Ohio crossovers aid Obama, McCain

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., continues to get a boost in Ohio from idealistic Republicans who are pitching in as volunteers in the run-up to the March 4 primary.

The Los Angeles Times reported Monday that some registered Republicans on Ohio see the up-and-coming Democrat as an answer to what they see as unproductive partisanship gripping Washington.

Obama is seeking the Democratic Party;'s nomination for president and the Ohio primary next week is considered a key victory in that race.

"I don't want to be cheesy and say, 'He'll bring us all together,'" said 28-year-old Josh Pedaline, who said he voted twice for U.S. President George Bush and is a Ronald Reagan admirer.

"But he seems like someone willing to listen to a good idea, even if it comes from a Republican."

Pedaline told the Times that while he considers himself a conservative, he sees Obama as someone who will embrace -- or at least show some respect to -- voters on both sides of the conservative-liberal divide.

The newspaper noted that Republican Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has won some crossover support on Ohio from Democrats who see him as strong on national defense and like his willingness to differ with party leaders on issues such as global warming and campaign finance reform.