Reader TM from Jacksonville, Florida, emails to point out this Adam Smith story that ran in last month's St. Petersburg Times:

It's no fluke that when Michelle Obama, his wife, raises money in Jacksonville Wednesday, she will be hosted by Bobby Stein, a Republican investor who supported Bush in 2004 and Republican Tom Gallagher for governor last year. Or that Tampa businessman and philanthropist Frank Morsani, a lifelong Republican, recently wrote a $2, 300 check so he could see Obama in person.

Morsani, like so many other Americans, is fed up with partisan fighting in Washington and both parties being dominated by their extremes. Obama hasn't closed the sale yet, but Morsani so far likes what he sees from the former Chicago community organizer and Harvard Law Review president.

TM adds, "I know Bobby Stein, who is mentioned in the article. He's generally a conservative guy and was a big supporter of Bush and the GOP. He's basically 'had it' with politics as usual and sees Obama as a leader with the potential to transform politics in the U.S."

More anecdotal evidence from another reader who observes that "the big number of Republicans in my small office who seem open to voting for Obama is quite eye-opening."

All of this suggests Obama has significant potential. But there is a difference between Republicans "liking what they see" in Obama or being "open to vote" for Obama and actually choosing Obama over a Republican in a general election.

And, again, a lot of it has to do with who the Republicans nominate. I'm particularly interested in hearing from Republicans who would pull the lever for Obama over Giuliani in the general. The polling data I cited this morning suggests that describes about 8-10% of Republicans. If you're among this group, send me an email.