itsmeeeeeee

Surprise GOP Speaker at Dem Convention: Jim Leach

The Sleuth

On the last day of campaigning before the 2002 midterm elections, President Bush visited Cedar Rapids, Iowa to show his support for Republican candidates and was joined by Iowa Rep. Jim Leach. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)

DENVER -- Just as the Republican Convention will showcase Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats have found their own former party rival to deliver a prime-time speech here at the Democratic National Convention: Jim Leach, the former GOP congressman from Iowa who has endorsed Barack Obama for president.

Leach is scheduled to speak at 10 p.m. ET Monday, the opening night of the convention, according to a copy of the official lineup of convention speakers obtained by The Sleuth. He's sandwiched somewhere between Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, and Caroline Kennedy, who will be delivering a tribute to her ailing uncle, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who has brain cancer.

Leach, 65, made a surprise announcement on Aug. 12 that he was crossing party lines to endorse Obama, saying, "This is simply not a time for politics as usual." On that day, he and former GOP senator Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, among others, announced the formation of Republicans for Obama.

The Democratic National Convention hasn't yet announced that the former Republican congressman will be speaking from the podium and he he isn't yet listed on the public schedule.

Leach, a moderate who was first elected to the House in 1976, served for three decades until he was defeated by a Democrat in 2006.

His prominent role could be a bit of a sore subject with the Clinton crowd. During the Clinton administration, Leach, who was then chairman of the House Banking Committee, launched an investigation into President and Mrs. Clinton's investment in the Whitewater land deal.

At least Leach won't be speaking on the same night as Sen. Clinton. She is scheduled to speak at the convention late Tuesday night, while her husband, Bill Clinton, is slated to give his address Wednesday at 9:30 pm ET.

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anhailla

Is it just me or is Iowa kickin major butt this year?


How do you like them apples Mr H?

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...either I go, or that wallpaper does.

Oscar Wilde

CosmicRocker

Many Repub's are not really thrilled with McCain.
It IS possible to poach some votes.I think the best way to do it is to keep McCain tied to Bush.
He's not that popular with his own party even.

HarperLee

Iowa is kicking major butt, and you should be proud, Anhailla!

My wealthy Republican walking buddy who has forwarded me two Obama smear emails is from Iowa. After the 2006 election, she told me how
much she had always respected Jim Leach -- and that she had written to him and sent him money after he was defeated because of the anti-Bush mid-term Repubican slaughter.

Imagine how hard it was for me not to be gleeful when I told her two weeks ago that Leach and two others had started Republicans for Obama. I can't find a transcript or even remember which show,
but Leach spoke on CNN this week telling Republicans and all voters that he hoped they were not letting race be an issue in this election.
I swear I almost wept. An old white guy from Iowa! I wonder if he will touch on race in his convention speech.

Anhailla, your state's Republicans are better than
a lot of red state Democrats.

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anhailla

yes....I like to take full credit for what the state does...lol!

really though, it's been a great year for Iowa
I hope I don't miss the roll call at the convention for Iowa...that's going to be great!

hey...btw...does anyone know how the roll call works?

__________________
...either I go, or that wallpaper does.

Oscar Wilde

RK77

I would expect nothing less from a loyal Iowan!! I tell you---these folks got it goin' on!!