Former Obama Speechwriter Endorses McCain

Former Barack Obama speechwriter Wendy Button will vote for John McCain for president, the writer said today in an essay at The Daily Beast.

Citing the Democratic Party’s attacks on Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin during the 2008 election cycle and the treatment of Joe “the Plumber” Wurzelbacher, Button said she could not vote for a Democrat.

“Not only has this party belittled working people in this campaign from Joe the Plumber to the bitter comments, it has also been part of tearing down two female candidates,” Button wrote.

She also criticized Democratic attacks arguing McCain would be an extension of the Bush presidency as untrue, and commended the Arizona Republican for his work on the so-called “surge” in Iraq.

Button’s essay is not the first time the new site, The Daily Beast, has hosted a controversial, cross-party endorsement. Two weeks ago, National Review scion Christopher Buckley announced his endorsement for Obama on the site.

–Michael O’Brien