Republicans For Obama Tour Hits Michigan

Moderate Republicans. You have to feel for these people. You know they are out there, watching in horror as their party disintegrates into this extreme, and lately downright vile, version of itself, moving ever rightward towards policies and politicians that they just can't support anymore. They were sold a bill of goods, and it all went bad. I imagine there are quite a few in the Grand Rapids area. Don't believe the DeVos stereotype - this area has always been pretty moderate. Think Ford. Ehlers. People like that.

What is a moderate to do? Go 'bama. Lincoln Chafee did - and Grand Rapids was the perfect place to kick-off the Michigan Republicans for Obama tour -



Former State Senator Republican Phil Arthurhultz joined Senator Chafee at the Kent County HQ to announce their support for Obama, and they are touring the state today to spread the message that there is a place for those Republicans who just can't fathom voting for George Bush's third term.

From the Obama site-

Republicans for Obama Press Conference w/ Lincoln Chafee and Former Republican State Senator Phil Arthurhultz
10:00 a.m.
Grand Rapids Campaign for Change Office
1433 Wealthy St., SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Stop at the Jackson Campaign for Change Office
12:30 p.m.
Jackson Campaign for Change Office
634 N. Mechanic St.
Jackson, MI 49201

Republicans for Obama "Main Street Conversation" w/ State Representative Pam Bynes
1:55 p.m.
Zou Zou's Café
101 Main Street
Chelsea, MI 48118

Republicans for Obama "Main Street Conversation"
3:20 p.m.
Law Office of John Stewart
1142 S. Main St.
Plymouth, MI 48170

Stop at Sterling Heights Campaign for Change Office
5:45 p.m.
34238 Van Dyke Ave.
Sterling Heights, MI 48312

Senator Chafee mentioned that John McCain once campaigned for him, and also that this is the first time he will be voting for a Democrat for president. From his endorsement back in February-

“I believe Senator Obama is the best candidate to restore American credibility, to restore our confidence to be moral and to bring people together to solve the complex issues such as the economy, the environment and global stability,” Mr. Chafee said in a conference call with reporters today.

Arthurhultz basically said the same things Chafee has said before and repeated in his appearance today - they are both tired of divisive leadership, and they want people in charge who are able to reach across the aisle and work together on issues.

In other words, they've had enough - and they see Senator Obama as the answer.

Bless them for coming out. It must be hard to stand up in this atmosphere - given what the McCain campaign is doing to Obama, can you imagine what they do to other Republicans who leave the fold?

Let's forgive these people their support for Bush, and give them somewhere they can turn.

Come to the light, Republicans...



Read the Grand Rapids Press report - here's a quote from Chafee today -

"I saw what Bush and Cheney did," he said. "They came in with a (budget) surplus and a stable world, and look what's happened now. In eight short years, they've taken our peaceful and prosperous world, and they've torn it into tatters."

Thank you for doing this Senator - hope you enjoy your stay in Michigan!