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

[MessageForceMultiplier]

Pretty soon John McCain will endorse Barack Obama for president.

[ramblingjohnny]

That not endorsing that a concession speech. And while I caution about overconfidence I say McCain is going to make one around Nov 4 if he does not get a "health problem" at just the right time!

[FACINGREALIT]

ROFLMBO - I too share this view - Palin already endorsed him before she became the VP nominee for the repugs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO6dmBm1SFw

[liseworks]

How come this hasn't been outed ????

[alteregoess]

WHOA! I've never seen that before. Only about 275,0090 views - this needs to get out there.

[dcree77]

I think McCain already endorsed Obama. It was that speech he gave at the Al Smith Dinner the other night. It was actually pretty good.

[anothervoice2]

Wonder why more Republicans don't denounce these attacks? Their silence is complicity - and does not reflect well on them as leaders. I hope the GOP nominees or incumbents are all voted out of Congress and the Senate. Nothing less than a landslide will do.
Still not sure that McBush and Mooselini are not upto something worse to steal the elections. Hoping for the best but it is worrying. Not sure what is yet to come, given the depths that they have resorted to in their campaigning.

[newddle]

"Republican [leaders'] . . . silence is complicity­."
Exactly. Reagan's 11th commandment about not speaking ill of fellow Republicans produces complicity in the McCain campaign's destructive behavior.
Thanks for saying this.

[MsMadame]

You are right on, the psychology of the administration and some of the GOP isn't to gracefully step-aside. I'd keep an eye on international news. Do not celebrate too soon. Stay excited just beware.

[teapartydude]

McCain/Palin hates 1/2 the country. Those that will vote Democrat this year.

[bajanyvie]

I guess, just like Gen. Powell, she is supporting Obama only because she and he are black. (read with sarcasm)

[kiran888]

yeah, apparently all the people in the polls are black voting for Obama . (sarcasm again!) That's why most of america and most of the world love Obama.

[liseworks]

Yup - that's clearly why Sen Kennedy endorsed him ! It's all about race ya' see ....

[billbb]

I called the WIsconsin State Republican party and told them that I objected to their robocall. I have never been politically active at all - until now. Thanks to their lying crap, I immediately went to city hall with my wife and voted early, so we could pick up some Obama signs for our front yard and for the neighbors, and volunteered as drivers on election day and to make live calls to encourage people to vote for Obama. Maybe not the outcome they'd hoped?

[RJC]

Don't you know you are a bad American

[overlyelectrical]

not bad, just fake

[liseworks]

Yeah, but you must live in a small pocket - ; )

[BigMike75]

It just keeps on getting worse for Geritol John and the GOP.

[Dollfc61]

Geritol John! I love that one! Too bad its insulting to the Geritol Company! hahaha

[Megaflow]

Well, this is to be expected. Everyone knows that the GOP is "in the tank" for Obama. REAL Americans, however, still support McCain!

[glaze]

"REAL Americans, however, still support McCain!"
REAL (alternate universe) Americans, however, still support McCain!

[karela]

My idea of being patriotic is to take care of your country first. I've tried to base my decisions this year on that basis and I honor you for doing the same. Thank you Wisconsin State Senator Lorman. Standing side by side we can bring our country through these hard times.

[RJC]

New McCain robo call:

" Obama puts his grandma above America! Obama hates America more than his grandmother. Obama; wrong on his grandmother, wrong for your grandmother!"

[heavysole]

Very funny! : )

[PissedoffDemInSanDiego]

LOL.....Fu­nny!

[gentlernation]

if it talks like a Bush, walks like a Bush, votes like a Bush, and campaigns like a Bush.

IT

[BabsfromKansas]

is STOOPID!

[ob4meor]

When Colin Powell came out for Obama, the hacks on the Right started screaming "it's because he's are black."

Is Barbara Lorman black too?

Those on the Right are going to run out of excuses as to why all these distinguished members of their party are supporting Obama. In making excuses like the one above, they are digging themselves into a deeper hole and they are going to keep alienating the THINKING members of their party.

Come on over y'all! We've got a big enough tent for everyone.

[Invox]

The significance of Powell's endorsement is not going to register so much on the independents. It's registering on the moderate Republicans. He gave them permission to denounce McCain's campaign tactics and move to Obama in order that they didn't have to endure the shame McCain has brought on them. God bless these Republicans who have shown some courage and character and welcome back to the America we all know and love.

[whognu]

If John McCain keeps digging deeper in the muck, mire, and smearfest, he's going to be very, very lonely on Nov. 4th.

I want to express my gratitude to All Americans who are rejecting that nasty "style of politics." I've always felt we were better as a nation than that. By denouncing it and refusing to vote for it, you have proved me right. My heart is full.

[joebaggadonuts]

About a year ago I wrote in this site that the Bush misadministration officials should start jumping ship. Now the defection is large enough that I don't even need to know this person's name.

To all the rest of you hangers-on to the coat tails of the Republican party faux conservatism and anti-humanist divider wagon, get now while the getting is good. If you do it now, they won't remember your name and you can recreate yourself and get re-elected.

[onthevirg]

Voters are awake this time around and realizing that economic stress knows no color or party affiliation. Whether black, white, liberal, conservative, small town, big city, we are ALL in this mess together -- as AMERICANS. Negative campaigns will only divide our country and make economic recovery more difficult, if not impossible. We can and should do better.

[theone718]

There are Obamacons all over the place. It's fantastic.