Weld backs Obama
Former Governor William Weld of Massachusetts is the latest Republican to cross over and support Democrat Barack Obama for president.
Weld held a press conference in Salem, N.H. to announce his endorsement. While Massachusetts is a slam dunk for Obama, neighboring New Hampshire is a competitive state.
Weld told the Associated Press that while he has never endorsed a Democrat for president before, his choice in recent weeks became "close to a no-brainer."
"It's not often you get a guy with his combination of qualities, chief among which I would say is the deep sense of calm he displays, and I think that's a product of his equally deep intelligence," he said.
Weld said his decision was not based on McCain's weaknesses. "John McCain is a very good guy," he said. "I do think the Republican Party has been playing on an increasingly small field in the last couple of elections."
In an earlier statement, Weld said, "Senator Obama is a once-in-a-lifetime candidate who will transform our politics and restore America's standing in the world. We need a president who will lead based on our common values and Senator Obama demonstrates an ability to unite and inspire. Throughout this campaign I've watched his steady leadership through trying times and I'm confident he is the best candidate to move our country forward."
Weld supported former Bay State Governor Mitt Romney during the Republican primaries.
This afternoon, the McCain campaign issued a statement from two other former Republican governors of Massachusetts, Paul Cellucci and Jane Swift.
“John McCain stands head and shoulders above Barack Obama on the critical issues facing our country," they said. "McCain alone has the experience and judgment to jumpstart our economy, create good jobs and keep America safe in a dangerous world. As no less than Joe Biden has said, Barack Obama is not ready to lead. Bill Weld is entitled to his opinion, but we respectfully and strongly disagree.”
Weld joins former Governor Arne Carlson of Minnesota, who announced his backing for Obama on Thursday.
In the Rasmussen Reports national tracking poll, which combines three days of surveying, Obama's support among Republicans is now higher than John McCain's among Democrats. Obama is backed by 12 percent of Republicans while McCain, whose political persona is all about being the maverick with bipartisan appeal, is backed by 10 percent of Democrats.
But with an increasing number of Republicans jumping ship, conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer issued a strongly-worded rejoinder in an op-ed piece in today's Washington Post.
"Contrarian that I am, I'm voting for John McCain," he wrote. "I'm not talking about bucking the polls or the media consensus that it's over before it's over. I'm talking about bucking the rush of wet-fingered conservatives leaping to Barack Obama before they're left out in the cold without a single state dinner for the next four years.
"I stand athwart the rush of conservative ship-jumpers of every stripe -- neo (Ken Adelman), moderate (Colin Powell), genetic/ironic (Christopher Buckley) and socialist/atheist (Christopher Hitchens) -- yelling "Stop!" I shall have no part of this motley crew. I will go down with the McCain ship. I'd rather lose an election than lose my bearings."
UPDATE: Also today, the New Republic reported that Charles Fried, a Harvard Law professor who Weld put on the Supreme Judicial Court, had voted absentee for Obama and had removed himself from several campaign-related committees for McCain.
"I admire Senator McCain and was glad to help in his campaign, and to be listed as doing so; but when I concluded that I must vote for Obama for the reason stated in my letter, I felt it wrong to appear to be recommending to others a vote that I was not prepared to cast myself," Fried, solicitor general for President Reagan, told the magazine. "So it was more of an erasure than a public affirmation--although obviously my vote meant that I thought that Obama was preferable to McCain-Palin. I do not consider abstention a proper option."
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
About Political Intelligence
Reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors about the transition to the new administration and other national political happenings.Send your comments to masspolitics@globe.com







He isn't a true Republican and he did a terrible job as Governor of Mass. Another phoney Pol.
What a shocker!
Bill Weld is the textbook definition of a R I N O (Republican in Name Only) so this is no big deal if you ask me.....
Weld was my favorite MA Governor until today. We need PROVEN leadership and someone with foreign policy experience not a freshman Senator as the next commander and chief!!
Good for Weld! I admire his independent thinking.
This is great!
Where were these ambitious moderate Republicans when it counted! Did they fight to control the neo-con part of their party? Did they step up during the Republican convention and speak out against the division rhetoric streaming from the stage? No and No. It's telling that Republicans always talk about bi-partisan government - but only when they don't have the power to force through their views. I think Weld must be hoping for some federal position now ...
Nothing shocking here, Weld is a liberal Republican and he's as far to the left on social issues as Obama.
Interesting enough, while Krauthammer is generally considered conservative (though he supports legalized abortion and is against the death penalty in most cases), he served in the Carter Administration and served as a speech writer for Walter Mondale in his bid to become President.
Funny this column is called "Political Intelligence". Clearly Weld has none.
I disagree EWT. Please tell me how he was a terrible governor of this state. I think he did very well in his time here. I, too, appreciate his independent thinking. If government had more independent thinkers, things would get done a lot faster, compromises would happen quicker, and our country would be better off for it.
He was always was right on the BIG issues and he's showing why he's been successful. He has common sense and knows that McCain is not a leader who can move us forward.
If a former Hillary supporter switches to McCain (s)he's an idiot and obviously a racist. But if a Romney supporter switches to Obama he's an independent thinker. Gotta love those double standards!
Weld is all about the good times, living, loving, laughing (he is the anti-Kerry). While he's up in Salem, he should get loaded, and go over to Canobie and maybe have some sex with a babe as he rides her and the Yankee Cannonball simultaneously. Weld is one of the best Governors we ever had, they don't make 'em like that anymore.
Republicans who are horrified at what the Bush crew has done to the party are coming around to realize McCain will not rescue the GOP, in fact he and Palin will make things worse. It may take two or three elections for the GOP to recover from the Bush fiasco. Weld, Colin Powell, Scott McClellan and others are trying to get out in front to show the GOP it has to move away from the Bush/Cheney agenda of catering to the rich and preemptive invasions. The only republican running in the primaries that could have competed with Obama was Ron Paul and we saw how well he did.
As a centrist democrat, one thing I used to admire about the Republican party was that they seemed to take accountability seriously. Government agencies, educators, etc., were all expected to measurably succeed. Those days are long gone. After 8 years of the most atrocious failure imaginable, how could anyone remotely consider putting this group back in power? If the world were a perfect place, the Bush voters (as opposed to those who rightfully supported McCain 8 years ago) would be required to apologize to America, in writing, before they were allowed to vote again. What a travesty. It's time for the Republicans to regroup and come up with something better.
How could someone who supported Romney support Obama???? Does Mr Weld have any morals?
I thought Mr Weld was better than this, but sometimes he's such a disappointment. (Meaning, when he supported Romney, and when he caved on the issue of gay marriage, in NY.)
Shouldn't he want to find out if Obama is a US Citizen before he backs Obama ?
Great? You call this great? That Koolaid must be really good.
Funny how when a republican jumps ship he is not a real republican. You repu-gants make me sick. You so full of your selves and elities, you can not even see the forest for the trees.
Weld is backing the least fiscally conservative and most socially liberal of the candidates. Has he forgotten what sort of mess he inherited when he was governor? What is it about Obama's tax and spending plans does he not understand?
Weld is bucking for a job in D.C., that's all. He's lining up just like Powell and Lugar for the lucrative government job payback.
Pray tell Mr. Weld, when has Obama linked with Republicans on ANYTHING???? He has voted straight party line (or voted "present") on every single piece of legislation in either Illinois or in DC. He's no cross-party unifier. What herb are you smoking lately ex-Governor?
This is utterly ridiculous. Weld was not a true Republican and now he proves it by endorsing the Democratic Terrorist lover for President. People like Weld are out of their minds. What on earth are Americans thinking???? Wake up America before it's too late!!!!
One more Republican that is making his decision based on logic and reason instead of blind loyalty to Republican ideology!
One more Republican that is making his decision with the best interest of the country in mind instead of blind loyalty to Republican ideology!
The only ones that will remain in the McCain/Palin camp are the racists, the ignorant, those voting with their sex organ instead of their brain, and the hard-core loyalists to party, rather than country...
Yo EWT. Weld led the turnaround of Mass from the Dukakis fiasco. He did such a good job that crazy Mass voters continued to elect Republican governors four consecutive elections. I agree with Weld that Obama has a chance to be a transformative figure. He is eloquent. However, I cannot find anything in his background to match the eloquence with deeds. He is a very liberal senator with minimal leadership history and no history of bringing diverse political parties together on important issues. I hope for the sake of the country that he succeeds as another Jimmy Carter would be disastrous.
"Weld was my favorite MA Governor until today."
Sure he was.
"We need PROVEN leadership and someone with foreign policy experience not a freshman Senator as the next commander and chief!!"
No we don't. We need a "hockey mom". We need someone who can't answer a single question, Someone who can't name one newspaper.
Weld is jockeying for Kennedy's seat in the Senate. Good move.
Good job Mr Weld you are one of the smart ones.
James Stevenson, remember when Obama became the frontrunner and a lot of people who formally supported Hillary said they were going to now support McCain? Please tell me that you didn't say they were racists or idiots because Hillary's are so different than McCain's. If you can honestly tell me that than you are not a hyprocrite. Chances are you can't so you are.
Watching Republicans tear each other apart as they flee the sinking ship that is the GOP is better than anything I could ever hope for.
Ever since the mid 1990s when the GOP gained control of congress, progressive, independent thinkers have been shouted down, silenced, and ostracized. And while I would like nothing more than a President Obama (get used to saying that) to do the same to them, he will not, and that is exactly what will make him a great president. Enjoy it.
"matt" says we need someone with foreign policy experience. How is it that someone with a view of Russia can trump a thoughtful intellectual capable of bringing people together from all sides, when it comes to experience? George Bush had no foreign policy experience, barely a passing familiarity with world geography and was proud of being a "C" student--yet you would put his female equivalent a heartbeat away from the Oval office? We've seen where a total absence of intellectual curiosity can lead us--now let's try the opposite. Good call Governor Weld!
Obama will lead based on our "common values"???????? I do not share the values of Rev Wright, Bill AYers, Louis Farrakahn, Jesse Jackson, Tony Rezko, Barney Frank and the Black Panthers. Hating Jews, white people and the US military aren't values that I share. Weld is misguided on this one.
Now, now. Sarah can answer a single question......"Where did you get your clothes?"
Wow, the crying of the "Party before Country" Republicans is pretty loud on this one. Bill Weld was that rare republican that could actually govern, rather than just deregulate and let corporations rape us.
Put a fork in it folks, you are done. Get your act together for 2012
RE DLD's comment: the same could be said of John McCain, who was born in the Panama Canal Zone, and whose eligibility for the presidency may or may not have been resolved retroactively. Don't play with fire unless you're willing to get burned!
If it weren't for Double standards Republicans wouldn't have any. They can't even stay on message. Thank God for Bush, Cheney, Rove, et al. If it weren't for their hubris, temerity, lack of morals, ineptitude, and intransigence, we might be looking at an actual contest for president this year. As it stands, the 'Permanent republican majority" is small enough that we can probably drown it in the bathtub. It will be smaller still come November 5th. God has indeed blessed America.
Chuck Krauthanger is delusional. He's been carrying water for Bush for so long that he's suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. Somebody get him some pills.
Excellent!
To the above response; if you are truly financially conservative, how could you possibly vote for the republican ticket. Most of us have suffered net salary decreases and increased debt as a result of failed economic policy and budget/debt expansion over the last 8 years.
Well written piece by Charles Krauthahammer, but not necessarily true. His assignment of motive to those supporting Obama as politically motivated and not heart-felt is a lack of imagination that dishes a lack of dignity.
Just another useful idiot!
I hate to tell ya, but without all those R.I.N.O s, the Republican Party is toast.
pine8ball posted, "This is utterly ridiculous. Weld was not a true Republican and now he proves it by endorsing the Democratic Terrorist lover for President. People like Weld are out of their minds. What on earth are Americans thinking???? Wake up America before it's too late!!!!"
I am note sure where to begin with your post. Obama is a terrorist? If so, shouldn't you be extremely disappointed with the anti-terrorist bills that the Republicans spent so much time and money approving? I mean, here you have a terrorist running around in plain site, in fact running for President, and yet he is not behind bars! Wow! Sounds like all that tax money for homeland security worked out well, heh?
Then we hear you asking Americans to wake up? Why, because many people are behind Obama? If anything, people voting for Obama are most certainly awake. They are voting for change. You, on the otherhand, see nothing wrong with the past eight years of executive Republican control.
Now I ask you, are you awake?
ha ha you're so clever Mark F.
We always knew the "F" stands for F'ed Up or Fried on Obama Koolaid.
Weld is the last Republican for whom I ever cast a vote (in 1990).
I admire his courage.
"He isn't a true Republican and he did a terrible job as Governor of Mass. Another phoney Pol."
Not a true Republican. Is he "anti-american"? A "terrorist" in the making? A "socialist"?
LOL, I guess those sour grapes get more bitter by the day...
Two facts about Weld:
1. His ancersters were among the founders of the Masschusetts-Bay Colony.
2. Massachusetts was one of the Original Thirteen states, and the most "radical" pushing for and during the War of Independence.
Anyone who opposes Weld on "ideological" grounds is anti-American.
I think in some ways, its kind of funny...the republican party has their chance for 8 years...and they BLEW IT. The ghost of george bush's 8 years is the real motivator of this election. We had a leader for 8 years who screwed up time and time again and refused to take ANY accountability for it. Whats more, he doesnt think he should have to explain himself to the American people. Republicans, you want to blame someone for all this?? Blame George Bush...and the slack jawed yokels who helped elect him.
Time to change the name from Washington DC to
O-TOWN!!!!!
Eat it rethugs!
Charles Krauthammer - LOL That guy is MAD! Did you really think that everyone was going to just drink the republican cactus cooler and vote for McCain?? C'mon...after 8 years of george W, the US people want something different. George Bush will go down in history as the WORST president EVER!
Charles just admittied that he does not put the country first. Makes him the worst kind of hack.
See what happens when you move to NY?
Come on, Bill, WAKE UP! Next thing you know, he'll be wearing a Yankees hat!
Would you far-right wingnuts rapture already so the rest of us can anjoy this country?
Rush Limbaugh keeps ranting that the endorsement by Colin Powell was racially motivated. Well William Weld is white. You can't have it both ways Rush. Did it ever occur to you that the majority of Americans are beginning to understand that our next best chance to get this country back on track is Barack Obama? Now that is putting "Country First".
Hopefully this is the end of the right wing, neo-conservative, hyper-religious, ideology over all else, republican party. Hopefully it can get back to its fiscal common sense, strong military, sensible business and tax policies base.
I bet that if Obama wins the election the stock market will jump 1000 points with in 1 weeks..
Do we really care - he was and is such a screw up
Fantastic! Shows he is a thinking man who wants the best for this country. This is not the time for partisan politics and obviously Weld knows this.
Q: What's the difference between lipstick from Walmart and lipstick from Nieman's or Sak's?
A: $150K
I never thought that I would ever side with ex Governor Weld On mich , but he is right on this call
If all the "fake" republicans keep jumping ship, we'll just be left with the "real" ones — racist end-timers praying for WWIII.
It only makes sense. Weld is a man of great intelligence. He's the first and only Republican I voted for -- when he ran against Silber.
Once a sellout always a sellout!
Weld is showing his intellect when he endorses Obama. There will be many more Republicans endorsing Obama in this historic election because he has the temperment to handle the job and the compassion to do the right thing for the growing number of people loosing their jobs.
OBAMA'08
Will people please stop saying that McCain supporters are all racists. This is a very ignorant statement. I don't doubt that there are several racists who support McCain, but you don't think there are racists who support Obama? You mean to tell me all those people who use terms like "cracker" "honkie" and "white devil" are all voting for McCain? Fact is there are many intelligent people on both sides, and there are many people stupid people on both sides. And if you continue to assume that anyone who disagrees with you is a racist, you sound like one of the stupid people.
King was more of a Republican!
Pinkie is n was a lib
Yes Weld may have been socially liberal...but he was a fiscal conservative. But this is just one of many important republican endorsements. Powell and the Goldwater family (McCains's mentor...gasp!) were more important actually. Please do yourself a favor and watch the first 7 minutes of Powell's Meet the Press from last Sunday. You can get the link on You Tube. He was really so thoughtfull and reasoned...much like Obama in that respect! Especially everyone who is talking about racism, on one side or another, needs to see him talk about the mother at her son's grave.
This is a true story because it is my story, a Night Mare actually` .
Last night I had a horrific dream. It was about my family in the future. I was in my home with my wife and 6 children (again this was the future). The house was the home that I grew up in and my parents still live in to this day, but they weren't present in the dream. I felt fear and an uneasy feeling when in the dream the front door was being banged on, very loudly.
"U.S Government" they yelled. "Open the door!"
It was a very vivid dream....
I opened the door and to my unbelief there were a number of armed individuals standing there. One began to question me without hesitation.
"How many children do you have living here?" "How many!!!", he quickly repeated.
I answered, "SIX, Six. Why, what is this about?"
The response I got was, "Why didn't you report this in the population census?"
I rebutted, "What? What census?"
This agent stated abruptly again, "The census sent to determine the number of children living in your household." "We've been told by your neighbors that too many children live in this home." "Three of them are to become property of United States and given to Couples that aren't able to have children of their own."
As I attempted to quickly close the front door upon realizing what this person was saying to me. I was at that point knocked to the ground. As they entered my home I heard one of them say, "Take the three youngest".
I pulled myself up to one knee and peered around the corner of the wall to see one the agents rip an infant baby from my wife's arms. I saw Abby my oldest, trying to run the other children into another room. She was knocked from behind also to the ground. I stood to my feet, at this point for some reason there was a gun in my hand. I don't know from where it came or why I had it........
And that was it, I woke up, this morning. Abby had crawled into my bed at about 4:30am. She doesn't like the dark. I was tired but elated to see her, as a 3 1/2 year old girl. There were no other children in the house, as there shouldn't have been, yet I felt as though I had lost them. My wife was sound asleep clueless of my image I now have in my head of seeing a child ripped from her. I have been asking myself all morning, "What was this?" I never dream like this. Was it the pizza I ate right before bed? Is it the concern I have about the direction this Country could go. Is this symbolic of a deeper, darker, and not so quiet monster intruding into all of our lives. Or is someone trying to tell me something. I'm truly troubled by this dream. I'm not looking forward to falling asleep tonight.
Obama will lead based on our "common values"???????? I do not share the values of Rev Wright, Bill AYers, Louis Farrakahn, Jesse Jackson, Tony Rezko, Barney Frank and the Black Panthers. Hating Jews, white people and the US military aren't values that I share. Weld is misguided on this one.
Posted by michael, NH October 24, 08 12:17 PM
Lets see if i can get this right? So Obama is a terrorist now... so that means that Colin Powell was a terrorist all along.... because obviously why would he support a terrorist if he wasnt one? Micheal in NH represents the ignorance we need to overcome. Thats why its never over. We need to fight every day until we outnumber them!!
Bill Weld has common sense ands he knows that Sarah Palin a heartbeat away from the Presidency is far too great a risk!!!
It is interesting that Weld's endorsement has generated this much hatred on the part of the Republican party "faithful". Is it not possible that Gov. Weld has looked at the two candidates, and judged them on character strengths and flaws?
Only the blindly fanatical could fail to see the difficulties John Sidney McCain has had this campaign. From shaky performances on stage at the debates two picking a highly flawed vice presidential candidate in Sarah Palin.
The fact that "fake" Republicans -otherwise known as moderate Republicans - are deciding to support Obama should be a giant, burning beacon to the Republican Party. These moderates used to be known as "Reagan Democrats" - moderate democrats that switched over in 1980 to vote rote Ronald Reagan. The loss of these centrist people indicates more than anything else that the Republican Party has lost its way and has lost its mandate from the people. The Democratic Party had control of Congress for 40 something years before the American people decided there needed to be a change, and the Republicans gained control. Yet, 10 years later the American people voted to put the Democrats in power.
This election is a referendum, not only of John Sidney McCain, but of Republican judgment. If you want the Republican Party to recover, there are things you must change. What those things are I leave for you Republicans to figure out for yourselves.
The only one who is RACIST in this campaign is Barrack Obama himself. He even admits it in his books. Go read them. Get educated on what in the world is going on.
From Dreams of My Father: 'I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites.'
From Dreams of My Father : 'I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother's race.'
From Dreams of My Father:'There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white.'
From Dreams of My Father: 'It remained necessary to prove which side you were on, to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names.'
From Dreams of My Father:'I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa , that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself , the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela.'
And FINALLY the Most Damning one of ALL of them!!!
From Audacity of Hope:'I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.'
Hey Dantheman
They were not racist, but they could be idiots, I don't know they personally. The people who jump ship over to McCain because Hilliory Clinton lost are the definition of sore losers.
Here is the difference, Weld is not claiming that Rommney lost because of his religous affliation, and you can bet that hurt him more than any thing else. Weld at least never complianed or cried about it. The few (and there are very, very few of them.) who supported Hillory Clinton and jump shipped over to McCain are crying and whinning about how this is a protest vote. Sure some are not, some have very valid reasons to do so, but to compare Weld or any other republican who make the choice back Obama to the few PUMA supports who will choose McCain is just not a logical aurgument. Your logic is flawed and your augrument moot. Besided Dantheman, you obviouly have no clue as to what you talk about and are just yet another blind idealog who will waive what ever flag your leaders tell you to.
Obama has carved off 12% of the Republican party to support him. As President he will be very strong having so many Dems coming in and that Republican support. Even if McCain stole the election he would be weak and dying with an incompetent VP.
Oh and by the way, I did vote for Weld.
Dan the man. Thank you for your post.
I am solid supporter of Obama. But I can't demonize Republicans. I think a lot of the behavior and tactics in this election have been abominable. But then so have 75% of the internet comments/posts on both sides as well.
Calling people names and insulting one another accomplishes nothing -- it is not the way to bring people around to your way of thinking. That kind of discourse belongs in grade school. Foreign policy and tax policy are legitimate subjects for discussion. As is education or health care. Or states rights and the constitution.
I can say "I don't understand how Sarah Palin can conclude that Obama is palling around with terrorists when (1) Ayers was not a "pal" or even a close acquaintance of Mr. Obmas; (2) numerous Republicans held the same relationship with Mr. Ayers - are they to be condemned as terrorists as well? (3) Is there any verbal evidence that Mr. Obama ever supported Mr. Ayer's activities of 40 years previous ??
Now I'm not going to say I will "win" my argument on all of the above points, but it is far better than just calling Obama's detractors "racists" or "idiots" or "stupid".
I have never been so involved in an election before (I am 60 years old). And I have never been so dismayed and disturbed by people's behavior. It really frightens me that so many people are so vitriolic . . . and that we have people in the public domain who are encouraging that kind of vitriol. Inciting hateful thoughts and words can easily lead to hateful deeds. Our dark sides are much closer than we care to admit . So my advice - no, my plea -- quit attacking. Offer solutions.
Good for Weld. I am one who voted for Bush twice myself but will never be fooled again by the republicans who have absolutely no solutions other than more tax breaks for the richest of the rich and fear mongering about terrorism. Bush was the worst president ever and republicans can never call liberal tax and spenders again after the money that Bush squandered which we, our grandchildren and great grandchildren will all be burdened with for years to come. Never put another drunk in the white house. He spent it like a drunken sailor!
Too bad for people like Charles Krauthammer. As an Independant, I feel a little bit of sympathy for the intelligent conservatives this year, as they are forced to choose between deep-set party loyalty, and voting for the clearly superior ticket .
It's nice to be independant, and not have to ever pick the lesser of two candidates just because of something like party affiliation. Good for Gov. Weld for exercising his independance.
God you people are all so pathetic. You really think there's any difference whatsoever between Obama and McCain? Let me clue you in... McCain is a RINO, not a Republican. Never was, never will be, and this is why this country is doomed. We no longer has a choice, but you idiots fight amongst yourselves as though we do, and do whatever the TV tells you.
You look to NBC, CBS, FOX, CNN, ABC, MSNBC, New York Times, Post, etc, etc, etc, as though they're really giving you NEWS! Well here's some news - every major news outlet in the country is owned by the same 5 entities, and they got to be monopolies by being in bed with whoever happens to be in power at any given time. And they have you fooled into thinking they're telling you the full story.
So while you argue about their two less-than-qualified puppets, you're completely oblivious to the fact that you were not allowed to see the REAL intelligence and commitment to change like that of Ron Paul. You all could have had a candidate that you could have agreed on, but it wasn't allowed. You are NOT being given a choice. You are being being divided and conquered.
How do you go from supporting one of the most conservative Presidential candidates, Mitt Romney, to supporting the most liberal candidate, Barack Obama?
"UPDATE: This afternoon, the McCain campaign issued a statement from two other former Republican governors of Massachusetts, Paul Cellucci and Jane Swift."
Ha! Cellucci and Swift?! Two of the lamest Governors in Massachusetts history. An endorsement from Weld is worth three times the two of theirs combined.
I love seeing comments like "Obama's not a US citizen", "he's a Muslim", "he's backed by Al Queda".
These are the same people who claim they are attacked by Obama supporters who carve backward "B"s on their faces.
What next? "Barack Hussein Obama is Santa Claus"? "BHO is the Boogyman"?
The only truths in this election are Palin's a pathological liar with a messiah complex and McCain wouldn't know which campaign strategy to pursue if it hit him on the head.
To this Independent, Obama looks like the next Reagan. Different politics, but the same optimism, broad appeal and gift for communication. He's got the mojo that an effective president needs, and McCain does not. Some Republicans are able to admit it, that's why they're defecting.
Powell is a hero again. There's an example of putting country first. He definitely schooled Sarah Palin.
Haha this is hilarious, everytime a republican backs Obama he or she is demolished by his/her own party and simply dismissed as not a republican or only supporting him cause hes black or jumping on the bandwagon blah blah blah, can any of these people admit that theres no reason to pledge blind allegiance to a political party when the nominee is showing how unfit he is to be president and his running mate is beyond incompetent? Can they just be exercising good judgment?
Can we expect John Silber to endorse McCain? It makes sense to me.
Wrong on one key point, John... Reagan was just acting. Obama is the real thing.
WELD IS A MORON! How do you support Mitt Romney and then support Obama? They are complete opposites! Keep drinking the Jack Bill.
You all say Weld doesn't matter, fake republican,etc. But what about McClellen, Christopher Buckley and for God's sake, COLIN POWELL?!?!?!
Are you going to continue making different excuses for each one or are you going to L I S T E N! and help America by voting Obama?
Don't be so hard headed.
Another fine example of a millionaire dilettante from Mass. totally self serving and looking for a high profile job in another administration like so many other Mass governors/solons. You get what you vote for in this corrupt state.
Hear! Hear! Governor.
I hope he is able to help rebuild the party of Lincoln. They have moved way too far to the right. My old party left me. I didn't leave it.
He was probably drunk again and didn't know which one was Obama.
Isn't he a lawyer? Don't say it's nothing to do with that...
I always admired Bill Weld, but on this issue he is dead wrong. Economically, the country wants to pinish the Republican nominee for the greed of a few individuals (mostly Democrats) and tax them as as a wealth transfer tax to the less successful. Many of the less successful will never achieve the dicipline necessary to become successful and many will spend their tansfer as irresponsibly as they have in the past. The most lucrative business in this economy and the economy projected by the Obama campaign will be drugs and alcohol sales. None will go to jail as Obama will not incarcerate anyone. The fundementals of the country may look much like look much like the Franch Revolution in the next few years.
Isn't it funny how nearly each and every comment made by a republican or those clearly for the McCain-Palin team, are insulting or disrespectful. Interesting.
as a former resident of Massachusetts, and a moderate Republican, I am so proud of Governor Weld as I was when he was the Governor. he gives me hope that some politicians can think in an independent way even though members of his party will never forgive him. so many of my party walk lock step with the far right religious extremists who have ignored the more moderate views of both parties.
I wish a man such as this former governor would run, and win the presidency of the United States. It would be so nice to have a thinking, intellegent, moderate person at the helm.