Former Republican Congressman Jim Leach to Address Democratic National Convention

Thanks for bringing this out, Julia. I think many Republicans (true Republicans) have been very unhappy with what Bush and his appointees have done over the past 8 years. They certainly have not stood for the traditional values of the Republican Party. I respect this man for standing up for change.

Personally, I was a registered Republican until last winter. I believe in smaller Federal government and stronger states' control. I believe in limiting taxation for everyone, but making all governmental bodies more efficient. But, I also believe that there are certain things that a goverment should do for all its citizens to survive into the future and allow us to be competitive economically with other countries: good public education, healthcare for all, and policies that support American labor and jobs.

This administration has been successful for some reason in blackmailing even the best Republicans to stick with Bush's wishes and support him in the Congress no matter what laws are broken, no matter how our international reputation has suffered, no matter how lobbyists have taken over and drained our coffers. It's time for people of virtue and ethics on both sides of the aisle to stand up and say "No!" to another 4 years of Bush's tyranny.

You can stand for America, and our previous way of life, in total, or you can stand for Neocon failed (unless you're rich) economics, and imperialism, and the PNAC view of the world that has brought this country to it's very knees. Republicans that haven't bought into the destruction of America, for corporate and one world aims, have little choice but to stand with Obama, considering the only other choice.

In addition to him you have Republicans US senators Lugar and Hagel praising Biden's nomination. Chuck Hagel is 100% behind Obama.

egadd - Your going to delete my posts because I forgot to take my meds? Hmm that's not very epithetic.

Ok, so then I can be insane as long as I post something with meaning somewhere in there, that is correct, right?

Happy Birthday Julia! (See now you can't delete it) I might have already said that to you today but I forgot to take my meds.

I am interested to see Hilary and to see if she makes her move on national TV. I wonder if it's going to be like Jerry Springer. I am anticipating a large spectacle, will you watch it with me and we can point and laugh at all of the baboons otherwise known as politicians?

I can't say that I'm entirely sold with the Obama platform, but I am most definitely sold on the idea that we cannot survive more of the same.......

Moonie, I am not on "meds" but I am a romantic rival, so therefore I will be probably be deleted! Be gentle Julia dear.

Can one be witty and off their meds at the same time? I don't think so. Everyone is safe thus far. I am not an English major, but I think empathic may perhaps be the word you're reaching for, dear Moonie. It is a little early in the day for Mexican. How does pizza sound for lunch?

Off topic, but I hope Hillary at the convention is anti-climatic. Go out with a whimper, please.

I can't begin to tell you how many, traditionally Republican, local politicos have come on over.

It's wonderful.

"we have seen a diminishment of America's standing in the world that is quite profound"

Translation -most all the world hates us. We need to turn that around.

Seeing as I'm currently parked in Belgium, I can experience first hand the scorn that the world has for the US right now - and 100% of it is because of George W. Bush. The word they use here for Bush is "dangerous." And they see John McCain as even more dangerous. Look at him, he's not even in office and he's trying to start at least two wars already.

We need to take our country back.

David

Your are so right. I was living in Europe until 2005, and I really got tired of trying to defend the country. After the 2004 election, I stayed under my bed for two weeks, and refused to talk about it for the rest of the year.

Of course, Europe doesnt really count, does it?

Jeez spelling errors, euck.. Well, I have them dear Julia, I can't help myself. I try and try and it never fails, *Bingo* spelling/grammatical errors. I have just come to embrace it.

Poor Poor Hilary, I think I would rather vote for her, than Obama, he scares me. One thing is for certain, we need to take our country back as Simon and David have stated above...

Now where the devil did I put my meds.. Lois, are you hiding them on my again?

Mexican is the way to go.. I don't like pizza.. Yuck!

That would be "me" Moonie, are you hiding them on "me." Oh, my illiterate little troll! Kisses.

Ugh, Lois really! That moonbat thing is creepier than Jimmy! You should go for the dog. I hear beagles are loyal.

Perry, I had your wife last night.. Egah Man now I know why your in black in white!

Firstly I do believe a penis pump is in order for your future purchases, she said sleeping with you is like sleeping with a little girl.

Secondly, and more importantly, stop wearing her panties, she said it's weird and you always leave skid marks in them (The spray in wash does not even work).

And Lastly, just like a beagle I'd gladly piss on you!

BTW, sorry Julia, Perry has rudely interrupted our very important liberalism.

Julia,
First off, Happy Birthday!
Now on the article, I think the Republicans that truly see the need for a different direction than the one that has gotten us into this current mess are looking more in Obama's direction. Anyone that looks at it honestly has to see that McCain represents so much more of the same thing that has gotten us to where we are right now!

It's okay. Perry looks like a Republican. If he is still walking on the dark side, I guess it's alright if you do something on his shoe. Maybe with this cast, Clark will weigh in soon.

Where were we? Bob, thanks for the first off! I think I'll sit next to you tonight on the couch with my bowl of popcorn and listen to what Mr. Leach has to say. I'm really in the mood to feel hopeful and I'm tired of this tribe business.

Leach, Hagel, Lugar, and probably Colin Powell. These guys have a problem.

Why do you say that, Jared?

CNN coverage STINKS!! Can't they just shut up and broadcast the speech? After listening to talking heads all night, waiting for a speech, I don't need a talk over explaining it to me and then switching to a commercial while the man is still talking!

MSNBC does better.

Carville is on their right now.

Thanks, Sharon. I didn't realize MSNBC was covering it. Although Carville gives me the hives, I will turn the channel for tomorrow night. I thought Michelle did a fine job. Cafferty was in fine form for the intro. I don't know how Leach did because like I said, after watching an hour of people milling on the convention floor, CNN decided to talk over him and then break for a commercial. And then had the gall to complain about how the convention was going. I don't think the problem was the convention -- it was the coverage!

Michelle did really well and the shots of her mom were very sweet.

"Lincoln is turning over in his grave."

I'm thinking of investigating running a generator with Goldwater, myself, if I can just mount a pully to his head,........ lol.

"Michelle did really well and the shots of her mom were very sweet."

I watched Leach, was impressed, napped through Teddy, will pick that up from UTube, but it is safe to say after last night, America can "finally be proud" of Michelle Obama, too. She rocked.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Conventions/story?id=5648474&page=1

Looks like the Dem's sure like the parties hosted by big corporatation lobbyists!

And they are the party that doesn't suck up to big corporate lobbyists!

Nice post, Ron - born once, got it right the first time. :)

I'll try to find at least the text of Leach's speech.

Money makes the world go round, Winston. I can't fault the Dems for raising some so they can fight back. Corporations don't care -- they sometimes give to both parties so they have greased the skids. I trust the Democrats will deliver policies that align with my values (community, fairness, compassion, access) and the Republicans won't. Bush has done too many things that I grew up being taught that "other" countries, meaning the bad ones, did. As Leach demonstrates, you don't have to be a Democrat or even an Independent to care about turning that back.

Um, Moonie, Perry isn't married. There was this bridge, then a glug-glug and then...

I think it was about that time he became an admirer of the Kennedys. I wonder if that torch has been passed?

Winston,
Would you like to compare campaign donations from lobbyists between Obama and McSame? I thought not. Accepting a drink and a few hors d'oeuvres is a damn sight less implicating than accepting thousands of bribes...... I mean dollars, for your campaign.

We learned in 2006 that the GOP had driven out most traditional, actual conservatives who had the mental capacity to actually think for themselves and see how wickedly off course the neocons and religious nazis had driven the party, were leaving the party behind.

This phenomenon will continue for as long as the nutbags continue to rule the asylum there in GOP land. The entire party is in shambles right now, and their ideology is nothing but a rotting corpse waiting to be buried. Virtually every aspect of modern conservatism has been proven an abysmal, abject failure, which, of course, is why the party literally relies upon bitter divides such as racism, bigotry, fearmongering, and patriotic jingoism entirely these days. They simply have nothing else to offer, and would instantly be rendered entirely moot if it weren't for their brilliant manipulations and deceptions, orchestrated with the considerable assistance of their "liberal MSM."

For a moment, I thought that Chuck Hagel would've made an excellent VP choice for Obama. That would've been a scathing condemnation of the failures of the GOP, and would've certainly driven the stake through the heart of that miserable failure of a political crime operation much sooner than fate will otherwise.

Regardless, while we're sure to see an invigorating, inspiring stream of hope, optimism, clarity, unity, wisdom, and courage from the DNC convention, rest assured that we'll see and hear nothing but fear, hatred, divisiveness, character assassinations, and lies from the RNC version. Luckily, the nation has grown weary of this act. Let's hope and pray that they're unable to fool enough people this time to get yet another presidential election close enough to steal.




"Fair warning: I welcome a spirited discourse and different points of view but if you have nothing to offer other than evidence that you are off your meds, I will delete your posts."

Had to chuckle when I saw this! As much as I am in full favor of free speech for all, I can't disagree that my little complimentary trolls that frequent these sites in their pathetic attempts to distract from topics of discussion can present themselves as rather tasty targets for deletion. Some of us do actually attempt to carry on serious discussions about serious issues around here.

Oh, I am in trouble now with Lois!

I am liking C-Span so much better than CNN.

Kucinich was great: the choice is not left or right. It's up or down.

Been fun Julia,goodbye.

Over and out and on to the phone banking YAY!

It has been fun. The highlight of the night for me was: "If this is an ownership society, own your failure GOP."