Lieberman Endorsing McCain Today
Today's the day, when Democrat-turned-"Independent Democrat" Joe Lieberman, the 2000 Dem nominee for vice president, will endorse Republican presidential candidate John McCain in New Hampshire.
"When others were silent, and it was thought politically unpopular, John had the courage and common sense to sound the alarm about the mistakes we were making in Iraq and to call for more troops and a new strategy there," Lieberman will say, according to prepared remarks. "And when others waivered (sic), when others wanted to retreat from the field of battle, John had the courage and the common sense to stand against the tide of public opinion and support the surge in Iraq, where we are at last winning."
Lieberman's full prepared speech is available after the jump.
SENATOR JOE LIEBERMAN ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENTFor Immediate Release
Monday, December 17, 2007
ARLINGTON, VA — This morning in New Hampshire, Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) endorsed John McCain for President of the United States. Senator Lieberman issued the following statement on his endorsement:"I have come to New Hampshire this morning to ask Republican and Independent voters to support John McCain in the first-in-the-nation primary on January 8.
"I know that it is unusual for someone who is not a Republican to endorse a Republican candidate for President. And if this were an ordinary time and an ordinary election, I probably would not be here today. But this is no ordinary time — and this is no ordinary election — and John McCain is no ordinary candidate.
"In this critical election, no one should let party lines be a barrier to choosing the person we believe is best qualified to lead our nation forward. The problems that confront us are too great, the threats we face too real, and the opportunities we have too exciting for us to play partisan politics with the Presidency.
"We desperately need our next President to break through the reflexive partisanship that is poisoning our politics and stopping us from getting things done. We need a President who can reunite our country, restore faith in our government, and rebuild confidence in America's future.
"My friend John McCain is that candidate, and that is why I am so proud to be standing by his side today.
"I have worked closely with John for many years on many issues — from stopping genocide in the Balkans to combating global warming to creating the 9/11 Commission and enacting its recommendations into law. I have seen John, time and again, rise above the negativism and smallness of our politics to get things done for this country we love so much. I have watched him, time and again, work across party lines to make our country safer and stronger.
"John McCain has proven that we can trust him to do what is right for our country, not only when it is easy, but when it is hard; to do what is necessary, not only when it is popular, but when it is not; and to tell us the truth, not only when it is easy to hear, but when it is not.
"As President, John McCain will bring America together again. He will inspire a new American unity and a new American patriotism. He will push all of us to work together to solve our biggest problems, and defeat our most dangerous enemies.
"Throughout our history, succeeding generations of brave Americans have risked their lives for the cause of freedom — which is America's cause. Throughout his career, from the ranks of the military to halls of the Congress, John McCain has made freedom's cause his own. He learned the ideals of patriotism and service from his father, he taught them to his sons, and he will hold those ideals high as an inspiration for all Americans.
"When it comes to keeping America safe in this time of war, John has proven that he has the experience, the strength, and the character, to be our commander-in-chief from day one. I have traveled the world with John, so I can tell you how much he is liked and admired by leaders across the globe. He will be a President our friends will respect and our enemies will fear, and a President who will lead our nation on the world stage with purpose and principle.
"When others were silent, and it was thought politically unpopular, John had the courage and common sense to sound the alarm about the mistakes we were making in Iraq and to call for more troops and a new strategy there. And when others waivered (sic), when others wanted to retreat from the field of battle, John had the courage and the common sense to stand against the tide of public opinion and support the surge in Iraq, where we are at last winning.
"You may not agree with John McCain on every issue, but you can always count on him to be honest with you about where he stands, you can always count on him to stand for what he believes is right for our country — regardless of pressure from politicians or vested interests. And you can count on him to be restless in pursuit of progress. In that sense, John McCain is the real change candidate in this race for the Presidency.
"There are many fine people running for President. Many of them are good friends of mine. But I have concluded — and I hope you will, as well — that John McCain is the candidate who can best reunite our country and lead us to victory in the war against Islamist terrorism.
"The nomination for President remains wide open, so on January 8th, New Hampshire's voters can — and I hope will — make history and send John McCain from the Granite State to victory.
"Thank you."
Comments (18)
Daniel wrote on December 17, 2007 8:50 AM:Not that this particular story will matter at all considering how irrelevant Lieberman has become, but McCain is sure showing lots of signs of life in New Hampshire. And that could end up hurting Barack Obama, since McCain and Obama are both hoping to get the votes of non-affiliated independents.
moondancer wrote on December 17, 2007 9:10 AM:Republican lobbyist Jomentum stabs the party that gave him his chair. Time to pull it out from under him.
Michael Powe wrote on December 17, 2007 9:14 AM:Interesting how Chris Dodd's star has ascended as Lieberman's has descended. "A simple twist of fate."
I'm cautiously hopeful that after the 2008 elections, Joe Lieberman, I-CT, will be riding the pines with the minority 'R' team. Could there be a more fitting fate for this apostate?
Thanks.
mp
Kefa wrote on December 17, 2007 9:17 AM:They both deserve each other
bleh wrote on December 17, 2007 9:19 AM:Yeah, I hope all you Joe-backers out there see what you enabled.
If/when the Dems get 61 seats in the Senate, this guy should be banished to oblivion.
Richard L. Adlof wrote on December 17, 2007 9:20 AM:Infamy endorses Insanity . . . Can thuggery be far behind?
Daniel . . . If the NH Independents are truly independent they will vote to support their own interests and neither Obama or McCain trully meet the criteria as long as either of those two remain mired in their personal belief of their own engrandizing hype.
Steve wrote on December 17, 2007 9:24 AM:This is no surprise. Many of us in Connecticut always knew he was a poser. That's why we voted him our during the democratic primary.
John G wrote on December 17, 2007 9:30 AM:Connecticut owes an apology to the Democratic Party for "traitor Joe". Come 2009, he will be free to go to his (minority) Republican base.
Gnopple wrote on December 17, 2007 9:43 AM:I know that it is unusual for someone who is not a Republican to endorse a Republican candidate for President
I find it odd that this is a big story. It's not really a "cross-party" endorsement after all...or every single endorsement Lieberman gives is a cross-party one. We (Dems) need a bigger majority in 2008...then we can drop Lieberman for good.
anon wrote on December 17, 2007 9:43 AM:Personally, I think it would be a crying shame if, perhaps, Lieberman got say... hit by a bus or struck by ligtning, or trampled by a stampede, or suffered a debilitating aneurism/stroke/massive heart attack. You get the idea. It would be awful, truly awful wouldn't it?
An Outhouse wrote on December 17, 2007 9:49 AM:anon,
Maybe some public servant could lead a prayer service to this effect on the steps of some capital or another. I think Joe would appreciate that.
AJM wrote on December 17, 2007 10:01 AM:How soon we forget:
the following appeared on Boston.com:
Headline: Obama rallies state Democrats, throws support behind Lieberman
Date: March 31, 2006.
Obama went to the Connecticut State Democratic Dinner and gave a speech strongly endorsing Lieberman.
The sooner Joe becomes irrelevant the happier we will all be but the point is that Obama showed a lack of judgment in supporting Lieberman in this fashion in the first place. If you can get sucker punched by Lieberman what does this say about your ability to unite the Nation?
NitPicker1 wrote on December 17, 2007 10:16 AM:
Lots of folks have speculated about what Bush and Co. are holding over Harry Reid's head, that he so consistently caves to their demands.
But the more I think about it, the more I suspect it is Lieberman who is leaning on Reid. Lieberman holds all the cards; if he formally completes his defection to the Republican Party they will gain control of the Senate and everything that goes with it. (I'm sure the GOP would be happy to grant him a committee chairmanship at the minimum, so it's no use expecting Reid will strip him of that in retaliation for any of his betrayals.) My guess is that if Joe says jump, Harry will only ask how high.
I'm curious - what has Lieberman's position been on all these issues where the Senate Democrats have caved?
Official A wrote on December 17, 2007 10:35 AM:"If/when the Dems get 61 seats in the Senate, this guy should be banished to oblivion."
Why wait? The Democrats can obstruct with 50 votes just as well as the Republicans, if they're willing, and having one fewer DINO would not affect one iota their ability to cave into Bushco.
Time for character, Democrats. Otherwise, might as well change the name to Whigs and put yourselves out to pasture.
Michael A wrote on December 17, 2007 10:35 AM:Will conn please recall this traitor. He lied repeatedly in his campaign as an "independent." On traitor joe's position on the things dem caved on, I can guarantee it was a republican position. Traitor joe must go.
oleeb wrote on December 17, 2007 11:02 AM:Good and interesting observation Nitpickerl!
It begs the question, what is the majority worth if you remain powerless and cannot excercise the control that majority status ought to bestow? Very little IMHO.
In fact, there is so little advantage of being in a castrated majority that I would argue it better to tell Joe to go fuck himself and let him defect. Then EVERY single act of the US Senate is on the heads of the Republican swine, but even more importantly Lieberman is revealed to the nation as an absolute traitor to his party and his state. He would then receive the opporbrium and open hatred of millions that now do not understand the full extent of his surrender to the forces of evil. Lieberman is the worst sort of political scum in the known universe.
CT Voter wrote on December 17, 2007 11:44 AM:Fabulous!
The Straight Talk Express now has
JOEMENTUM!votenic wrote on December 17, 2007 9:44 PM:
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