Republicans in early states change parties to support Obama

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: November 5, 2007
Republicans in early states change parties to support Obama

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Sen. Barack Obama’s, D-Illinois, presidential campaign announced today that more than 300 former Republican voters from New Hampshire and Iowa are switching their party affiliation to actively support Obama, D-Illinois, in those crucial first two contests.

“I’ve been a Republican all my life, but the challenges we face are too great to choose a candidate based on his party -— we need to the choose the candidate who can bring fundamental change to Washington and start getting things done again,” Jerry Spivak said. “Barack Obama is the only candidate who will be able to break the partisan logjam and inspire Americans to come together around real solutions.”

Obama's campaign sent out a list of 268 Iowa Republicans and 68 New Hampshire Republicans who changed their party registration and promised to vote for the Democratic presidential hopeful.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/05/republicans-in-early-states-change-parties-to-support-obama/

[josh_edwards07]

1. Not surprised

Iowans want change

Edwards 08

[MethuenProgressive]

19. Fearful Republicans will do anything to stop Hillary Clinton.

Even stealth voting like this.

[Colobo]

2. Obama is starting to turn things around.

Gobama!

[illinoisprogressive]

3. Obama appeals to all people. It is really amazing to see this.

I don't recall a democrat who could have that crossover appeal to turn republicans into dems.

[Newsjock]

4. ... or gays into straights

I'm just sayin'.

[John Q. Citizen]

9. You made me choke on my pretzel...All candidates except Kucinich are for seperate but equal, though.

[MethuenProgressive]

20. "appeals to all people"? He's at 22%. That's hardly "all" at all.

He certainly doesn't "appeal to all" the supporters of the GLBT community, either.

[David Zephyr]

5. New Hampshire has a very independent streak. Obama could surprise everyone.

I love New Hampshire. Those voters pay attention to the issues, they grill the candidates and they aren't easily swayed by bullshit.

They voted for John McCain against George W. Bush in 2000.

They rescued Bill Clinton and rose above the politics of sex in 1992.

They supported Eugene McCarthy way back when.

[TwilightGardener]

6. I still think he's our best bet to win--he's still got the most crossover appeal.

[ClarkUSA]

17. While Clinton's got the least, according to the latest Newsweek poll.

Edwards has more crossover appeal than Clinton, too, but he's hobbled a bit by public financing if he becomes the nominee,
unfortunately.

We can't win general elections by winning the votes of the Democratic base alone. Whoever Iowans decide on must have
coattails (please, please!). I hope they think of that.

[MethuenProgressive]

21. You want a "Republican Approved" Democratic President??

Screw that, I want one they'll hate, one that'll beat them into the ground, not one giving out hopeful hugs.

[Didereaux]

7. maybe I am old and cynical...but I don't trust them! I think...

... Repugs have decided that Obama would be easier to beat in the general. Literally the scumbags would play the race card. Think not? I give you the last 7 years for your consideration. Polls be damned, when the curtain closes America remains racist, oh not suthrin' racist, but almost subconciously. I was rooting openly for Colin Powell back in 1999, and I guarantee you that every other person I spoke with said some version of "...well yeah, he's really okay and all, but...welllll you know....he's uh black, and America just isn't ready for that." Goddam sad commentary on our nation, but it is still true.

So if Repugnants are openly supporting Obama, my money says it isn't for the well being of this country or the success of Obama they are seeking!

Do I like being this cynical? no, but I can't find any proof that my cynicism is misplaced this time.

[NobleCynic]

8. There are plenty of ways to be cynical about this situation

Another cynical take is that they have been so indoctrinated with irrational hatred of anything Clinton, and they're so insecure about their chances in the general, that they see this as the only way to knock Clinton out. Despite the fact the Hillary is closer on the issues to them than Obama.

Your take, their support is false because they think they'll fare better against Obama in the general.

My take, their support is honest, but only because they're ignorant about the candidates' positions on the issues and they're ruled by irrational fear.

[Didereaux]

12. good points! n/t

[CK_John]

10. If these 268 are placed 1 or 2 per precinct then they are putting in caucus disrupter's,

if these are only placed in a 3 or 4 precincts then they will not be very effective. I would like to see the breakdown of which precincts are involved.

[Basileus Basileon]

11. While I believe in this case it is an example of true bipartisanship in action

and a testament to Obama's charisma and vision, I am absolutely convinced that if this were an article about 300 Republicans switching to vote for Clinton, people would be shrieking their heads off about how this "proves" Clinton is a DINO.

[pnwmom]

13. I was thinking exactly the same thing. n/t

[msongs]

14. ya da, the academy award for astute anyalysis is yours for the night nt

[ClarkUSA]

15. I doubt that we'll ever read that headline in our lifetime.

I wish we could, though.

[tammywammy]

16. Agreed

But really, and dem that can switch repub voters is good to me. I think these are probably the more "moderate" repubs anyways, not the hard core (they'd never vote for a dem anyways).

If they're willing to go Obama now, and if Hillary does get the nod, then hopefully she can hold on to these types of voters too.

[Perry Logan]

18. I'll bet they were attracted by the smears against Hillary. Repubs love that stuff.

[flpoljunkie]

22. No, Perry, they are attracted by the hope of changing the way business is conducted in Washington.

And, isn't that what we all want?