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Assuming the democrats pick up lots of seats, where does Leiberman fit it? I know he is an "independent" but I'm wondering who he aligns with in the coming Congress.
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With Lieberman, who knows?
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There are many Democratic senators who are very unhappy with Joe Lieberman right now. It is unlikely, however, that the Dems will end up with 60 seats at the end of the night (which includes Lieberman) so I doubt they will kick him out of the Dem caucus. I'm sure he will be getting a frosty reception from a lot of fellow senators, however....Comment
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There are rumors he is going to lose his committee chairmanships. He really is a Senator without a party after endorsing McCain AND giving a speech at the RNC. I used to at least believe he was a man of principle but then he endorsed Fox as ambassador for Belgium and I saw hiim for the opportunist he is.
I really cannot figure him out. He's socially very liberal and yet he's completely turned his back on the Democratic party over one issue - the Iraq War. That's an odd mountain to die on. He's gambled and lost badly. He's broken too many promises. The Democrats needed him in '06 to get control over the Senate but I am not sure they really need him now. If he was the 60th Senator it would be one thing. But the difference between 57 and 58 means little.
FWIW, I still find it very hard to believe that Lieberman was McCain's first choice for VP. How the heck was he going to sell a pro-choice, pro-affirmative action, pro gun-control, orthodox jewish liberal to the conservative base????Comment
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Lieberman is one of my favorite senators and my hope was that McCain would have chosen him as his running mate. I believe he will probably get alot warmer reception from the republican senators than the democrats.Comment
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Maybe Bush will give him another kiss? ;-)Comment
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Maybe as a man of principle, he felt he HAD to
side with the Repubs because he understood the gravity of the war and seeing it through to a successful conclusion. It obviously would've been easy for him to follow the liberal line...it was difficult for him to turn his back to it. And yes, he may pay dearly for it, but obviously he felt he was doing the right thing for his country. Obviously the Dems thought he was wrong, but HE believed in it.Originally posted by Jeannie View Post
And I still think the closer they get to 60, the more strong arming will be done. I don't think there's a huge difference between 58/59 and 60. They only have to convince (or threaten) or work a deal with only 1 or 2 Republican Senators....and especially given some of the super moderate Republicans on the east coast - that's a lot easier than having to convince 8. Sure - it takes 60 to avoid filibustering, but when you have these crossover senators, it's not that hard anyway.Comment
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McCain-Lieberman would have been a great ticket
I agree. And frankly I think his main reasons for supporting McCain are because of McCain's stance on finishing the war in a way that at least tries to accomplish something along the lines of putting restraints on dangerous countries that obvioulsy are a threat to peace. LEaving Iraq in a somewhat stable condition is the best safeguard/check against Iran. If you are Lieberman, keeping Iran in check is a BIG DEAL as it is a very real threat. That is reason enough for him.Originally posted by julied View Post
Also lest folks here forget McCain was the central firgure in the gang of 14 moderates trying to work across the aisle. Another reason why Lieberman would support McCain. He is a centerist, not a far left liberal.
If Lieberman were MCCain's running mate, the choice would have been easy for many moderate GOP people and many centerist DEms.
He should have done this. He should have done what he wnated to do. Imagine that ticket v. Obama/Biden, the latter garnering little respect form lots of Dems I know. If some of the GOP far right sat home, who cares. He could have gotten a big chunk of the middle. It would have been the kind of bold move he was looking for...two guys who have always done what they thought was right and have rejected their home party's maintstream thinking on many occasion. It would have symbolized a new kind of government.
I'm a DEM. I wanted to vote for Carter, but was too young by 2 yrs. I voted for Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton, Gore, and Kerry. This time I'm voting top of the ticket for McCain. Frankly I don't even think of it as a vote for the GOP. When I go to the polls I will get a sample ballot for the GOP and the Dems jsut to see the looks lol, when actually I just need the DEm one, because down ticket I will vote all Dem except for relecting Frank Wolf (who is unshakealbe Mr. Consitituency in our No VA district and has helped me out on occasion). My oldest DS worked on the Mark Warner Gubenatorial campaign and the Kerry campaign. Despite being a college student surrounded by Obama supporters, I'm thinking he will vote for McCain. He was still on the fence Sunday, but I used my person persuasian.
John Mc Cain would make an excellent President. He would be himself.Comment
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