GOP defections buffet McCain as end draws near

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 10/25/8 | Carolyn Lochhead

[SmithL]

Republican nominee John McCain heads into the final week of a historic presidential election beset by a wave of high-profile GOP defections and the second-guessing and recriminations from ostensibly friendly quarters that losing campaigns attract like flies.

McCain still could pull out an upset on a last-minute wave of voter hesitation about Obama, much like Hillary Rodham Clinton came back in New Hampshire after the polls counted her out, but political professionals are putting their bets on McCain going back to Phoenix, not rising like one.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell's broadside on Sunday was only the first of the recent GOP defections. The latest arrived Friday from former Republican Gov. William Weld of Massachusetts, who had endorsed former Gov. Mitt Romney over McCain in the GOP primary. Now Weld endorses Obama, calling the Democrat "a once-in-a-lifetime candidate who will transform our politics and restore America's standing in the world."

On Thursday, former Republican Gov. Arne Carlson of Minnesota endorsed Obama and ripped McCain in an essay for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Carlson said he saw in the Democrat "a remarkably disciplined and focused leader who has the potential to become a truly great president."

Just as striking as the tone of the GOP endorsements for Obama was the noticeable chill coming from the state parties in such McCain must-win states as Virginia and Florida.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, whom McCain considered and rejected as his running mate, said he had not appeared in any McCain ads because he wasn't asked. Reports aired that the state GOP is saving some of its war chest for the next election cycle. Similar tensions between the McCain campaign and the state party have surfaced in Virginia.

[singfreedom]

Same here. I don't care what their rationalization might be. They are traitors of the very worst kind. McCain was not my first choice either, but he is head and shoulders better than what the dim Dems have chosen. Anyone who can't see that does not deserve to be an elected official!

[singfreedom]

I would like to know who Carolyn considers the “conservative intellectual elite” and she had better not lump them with Ronald Reagan. He was certainly not an elitist ideologue. The reason he was so successful was because he connected so completely with ALL American voters!

I’m always skeptical when writers, from “the other party”, attempt analysis of the failures of the Republican Party. Their criticism never has the ring of honesty and their motives are always suspect.

[Candor7]

This is just whatObama represents to his electorate. The traditional authority of order in America is to be ridiculedm disempowered and then destroyed, to be replaced with a NEW police force, vetted by Obama , and this is part of the process.

And that NEW force will be be responsible for excesses eyond our present imagining.

Too bad the officers did not refuse to obey Obama's orders. They could do so now, while Obama is a candidate.

God help our police forces, federal uniformed officers and the military, if Obama is elected. Their budgets will disappear, there will be lay offs, and then only "certain officers" will be invited back to a new and changed force.

This will happen all over our country if Obama is elected, using federal bbbudget power, and federal allocation to police forces.Many cannot exist without federal money.

I am quite sure this is already planned.

[Candor7]

I went through the PUMA Blogs shortly after they were formed. Descriptions abounded of how Obama thugs kept these PUMA folks out of important caucuses , and kept them from speaking at others. Obama conducted a putsch at the Dem convention. And even Democrats do not realize this fact.

I understand why PUMA hates Obama.He is a misogynist who also has taken over the Dem party as a nationalist socialist, very much like fascists did to their parties in Europe.

But sooner or later the Obamites will have to fight to get their way, They will have to become violent. I was hoping that would happen BEFORE the election.

So glad the PUMAs are with us. Not much on the MSM about PUMA. Too bad. Its a great story.

[Theodore R.]

I am afraid that the American people are just so uninformed and essentially selfish that they will vote away the freedoms earned for them by the men at Valley Forge. I don’t know a thing we can do about it.

[Theodore R.]

Jesse Helms was the only Republican who ever stood up to Weld. That was eleven years ago.

[Theodore R.]

No, for a clintoid, the “D” means more than the “C”. They are first and foremost party loyalists.

[Fred Nerks]

They are first and foremost party loyalists.

maybe, but not for THIS election. Read the comments. There are too many actually contributing to the McCain/Palin campaign and working at getting McCain elected. Methinks there are many who have decided they are AMERICANS FIRST.

[singfreedom]

What kind of person would not have made their mind up 7 days before Election Day? That sounds so unbelieveable to me! How can an adult person STILL really be undecided? Surely they know who they're going to vote for but just don't want to admit it.

[Concerned]

HIREDHAND WROTE: "It doesn’t look as much like defections as much as it does just RINOs being RINOs!"

Come to think of it, it's almost surprising that RINO MCCAIN isn't supporting Osama bin Biden!

With Feingold and Kennedy supporting Osama bin Biden, that's two out of three of his closest RAT buddies.

But then, RUNNING AWAY from the CONSERVATIVE, Republican Platform and principles, and ALWAYS trying to APPEASE RATS, is what CAUSES people like McCain to lose elections to the MOST LIBERAL, LEAST QUALIFIED, NON-U.S. CITIZEN who is UNABLE TO PASS A SECURITY CLEARANCE candidate we have ever had run for the presidency!!!

WAKE UP, AMERICAN SHEEPLE!!!

Help make those calls to GET OUT THE VOTE to STOP OBAMA from STEALING the election through MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD and his own INELIGIBILITY!!!!!

(Sorry to be so utterly frustrated with the sheeple-mentality, by using so many caps.)

[wendy1946]

If ten percent of anybody actually still are undecided on this one then some sort of an IQ test for voting is likely indicated...

[Paige]

On the front page of CNN and AOL there is a story about so-called McCain people complaining about Sarah Palin. I was livid and immediately contacted the McCain Camp. Without any doubt, others in the GOP will be contacted later today.

IF by chance this isn't a lie from the Obama news media, this will be handled. Speaking as a Conservative, Palin galvanized the base. As for the McCain campaign, they are the worse campaign staff I have encounted in years.

Moreover, AOL posted this questionable story during the late night hours so the freaks from the left could vote on their little poll to tip the scales against Governor Palin. All good Conservatives/Republicans should write or call the GOP and the McCain Campaign to see who this so-called "SOURCE" was and remove them immediately.

http://news.aol.com/elections/article/palin-going-rogue-mccain-aide-says/225713?

[traditional1]

When the number of "have-not" voters outnumber the "have" voters, it's paddling up-stream for sure against socialism where the have-nots have been schooled in hating successful people and envying them. And, that's what the Socialists/Liberals/Progressives bank on: class envy, and promising to take from the "rich", and give it (un-earned) to those who will vote for them and keep them in power.

Taking over the education system, coupled with 24/7 control of the airwaves, it's ONLY where traditional family values are learned in the home that people recognize the personal responsibility and pride of achievment.

We are too far along the road right now to expect anything immediately turning this mess around.

Call me Captain Obvious, I guess....

[singfreedom]

That was my point exactly. Anyone who hasn’t made up their mind by now has to be mentally deficient! And I say that as a person who taught the mentally disabled for 20+ years.

[singfreedom]

Have you heard the latest though? A TV reporter in Florida dared to ask Joe Biden some fairly hardball questions regarding real campaign issues (”an attack will be imminent”, socialist redistribution of wealth), now the Obama campaign is threatening not to do any more interviews and an interview with Biden’s wife has been canceled!

This does not bode well for the “free media” in the U.S.! Can you imagine the high handed tactics that will be employed if this career socialist does win the Presidency?! Thanks for taking an interest in our election. Most folks outside the U.S. seem only vested in our electing someone who has no clue for what the U.S. really stands.

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

One Party Rule if by Obama, Two if by McCain!

The Red Stars are Coming!

[Peter Libra]

Your comment.

Thanks for taking an interest in our election. Most folks outside the U.S. seem only vested in our electing someone who has no clue for what the U.S. really stands.

I am glad that I have taken the position as an interested observer only. Nothing outside of the U.S. could have galvanized me more, had I been an American to hear the effete know it all Europeans, tell me how to vote. My concern is of almost literally the world of George Orwell's 1984 in one area has started to arrive.

Take away the inter-Continental constant fake wars and the grinding poverty of Orwell's 1984 London and then examine the media and it's uses to control the "proles". Today talk radio is like a thin, but tough thread, holding up the sword of PC. Without it, what would there be? I am following the case of the reporter in Florida. Maybe, just maybe someone may hear the distant bell. One hears of vile college professors and their ilk, bullying a lone student. The poison is seeping in to society.

We are assured by various pundits on the government funded CBC that "most Canadians want Obama to win". The country that elected Trudeau in 1968. Then changed their minds four years later temporarily.

Oh well......

[singfreedom]

You hang in there, my FRiend. Someday, I sincerely hope, we'll all laugh about this nonsense.