Posted on 08/26/2008 3:50:44 PM PDT by SJackson
DENVER -- On a night when the wife of the presumptive Democratic nominee for president would take the stage at the Democratic National Convention following an address by the party's most revered elder statesman, it would be hard to imagine how a former congressman from eastern Iowa would even get notice, let alone high marks as one of the most important speeches of the night.
Unless, of course, the former congressman was a Republican.
So there was Jim Leach, former diplomat, friend of the Bush family and longtime Republican congressman from Iowa City, enjoying the enthusiastic response of thousands of Democrats on the same night that Michelle Obama and Ted Kennedy headlined the convention that on Thursday will nominate Barack Obama for president.
And he was saying things that made Democrats swoon.
"As a Republican, I stand before you with deep respect for the history and traditions of my political party," began the man who will head the Democratic nominee's aggressive "Republicans for Obama" campaign in the fall. "But it is clear to all Americans that something is out of kilter in our great republic. In less than a decade America's political and economic standing in the world has been diminished. Our nation's extraordinary leadership in so many areas is simply not reflected in the partisan bickering and ideological politics of Washington. Seldom has the case for an inspiring new political ethic been more compelling. And seldom has an emerging leader so matched the needs of the moment."
"The platform of this transformative figure is a call for change," Leach continued. "The change Barack Obama is advocating is far more than a break with today's politics. It is a clarion call for renewal rooted in time-tested American values that tap Republican as well as Democratic traditions."
While Ted Kennedy compared Obama with John Kennedy, Leach referenced Republican icons such as Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower.
Though Leach's address was historical in nature, even scholarly, it struck the right note for delegates who understand the difficult challenges that lie ahead in the 2008 presidential race.
"I thought Leach, in a tough spot, did remarkably well," said Tom Loftus, the veteran Democratic pol who served as U.S. ambassador to Norway during the Clinton years. "The history, the historical references, I think that really resonates with people -- a credible voice of the Republican Party saying, 'Look, the Republican Party has lost touch with Republican values.'"
Perhaps even more meaningful was the suggestion that the choice in November will be between partisanship and patriotism.
"This is not a time for politics as usual or for run-of-the-mill politicians. Little is riskier to the national interest than more of the same. America needs new ideas, new energy and a new generation of leadership," explained Leach, in remarks that may have been addressed to wavering Republicans and independents but that warmed the hearts of Democrats. "Hence, I stand before you proud of my party's contributions to American history but, as a citizen, proud as well of the good judgment of good people in this good party in nominating a transcending candidate, an individual whom I am convinced will recapture the American dream and be a truly great president: the senator from Abraham Lincoln's state -- Barack Obama."
He’s no Zell Miller.
“Republican”
That’s funny.
Jim Leach? Isn’t he dead yet?
(I thought he was dead for his last 10 years in the house.)
Which explains why Barry picked Biden.
No, but his career is dead. After 30 years, the people in his Iowa district decided to replace him with someone honest enough to have a “D” after their name.
He is entitled to his opinion.
But how many Democrats in Appalachia feel just as disillusioned with Obama as their candidate (and indeed, the party in general) and will vote for McCain? More than anyone can count, I can assure you. And it must be bad, because the Old Media is FINALLY beginning to acknowledge it - which means it’s not going away anytime soon.
Perhaps the McCain campaign can find some PUMAs, all gathered around in the spirit of the 70’s Coke commercials:
“I’d like to teach the world to vote - in PUMAharmony....”
Being a Republican doesn't make one a conservative, however being a Democrat makes one a liberal or an anti-american zealot.
The name of the Republican party needs to change and some weeding of those who lack conservative values is in store for sure.
Jim Leach makes me puke.
It’s really pathetic when you need someone like the mostly dead Jim Leach try to convince your party that you have support in the other party. 99% of Republicans probably think Leach is dead already.
There are endless legions of RINO’s standing in the wings, to fill in for those who become inactive or go to their just reward. It is a problem the Republican party shall not ever be free of.
Remember, there have always been what were originally called the “radical” Republicans. President Lincoln struggled with them when considering plans for the “Reconstruction” of the South, after the Civil War. The Radical Republicans, after the death of Lincoln, prevailed, and the draconian measures imposed on the South positively guaranteed an enmity that took a century to die down. The Radical Republicans were reborn as the “Progressive” Republicans, with the success of Teddy Roosevelt, and it is no mistake that Franklin Delano Roosevelt seemed a bit radical himself. Though there was a difference in party designation, Teddy and FDR were really of very similar thinking. In fact, much of the agenda of the “New Deal” was written and supported by the “Progressive” Republicans.
Jim Leach is just a latter-day resurrection of these old-time “Progressives”.
Teddy Roosevelt managed to wrangle himself int toe Vice-Presidency in 1900, and when President McKinley was shot down in September 1901, Teddy became President. The boss of the Republican Party at the time, Mark Hanna, grumbled, “Now look, that damned cowboy is President.”
Some people sincerely believe that Teddy Roosevelt did great things. Maybe he did. His image is on the side of Mt. Rushmore, and you can’t hardly buy that kind of public relations any more.
I think you were WAY too kind to Jim Leach. He was a worthless douche bag BEFORE he addressed the Dem Convention. With apologies to douche bags.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
They can have him...
Earlier this evening, Jim Whitaker, the Republican mayor of Fairbanks, Alaska, also gave a short speech at the Dem. Convention. He stated that he did not come to slam McCain but to endorse Obama.
“Perhaps even more meaningful was the suggestion that the choice in November will be between partisanship and patriotism. “
McCain’s patriotism versus the partisanship of the leftwing Obama Democrats.
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