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

[ConCreteHead]

I just wanted to add here that the story talks about Norm Coleman also coming out against the negative campaigning.

This maybe technically true but in reality it is a downright lie. Norm has been instrumental in cleaning up his own campaign ad-spots in Minnesota. This all stems from NORM being blasted by the local state media for using some video of AL FRANKEN doing an "IMPERSONATION" of former SENATOR PAUL WELLSTONE. The impersonation was of PAUL encouraging his son DAVID at a cross country meet.

Watch the explanation of the ad-spot here:

http://www.alfranken.com/content/video_detail/?id=74

Instead, Norm Coleman has all of his underling groups (527's, and Campaign support groups NCC, NFSB, NFIB) including the Republican National Senatorial Reelection Committee (RNSRC) doing his dirty work because he was 9 points behind in the polls from going negative. Sadly he is creeping back. As for the RNSRC Norm Coleman fly’s all over the country in support of candidates and to make speeches on behalf of the GOP and their platforms and talking points; they have also made it clear he will be President of the committee upon his reelection.

Please DO NOT diminish the honor of Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine, along with former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Wisconsin State Senator Barbara Lorman by lumping them in with that fake CHICK-LET smiling clown NORM COLEMAN. It is a DISGRACE TO ALL OF THEM !!!

[patianneb]

Let's also see what we can do for Larry Kissell of NC
http://www.larrykissell.com/
He's running against Robin Hays, the guy who has declared that Liberals Hate America --

[shelobo]

This lady has COURAGE,She should switch partys,Lieberman did ,he's now calling himself an INDEPENDANT,a Joke of course ,but for Lieberman that was his ONLY way out of the Democratic party that he swore to remain loyal too.If McCain loses Lieberman will swing back,if he doesn't he's in some deep Moose S**T....,but If McCain wins ,Lieberman gets a nice steady job for four years ,then he'll look on the other side of the fence again.

[MJ20]

A better question is what happens to Lieberman if Obama wins. He needs to be slapped down and slapped down HARD. I expect Harry Reid and the dems to kick is ass so far out of the caucus, his kids will feel it. In addition, the people of Connecticut are just WAITING to vote his two faced ass out of office.

[Snoop2]

How pathetic, even GOP politicians are abandoning the ship!

Whats next Cindy divorcing him?

I still think McCain as a Pressidential candidate is a bad joke.

Most people in DC know he is insane, why would they let this whack job even run!!

[wildishka]

When we do not raise our voice against injustice, dishonesty and violence, we fail as a human being.

Some GOP officials show honor and truthfulness in denouncing robocall-a recent demeaning political tactics.

Hope all our brothers and sisters beyond any party will vote for the difficult and needed change.
vote for obama biden 08
peace

[RJII]

cindy divorcing him-- bwa haaa. that would serve his negative self right. She could run off w/ Lieberman

[hogoza]

I wanted the Mormon to run. Can you imagine a Mormon vis Obama. Ouch, the republican would have left the country long time ago.
Anyone heard from Cheney yet, he might cross over too.

[old lady]

She just wants you to think she sees all those good qualities you printed..Rush told me she's really endorsing him because he's black

[franklin opt]

It must be true!

[BadgerinNJ]

I think Tommy Thompson might be next. He looked sick standing behind McCain. Tommy do the right thing for the great state of Wisconsin and for the country.

[SconnieGrl]

I agree. Tommy....you know you can do it....you look good in BLUE!

[patianneb]

Now there's a real American. Irrespective of party, a person who thinks and who really does put country first.

[RegLib]

Any day now McCain is going to endorse Obama. Heck, all the other intelligent Republicans are doing it!

[Momma4Obama]

But f or that to happen, McCain must be considered as an Intellectual Republican. Anybody here willing to give him that moniker?.....

[Nolewoman]

Not me.

[jeanwny]

Mc.... Intellectual?

[liseworks]

Wellllll .....let's not go too far - LOL !

[Jules2004]

Please volunteer. Make phone calls through Obama's website or MoveOn. We haven't won this yet.

[breakingnews]

It's looking like the real PUMAs are coming from the GOP
*********************

Unfortunately there are a lunatic fringe that wont give up the ghost:

http://blog.pumapac.org/

Dont read too many posts, these beaches are mean and racists to the bone.

[Woodmist]

Yeah, whew! They are a group of crazies. So they became PUMA's after Hillary's loss and I guess they can remain so after floating over to the repub party..name still works for what's happening there! LOL Too funny. Dang, who will they denigrate after McCain loses? Oh, right, Obama, still. Such whiners. Glad I voted Obama last Monday!

[indi1216]

another political stunt by a repug...knowing that O bama has the popular vote in Minnesota...it is fatal to endorse Mc Cain and still be able to get re-election in this dire national crisis.

[RobinM]

Proof again that Obama is a uniter. He has united many, many high profile Republicans to his side.

[Puller58]

Be nice if Rove and his type of campaign tactics were going away, but right now Jesus could come down and campaign for McCain and he'd still lose. Watch in 2010, this sort of thing will be back.

[fearandloathing1]

McCain's Health: Is there a problem with his memory? Questions about cognitive functioning, anger:
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/10/mccains-health-part-i.html

[DBsez]

McSpectacular McImplosion!

[Momma4Obama]

LOL! Good Burn!

[liseworks]

Mc-LOL ......Mc-Ditto !!