And what is there backing to tell us? Nothing. Simply because they are backing Obama doesn't mean he is the man for the job.

RJ, NYC, NYC

Figureheads, eh? Figureheads ruining our country! I used to feel that way, too, but now, oilman/Pres. and look at the price of gas, and running our good name into the ground, I say impeach 'em all. Thanks, Joseph, for being a republican who's head isn't in the sand.

Myra, Eatonton, USA

Classical liberalism (a.k.a. laissez-faire liberalism):

A doctrine stressing individual freedom and limited government, including the importance of human rationality, individual property rights, natural rights, the protection of civil liberties, constitutional limitations of government, etc.

Courtney, Austin, USA

Another one here, as well. As someone who viewed Regan as a providing a refreshingly necessary adjustment to national direction, I have since come to despise the far right "program conservatives" who run the party these days. A Republican loss is the only way to flush this crew from the party.

Ben Hoff, New Jersey, USA

Here's another disgruntled Republican vote for Obama. I supported him before many of my Democrat friends did. He seems to be one of those rare people who ring true.

Anne Marie, Mount Kisco, USA

I'm of Libertarian mindset, and on the face of it, Obama's Democrat credentials don't lend themselves to my way of thinking per se, yet, what strikes me about him in a positive way as a potential leader is his apparent willingness to listen and absorb the data and make a choice that would benefit US

Notarepu Blicano, San Diego, USA

Well, since we do not have a real conservative to vote for.....and I know our "pretend" conservative will screw us when critical legislation reaches his desk, I'd rather vote for Obama and get screwed by the enemy--rather than vote for McCain and get screwed by a supposed "friend".

Bob, Salisbury, USA

Presidents are more figure heads than substantive policy makers. Obama strikes me as a deeply committed man that truly believes he in the change he talks about. Many people can't accept change because it challenges their own sense of self. Obama will be effective as a figurehead AND policy maker

Seth, Cleveland, USA

I voted Republican for the last 42 years, but I won't be voting for McCain! I am just sick as to what President Bush and our National Republican Leadership has done to our country and to our Republican Party! What were they thinking!

I'm NOT voting FOR anybody....i"m voting AGAINST!

Joseph, Sioux Falls South Dakota, USA

Diverse people support Obama bcs he is not an ideologue who limits "associations" to those who hold one view. He has spent as much time w/ hardworkingwhite people as w/ Wright. "Bitter" stated not elitism but understanding of problems.
Obama looks @ problems, then formulates solutions.
Refreshing

Miriam, New York,

True conservatives are liberals/libertarians, hence Friedman can be both. Repressive policies from Bush are not what conservatism is about. Tricky Dicky may have been sneaky but he was the last true conservative in US presidential politics, despite what all the neocons say these days about Reagan.

Paul, Danville, USA

In response to Mr. Leftow of Oxford: The US Republican party is not the private playground of rightists and conservatives. However it's the misconception that it is that's driving moderate and liberal Republicans away. If this continues the GOP will be relegated an inconsequential "fringe" party.

Sean Bresnahan, Hollywood, CA, USA

Throughout my voting life I had subscribeed to the Republican ideas and voted for their candidates. But throughout the last eight years they have been guided by the extreme evengelical forces. After forty eight years of being a republican voter, I will be voting for Obama.

Maqbool Qurashi, Leesburg, FL, USA

I wonder what these "Republicans for Obama" are smoking! We need to put it on the market and tax it! And I do not care what famous person supports Omaha, I can read his record myself, and see his radical associations. He is NOT Presidential material. Please do not compare him to John McCain.

Steve Welborn, Archdale, NC, USA

One of the first tasks for the new president should be to recover the billions of dollars of contractors' "profits" syphoned off illegally from the Iraq war. American families need reassuring that crime does not pay and that their loved ones did not die to fill the bank accounts of big corporations

peterfieldman, paris, france

I'm glad this is a balanced article, barf. I don't understand conservatives who support Obama! Yeh, McCain is a hot mess, and he would not be my first choice in a MILLION years, but he is by far the lesser of two evils.

Matthew Santos, Saugus, United States

Don't be surprised that conservative folks are longing for change. It's time for CHANGE. Obama brings an energy and focus that is crucial in meeting the challenges we are facing. Here is one more lifelong Republican who is voting for Obama and CHANGE.

Michael Hoxie, Rochester, WA, USA

I know many disenchanted Republicans who are totally smitten by Mr. Obama ... including myself. Just the fact we are talking about possible Obama inroads in the GOP suggests there is movement in that direction. It is palpable.

Sean Bresnahan, Hollywood, USA

Bringing Rev. Wright; the new "swift boat" is really getting old.If thats all ya got your gonna loose big!

Dan, Tampa, florida

It is not just about Republicans or Democrats, its about the worst rulers having total dictatorship hold on the power with no regard to ordinary person and his real prooblems. Government seems to be unwilling to help to do anything to protect the ordinary citizens under any crises,. Go Obama!!!

David, N Dakota, US

This article betrays ignorance of the US. J. Eisenhower is a liberal republican who has held posts in Democratic administrations. Hagel too is a liberal; he was described in the Senate as Democrats' favorite Republican. Friedman described himself as a "classic liberal"- why call him conservative?

brian leftow, oxford,

I disagree with Mr. Hart. If Hillary did in fact push people away, she would not have received nearly 18 million votes. That doesn't happen to people who push other people away. I think Mr. Hart is simply a misogynist who can't bear the idea of a woman as president.

Clark, Dallas, U.S.

I wish I knew how many of us Republicans weep for what has happened to our country under Bush and the "Modern" GOP. The party leadership doesn't seem to get it; because they've lost the support of conservatives, the primaries have been about who is the most "conservative". It's kabuki theater.

Marcos El Malo, Los Angeles, USA/California

This is refreshing news. To see thoughtful Republican voters capable who can see beyond the hysterical rants of Rush Limbaugh and flimsy fact-bending speeches by John 'turncoat' McCain. puts a spring in one's step. For the record, Obama is the 10th most liberal voting senator, not the 1st. Go Obama!

Kal, London, UK

I'm a advocate for the SMART presidency. Bush/McCain will think from their gut. Obama will use his brain. There is a reason why so many people are joining the Obama campaign.
If you want to know his policies. Just go to his website. It's all there.

Sharon Wilkes, Wilmington, DE, USA

I am glad to read that Republicans, unhappy with the Bush record of spend-like-there-s-no-tomorrow and support-my-war, are not ready to support McCain. Obama is unproven, but in America, we believe in potential, and this is obviously a brilliant guy. We need true leadership now, more than ever.

David S, Corte Madera, USA

well it looks like a lot of republicans are for obama i wonder why he is not telling the masses just what he will do in office but if the nixons like him i am as a hands on worker am suspicious. what do these republicans know that i don't know?

calvin, nashville,tn, us

After seven and a half years of what many of us consider the dictatorship of Bush and his right wing part of the repub party, it truly is time for a change. The catastrophe of Iraq, Bin Laden still free, gas prices, and America going bankrupt.
I was a repub all my life till Bush, but no more!

SteveMD2, Annapolis, USA

This is just propaganda. If anyone in their right mind thinks that significant numbers of Republicans are going to vote for the most radical and left-wing candidate in American history, they are fooling themselves. They'd be more likely to vote for Rev. Wright; at least he is somewhat honest.

Fred Jones, Los Angeles, USA

"(David Friedman) suspects that Obama is sympathetic to school vouchers"

"Suspects that" is an exaggeration; I would be pleasantly astonished if he came out for vouchers in his first term, given the power of the teachers' unions. But he has said that he is not entirely ruling out the idea.

David Friedman, San Jose, USA

this country may well get ready for it, we're getting ready to not only se history in the making, we're going to see a president that really cares about people. All people not some of them. I wish the ones that's been so use to non sense could get it. This country needs this kind of change. Think.

Luke, LA,

Obama is a smart man who realizes as president his main focus is to unify the American people, much like Kennedy did in the 60s when America was going through rapid social change. As a smart president, he will contact people like Warren Buffett to get this country back on track.

Nicholas, Atlanta,

Obama is hip

maz hess, biel, switzerland

A pre-imminent inscription in Crawford's Boothill reads; All of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.

Bob Lansdowne, Rockhampton, Australia