Republicans Gather to Support Obama at Platform Meeting in Westfield, Indiana
Westfield, Indiana, is at the very center of Hamilton County, one of the most Republican counties in the country, and the location of my home. It was in my home that a couple of dozen Republicans for Obama (RFOs) met last week to socialize. Yes, I said Republicans for Obama, a phenomenon similar to the Reagan Democrats of the 80's. While the GOP is denying we exist as a movement, the Obama campaign is prepping to support our group on a national level with a presence on barackobama.com as well as staffer support for meetings like this one.
My wife, Sharon, and I have been Republicans since Reagan's first term. We hosted this first "Central Indiana Republicans for Obama In Home Social" on the evening of Thursday, July 24th. Two dozen Republicans attended, as well as several members of the Obama campaign who came to show their support for our nonpartisan efforts. Even a reporter from The Indianapolis Star attended to report on what could be said to be a historic event.
The meeting began with a telephone call from Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of Dwight D. Eisenhower, author of four books, most recently "Partners in Space: US-Russian Cooperation After the Cold War," and outspoken Republican for Obama. Ms. Eisenhower explained that she was first impressed with Barack Obama when Senator Obama called her to request a meeting to discuss foreign policy. When she explained that she was a Republican, and that she didn't intend to support a Democrat, he simply stated that party didn't matter, he was seeking expertise and she came recommended. In time, she became a strong supporter, while remaining a committed Republican.
I told Ms. Eisenhower that the Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman, Charlie White, stated in an interview, "Any past Republican who is supporting the most liberal member of the United States Senate is either not a Republican anymore or they are a former Republican who is into style more than substance." She responded that this sounded too much like "you're either with us or against us" for her taste, and that it was unfair to make such declarations. When her grandfather ran for President as a Republican, he attracted many Democrats, as did Ronald Reagan, and nobody said they were no longer Democrats.
Over snacks, iced tea and lemonade, we each shared our stories of why we've crossed over to support a Democrat in the upcoming Presidential election. For most of us, it's our first time to do so. Attendees included Southern Baptists, Catholics, evangelicals, the nonreligious and even atheists. It was a kind of therapy session for us all, as we are all dedicated to Republican principles but feel we've been betrayed by the neoconservatives who have taken over the Republican Party. We aren't changing parties, and most of us plan to vote for GOP candidates in other positions this year.
The issues of importance were varied, from the Iraq war, to the economy, personal liberty, health care, education, and even life/choice. In each case, we didn't agree with all of Obama's positions, but the ones we did agree on were of higher importance than the ones we didn't. We all agreed that Obama has the leadership and judgment to lead the country in a much-needed new direction of nonpartisanship and independence from special interests and corporate influence.
After our discussion, we broke up and chatted in groups for over an hour, enjoying like-minded fellowship. The energy level was high as we all had stories of other RFOs we know, including "whispering RFOs" who are less public than ourselves, that made it clear we are at the core of a true grass roots movement with political clout.
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I'm glad to hear courageous Republicans who stand against the extremism of the current administration and support Obama.
As he said in his speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention, we are more united than our politcs suggest.
Yes we are. It's a quiet revolution in the Republican Party, but November will reveal all. It's time we get together after a generation of partisan bickering!
There is right and wrong and we have WAY bigger issues than any party affiliation!!!! The more the merrier!!!! Thanks so much for coming out for Obama!!! I don't blame the Republicans for what is wrong. I blame this administration entirely for acting like this country has been theirs to pilfer for 8 extremely long year. There is nothing conservative about them!!!!!
Thank you, mizonglohong. I hope others begin to realize it's not the common Republican that caused these problems, it's the national leadership and the neoconservative minority that wrestled away control of the party through strong-arm tactics and money. I don't know any Republicans who have told me, "I really like McCain." Instead, they say, "I don't like McCain, but I can't vote for a Democrat." In other words, the average Republican does not support the current way the Party is being lead, but many are stuck in following their leaders out of fear of the unknown. So your comment about not blaming us is appreciated. With that kind of attitude, I believe many more Republicans can be moved over to Obama.
Great article! Thanks for sharing this story with us. I am so thankful that so many of us have come together to change the way Washington works. It seems Washington has forgotten that they work for the people and not the corporations and lobbyists. I applaud your group and all you are doing to help get Barack Obama elected!
Yes We Can!
Thanks for sharing your story with us. Your group is a wonderful representation of Barack's comments that we are not red states, or blue states, but the United States of America. It is so good to know that we are all coming together to bring change to this country. Washington has not been working for the people for so long it's pathetic. I am so proud that we, the people, are joining together to support Barack Obama to change the way Washington works! Your group is proof that we are doing that!
Keep up the great work! Yes We Can!
Obama '08
I wear a purple "What Would Obama Do?" wrist band to remind myself to stay positive. It's purple to represent the true color of the states, versus red and blue, as you mention.
Let's continue to work HARD to get Obama elected. It seems like we have a good lead right now, but we can't take anything for granted. Bush Sr. had the highest approval rating of any president in history before Bill Clinton started with "it's the economy, stupid," and Bush lost his massive lead through laziness and arrogance.
Let's get people registered and spread the word every hour of every day! Wear your Obama button - the best conversation starter I've used.
Nice Job!! It's about time that someone with as divergent views as your's likely are & views like mine could find a candidate to agree on!!
Keep working hard!! & Go Obama!!
Our views are probably not as divergent as the media would like them to seem. On a few issues, probably, but on the overall direction of the country, we're probably very similar. I have a brother who is a strong liberal, and we've butted heads for many years, but when it came down to what we want for our country, for our children, we usually came to agreement. And that's the main thing I like about Barack Obama - he completely understands that.
Mr. Lasker,
I am a "staunch Democrat". You and I likely would not agree on much, this however I believe shows the true spirit of America and THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for sharing this with us. True choice, not 'devotion' to one party above the other is what makes this country great.
Let's change politics!,
-Brad
I agree. You are a true patriot, and not one of the new partisans Republicans who has cheapened the meaning of the party and of politics in general in our country in recent years. Thank you sir. We are all in your debt. Let us work together to save our Constitution and our country from the radicals who have stolen it from us in recent years, if it is not too late.
Thanks, BBBenson and kroses98. I believe the hard-core party faithfuls on either side are phasing out and we're reaching a new post-partisan America. It may be wishful thinking - that the vast majority of Americans will start calling themselves "independents," but I hope it's true. Closed minded loyalty is too restrictive, and saying Americans can be divided into only 2 groups is crazy. So, even though I still consider myself a Republican, based on the core principles of the Party, as you can tell, I'm beyond that being the basis for my political decisions.
Just wanted to say hello to a fellow Hamilton County resident supporting Obama. I am a volunteer out of the Fishers office and although I haven't been a Republican in many years, I consider myself an Independent. I've been a strong supporter of Obama from the beginning, but since I have educated myself more on McCain's attitudes, voting record (I was most surprised to find out what an awful record he has with regard to supporting our troops and veterans -- although he has consistently supported the war, he has an extremely poor record with regard to voting to help our current troops and our veterans), his biography (there's a lot more biography than just being a war hero and a lot of it's not very attractive and not very presidential -- does anyone remember the Keating 5 and his first marriage among other things?) -- not to mention his many changes of policy on important issues such as abortion, taxes, campaign finance, etc. which strongly show McCain is the riskier candidate because it's clear his opinions are based more on political convenience than conviction. And what explains McCain's many and repeated gaffes and inability to answer simple questions on his voting record and opinions (unless, of course, it's a question about the war)?
It's encouraging to hear about meetings such as these. Thanks for sharing.
Obama '08
Your comments about Mccain are spot on. There were no Republican candidates in the primary I felt supported core Republican Party principles, but McCain was the least of them, with his 95% pro-Bush voting record last year. Only Ron Paul is a true Republican, but he's too anti-corporate for the powers-that-be to allow him to run as the party candidate.
Thanks for the write-up!
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