Monday, October 27, 2008

Republican Defections So Far

This is a list of Republicans who are supporting Obama

Jim Leach, Former Congressman from Iowa

"For me, the national interest comes before party concerns, particularly internationally. We do need a new direction in American policy, and Obama has a sense of that."

Lincoln Chafee, Former United States Senator from Rhode Island

"As I look at the candidates in order who to vote for, certainly my kind of conservatism was reflected with Senator Obama, and those points are that we're fiscally conservative, we care about revenues matching expenditures, we also care about the environment, I think it's a traditional conservative value to care about clean air and clean water."

William Weld, Former Governor of Massachusetts

"It's not often you get a guy with his combination of qualities, chief among which I would say is the deep sense of calm he displays, and I think that's a product of his equally deep intelligence."

Arne Carlson, Former Governor of Minnesota

"I think we have in Barack Obama the clear possibility of a truly great president. I would contend that it's the most important election of my lifetime."

Wayne Gilchrest, Congressman from Maryland

"We can't use four more years of the same kind of policy that's somewhat haphazard, which leads to recklessness."

Larry Pressler, Former Senator from South Dakota

"I just got the feeling that Obama will be able to handle this financial crisis better, and I like his financial team of [former Treasury Secretary Robert] Rubin and [former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul] Volcker better."

Richard Riordan, Former Mayor of Los Angeles

"I'm still a Republican, but I still will always vote for the person who I think will do the best job."

Lowell Weicker, Former Governor and Senator from Connecticut

"At issue is not the partisan politics of two parties, rather the image we have of ourselves as Americans. Senator Obama brings wisdom, kindness, and common sense to what is both his and our quest for a better America."

Jim Whitaker, Fairbanks, Alaska Mayor

"If we are as a nation concerned with energy, then our consideration should be a national energy policy that is not predicated on crude oil 50 years into the future. We need to get to it, and I think Barack Obama is very clear in that regard."

Linwood Holton, Former Governor of Virginia

"Obama has a brain, and he isn't afraid to use it."

Government Officials:

Colin Powell, Secretary of State under Bush 43

"...he has met the standard of being a sucessful president, being an exceptional president. I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the world-- onto the world state, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama."

Douglas Kmiec, Head of the Office of Legal Counsel under Reagan & Bush 41

"I was first attracted to government by Ronald Reagan, who lives in our national memory as a great leader and an inspiring communicator. Senator Obama has these gifts as well, but of course, more rhetorical flourish without substance would be worth little. Is there more to Senator Obama? I believe there is."

Charles Fried, Solicitor General of the United States under Reagan

"I admire Senator McCain and was glad to help in his campaign, and to be listed as doing so; but when I concluded that I must vote for Obama for the reason states in my letter, I felt it wrong to appear to be recommending to others a vote that I was not prepared to cast myself."

Jackson M. Andrews, Republican Counsel to the U.S. Senate

"Barack Obama is a thoughtful visionary leader who as President will end the decline of American law, liberty, and fiscal responsibility that are the hallmarks of the extremist policies of the current Administration, now adopted by John McCain."

Susan Eisenhower, Granddaughter of President Eisenhower & President of the Eisenhower Group

"Given Obama's support among young people, I believe that he will be most invested in defending the interests of these rising generations and, therefore, the long-term interests of this nation as a whole."

Francis Fukuyama, Advisor to President Reagan

"...Obama probably has the greatest promise of delivering a different kind of politics."

Rita Hauser, Former White House intelligence advisor under George W. Bush

"McCain will continue the wrong-headed foreign policy decisions of Bush, while Obama will take us in a new direction."

Larry Hunter, Former President Reagan Policy Advisor

"I suspect Obama is more free-market friendly than he lets on. He taught at the University of Chicago, a hotbed of right-of-center thought. His economic advisers, notably Austan Goolsbee, recognize that ordinary citizens stand to gain more from open markets than from government meddling."

Scott McClellan, Former Press Secretary to President George W. Bush

"From the beginning I have said I am going to support the candidate that has the best chance for changing the way Washington works and getting things done and I will be voting for Barack Obama and clapping."

Bill Ruckelshaus, served in the Nixon and Reagan administrations

"I'm not against McCain, I'm for Obama."

Ken Adelman, served in the Ford administration

"The most important decision John McCain made in his long campaign was deciding on a running mate. That decision showed appalling lack of judgment... that selection contradicted McCain's main two, and best two, themes for his campaign-- Country First, and experience counts. Neither can he credibly claim, post-Palin pick."

Lilibet Hagel, Wife of Republican Senator Chuck Hagel

"This election is not about fighting phantom issues churned out by a top-notch slander machine. Most important, it is not about distracting the public-- you and me-- with whatever slurs someone thinks will stick."

Columnists and Academics:

Jeffrey Hart, National Review Senior Editor

"It turns out that these political parties are not always either liberal or conservative, Democratic or Republican. The Democrat, under certain conditions, can be the conservative."

Andrew Bacevich, Professor of International Relations at Boston University

"For conservatives, Obama represents a sliver of hope. McCain represents none at all. The choice turns out to be an easy one."

David Friedman, Economist and son of Milton and Rose Friedman

"I hope Obama wins. President Bush has clearly been a disaster from the standpoint of libertarians and conservatives because he has presided over an astonishing rise in government spending."

Christopher Buckley, Son of National Review founder William F. Buckley & former NR columnist

"Obama has in him-- I think, despite his sometimes airy-fairy 'We are the people we have been waiting for' silly rehtoric-- the potential to be a good, perhaps even great leader. He is, it seems clear enough, what the historical moment seems to be calling for."

Andrew Sullivan, Columnist for the Atlantic Monthly

"Obama's legislative record, speeches, and the way he has run his campaign reveal, I think, a very even temperament, a very sound judgment, and an intelligent pragmatism. Prudence is a word that is not inappropriate to him."

Wick Alison, Former publisher of the National Review

"I made the maximum donation to John McCain during the primaries, when there was still hope he might come to his senses. But I now see that Obama is almost the ideal candidate for this moment in American history."

Michael Smerconish, Columnist for the Philadelphia Enquirer

"...an Obama presidency holds the greatest chance for unifying us here at home and restoring our prestige around the globe."

CC Goldwater, Granddaughter of Barry Goldwater

"Nothing about the Republican tickets offers the hope America needs to regain its standing in the world, that's why we're going to support Barack Obama."

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow -that is some list. Amazing. Reagan is spinning in his grave.

Utah Savage said...

Sweet huh?

Ingrid said...

"This election is not about fighting phantom issues churned out by a top-notch slander machine. Most important, it is not about distracting the public-- you and me-- with whatever slurs someone thinks will stick."

I like that one the best because it reflects not only the McCain/Palin campaign (or the Palin campaign she's running for herself these days I gather) but the kind of people who go for that crap!
and..[s] you're welcome!! As an Independent, I 'have' to be bipartisan and keep an open mind.. and I always hoped and expected that there HAD to be reasonable conservatives out there..glad to have found them and glad they are coming out of the woodwork now..hope it helps..
I'll resurface to breath properly after the final tally next week..yikes!!

hugs

Ingrid

Utah Savage said...

I love the new picture of you. I have a friend named Susan who wears her hair in exactly that bob. I wear a shorter version and often brush my bangs to the side. It's the only hairdo I can easily cut myself. I am that poor and that fussy. I have gone to countless stylists for my bob, but come home and have to recut it.

susan said...

I guess we could be forgiven for seeing rats deserting a sinking ship but we're not rude and will welcome them. Had McCain chosen a reputable conservative running mate things would have been quite different now.

Ingrid said...

Utah, thanks..this is all courtesy of "Maria"..she's the expert 'photoshopper' (smudging me to look beautiful to which I say, 'thank you dahling'..)..but hey, this is my 'doo' of choice. I have been going to a cheap supercuts place as the 'salon' I used to go to was really not worth cutting my hair which is just a simple bob. I had this style when I was 9-14 yrs.. and then, of course, the '80s happened and I've had it long, short (very..if I can find a way to scan my wedding pic I'd show it we're talking inch..perhaps??) and of course, permed and coloured! Now, at 44, I'm back to the only 'style' that really suits me..plus, no fuss no muss (sp?)..
wow..did I just talk 'hair' with someone?? hehe..haven't done the 'girly talk' for a while..what's next??

let's keep counting the defections...

Ingrid

Unknown said...

Its a great fucking list!!!!

It will only get longer too. ;p

Utah Savage said...

Yea, Dusty it is, isn't it. I think I stole if from Tengrain, but I was so excited to see it, I probably didn't even stop long enough to say thanks. God I'm thoughtless sometimes.

jmsjoin said...

Wow that is really good Utah! It is obvious many are getting it and jumping the sinking Republican ship but McAssWipe and Paling ignore it and just rattle off those that support them and say they are doing great!

L'Adelaide said...

Wow, that's very cool! Thanks for updating my oh so out-of-the-loop mind on just who is defecting to the people with brains side of things...I wonder how much longer it will get before this is all finally over? It will be over , right?

Utah Savage said...

Oh Ingrid, I stole it from you. Duh!

Linda, it's only a few days away. Then we'll have to get creative again. Maybe I'll finally do the (hopefully) final edit on my novel. Then I'll be begging someone to help me write a cover letter. I can write "fiction", but a cover letter? No way. However I do really want to sell it before I die.

Ghost Dansing said...

i don't care what you say Utah..... i'm voting for Barak Obama and that's final! grievious angel you are fer sher......

Mariamariacuchita said...

awesome list!! very encouraging that the rats are running form the sinking ship.

Commander Zaius said...

From what the country has gone through sometimes I feel like there should be more.

As for the writer's challenge I've got in 90 percent done but I don't like what I wrote so I'll miss the end date. After rewrite and proofing I'll post it at my site. Bad day at work and calling it a night.

Utah Savage said...

Beach man, we still have Writer's United. Never fear, dear, we know you're a writer and you will be posting with us. Besides it's private and you can set whatever you're working on as edit only.

Ingrid said...

Utah, you don't 'steal', you borrow..and I lend..gladly! (since I'm borrowin' it myself)
[s]

Ingrid

BBC said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Radar1961 said...

Awesome list. Let's hope it gets longer.

It's a relief to know voters are educating themselves about the candidates and making choices regardless of their parties.

Utah Savage said...

Radar1961, how nice to see you. Thanks for dropping by.

Kulkuri said...

I would like to see Grover Norquist's plan used on the Repugnican Party, reduce it in size until you can drown it in a bathtub. Make them the Whigs of the 21st Century!!

s. douglas said...

If Obama can just get Chuck Norris on board, he'll have this election sewn up.

Unknown said...

This is fantastic. My hat's off to whoever compiled it. I may have to steal it myself. Actually it would be a great list to take some samples for letters to the editor (local paper) Wish I'd know about it sooner.

William Weld, former governor of Massachusetts is the only Republican I've ever voted for. But he governed as a moderate and supported abortion rights. More like a fiscally conservative Democrat, really. Anyway, I'm not surprised he supports Obama. And it's a good thing.

jmsjoin said...

Hi Utah
I am going to have to shut down about mid day today to finish preparations for tomorrows move. I will be down for only a day or two I hope as i have to have jacks installed and everything else. Take care and bear with me!