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

[hopefullee]

It's looking like the real PUMAs are coming from the GOP, not the disappointed Hillary supporters. The Hillary supports seem to be going for Obama, whereas the Republicans are jumping ship because McCain's horrible campaign is hurting them down-ticket.

[liseworks]

LOL - the irony - funny how things turn out ....

[Eoin45]

Yeah. Looks like Puma Ann has finally shut up.

[IndieChick]

Another one bites the Mcdust

[Momma4Obama]

"And another one gone, another one gone",...o­h man, GOOD TIMES! LOL!

[Navy26Yrs]

This is just the beginning. Lifelong and not so life long consevatives will be jumping ship like rats after a medcruise.

[Momma4Obama]

Amen!

[justobserve]

Why many Republicans endorsed Obama against McCain of their own party, they showed courage to put their country first. McCain, when choosing Palin had let himself highjacked by the right-extremists. After 8 years of Bush and Cheney who ignored our Constitution's ideals, we all should be worried for our country's direction. In light of this, Biden had shown he wanted to sabotage Obama's presidency by saying and emphasized that the world will test Obama knowing damned well that McCain will cling on it as a lifesaver to a drowning man. Shame on Biden! McCain and the Palins (don't forget Sarah's Co-Governor Todd).

[Momma4Obama]

You must remember, friend, that McCain's slimball machine is broken! Who's listening to him besides his base? Certainly not any of us. They are taking Biden's words and manipulating it as though to say, 'Aha! Even his VP thinks he's not ready!', but we should know by now that this isn't true. Don't underestimate them, I agree, but we shouldn't let Joe's gaffe interfere with exposing Mc Cain and the rest of them as the frauds they are. That's what we're voting to do.

BTW, I early voted today here in FL, and the lines were long and full of Obama supporters.

Yes We Can!

[kiran888]

Thanks for a great job getting a great story like this Huffpo! So where is Rush Limbaugh & his racist remarks. Rush watch out you are outta here!

[Vantunow]

Descent people of the world Unite!

[Jeff1958]

Dyslexics of the world, untie for Obama.

[Momma4Obama]

LOL! Very subtle, but hilarious nonetheless.

[liseworks]

Cute - !!

[MsMadame]

Yes! We the people regardless of ethnicity or political affilation can come together.

'We are our brothers keeper.'

Thanks for standing up against cheating and foul behavior. Maybe it will teach them a lesson.

[ReportThis]

Mother of Christ could someone please edit this piece!!!
What the hell does that Mean??????
Is this translated from some Slavic language????

[redhead55]

Don't get cocky...VO­TE!

[PDXTransplant]

I just did!! Woo Hoo!! Obama and Biden 08!

Signed,
Another redhead

[lecraftygirl]

i'm in jersey and i can't wait!!! two more weeks! ugh!

[Momma4Obama]

You don't have early voting in your state? Wow. I'm sorry to hear that. My wait was nothing short of agony!

[ElBruce]

It looks like we may be getting an anti-Lieberman effect going... Eeenterest­ing...

[liseworks]

Lieberman must be an ag.eist AND ra.cist - he voted : old, white w/ white hair ;-

[Momma4Obama]

Liebermann was kissing a$# and trying to secure himself a lofty position because his political strength was waning, and he was considered on the ouster list. He's shown his true colors, and will find out soon enough what happens to turncoats.

[GingerB]

Check this out fellow HuffPosters:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/21/another-gop-rep-liberals_n_136583.html


If you can donate to Larry Kissell, a Democratic teacher and Hayes' opponent, please do:

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/16138

http://www.larrykissell.com/

OBAMA-BIDEN!

[ramblingjohnny]

Look she like her Senate seat a lots more than she like McCain. I think it expected that other GOP Senators will trow McCain and Palin under the bus. A political party affiliation is not a suicidal pack.

[daninmadison]

I live in Wisconsin and voted for Obama last weekend. Saturday, there were 30+ minute lines.

Early voting here is seeing a strong turnout.

It's great seeing all the Obama signs going up. For every McCain yard sign, there are at least 10. The funniest part, is when a new McCain sign goes up, I notice the neighbors putting up Obama signs on each side of them.

[MsMadame]

Nice!

[liseworks]

Amazing, really : & this is EARLY voting !! I love it !

[sf girl]

It's heartening to see that, despite the extremism that has emerged as a result of the rhetoric coming out of the McCain campaign, there are plenty of decent people in the Republican party who have rejected those tactics. Let's just hope that there are many more out there besides the high-profile ones we hear about in the news.

[GwenD]

I'm waiting for George Bush to endorse Obama. LOL!

[LadyMing]

Good one. I was just thinking W is probably happy that someone (maybe a Dem) will have to clean up his mess.

[MsMadame]

Lol!