LIEBERMAN BURNS HIS BRIDGES: WILL SPEAK AT RNC
Even though he was a Democrat, I’ve always liked Joe Lieberman.
He “got it” on many issues near to my heart; the trashing of our culture, the importance of Israel as an ally, our role in a dangerous world. Lieberman sees many things clearly - even though his is a huge union booster and an advocate of top down solutions to social problems.
Kicked out of the Democratic party for his apostasy on the Iraq War but still allowed to caucus with the Dems so that they could maintain their majority in the senate, Lieberman can see the writing on the wall as well as anyone. The fact is, the Democrats will almost certainly not need his vote to maintain a majority next year after the GOP loses at least 2 seats and perhaps as many as 6 in the senate. And Lieberman knows that there are several Democratic senators who covet his Homeland Security chairmanship as well as his seat on the Armed Services Committee.
This means that come 2009, the Democrats will publicly humiliate Lieberman, emasculating him by stripping him of his plum committee assignments while the liberal netroots who hate Lieberman almost as much as they hate Bush cheer them on.
Recognizing his position, it appears that Lieberman is about to throw his lot in with his good friend John McCain - if not as Vice President (many believe him to be McCain’s first choice but simply not possible under the circumstances) then as a major backer on the sidelines and possible cabinet member in a McCain Administration. Lieberman is scheduled to speak at the Republican convention:
Lieberman will deliver a speech when Republicans gather in St. Paul, Minn., to nominate McCain for president, a party official told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The official requested anonymity because a formal announcement had yet to be made.
Asked during a visit to Georgia whether he would be speaking at the convention, Lieberman smiled and said: “it’s quite possible, but I’ll let them announce it.”
Lieberman, 66, caucuses with Senate Democrats, though has been a strong supporter of the Iraq war and is a staunch backer of McCain’s presidential bid, traveling often with the Arizona senator and campaigning on his behalf during the GOP primary in states like Florida that have large numbers of Jewish voters.
As he weighs potential running mates, McCain is believed to be seriously considering choosing Lieberman, whom he counts among his closest friends, for the GOP ticket. Lieberman’s convention speaking slot doesn’t indicate either way whether McCain ultimately will choose his friend for the No. 2 slot.
Do not expect Zell Miller like fireworks denouncing liberals. Lieberman just isn’t that sort of Democrat. He is a classic liberal in the mold of a Hubert Humphrey; an optimist whose deep religious faith informs his politics as much as any evangelical Christian. Would he consider joining the Republicans in 2009? He may. But there are many on the GOP side who don’t want him. He would be by far the most liberal Republican legislator in Washington and would therefore be an embarrassment at times. Therefore, it is likely that Lieberman will remain an “independent” but may caucus with the GOP for purposes of the leadership votes and other party line matters that come before the senate.
It goes without saying that the Democrats are going to be livid with Joe. But considering the invective hurled at him by his critics already, what more can they say to hurt him?
There’s no room in the Democrat’s big tent for Joe. Liberals might be somwhat diverse in color, but certainly not in thought. There’s more dissenting opinion evident at the Southern Baptist Convention than in the Democrat Party.
Comment by Kurt — 8/20/2008 @ 12:59 pm
“… the Democrats will publicly humiliate Lieberman, emasculating him by stripping him of his plum committee assignments…”
No mention of the quid pro quo here, that Lieberman did not break with the Democrats solely because of his plum committee assignments? And that Lieberman used the razor-thin Dem majority to his advantage? You are usually more honest than that.
Liberman did not want to break with the Dems - but many of them - including Harry Reid - have made no bones about not wanting him around.
Liberman did not leave the Democratic party - they kicked him out and if they had one more senator, they would have stripped him of his committees after 2006.
ed.
Comment by Postagoras — 8/20/2008 @ 1:04 pm
Dang it, why are we giving up on seats in the Senate? What’s wrong with trying for a wipeout of the Dem majority?
Comment by J. Ewing — 8/20/2008 @ 1:31 pm
J. Ewing,
Despite the incredibly low approval ratings of the Democrat controlled congress, Republicans are being blamed by moderates for the mortgage crisis, the economic slow-down, the unpopularity of the war, and (amazingly) high energy prices. Conservatives are rebelling against the RINOs that spend and expand government like McGovern liberals. Is it fair… no. Is it accurate… somewhat. Is it real… yes. Truman was right- the buck does stop at Pennsylvania Avenue, and we have no hope of making gains in Congress this year.
But we can win the White House.
Comment by Michael B. — 8/20/2008 @ 4:12 pm
Lieberman’s an ass. I thought so when he was Gore’s ineffectual running mate, and I think so now. He’s a pompous, vain, preening, prig. Lieberman is about nothing but Lieberman. Granted this does not differentiate him from most senators, but he manages a level of sanctimony that makes his self-inflation particularly irritating.
You guys want him? He’s all yours. I’d happily trade you for Olympia Snowe.
That being said, the Kossacks screwed up going after Holy Joe. Idiots picked a stupid fight with this windbag and then failed to knock him off.
Comment by michael reynolds — 8/20/2008 @ 4:12 pm
Rick, don’t be silly. The following Democrats endorsed Lieberman in 2006, and many campaigned for him.
# Former President Bill Clinton, who campaigned for Lieberman in Waterbury on July 24
# U.S. Senator Chris Dodd
# U.S. Senator and Minority Leader Harry Reid
# CA Senator Barbara Boxer, who campaigned for Lieberman on July 24
# DE Senator Joe Biden, HA Senator Daniel Inouye, CO Senator Ken Salazar, who campaigned for Lieberman on July 31
# NY Senator Hillary Clinton
# IL Senator Barack Obama
# IN Senator Evan Bayh
# NJ Senator Frank Lautenberg
# DE Senator Tom Carper
# CA Senator Diane Feinstein
# AR Senator Mark Pryor
# OR Senator Ron Wyden
# NE Senator Ben Nelson
# CT Representative Rosa DeLauro
# CT Representative John Larson
# CT Lt. Governor Kevin Sullivan
# CT Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz
# CT State Comptroller Nancy Wyman
# CT State Treasurer Denise Nappier
# Former Democratic Party Chair John Olsen
# All of Connecticut’s State Democratic Legislators[1]
# All Democratic CT candidates for U.S. Congress [1]
# Both Democratic CT candidates for Governor[1]
It obviously wasn’t enough for the people of Connecticut but explain to me how exactly democrats kicked him out.
And while we are at it, why did the GOP kick out of the Senate Rick Santorum, , Mike DeWine, Lincoln Chafee, Jim Talent, Conrad Burns and George Allen in the same election year?
Comment by Davebo — 8/20/2008 @ 4:40 pm
I would like to review the speech that Lieberman gave at the wake cum political platform the Dems held for Paul Wellstone (?) a while back. My recollection is that Lieberman went off the rails that night and condemned Bush and all he stood for. If so, this speech should be brought back to life about now.
Comment by mannning — 8/20/2008 @ 5:37 pm
All you fools should just leave Joe alone and kiss my grits.
Comment by Drewsmom — 8/20/2008 @ 10:00 pm
I agree Lieberman sees the writting on the wall. I think he’s betting on McCain as an out. I think it’s almost a given that he will be in the cabinet which he will view as a good end to his career.
Comment by Chuck — 8/21/2008 @ 7:02 am
chirp…..
Comment by Davebo — 8/21/2008 @ 9:44 am
Friday morning…
Hallmark does gay marriageGeorge Will on tough schoolsJules is back on the jobThey’re paying attention now. Noonan. One quote:An attractive, intelligent man, interesting, but—he’s hard to categorize. Is he Gen. Obama? No, no military background. Br…
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