Oxymoronic Republicans for Obama

I saw a Republicans for Obama bumper sticker the other day and couldn't help laughing out loud. Republicans for Obama is an oxymoron. Oil and water, fire and ice. Impossible.

Then I stumbled across a news article about this craze that featured two "Republicans" who are supporting the O Man. Former GOP Senator Lincoln Chaffee, who put down the bong long enough to vote for John Kerry in 2004, and Jim Leach, former Iowa Congressman who always looks concerned, have jumped on the Obama bandwagon. Neither man is a conservative, and both were voted out of office, so this isn't a big, bold move ala Alabama Senator Richard Shelby becoming a Republican back in the 90's.

Chris Matthews may get a tingle up his leg and the caterpillars on Keith Olbermann's forehead may dance with delight, but according to Pew Research, the GOP base is getting behind McCain. If this is the best the "Republicans for Obama" movement has to offer, Mac doesn't have much to worry about.

I chuckle at the Obama supporters who also claim to be Republicans. I can don a cape and call myself Batman, but that don't make it so. This is like Baptist preachers for prostitution, Firemen supporting house fires, A Mormon booze and cigarette aficionado club, lambs voting to put the wolf in charge...

The GOP stands for conservatism over liberalism, strict interpretation of the constitution, lower taxes, anti-abortion, strong military posture, unabashed displays of patriotism, private sector solutions instead of big government ones, tort reform, and the welfare of students over that of teachers unions. Senator Obama stands for none of these things.

I don't doubt the sincerity of "Republicans for Obama." I just doubt their ability to label themselves properly. If you used to refrain from eating meat, but you now snarf steaks and pork chops, you can no longer call yourself a vegetarian. Anyone who votes for someone so opposed to the basic conservative tenets of the GOP can no longer honestly call themselves a Republican.

This is media created hype. If it walks like a Democrat and quacks like a Democrat... It's probably a Democrat trying to duck the truth.