Top poker pro Doyle “Texas Dolly” Brunson, a lifelong Republican, is endorsing Democrat Barack Obama for President of the United States.

In his blog, at the website of the online poker room he shills, Doyle’s Room (www.doylesroom.com), Brunson wrote a few days ago:

“I am on this race for President like stupid is on Britney Spears. I have come to the conclusion that poker players have to support Obama. We can’t possibly let McCain be our President because he supports most of George W. Bush’s views.

“Hillary has lots of experience, but I don’t think she is ready to lead our nation. Imagine her trying to talk to the leaders of the Islamic world? I wish we could have her husband back, but we can’t.

“Jennifer Harman and I have e-mailed Obama and asked what his position is on Internet gaming. Hopefully, we will get a response from his camp.”

Later in the blog, Brunson wrote:

“It looks like it is going to be Obama vs. McCain for President. I think Obama is a cinch to beat McCain, where if Hillary was the candidate, it would have been a coin flip.

“Obama’s base is too strong for McCain, which is a good thing. God help the Internet gambling business if McCain does happen to win!”

In previous blog posts, native Texan Brunson identfied himself as “a lifelong Republican” who always votes for the Republican candidate in a Presidential election.

Until this year, that is.

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)