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

[ameliasmom]

Governor Carlson has always been an independent thinker. He's a fiscal conservative and a social liberal as are many smart conservatives in Minnesota. I was happy to vote for him as Governor, due to his strong pro-choice stance. Thank you, Governor Carlson, for endorsing Obama. You will sway many of my conservative neighbors who are leaning Obama!

[tchristin]

Moderate Republicans are conservative Democrats. We have much more in common than differences. It will be so wonderful to have a President who finally represents ALL Americans and not just one far left or far right segment. Maybe we can actually make progress.... ah that must be where we get the term Progressive?

[roshni]

Awesome!

[honestpolitician]

Another GOP that has crossed the lines to support Obama...When it rains....it pours...

POLITICAL AD ATTACKS!! http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[Dogwithoutaleash]

I'm from Minnesota and I was around when Carlson was governor. Even though I am a hardcore Democrat and Carlson is a Republican I have always liked him. He is one of the few Republicans in captivity whom I would gladly vote for. He is fiscally conservative but not militantly so. And he is a politician who doesn't spend a lot of time worrying about social issues in which government shouldn't be involved in. He is also a pretty nice guy. I met him on two occasions. Once when my son's 6th grade class toured tha capital and I chaperoned the group, he came out of his office to shake hands with the kids. The other occasion is he was the keynote speaker at my college graduation. (I graduated from college as an adult learner at the age of 39, that's why the two occasions fall at about the same time.) I'm pleased that he is endorsing Obama.

And now Bachman....whoa! I'm glad I don't live in the 6th District. Yikes!!

[OneLiberalLady]

Here's a link to Conservatives for Change, the video:

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

[kellygrrrl]

lol

[ANewAmerica]

www.conservativesforchange.com

[Hedonist88]

The Republican Party can redeem itself by shaking itself from the strangle hold of the dim witted evangelicals.

[lucite]

Truth be spoken. Politics and religion do not mix.

[neweraforamerica]

This upheaval inside the Republican Party is more serious than people have been giving it credit. So many moderate and traditional Republicans are disaffected by the evangelist ideology, racist tenancies, and overall negative tone of the Republican campaign that is pandering to the morons of America. I made post just yesterday on my blog at: http://neweraforamerica.blogspot.com/ about how significant it is that Colin Powell, David Brooks, George Will and others are being forced out of their party by Hannity, O'Reilly, Palin, hatefulness, and incompetance.

[heal57]

Whatever party we belong to, being a moderate is generally the way to go. Thank you former guv Carlson.


Independent for Obama/Biden '08

[katlade]

I haven't heard or seen Tim Pawlenty campaigning for McCain since he chose Palin over him. I would be greatly insulted if I were him.

[Sparty1]

Oh, but he'll allow himself to be trotted on the morning news shows to spout Obama and Ayers. He's still on t.v. talking about Palin's a reformer. He's still allowing himself to be used.

[AlabamianForObama]

He was on MSNBC yesterday.

[princessk]

Pawlenty...he's no Arne Carlson.

[Poneez02]

Bravo Arne Carlson! I know there are decent, rational, smart Republicans out there, even though they seem few and far between. Gov. Carlson is a shining star that more members of his party should follow.

[marymansour]

The Good Ship Lollypoop is slowly sinking beneath the waves of a potential Obama landslide. This makes me a bit nervous. The GOP are at their nastiest when their backs are against the wall. UNLESS, the sensible Republicans, those who are backing off McCain and endorsing Obama, want Mac and Pal to lose so they can restructure their party which was, historically, one of real conservative values under the leadership of men like Goldwater,William F. Buckley and Teddy Roosevelt.

OBAMA/BIDEN'08.

[PT6]

Minnesota can be proud of their Former Governor! We Thank Him for his support!

Also, another Minnesotan who showed a strong “Will for Good” today is Representative Betty McCollum!

Today in a Congressional Committee investigating the Crisis caused in part by Greenspan, Cox, and Snow, McCollum showed how unregulated Wall Street used the LEGAL SYSTEM to block States from regulating them!