Thank you Senator Lorman!!! Wisconsin looks SO GOOD in blue!

[aphid]

I agree-- I am so proud of the fact that we've been blue for the last 4 presidential elections. And say what you want about us, Minnesotans, but at LEAST we don't have Crazy Red Shirt Lady or Michelle Bachman...

[Kalel]

Has someone yelled "man overboard" recently? A lot of republicans are abandoning the ship.

[ranchosx]

the common sense non haters are leaving and all that is left are bigots and trash

[kissmygrits]

Did Rush Fatburger ask whether she's supporting O b/c of race - maybe because she's black and O's a woman? Oh yeah, no? That's right, because it's a stupid question, because lots of Republicans are supporting O b a m a this year.

[liseworks]

Race ? Yup, ....also, you betcha .....and also, ....

Reagan.

[kissmygrits]

And such.

[motherfather]

there..lol

[RJII]

thank you for the support. it's waay beyond party now.

[liseworks]

soooo astute ! New slogan : "It's beyond Party now" -

[yhgtup]

This is all well & good. BUT, this fight is far from over, people!! Don't get caught up in all this pro-Obama hype!! Rethugs are already planning how they are going to STEAL this election from Barack. If Barack wins, they're going to claim voter fraud, ACORN is the set-up for that. They're reving-up their base with the hate, terroist talk so that they will be ready to strike. This is some serious shi*!! Keep working hard for Barack. We need a HUGE win & Rethugs will STILL call foul.

[brooksidebeast]

They can't deny the polls. No one is going to buy voter fraud if these numbers hold for another 2 weeks.

[SamiSam]

Freddie Mercury said it best."..and another one gone...another one gone....another one bites the dust!"

[optech007]

I got a robocall at work today and guess who it was from? The Veterans for Change campaign telling me that McCain is nasty and disgusting and I should vote for Obama.

But I guess these robocalls are OK.

[t1000]

I'm just trying to picture the Vets for Change announcer saying "McCain...nasty and disgusting...don't vote for him"....what was the actual content of the robocall--please expand, because this would not be cool either.

[kcsmom]

Barbara Lorman, I salute you!
I received one of those calls the day after the debate. I used to respect John Mc Cain but he will do anything,it seems, to get elected. He didn't mind those hateful comments by Palin until it caught up with him at one of his own town hall meetings.
You are the kind of leader Americans appreciate and want in office. One that will do the right thing despite party affiliation.