From The Nation:

I thought this article was very enlightening; being that it shows what happens when one decides to vote on ISSUES, rather than partisan political dogma. I have always said that actual classic Conservatives had to be cringing at the perversion of their ideals by the Neo-Cons who have taken over their party. This article give a bit of insight into why there may be more and more Republicans for Obama!

Welcome, one and all!

FROM THE NATION

A Republican For Obama

posted by John Nichols on 08/26/2008 @ 01:09am

DENVER – On a night when the wife of the presumptive Democratic nominee for president would take the stage of the Democratic National Convention following an address by the most revered elder-statesman of the party, 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 long-time 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. 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," began the man who will head the Democratic nominee's aggressive "Republicans for Obama" campaign in the fall.

"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 the 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."