Republicans who supported Barack Obama in the 2008 election say they have few regrets.
The Hill contacted 17 prominent Republicans and members of "Republicans for Obama" groups that launched across the country two years ago. Most of them defended the president and indicated they might vote for him again in two years.
Their statements are somewhat surprising, because polls show that Republicans and independents have turned against the president. Political analysts say the fired-up GOP base, coupled with dissatisfaction from independents, could help the GOP win control of Congress on Nov. 2.
Some so-called "Obamacans" did not want to discuss their views on Obama. More than two-dozen Republicans who attracted media attention in 2008 for their support of Obama declined to comment on the issue.
One of them was former Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R.I.), who served in the upper chamber as a Republican and is now running for governor as an Independent.
Obama attracted criticism this week from Frank Caprio, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Rhode Island, after the White House acknowledged that the president was not going to get involved in the race.
In 2008, Obama secured the support of a broad coalition of independent and Republican voters, propelling him to the presidency. Nine percent of registered Republicans voted for him, a 3 percent improvement from Sen. John Kerry's (D-Mass.) campaign four years earlier.
Despite Obama's push to pass partisan bills through Congress, such as the stimulus package and healthcare reform, GOP officials are sticking by their choice.
Charles Fried, who served as solicitor general under President Reagan, said he doesn't second-guess his vote for Obama.
Former Sen. Larry Pressler (R-S.D.) echoed Fawell.
Monks acknowledged there were problems with the bill, but says critics missed the bigger picture.
Melissa Achtien of Indianapolis, who said she voted Republican for 20 years before the 2008 election, also still admires Obama.
Other Republicans admit they supported Obama simply because they didn't like the Republican ticket.
Submitted by TinSoldier on Fri, 10/29/2010 - 12:00am.