Arne Carlson, Former GOP Governor, Endorses Obama

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Arne Carlson, a former Republican governor in Minnesota, has endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Carlson said Thursday that the Illinois senator's stances on the Iraq war, the economy and green energy goals won him over. Carlson, who served from 1991 to 1998, also cited recent comments by GOP Congresswoman Michele Bachmann questioning whether politicians have "pro-America or anti-America views."

"Regardless of our party, regardless of our partisan inclinations, there is no interest more compelling than the interest in the well-being of the United States," Carlson said at a gathering of Obama supporters at the state Capitol.

Carlson added, "He has laid out for this nation a vision for a national purpose."

Carlson was considered a moderate Republican during his two terms in office. This isn't the first Democrat he has backed for political office. He said he considers himself "a Republican maverick."

Minnesota's current governor, Tim Pawlenty, is a strong supporter of GOP hopeful John McCain. Carlson said he wasn't approached about endorsing McCain or asked to remain neutral.

Comments

[Drwho1300]

way to put country first! This man is an example to the GOP.

[JayeSF]

...they just keep comin'...t­hem kind words from gop'ers...­.

if you have ANY right to use the label "moderate"­....then you HAVE to endorse Obama and trash bachmann..­..

so...well done !

[Cunningham]

Sh*tcan the "maverick" label, gov. McSame/Palin ruined it forever.

[loudyk]

Yeah! Way to go! I love all the republicans that are voting with their head this time around. It is truly heart warming.

[Msohio]

The media decided that Pawlenty is wonderful and should have been considered for Vice President. Although Pawlenty is better than Palin, he has not done a bang up job for Minnesota. But, again I guess that he is better than Jesse Ventura. What are we doing in this country when this trio of duds question Obama's qualifications?

[hotstuff]

There is a lot of us republicans voteing for Obama! But what I like, is what Obama said! We are all americans first, before anything alse! So say welcome Americans to Obama's circle!

[babyboomerorig]

Who said the sky wouldn't open...not literally, but people's minds seem to be soaking up the idea of the future of this great country!

[J-Ville]

It's about race! It's about race! It's about race!

HA! HA! SORRY Rush Limbaugh! You're wrong! Again!

The GOP waking up on the LEFT side of the bed. SWEET DREAMS!

Obama/Biden 08-12

[Felicty]

AWWWWWWW.

Sarah SO wanted to go there and give it her old school try!
Looking back; I wish she and McCain had kept up campaigning in that state --- They would have run out of money quicker.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

They can't afford to run ads here in INDIANA, INDI-Fricking-ANA! The RNC is footin' the bill. ROTFLMAO! REDDER-than-RED Indiana that's gone for the Dems ONCE in the last century.

Best news I've heard all week.

[Liberoservative]

I have said this before and I'll probably get flamed....

But...

It seems like the new Democrats are like the old Republican­s....

We are the party of fiscal responsibility and handing power to the middle class...
We are the party who beleives in common sense regulation
We are the party of inclusiveness and constitutional rights....­.
We are the party who will use soft power before we use our military might in a responsible way


I think that Teddy Roosevelt, Barry Goldwater, Dwight Eisenhower are smiling right now on the message and vision of Barack Obama...

GObama/Biden 08/12!

[Felicty]

Well Said!

[dbawden]

Well said. I am hoping that congressional democrats get the message or that republicans start putting forth leaders who actually put America First. Thanks governor. "Country First" is just a vacuous bumper sticker for McCain/Palin. You put words into action.

[tess01]

I don't know why you'd get flamed. This is absolutely true. Today's Republican "UR wid us 'r agin us", deficit spending, pro-foreign intervention, "greed is good" sloganism of the Reagan years and post, is the true antithesis of "conservat­ive." True conservatives aren't just a bunch of race-baiting good ol' boy doofi by nature. I tend to be on the liberal side of Democrat, but there is a place for, and I have voted for, true economic conservative candidates from time to time so long as their social policies were progressive enough not to scare me, and the timing was right for the government to tighten up and stop spending.

I think this is why we are seeing so many veteran Republican politician types jump ship.

[RobinSeattle]

Country First. Love it. History will prove you made the correct choice.

[mlrlmsw]

I've never seen anything like this. Republicans bailing on their candidate. After two terms of W, I thought anything was possible on the right. Good for the GOPers who want to better our country and hopefully, their party, by standing up for what's right and good. Democrats should take note and show the same courage when it comes time to make tough, but right, decisions.

[DrCahill]

Thank You Governor Carlson! And all you right-thinking Republicans who will be voting with us for the Change that our beloved country really needs. A vote for Obama is a vote for putting the future generations on the right track.

[qcool]

I am a native Californian (grew up when Reagan was governor) who lived in Minnesota long enough to see Jess Ventura elected governor, then moved back to Cali in time for the Terminator to be elected here. I was proud of Minnesota politics while I was there and wept when Paul Wellstone died in that plane crash. Gov. Carlson, well said. You betcha! A new day is soon dawning!

[tydicea]

It is refreshing to see there are a few people of principle in the GOP.