Recently, a group of Republicans at a Billings coffee shop chatted about growing up in Republican households and voting for Republican candidates virtually all their lives. They were there, though, to organize a local branch of Republicans for Obama. Many shared stories of evangelical roots and a distaste of the direction of U.S. foreign policy over the last eight years. One shared concerns of the United States’ increased national debt and another worried about her lack of health insurance. All had unique stories of why they traditionally have voted for republican presidential candidates but are planning to cast a vote this year for Sen. Barack Obama.
Lisa Barton of Molt voted for President Bush in 2004 and said she would have voted for John McCain as recently as seven months ago. “I saw McCain on the Tonight Show and thought, ‘Oh, he’s a funny guy,’” said Barton. “But I listened to Barack speak — and the passion and intelligence behind what he said impressed me and resonated with me. His judgment on foreign policy in Iraq and Afghanistan has proven to be better than McCain’s.” Barton said ending the war in Iraq is a top issue for her, and she favors Obama’s plans to redirect military efforts to Afghanistan. Erika Morck, the daughter of a Korean War veteran, said her parents are republicans and she has always identified with the Republican Party. Despite being deeply moved by Obama’s keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Morck said she couldn’t bring herself to vote for John Kerry four years ago. “I’ve been haunted by that decision for several years,” said Morck, who lacks health insurance and supports Obama’s plan to offer all Americans the same health care coverage members of Congress have. “Barack Obama has lit a fire under me.”
That fire is something the group hopes to spread with fellow republicans who have not decided who they will support in the presidential election. The group is planning phone banks and neighborhood canvasses to reach out to others in the community. For this group, the stakes are too high not to be involved. “McCain’s going to follow the same economic policies of Bush and keep tax cuts for the wealthiest few,” said Steve Foster, a retired attorney. “I agree that a McCain presidency is Bush’s third term.” Area republicans who are interested in more information on Republicans for Obama should visit www.MT.BarackObama.com
http://www.bozone.com/display.php?type=1&subtype=46&event=24483
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