Republican Gilchrest Makes It Official: 'I'm Voting For Obama'

[Nambe]

Source: Congressional Quarterly

Barack Obama has officially picked up the support of a Republican congressman who had backtracked after appearing to endorse the Democratic presidential nominee in a radio interview last week.

"I'm voting for Obama," Maryland Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest told Congressional Quarterly Tuesday night.

Gilchrest, who lost a tough Republican primary in February, also has endorsed the Democratic candidate vying to succeed him next year.

He is the first sitting Republican congressman to publicly express a preference for Obama. ...

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20080924/pl_cq_politics/politics2958654

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Now this is important news

Though since he lost his primary, I fear the GOP will simply say it is "sour grapes".

[bluestateguy]

2. Good deal

That'll make up for that dingbat PUMA delegate from Maryland I saw interviewed during the Democratic Convention who was whining about not being allowed to have a roll call vote on the floor.

[dweller]

3. can we get him to challenge Holy Joe Lieberman

in a cage match?

dp

[Alcibiades]

4. I never much cared for Wayne

back when I lived in his district, but today he's OK in my book.

[VeggieTart]

5. I was surprised until I saw he lost the primary

Definitely sour grapes, but I imagine Obama will take all the support he can get.

[misskittysister]

6. My congressman

Gilchrist has been my congressman for the past thirteen years, and one of the few non democrats I've ever voted for. This endorsement is more than sour grapes, it is a judgment call by a true maverick, the kind McCain used to be. Gilchrist was a McCain campaign chairman in Maryland back in 2000. He was a Vietnam Vet and former social studies teacher, and long-time supporter of efforts to preserve the Chesapeake Bay's precarious health, even when it meant going up against business interests.

[Wabbajack_]

10. With congress at stake you voted Repuke?

:puke:

[misskittysister]

7. Gilchrest ouster

Many of the Repugs here on the Eastern Shore, who are to the right of Attila the Hun, have been gunning for him ever since I've been living here. He's managed to hold on until the last primary. Former Governor, Bob Ehrlich, (who was defeated after one term, and whose wife once told an anti-domestic violence convention that she felt the urge to "shoot" Brittany Spears because she was such a poor moral example to young people, reportedly had a vendetta against him and used his influence to help defeat him this time around. From someone else his endorsements might be interpreted as sour grapes, but he just doesn't strike me as that kind of guy. He actually seems to possess a moral compass.

[JonLP24]

8. Charles Barkley said it best, "I'm not a role model"

It is not Britney Spear's responsibility to be a role model for children as for anyone. It is the parents job. I'm not directed this to you but as something I would say to her if I saw her in person.

[trthnd4jstc]

9. Good Idea. Vote for Hope. nt

[OakCliffDem]

11. A vote for Obama just makes more sense than a vote for a Republican