BROOKLYN, IOWA Republican Mayor Rickard to vote for Obama

When I came across this story, as a life long Brooklyn (NYC) resident, I could not help but giggle. All weekend long I've scanned all the liberal blog, read memos from campaign managers, watched the commentators punching hole in the Des Moines Register poll, that Obama has widened his lead in the Democrats pack by 7 points. The Chatter Class are pulling their hair out saying this can't be, Obama getting Democrats, Independents, and Republicans voters. As if this has never happen before, give me a break, didn't Reagen do just that. Well I guess we will know Friday morning if not Thursday night if Obama got the right stuff. Until then I try to get some "field reports."

If you have not seen my post with the Des Moines Register Poll Director Ann Selzer check it out here.


By Gersh Kuntzman, The Brooklyn Paper

BROOKLYN, IOWA — The longtime Republican mayor of this tiny heartland town will stun his neighbors — and send shockwaves that will reach his countrymen in the real Brooklyn — when he breaks ranks with the GOP to vote for Sen. Barack Obama at the Iowa caucuses this Thursday night.

“After eight years of this administration, I’ve had it,” Mayor Loren Rickard told The Brooklyn Paper, which sent a reporter to Brooklyn, Iowa — population 1,200 — for the “first-in-the-nation” caucus.

“We’ve got a currency that’s practically worthless and a war without end,” he added. “I thought they were crazy to start the war with Iraq — and crazier that they didn’t even seem to have a plan to fight it.”

And Rickard said he’s not only dissatisfied with the president, but with his would-be successors.

“I’ve been a moderate Republican all my life and I simply don’t recognize these people [the GOP field],” he said. “Meanwhile, the Democrats have six solid candidates — though I think [Dennis] Kucinich is a bit out there.”

Rickard singled out Joe Biden and Obama for praise — but said he wouldn’t back Biden because “he can’t win.”