Former GOP Congressman Backs Obama

Rep. Jim Leach Among Group Of Republicans Endorsing Democratic Candidate

(AP)  A leading Republican moderate with a foreign policy background endorsed presidential candidate Barack Obama on Tuesday as the Democrat sought to show his appeal to members of both political parties.

Former Rep. Jim Leach of Iowa was among a group of Republicans who said they were crossing party lines to support Obama. The Illinois senator's campaign said he was also being backed by the Republican mayor of Fairbanks, Alaska, Jim Whitaker.

"I'm convinced that the national interest demands a new approach to our interaction with the world," Leach, a foreign service officer before being elected to Congress, said in a conference call with reporters. He was joined on the call with reporters by former Rhode Island Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee, who endorsed Obama in February.

Leach predicted that many Republicans and independents would be attracted by Obama's campaign but said his decision to endorse a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time wasn't easy.

"Part of it is political parties are a distant analog to families and you really hate to step outside a family environment," Leach told The Associated Press in an interview.

Leach, 65, was elected to Congress in 1976 and served 30 years before losing a re-election bid in 2006. As a moderate, he was often at odds with the conservative GOP leadership.

"For me, the national interest comes before party concerns, particularly internationally," said Leach, who has long been an opponent of the war in Iraq.

"We do need a new direction in American policy, and Obama has a sense of that," he said. "He recognizes that a long-term occupation of Iraq is not only expensive, it's extremely dangerous to the American interests."

Leach said he was attracted to Obama's call for a dialogue with nations such as Iran that have long been seen as U.S. adversaries.

"He also recognizes that it's preferable to speak with potential adversaries rather than simply shun them," Leach said.

Leach's decision could cause ripples with the group Common Cause, where he serves on the board and which has a policy against political endorsements. Leach said he wasn't aware of any concerns by the nonpartisan group, which supports accountability in government.

Many Republicans argue that GOP candidate John McCain has an edge when the debate turns to foreign policy because of his long experience in dealing with such issues and his record as a career military officer and prisoner of war.

"There's a distinction between trumpeting issues and realistically looking at effectiveness," Leach said. "I have never known a time period where the American brand has been in less repair."

He said most voters instinctively want the U.S. to work with allies, rejecting the go-it-alone approach that has marked the Bush administration.

"If you ask Americans of any political persuasion - conservative, liberal or moderate - whether they'd rather see us lead the world with allies or alone, most people instinctively say we're better off with allies," Leach said. "The public does understand that something is not right about our policies today."

[firststate]

bigwhtpony
It''s aisle, not isle. An isle is a small land mass surrounded by water.

We did a lot of talking with Russia and Bush was palsywalsy with Putin. What did that get the "free world?" Talking is better than killing, but they have to believe you in the first place. Either way.

[ausus-2009]

raflin1,

Why have you chosen only the past eight years? Are you afraid if you go back any further the balance will tip heavily the other way?

[yeswecan09]

*Look at history. The Democrats have more of a tradition for corruption than the Republicans.*

If you open the history books you will find three of the most corrupt president''s in history -- Grant, Reagan, and King George, all Republicans.

In current history you have Toe-tappings and Alaska -- more Republicans.

[victor0803]

you have made a good choice Jim. Obama 08!!!!!!!

[victor0803]

you have made a good choice Jim. Obama 08!!!!!!!

[jongood53]

Anyone wanting to know exactly what your classic white male DemoTard, or RINO looks like....This Leach character''s above photo a shining example.

They always look like someone who just discovered the load of drug they bought has to be taken as suppositories.

[bigwhtpony]

wonder how many OTHER Republican Congressmen will secretely vote for Barack Obama? I''''m guessing a LOT......Posted by raflin1 at 09:13 AM : Aug 13, 2008

I wonder how many democrats will vote for McCain? In reality, for all Ubama and bedwetting liberals talking about ''crossing the isle'', McCain is really the only candidate that actually did it.

Perhaps Ubama crossed the isle when he was a state senator or a ''community activist''. LOL

[bigwhtpony]

I saw the other two ''republican'' assclowns on Fox last night. When asked why they are supporting Ubama, they espoused all the touchy-feely rhetoric that a 10th grade girl would have answered with.

All in all, a VERY unimpressive endorsement. They are free to support whoever they choose.....but they could at least sound intelligent in doing so. These folks didn''t.

They are about as republican as Vlad the Putin.

[hasher471]

It''s nice to know that there still are Republicans that put country ahead of party.

Go Obama-cans, Go! :-)

[mcvent]

how is this is different from God telling Bush to spread freedom to Iraq?

Posted by omega39

Bush never spoke with Obama about Irag and freedom

[mcvent]

My fellow Democrats... Obama can''t win but HIllary can and it''s not too late...

Dump Obama and let Hillary take over.

Hillary, Hillary

[omega39-2009]

But when Nancy Pelosi was asked the other week why she shut down any House debate on oil drilling, her Frisco airhead answer just came out, "I''''m just trying to Save the Planet." Don''''t bother me with grubby facts, I''''m busy being Jesus. And nobody in the mainstream media even sniggered.

Posted by usais11

Other than cost and how much more threat there is to US security, how is this is different from God telling Bush to spread freedom to Iraq?

[realpatriot1]

usais11,

Do you mean like making the middle east safe for democracy(oil drilling)? Being greeted with chocolates
and flowers?

We''ve been laughing at Republican world saviors for 7 years.

[usais11]

What do all those Democrats have in common? They''re infected with Savioritis Pestis, a generally harmless disorder which explodes into a global pandemic when it is caught by ambitious pols. For some reasons Republicans never catch this disease, possibly because they would be laughed out of town before the sun goes down. But when Nancy Pelosi was asked the other week why she shut down any House debate on oil drilling, her Frisco airhead answer just came out, "I''m just trying to Save the Planet." Don''t bother me with grubby facts, I''m busy being Jesus. And nobody in the mainstream media even sniggered.
Senator O and his Lady Michelle, who have so little control over their blown-up egos that they have already lost the polling bump that comes with a solid media slobber from the Left.

Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad, said the sly old Greeks.. The Democrats are infested with hubris like lice on a mangy dog. It''''s not just one swelled-head politician; it''s a whole parade of them. American voters have quietly noticed all that. That''s why John Kerry and Al Gore lost. It''s why Hillary and Bill were thrown over by the Left as soon as a fresh new savior showed up. It''s also why Dukakis, Mondale and McGovern crashed and burned, one after the other. Most Americans would rather keep their Savior for religious worship, thank you.

[brianbwb-2009]

"Is Antonin Scalia a liar ?
He''''s a lawyer by training.
How about Clarence Thomas ?" Posted by erb0087

Yes to both.

[mcvet-1]

There is much to dislike about both candidates. I just happen to worry more about someone who is a product of the corrupt Chicago Democratic Party.

Posted by ausus at 03:05 AM : Aug 13, 2008

LOL You are living in a Time Warp?? LOL The "corrupt Chicago Democratic Party"? Did you MISS Harold Washington as Mayor of Chicago? It''s pathetic that these UNEDUCATED LOSERS are still around. They live in a bubble of ignorance only to spew forth that ignorance when it best suits them. Without a doubt the City of Chicago is a fine city and without a doubt, like so many big cities, was once governed by a Political Machine. That ended a LONG time ago but I guess not in the mind of this 6th grade drop out!! SIEG HEIL McSlime

[erb0087]

If John McCain is such a great leader and potential Commander in Chief, how come the elder Bush didn''t trust him to drive that golf cart ?

[erb0087]

Yeah, I''m sure people facing foreclosure, job loss and loss of health insurance are going to give two hoots in he/ll about what Raila Odinga thinks.

[erb0087]

Posted by trrrorislamx at 04:59 AM : Aug 13, 2008

Are you winning anybody over with this crazy stuff ?