September 1, 2008
Posted: September 1st, 2008 07:09 PM ET

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) - A major Hillary Clinton supporter and donor who traveled with the New York senator during the primary season is attending the Republican convention, and said in an interview Monday he was endorsing John McCain.

"Well I'm here to go from supporting Hillary, who I campaigned with, I campaigned with her husband, her daughter, her whole family, brothers, and the mother, over a period of months, big Hillary supporter, pretty big fundraiser for her, I'm here to support John McCain for president," John Coale told Newsweek's Tammy Haddad.

He said he made his decision "because I think John McCain is basically what Obama says he is and what Obama is not. McCain brings people together, he has an incredible record of integrity."

Coale is married to Fox analyst ad former CNN host Greta Van Susteren.

In that interview, the Washington lawyer also said he told Hillary Clinton's brother Tony Rodham he should not meet with McCain surrogate Carly Fiorina last month – a headline-grabbing decision that Coale worried would be embarrassing to the New York senator.

Filed under: Hillary Clinton • John McCain • Republican National Convention


Ryan   September 1st, 2008 9:21 pm ET

LOL MCCAINS RUNNING MATE DOESN'T BELIEVE IN GLOBAL WARMING, WANTS TO TEACH CREATIONISM IN SCHOOL, AND DOESN'T BELIEVE IN PRO CHOICE, EVEN IN THE CASE OF RAPE.

A Republican ticket would be going behind in a rapidly changing word, in my opinion.

rory ryan   September 1st, 2008 8:55 pm ET

who cares?

Leslie   September 1st, 2008 8:55 pm ET

Hey CNN, how about an article about all the republicans that have moved to vote for Obama? Have you heard of them? They are called "Republicans for Obama". I'm sure you could find a few to interview for your so called "unbiased" news!! I am so sick of the "so called" defection to McCain. This guy's wife is a major commentator on FOX. Who are you trying to kid??

Independentgirl-MS   September 1st, 2008 8:43 pm ET

Hey, he should vote for who he wants to vote for. That's his right; no story here. Next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

outsider   September 1st, 2008 8:40 pm ET

Boy, that´s a change... yes McCains and Hillary´s proposal are almost identical ! Personal political accomodation? perhaps??

Rodham Democrat   September 1st, 2008 8:09 pm ET

One fundraiser doesn't speak for the rest of the big Hillary lovers who are listening to what SHE wants us to do.... vote Democrat and NOT for a Republican because Republicans made Hillary's life miserable in the '90s and dishonestly slandered her during the primaries this year

Lisa from VA   September 1st, 2008 8:08 pm ET

Who cares? I'm a republican supporting Obama....but at least i'm not doing it because i'm a whiney sore loser.

These people waiting for Hillary to run in 2012 crack me up. Don't they realize if John McCain wins, Sarah Palin will mop the floor with Hillary in 2012?

Robby   September 1st, 2008 8:08 pm ET

It sounds to me like a man who respects his own right to vote. I will not let any party influence a decision that is ultimately mine. I registered as a democrat long ago because the party supports most, but not all, of my beliefs. However, I owe nothing to the party. I will vote my conscience and if it leans more towards experience and less towards idealism, I will not apologize for that. Sounds like he won't either.

darlene   September 1st, 2008 8:07 pm ET

If McCain/Palin wins the election, Palin will run for President in 2012. This will pose a problem for Hillary because Palin will have the VP experience that Hillary doesn't have. And don't forget that it could possibly be the Hillary supporters, who want so badly to have a woman in the White House as VP or President who are voting out of emotion instead of issues, to give Palin that experience VP experience edge over Hillary therefore dimishing Hillary's chance in 2012.

rachel   September 1st, 2008 8:00 pm ET

I am not worried about it. I am sure if Obama asks Hillary will be out on the stomp again for him she has already gone to NM, Cali, Nevada etc stomping for Obama. Just like Obama cant make his supporters help retire clinton's debt, hillary cant make her contributers support Obama. Shehas done what she can do.

Morningstar   September 1st, 2008 7:53 pm ET

Those who are with us are more than those who are against us!

Linda31   September 1st, 2008 7:49 pm ET

Anytime someone like this surface, I am always amazed that they never talk about the issues Clinton advocates..............

Lynn   September 1st, 2008 7:48 pm ET

John joins a long list of Hillary supporters who just can't abide the self-ordained messiah. Kudos to him for following his conscience.

teddy stevens   September 1st, 2008 7:47 pm ET

18 million strong and smart ,not falling for Mcsame. no way ,no how. no John McCain.

Northwest Washington   September 1st, 2008 7:40 pm ET

This is as big as FOX's Fred Hume's wife moving to now support McCain.

Cynthia   September 1st, 2008 7:29 pm ET

That's his choice, so bye bye!

ch   September 1st, 2008 7:26 pm ET

No surprise here – there are many Hillary supporters who are not impressed by Obama.

And we are waiting for her to run in 2012.

18 Million STRONG

Chris   September 1st, 2008 7:25 pm ET

He said it perfectly.

McCain/Palin have delivered on what Obama talks about.

McCain/Palin '08

Griff   September 1st, 2008 7:25 pm ET

More Energy, for John...

Deb   September 1st, 2008 7:25 pm ET

Anyone who rallies around McCain is blind. Obama has proven character and he is ready lead. On the other hand, McCain was desperate for a vote so he picked up a woman to try to steal Clinton backers and to get funds and votes from the evangelicals. As far as I can see, evangelicals with McCain are blind, arrogant, and pompus.

joy porter   September 1st, 2008 7:25 pm ET

Shame on you!!!! Sen. Obama won the bid fair and square.
I voted for Sen. Clinton now I am going with Sen. Obama.
What about Roe vs. Wade? What about the War in Iraq?
What about a change in Washington?
The policies of Obama and Clinton are very similar. Why would you
vote for Mc Cain? Give Sen. Obama a chance!

Debby   September 1st, 2008 7:25 pm ET

Maybe he thought Hillary was dissed by her own party and didn't want anything to do with voting Democratic. Greta was for Hillary to she wasn't quiet about it. She has mentioned many times on her show that Hillary was treated badly by her party.

Observer   September 1st, 2008 7:24 pm ET

Why am I not surprised about John Coale? Does his switch make any difference? No.

Naomi   September 1st, 2008 7:22 pm ET

Who cares. His first person he supported lost now the second person he supports will lose.....Is anybody even at the RNC convention?.......LOL

Pam   September 1st, 2008 7:21 pm ET

Married to Greta?? Let's face it. These so called high donor Hillary supporters were NEVER really Hillary Supporters. This is all part of a Karl Rove operative. DON'T fall for it people. Karl Rove is doing the fear mongering, and McCarthyism of the 1950's to try and get the right and the "good ol' boys" to vote red instead of blue.
This is only fueling our fire to vote BLUE! Keep at it Karl. It only makes us stronger and more determined to kick your big ol' fat behind.
John McCain proved today that he didn't properly vet Palin. And she's got lots more to hide besides a 17 yr old who's 5 months pregnant. Why else would he be nervously sending a pack of lawyers to Alaska?
And that's who you want next to the big red button? The old dude and the hockey mom. NO WAY, NO HOW, NO McCAIN, NO PALIN!!!
Signed,
A former Hillary Supporter and now full fledged OBAMA/BIDEN supporter!!!

Lisa   September 1st, 2008 7:21 pm ET

Oh well....Bye Bye

Alex   September 1st, 2008 7:21 pm ET

umm fox news... republican hillary supporter... of course she/he would support mccain

Denise   September 1st, 2008 7:20 pm ET

Faux News? No wonder. Hope this poll cheers her up.
Comments (View) | September 01, 2008

CBS Poll: Obama Leads By Eight Points
A new CBS News poll shows Sen. Barack Obama's lead over Sen. John McCain has grown after the Democratic convention, which 71% of Americans say they watched. Obama and his running mate Joe Biden now lead McCain and Sarah Palin 48% to 40%.

This is the first time the poll included the vice presidential candidates in the horserace question.

Key findings: "Before the Democratic convention, McCain enjoyed a 12-point advantage with independent voters, but now Obama leads among this group 43% to 37%. Obama's lead among women has also grown to 14 points (50% to 36%), and the Democrat maintained the lead he had before the convention among voters who supported Senator Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries."

Complete results are available.

SUE, Michigan   September 1st, 2008 7:20 pm ET

Integrity? Why, because he was a POW?
Cheating on your ill wife requires little integrity.
Changing your mind on oil drilling is a political move, not a moral one.
Choosing a totally inexperienced person to be next in line wasn't integrity, it was stupid.
I could go on, but the last word I think of with John McCain is "integrity."

Hillary Dem for Obama

values   September 1st, 2008 7:20 pm ET

WHO CARES , WE DONT NEED HIM. ALL FOR A LOOSING CAUSE.

OBAMA..........08

Loretta from California   September 1st, 2008 7:19 pm ET

McCain brings people together
_____________________________________________________

I guess you missed the convention in Denver. Senator Obama brought more people together than any candidate that I have ever seen. Maybe it's the diversity that you have a problem with. I haven't seen this diversity in Minnesota yet.

DEMOCRATS UNITE!!!

Jason   September 1st, 2008 7:19 pm ET

Im sure he is supporting Senator McCain because he is a Hillary supporter. If McCain wins on Nov. 4 , Hillary will start her next bid for the presidency on Nov 5

Tyrone Brown   September 1st, 2008 7:19 pm ET

As a proud Obama supporter I think this is a good thing. We don't need Coale's money or energy wasted on our campaign, especially when you take a look at his "drama-filled" history as a lawyer and member of the Church of Scientology. Republicans – he is all yours!

Eisener   September 1st, 2008 7:18 pm ET

Hmm, maybe there is something this man knows about Hillary Clinton's policies and believes that the rest of us do not know?

I thought Hillary Clinton fights for equal pay, raising the minimum wage, reducing CO2 emissions to address climate change to 'little things' such as placing the polar bear on the endangered species list...

Something McCain flanked by his new running mate Palin can certainly no longer claim.

Notice the 'no longer' – some, some of these issues use to be important issues to McCain – but no longer, now that he obviously puts his quest for the White House before the country.

Oh, one thing I am certain Hillary Clinto does not champion is that women who have been raped must carry through a possible pregnancy.. Mm, or the 'bridge to no-where' (PORK), something Palin supports (or in the case of the bridge, supported as she ran for Governor in 06)...

Hmm, sounds to me like Obama and Clinton and thus America is better off without this 'sour donor'!

I used to be a Democrat   September 1st, 2008 7:18 pm ET

There are alot of Dems who aren't down with Obama.

texas4obama   September 1st, 2008 7:18 pm ET

She wanted an end to the war and healthcare for all amongst other things. so he is saying he used to want that and now he doesn't?

Thats odd.

bob   September 1st, 2008 7:18 pm ET

This guy is clearly not a hillary supporter if he will jump on the bandwagon of McCain and help for another 4 years of Bush good work!

What?   September 1st, 2008 7:17 pm ET

Yes, same old – same old CNN....news that we are eager to know?

Nana   September 1st, 2008 7:17 pm ET

John Coale, who is that and who cares who he votes for? please!

Willy   September 1st, 2008 7:17 pm ET

Welcome aboard the express to really change Washington D.C.

JG from MA   September 1st, 2008 7:16 pm ET

Why does no one listen to Hillary?

Allen   September 1st, 2008 7:16 pm ET

Major Clinton supporter? How come I've never heard of them?

Yngvai   September 1st, 2008 7:16 pm ET

*****Coale is married to Fox analyst*****

That pretty much sums it up right there

Marvel   September 1st, 2008 7:16 pm ET

youre a traitor to your party and a traitor to madam Hillary.

Chris from NY   September 1st, 2008 7:16 pm ET

When was he ever a Democrat? He supported Hillary so a black man doesn't win. Now that he did he's switching back to being a Republican. After all his wife works for Fox News. What does that tell you? Even though CNN has it backwards we had a convention bounce without his vote. We can as well win in November without his vote.

Ed, Fl   September 1st, 2008 7:15 pm ET

Who cares ? We all unite around Barack Obama.

Repub turned Dem   September 1st, 2008 7:15 pm ET

His wife is a reporter for one of the most conservative news station in the history of reporting. This clown never was for Hillary, it just only shows you who is in control in his house. He's a follower not a leader

Phil Newton in Murphy, Oregon   September 1st, 2008 7:15 pm ET

You go from supporting Hillary Clinton to supporting someone who is her polar opposite (no Alaska pun intended).

Which begs the question: Why did you support Clinton in the first place?

Obama 08

Cathy   September 1st, 2008 7:15 pm ET

This is a slap in the face to Hillary....Judas personafied!

Farrell, Houston, Tx   September 1st, 2008 7:15 pm ET

Who is he fooling, he's going to the GOP convention to get his hands on lobbyist money.

Republican for Obama   September 1st, 2008 7:14 pm ET

Doesn't matter, we cross parties every often, some when offered jobs by the other side, others when disappointed in their own parties.
Hillary has stated where she stands, anyone else will make their own independent decision.

Gene   September 1st, 2008 7:14 pm ET

Who cares? one vote out of millions. McCain/ Palin ship already is sinking so fast. We get nothing to worry.

Bellamy   September 1st, 2008 7:14 pm ET

This is so much smoke and mirrors its not funny. Greta Van Susteren has been with FOX news since 2001 and that should tell you what you need to know about this guy's true motivations. Did anyone see this guy with Hillary Clinton during the primaries and can anyone actually validate his recent support?

Angel R Jr.   September 1st, 2008 7:14 pm ET

What a bad political and fundrasing move.

GIDGET GOES TO ALASKA   September 1st, 2008 7:14 pm ET

Make sure he stays there!

phillip   September 1st, 2008 7:14 pm ET

Cheating on his first wife, the Keating Five, against equal pay for equal work, for the war in Iraq (for the next 100 years if need be), etc...

yes, McCain "has an incredible record of integrity."

Eric   September 1st, 2008 7:13 pm ET

This is America, and that is his choice. I hope he finds in McCain what he thought he saw in Hillary.

Obama/Biden '08

tlatexaspuma   September 1st, 2008 7:13 pm ET

I heard the interview at TIME and he said there were more to follow. Great news. I know that many of Hillary Clinton supporters have went over since Palin is on ticket. As a former Clinton supporter and life long Democrat I am supporting John McCain/Palin 08.

Robert   September 1st, 2008 7:13 pm ET

Ah, the husband of a FOX chair-filler? Now THERE'S an unbiased view. LOLOLOL

Proud American of African Descent   September 1st, 2008 7:13 pm ET

Another person who backed Hillary not for the issues she championed. As he walks down the street his theme song plays; "I see your true colors, shining through; I see your true colors".

bobby   September 1st, 2008 7:12 pm ET

John Corale you are one of the foolish delegates and it is so unfortunate that people like you dont want to rally around Obam,a but would rather vote for someone who has got entirely differnet ideas from Obama talk less of Mrs Clinton.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

wait and see   September 1st, 2008 7:12 pm ET

Just the first of many. WAIT AND SEE

John   September 1st, 2008 7:11 pm ET

Good grief. CNN is so desperate to stoke the fires of this Clinton vs Obama thing that they go find one single person who has crossed over and make a whole article about it. A few of these people exist. Get over it! Most everybody else has.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
@wolfblitzercnn: Trifecta -- NOT. My Redskins, Bills and Packers all lose this weekend. Very sad.
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:40:09 -0800
@HornickCNN: RT @andersoncooper: Interactive: The top 10 Health-Care-Reform Players http://bit.ly/6C3OlX
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:47:50 -0800
@HornickCNN: RT @cnn_oppmann: CNN.com: Mexico City approves same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/5RyMnk #mexico
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:46:26 -0800
@HornickCNN: Rudy's reportedly not running for NY SEN or Gov ...
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:43:48 -0800
@wolfblitzercnn: Redskins-Giants always exciting. Both teams have a lot to prove. And Giants can still salvage playoffs. Skins just need a win.
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:19:36 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP