Another Republican Admits Cheating

It seems like 'droves' of Republican leaning newspapers are coming out for Barack Obama for President

It's mind blowing. It further underscores the need for a definitive course change, when Conservative leaning newspapers come out in support of a Democratic candidate for President of the United States. PD

The Denver Post, "which had backed George W. Bush in 2004 and is owned by Republican-leaning William Dean Singleton," endorsed Barack Obama for president on Friday. "So did the Chicago Sun-Times, Kansas City Star. Southwest News-Herald (Ill.) and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. And to top it off: another Bush-backing in 2004, The Salt Lake Tribune."

The Obama campaign has posted excerpts from all the recent endorsements.

Greg Mitchell has more:

In E&P's exclusive count, Obama now leads 58-16 in editorial endorsements. Check out our running list, updated Friday, here.

Colorodo, of course, is a key swing state. Georgia is also now, surprisingly, in play and the Atlanta paper is the state's largest.

The Salt Lake paper complained that "out of nowhere, and without proper vetting, the impetuous McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She quickly proved grievously underequipped to step into the presidency should McCain, at 72 and with a history of health problems, die in office. More than any single factor, McCain's bad judgment in choosing the inarticulate, insular and ethically challenged Palin disqualifies him for the presidency.

"Still, we have compelling reasons for endorsing Obama on his merits alone. Under the most intense scrutiny and attacks from both parties, Obama has shown the temperament, judgment, intellect and political acumen that are essential in a president that would lead the United States out of the crises created by President Bush, a complicit Congress and our own apathy."

The Kansas City paper also hit McCain hard for choosing an "unqualfied" running mate.

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On Friday, two dependable conservative organs backed Democrat Barack Obama for president.

for source - click here

Lilibet Hagel, wife of Republican Senator Chuck Hagel to endorse Barack Obama

All I can say is I am stunned that Lilbet Hagel will actually endorse Obama, happy that she is, and not surprised that she will vote for him.

Also as I have said in previous posts, a bit sad for my fellow citizens who are Republicans and conservatives that the party they honor and believe in is letting them down.

I mean that sincerely. I live in a red state, and the everyday people who are Republicans are very good people who believe in certain principles that differ from my own.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The wife of Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel plans to endorse Democrat Barack Obama.

Lilibet Hagel has scheduled a 10 a.m. news conference in Alexandria, Va., on Tuesday with Susan Eisenhower, the granddaughter of Republican President Eisenhower. Susan Eisenhower also is an Obama supporter.

Hagel, R-Neb., has made no endorsement. Lilibet Hagel said in an Associated Press interview that her decision was independent of her husband. She said she didn't know whether he would make an endorsement or whom he would support.

"You'd have to ask him," Lilibet Hagel said.

She said it will be her first endorsement of a Democrat and that perilous world conditions were a factor.

"The fact is we're in two wars, two of the longest we've ever been in. We've run up a third of our nation's debt in just the past eight years. We're in the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression," she said.

The Hagels know John and Cindy McCain, and she said her endorsement was not meant to slam them.

"This isn't anti-McCain. This is pro-Obama. I'm just convinced he's the right person," she said.

The Hagels vote in Nebraska, but they have lived in Washington's Virginia suburbs since Hagel won his first Senate term in 1996. for source - click here

Another Conservative Comes out for Obama

I don't even know what to say about this. I am glad that another conservative is taking a stand, but at the same time it is a sad day in America, when a party has gone so badly haywire that it doesn't even resemble the best of what it once was. It's time for change. The time is now. PD

THE MORE I LISTEN TO AND READ ABOUT “the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate,” the more I like him. Barack Obama strikes a chord with me like no political figure since Ronald Reagan. To explain why, I need to explain why I am a conservative and what it means to me.

In 1964, at the age of 16, I organized the Dallas County Youth for Goldwater. My senior thesis at the University of Texas was on the conservative intellectual revival in America. Twenty years later, I was invited by William F. Buckley Jr. to join the board of National Review. I later became its publisher.

Conservatism to me is less a political philosophy than a stance, a recognition of the fallibility of man and of man’s institutions. Conservatives respect the past not for its antiquity but because it represents, as G.K. Chesterton said, the democracy of the dead; it gives the benefit of the doubt to customs and laws tried and tested in the crucible of time. Conservatives are skeptical of abstract theories and utopian schemes, doubtful that government is wiser than its citizens, and always ready to test any political program against actual results.

Liberalism always seemed to me to be a system of “oughts.” We ought to do this or that because it’s the right thing to do, regardless of whether it works or not. It is a doctrine based on intentions, not results, on feeling good rather than doing good. read more here

For another post that might be of interest on Goldwater and McCain - click here

Peon 'Hoosier' Watch: Chuck Lasker, our star Indiana-Republican-Obama Supporter blogs on The Huffington Post

Just received an e-mail from our Indiana-Republican-Obama supporter, Chuck Lasker , who has been making the news and been the subject of a couple of 'Peon' blog posts. The the first 'Peon' post was precipated by his event invitation that came via the Indiana for Obama group. The second 'Peon' post was written after Chuck e-mailed us to let us know he had been written about in the New York Times. Chuck is now blogging on The Huffington Post. Go Chuck! Go Chuck! Go Chuck!

Peace and Love,

PD

OBAMA AT PLATFORM MEETING IN WESTFIELD, IN

Chuck Lasker

August 1, 2008

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. read more here

Peon Update: Morning Campaign News

3 Hours in France, Smiles All Around

By JEFF ZELENY and STEVEN ERLANGER

Published: July 26, 2008

PARIS — President Nicolas Sarkozy of France warmly embraced Senator Barack Obama at the Élysée Palace here on Friday, saying his presidential candidacy presents a bold moment to change the United States’ image around the world. read more here
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Obama volunteers share the power of personal stories

By Peter Slevin

Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, July 26, 2008; Page A06

ST. LOUIS -- Sen. Barack Obama's newest recruits gathered in a modern picture gallery to practice the political art of electing a president. For three days, they focused on the low-tech skills of registering voters and identifying community leaders to vouch for the Illinois Democrat and carry his message. read more here

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THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR

Republicans for Obama gains interest

Party betrayal spurs some to vote for Democrat

By Emily Belz

Posted: July 26, 2008

A soiree in a Westfield home brought homemade brownies, veggie plates and sweet tea, but it wasn't any old potluck. The residents who gathered in the Lasker home Thursday had one goal in mind: organizing GOP support for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. read more here
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Democrats open local office for Obama camp

By Nathan Crabbe
Sun staff writer

Democratic Party activists won't have to look far to find Barack Obama's Gainesville campaign office.

The presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee's office is located at 901 NW 8th Ave., next to Alachua County Democratic Party headquarters. A grand opening of the office is being held at 5 p.m. today and is open to the public. read more here
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Wilkes-Barr Times Leader

Obama forces ready local push as they open campaign office in W-B’s East End

Several downtown sites proved difficult to get on a short-term basis.

by Sherry Long, Saturday, July 26, 2008

Illinois Democratic Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign is gearing up for the presidential general election with Friday’s opening of a Wilkes-Barre office, according to state communications director, Sean Smith.

The presumptive Democratic nominee’s office at 238 Kidder St. will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. It is one of 24 offices opening across the state. read more here

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Peon Update: Breaking news and not so breaking

New York Times: Tour of War Zones: Obama in Afghanistan

The Guardian UK: Obama in Afghanistan

Australia: Obama in Afghanistan

Fort Mills Times, SC: Obama in Afghanistan

Taiwan News: Obama in Afghanistan

Reuters: BERLIN - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki supports Obama's plan for withdrawal

Notable Lifelong Republican Will Vote for Obama

Bush Shifts to 'Time Horizon' for Iraq

BBC News: McCain's 'whiner' advisor quits

Huffington Post: McCain's 'whiner' advisor quits

At my house, when watching the cable news channels, we giggle a lot because they put breaking news on nearly every recent story, and it seems like it keeps being breaking news for an inordinately long period of time.