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Why are so many Republicans backing Obama?
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Anonymous
| Do they see the writing on the wall and want to protect their future? |
Anonymous
| I think it is because we are so disappointed in Pres Bush; downright embarrassed that we voted for him once or even twice, and want to send a very strong message to his many tired, uninspiring minions in this city that it's time for them to get out of town and get real jobs. And we know that, despite McCain's promise of change, they would end up employed by his administration, just like all the ex-Bushies are running his campaign now. Running it to the ground, I might add. |
Anonymous
| They don't want a republican in office when this mess with the economy is realized. |
Anonymous
| I'm unaffiliated, but often have voted Repub in the past. i can honestly say that we've tried 8 years of Republican policies, and look where it got us. Embroiled in a war we can't win and our stock market is back to levels we haven't seen in 10 years - since the Clinton administration! The Bush administration has actually managed to subtract value from the stock market! If that's not enough reason, what else do you need? |
Anonymous
|
This is the OP.
Let me rephrase since the intent of my question wasn't clear - why are so many high-ranking Republicans backing Obama (ex-governors, Powell, pundits, writers, etc.? |
Anonymous
| I believe many of them are opportunists, and now that Obama's win is all but certain, they are jumping ship to make nice in advance with the next administration. (for goodies in the form of appointments, jobs, etc.) |
Anonymous
| Opportunism. Attention and self-aggrandizement. I suspect that for many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to endorse a black man with no fear of political repercussions, which is something no conservative or Republican wants to pass up. No one thinks McCain is going to win and with less than two weeks to go, they have nothing to lose. (That's part of why Powell's endorsement was so disingenuous.) And, finally, there's the wish to be able to say, "I told you so. And I was on the right side of history!" |
Anonymous
| Sarah Palin. I'm so annoyed at this choice that I'm washing my hands of McCain entirely and voting democratic for the first time ever. |
Anonymous
| With the exception of Powell it probably is not opportunism, as supporting Obama is not going to help them that much. Palin has alot to do with it and the moderates need to take more control of the party. Not just because she is such an irresponsible and unqualified pick but that she is so far right in her positions. There is fear from many that the republicans have moved too far to the extreme right away from mainstream voters and will not gain regain credibility until the moderates have more representation in the party. It has been commonly accepted that the way to win as a Rep is to keep the far right base happy. Defection of the moderate base can help bring about a welcome change and make the party more competitive in future races. |
Anonymous
| Because of his pick for VP. I was on the fence and scared shitless for Palin to be president... |
Anonymous
|
I don't think it's opportunism -- I think it's realism. And not realism in the "well, Obama's going to win so might as well" way, but realistic in the "the McCain campaign has decided to appeal only to the evangelical base, has selected an unqualified VP candidate, has conducted a deplorable negative campaign, has proven that McCain lacks judgment and possesses a foolhardy temperament, and has generally perverted the party rather than try to elevate it after the last 8 abominable years."
Smart Republicans are wise to distance themselves from a campaign that not only won't win this time around, but SHOULDN'T win, for the sake of the future of the party. |
Anonymous
| I don't think Powell is being opportunistic. He was burned by his administration. He would never go back to them. Surely he is not repulsed by the idea of a black president, either. So it seems he is doing exactly what he thinks is right. |
Anonymous
I disagree that there's no opportunism there. I think he'd like the chance to rehabilitate his image by serving in an Obama administration and he said he would be open to that. Many people reluctantly supported the war in Iraq explicitly because of Colin Powell's testimony. He bears a great deal of responsibility for that. I'm sure he'd prefer that his legacy be different. |
Anonymous
ditto. |
Anonymous
Me too. |