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

[lejman]

"regardless of our party, regardless of our partisan inclinations, there is no interest more compelling than the well being of the united states." very well stated. let me paraphrase in two words.....
"country first". where is the disconnect? welcome to the rational side, governor.

[WeMustChange]

It is my goal to get in touch with someone from the Obama campaign and share with them my desire to be a part of his inauguration by reciting a poem I wrote called “We Must Change,” and I kindly ask for your help in doing so.
Go to youtube and do a search for "thinkverybig" and watch all of those videos. The one called "We Must Change" would be fitting to recite at Obama's Inauguration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM58nqX1ehE

Here are the words! http://www.thinkverybig.com/We%20Must%20Change.htm

“Makes Me Wanna Cry” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD0iAQN7VPY

[Myshkin57]

Carlson is only supporting Obama because they're both black. It's totally about race!!!

[8IZENUF]

Your comment is Shameful. It is country first and that is not what the GOP has put forth.

[Myshkin57]

It is a joke. Carlson is white. It's a sarcastic reference to Limbaugh's moronic remarks about Powell's endorsement.

[Shabba]

Myshkin57 was joking. Carlson is white.

[kadene]

Whites are voting for Obama, and blacks have voted for whites over the years. When whites vote for McCain is that racism? Come on, get setious.

[Myshkin57]

JOKE JOKE JOKE. Carlson is white. Look at his photo.

[GoBarryGo]

I LOVE THIS. LOVE THIS COUNTRY. LOVE OBAMA-BIDEN. LOVE *OUR* CAMPAIGN. LOVE IT.

Now just GOTV!!!

[inluvwkeitholbermann]

YAY!!!!!!!! will the REAL AMERICANS please stand UP?????!!!!

COUNTRY FIRST~!!!!!! OBAMA!!!!!!!

[jusion]

Which country --- Indonesia or Kenya?

[kjstjohn]

Give me a break.

[Myshkin57]

Wow... desperation has not just set in, it's the entirety of the GOP strategy.

[wm1066]

Well... actually he ran as an Indipendant for Govenor because the Republican party picked someone else that year, but for all intents he was a Republican Govenor... but that was when Republicans could think on their own and didn't have to follow what Rove told them.

[LanceS]

It is encouraging to see other Republicans like myself who recognize the greatness that is Barrack Obama. As far as Republicans calling themselves "Mavericks" They act more like a herd ofsheep running off the cliff en mas than a "maverick"

[franklin opt]

Political Comedy/Talk host Stephanie Miller would say, "Welcome to the light!"

When is a Maverick like a Pinto?

When he bl.ows up easily.

[ohioan73]

The old GOP would have been worthy opponents of Obama/Biden. This new GOP looks like a bunch of bums, Im sorry to say. Im glad real Repubs are dividing themselves from these neo-con loonies. I dont know what kind of Republican they are but I see that I have been wrong by lumping all you guys together. Thank goodness.

[2008FedUP]

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are witnessing a resurrection of people being honest and American!

[ebanks84]

And that is BEAUTIFUL! We are finally coming to our senses across the country and we will route out all the evil that has forsaken us over the years. Goodness will prevail.

[franklin opt]

Hey, how is Bellicose Bachmann doing in the polls?

[WIRadioGuy]

I live in Wisconsin, but am in the Twin Cities media market. Arnie Carlson was a great governor - a moderate republican that had a lot of crossover appeal. Like Colin Powell, he probably is disappointed with what the republican party has become. He's always had great common sense and I'm glad to see he endorsed Obama.

[munki]

The real Americans are standing up...
Whatever the party one may belong...
What is the BEST for our country?

McCain seasoned
Palin TOTALLY OUT of blue and not qualified

Obama has know-how skills, skills many great Presidents had...
Biden seasoned

What America and Americans have seen...
Obama has an unique skill sets that is BRILLIANT.­..
Last time we saw those skill... R.Reagan, JFK... ability to obtain oppositions endorsemen­ts...

PLEASE be open-minde­d... before criticize.­..

[mwilliams]

Mavericks for Obama!

[MissKaren]

All this political napalm has had the effect of sobering many people up. We are watching the fires being set and thinking that this is not the way we want to do business. One hopes that a resounding thwack on John McCain's head will put an end to Rovian politics.

[dsgeorge]

Arne is the ONLY republican I ever voted for. Today's endorsement makes me know that I did the right thing then and still to this day think fondly of our old gov. Especially when we are stuck with Tim Pawlenty who lets bridges fall down because every tax is a bad tax

[rudiy]

whereas Democrats rarely agree with each other and let their positions be know, sometimes to the party's consternation, any Republican who does not file in lock step is considered a maverick. So much for freedom