A Republican Declares His Independence

[reprehensor]

A Republican Declares His Independence

When in the course of a lifetime, it becomes necessary for a born Republican to refuse to support the re-election of the party's incumbent president, to exercise his discretion, and in all good conscience, to vote for an opponent (even a Democrat), a decent respect to the opinions of his fellows requires that he declare the causes that impel him to switch.

I am grateful to the Republican Party for the support it gave me on each of three elections as judge. I respect many of the party leaders in Ohio. Nevertheless, my loyalty to the party must give way to my love of this country. I consider it a patriotic duty to speak up when the future of our democracy is at stake.

It is self-evident that everyone has certain unalienable rights endowed by the Creator, and that among these are the right to his/her own conscience and the right to pursue his/her sense of justice. Whenever in the field of politics the party to which he has belonged, and that party's president, become destructive of his vision of what is not only right and fair but also good for our future, it is his duty to call the tune as he hears it. When that future is endangered by the present policies of the administration, it is time to act. The record of this incumbent president is a history not only of repeated violations of the key principles underlying our democracy, but of the core values of the Christian faith to which he claims commitment. Let his actions be stated candidly.

He has taken us into a pre-emptive war, misleading the country by alleging without qualification that there was an immediate threat to our safety. No weapons of mass destruction have been found despite the president's unconditional declarations that he had to pre-empt Saddam Hussein's use of weapons of mass destruction.

more@link

[aquart]

1. "Pre-emptive," my ass. War of aggression. War of choice. Vanity war.

We have made ourselves the enemy.

[Mz Pip]

2. Sweet

True conservatives should be outraged by Bush, from endless spending, huge deficits and interventionist foreign policy. It's good to see some of them coming around.

MzPip
:dem:

[speedoo]

3. This was published in the Cincinnatti Enquirer.

I can't think of a more important newspaper in the closing days of this campaign.

It's an indictment of the shrub, by a republican, in one of his areas of strength in a deadlocked state that the shrub must win to stay in the White House.

[roseBudd]

4. Waiting for the presidentail endorsement from the Enquirer

I am predicting a surprise Kerry endorsement!

It would be too hard to advocate * with a straight face.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

5. That won't stop them...

It's the "Daily Newsletter of the Hamilton County Republican Party" and they'll damned well endorse whoever Mr. Rove tells them to endorse.

The Post, however, is a different story. I wouldn't be surprised to see them endorse Kerry.

Edit: If they do, every Democrat in Hamilton County should drop the Enquirer and subscribe to the Post.

[HootieMcBoob]

8. And Cincinnati is a very conservative city

If this helps to change the vote to Kerry of any Republicans in that part of Ohio (just across the river from Kentucky) it'll be a very very good thing.
:toast:

[othermeans]

6. Don't you think that it is interesting that a number of Republicans

have come out against Bush? I wonder if any of these comments sink in with the electorate? Perhaps they will equate into votes.

[Supersedeas]

7. "loyalty to party must give way to love of this country" finally integrity