Former Congressman Artur Davis is a lifelong Democrat who served as a co-chairman of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Earlier this year, after becoming exasperated with the marginalization of conservative Southern Democrats, Davis formally switched parties. Yesterday he appeared on CNN to upbraid Vice President Biden for his incendiary "chains" remarks (Obama thought they were no biggie, as he explained in a hard-hitting interview with...Entertainment Tonight):
Davis also headlined a Romney campaign press conference on Team Obama's vicious tactics in Virginia this week. Video is available here. This gentleman is very serious, thoughtful and persuasive. If enjoyed his CNN and press conference performances, you'll probably love his upcoming address at the Republican National Convention:
Former congressman Artur Davis, who officially seconded President Obama’s nomination at the 2008 Democratic convention, said Wednesday that he will cap a remarkable political metamorphosis by addressing the Republican convention this month — calling for Obama’s defeat. Davis, 44, who served in the House as a Democrat from Alabama from 2003 to 2011, said in a telephone interview that he has been given a speaking slot at the Aug. 27-30 Republican convention in Tampa. He said he was not sure yet of the day on which he would speak. But Davis said he planned to speak for millions of Americans who, like him, had traced a path from hope to disillusionment with Obama. After spending his entire political career as a Democrat, Davis declared in May that he has become a Republican. “The one thing that I can bring to the table is to be something of a voice for that group of people,” Davis said in announcing his speaking slot.
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The DNC announced last week that they'd managed to locate a handful of "Republicans" still willing to support Obama, and that this anomalous bunch will be featured in some way in Charlotte. The GOP has one-upped them here, reeling in an Obama for American co-chair to make the case against the incumbent, and for his opponent. This dovetails nicely with a recent effort from Republican and conservative-leaning groups to make a hard play for disaffected Obama voters. The Republican Jewish Coalition produced a series of ads targeting 2008 Obama backers who are switching their votes this year. Americans for Prosperity is running a similar campaign in swing states:
"When the stakes are this high, I don't think you need to feel guilty about voting Republican."
"The president has not earned re-election."
As Allahpundit postulated, the psychology behind these ads -- which thematically emphasize remorse and disappointment -- involves handing undecided likely voters an emotional permission slip to vote against Obama. They may also anti-inspire disillusioned Obama-leaners to just sit this one out.
UPDATE - ABC News' Jake Tapper isn't a happy camper about the president's avoidance of the White House press corps:
President Obama hasn’t formally taken questions from the White House press corps in more than two months, while on the campaign trail in Iowa yesterday he made time for reporters from People Magazine and Entertainment Tonight. His last news conference was at the G20 in June, when he answered six questions from three reporters on the European debt crisis, the conflict in Syria, and the notion of politics stopping at the water’s edge. The White House press corps has not formally been given the opportunity to ask questions of the president on U.S. soil since his appearance in the Briefing Room on June 8.
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