New Mexico Republican throws support to Obama

By Steve Terrell | The New Mexican

3/3/2008

A former Republican state senator is switching sides in the upcoming presidential election — maybe.

Victor R. Marshall, who says the R in his name stands for Republican, said Monday that he's started and appointed himself president of a national group — at this point a one-man organization — called Republicans for Obama, But Not Hillary, No Way.

RFOBNHNW already has a one-page Web site (http://republicansforobamabutnothillarynoway.com), in which lawyer Marshall explains his political stance in simple language:

"I'm a lifelong Republican. I'm disgusted with my party. Barack Obama is the best candidate in this election. I'm going to vote my conscience and vote for Obama in November — if I get the chance. If Hillary gets nominated, I'll vote for John McCain. I will never vote for Hillary Clinton. Not ever. No way."

The site links to a more established group just called Republicans for Obama.

"There's a ton of people like me," said Marshall, who represented an Albuquerque Senate district between 1985 and 1992. "I'm a fiscal conservative, I'm green, I'm pro-choice. I want to know what's happened to the Republican Party."

Marshall said it doesn't bother him when Republican McCain or Democrat Clinton criticize Obama for "lack of experience." "Experience is just a buzz word for political hacks to justify themselves," he said.

One way to tell Marshall has Republican blood in him is his reaction to Clinton. "There's too many reasons to list. I think she's dishonest, just like her husband," he said.

Marshall works as an attorney for The New Mexican.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com.