McCain Campaign Confirms It: Lieberman To Speak At GOP Convention
The McCain campaign confirms what we all have known for months would happen: Senator Joe Lieberman will speak at the GOP convention on the first night.
Maybe Lieberman will reiterate his claim that Obama has not always put his country first. It's awfully valuable to McCain and the GOP to have a so-called Democrat leading with such a smear, and there apparently is nothing Lieberman won't do for his new buds.
There's simply no chance whatsoever that Lieberman will have his plum committee slot come 2009, presuming he's still calling himself an "Independent Democrat" by then.
Late Update: Some quality snark from Chris Bowers about the Dem Congressional leadership: "I still remain skeptical that they will actually strip him of his committee chair, since it will demonstrate self-respect and a willingness to stand up to conservative Democrats."
Yep, but the gamble obviously is that he would do quite well for himself when McCain is president.
Greg, what would be the impact on swing voters if he is on McCain's ticket? Is there any polling?
August 20, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think I've seen that polled. one interesting fact tho: lieberman actually hurts mccain in connecticut, according to a poll.
August 20, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
They are announcing this now in order to gauge the reaction from the base.
To Jonze's point below, it seems like a calculation: can they live with the base staying lukewarm if it's possible to broaden the appeal with swing voters and generate "post partisan" buzz
August 20, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think the reaction from the base would be far more extreme than "luke warm" if he picks Lieberman.
August 20, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
He's not going to pick Lieberman.
August 20, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
You need to practice hypothetical discussions.
August 20, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
You need to practice hypothetical discussions.
August 20, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
But not as much as I need to practice my posting, I guess.
August 20, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hypothetically
August 20, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why hypothesize about Lieberman on the ticket when McCain said he is not going to pick a pro-choice running mate? Or did Lieberman recently switch to pro-life? If so, I can't keep up.
August 20, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not sure if the base would REJECT him if he puts Libermann on the ticket. They certainly wouldn't be happy about it, but the base of both Obama and McCain would vote on partisan lines.
At the same time, if the base can swallow Libermann, it makes Obama's game even more complicated. Libermann would talk non-stop about the Democratic Party being taken over by the extremist left-wingers. McCain would talk about how he's putting by-partisan ideals into practice. It could open a broader front for McCain, especially if they can use it to contrast with whomever Obama choses as his VP.
I think it's very risky for McCain, but not without it's benefits potentially.
August 20, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Won't happen. He's worked to hard to get the love from the fringe element of the Republican party on his side and Lieberman, notwithstanding his full throated supported of McCain, does not support the Republican platform where it counts. This is all about OPTICS. Nothing more, nothing less. He gets credit for CONSIDERING Lieberman without any intention of ever selecting him.
Smart media strategy on McCain's part.
August 20, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes you have a point.
It still seems to me that McCain's campaign thinks he has nothing to lose so why not take risks.
Plus his performance at Warren's gave a clear reassurance to evangelicals that no matter what happens with his VP (pro-choice??), he the president is clearly conservative.
I think he is actively looking for ways to expand his appeal and this could be one of them. Remember how everyone is pointing out Dems outnumber Reps in new voter registration.
August 20, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Newt called it a week ago, he said if McCain picks Lieberman, Bob Barr gets 15%.
August 20, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, if they vote, they'll go with their party. But unhappy base-dwellers are less likely to vote. If a significant chunk of McSame's base sits this one out, he's toast.
I think that's what's gonna happen.
August 20, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
its a fake-out.
they're just floating lieberman to keep the story alive and give the press something other than obama to talk about.
it's their strategy. Stay in the news cycle any way you can...
August 20, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
excellent point.
headfake.
the gop base would never allow it.
cowardly panderer mccain doesn't have the brass to make such a bold move either. expect someone handpicked by bush and rove.
August 20, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
or maybe its not...
August 20, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Freaktown, I think you are right. Would be amazing for Democrats if Traitor Joe gets on the ticket. Please let this happen almighty Lord!
August 20, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think I've seen that polled. one interesting fact tho: lieberman actually hurts mccain in connecticut, according to a poll.
OT - but Romney hurts McCain in a MA poll,too. I live here in MA and Romney is not liked! He didn't run for re-election because the polls at the time had him losing to Tom Reilly (who lost to Deval Patrick).
August 20, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the link to that poll
http://www.politickerma.com/editorma/677/poll-romney-would-hurt-mccain-ticket-mass
Poll analysis released yesterday by 7NEWS/Suffolk University shows that former Gov. Mitt Romney's (R-Belmont) selection as Republican presidential nominee John McCain's running mate would be "the kiss of death" for the Arizona Republican in Massachusetts.
41 percent of voters surveyed said that Romney as the vice-presidential candidate would make them "less likely" to vote for the Republican candidate, while 33 percent said they would be "more likely." 24 percent indicated no difference.
August 20, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
He won't be on the ticket...maybe Sec Def...Picking him for VP would reverse all the gains McCain has made with the GOP base.
August 20, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. They are mentioning him as a potential running mate to get credit with the media and low information voters that McCain is still a maverick and isn't locked in a loving embrace of all that he previously disclaimed. Shrewd and, at this point, effective strategy if you ask me.
Time to step up your game Obama. That includes his supporters too. Redouble your efforts, lest you multiple the impact of McCain's efforts....
August 20, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Any bets on wether the media mentions that his state wishes they hadn't put him in back in office?
August 20, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
How does McCain juggle appealing to the base and to the independents/moderates that Lieberman is supposed to be a message to? McCain is everything to everybody.
August 20, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
All Republicans need is a good boogie man and they have a great one in Barack Obama. Forget the liberal crap, he's black and they believe he's a closet muslim. That's worse than any issue they had with John Kerry.
He had moderate Dems and Independents all the way back to the primaries. "We're" (as a group, I didn't vote for him) the reason he won the nomination. Leave it up to conservatives and the GOP would be painfully dealing with Mike Huckabee right now.
Now the conservatives will fall in line just to take down Obama. I think where they'd draw the line, though, is Lieberman as VP.
August 20, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
My parents are voting McCain because they watch Fox News and believe Obama is a Muslim who will destroy Israel. They are old and weak and susceptible to fear. One is an MD, the other a PhD so education means nothing in this case. They both used to be Democrats. Sad.
August 20, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fox News might be the greatest thing that ever happened to the GOP.
August 20, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
except the only people who take them seriously are old people.
and that's just because they're not internet saavy and don't know that fox is just blatent propaganda. And they don'ttake criticism from anyother network seriously because Fox has convinced them that the other networks are the propaganda outlets, and not fox.
but the good news is, once all the old people die, fox will lose a lot of its influence.
at least, i'm hoping.
August 20, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
He picks a woman: 1. Sarah Palin, AK; 2, Meg of ebay, or 2 Carly Fiorina
August 20, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
It seems there is lots of speculation that McCain will revert to his prior maverick ways, after winning the White House and govern from the middle, along with other moderates. Not gonna happen! I'm guessing he is going to defy conventional wisdom, pick a fire breathing right-winger has his VP and Lieberman will be shunned by both parties after the election.
August 20, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lieberman: World's Biggest Douchebag of the last 20 years.
August 20, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
I second that nomination.
August 20, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hard to say whether he actually beats Zell Miller for that prize. I think you're going to have to go for the tie-breaker and throw out the next lowest score.
August 20, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Zell wasn't so much a Douchbag as a Georgia Democrat who didn't change parties with the rest of them, Sonny Perdue is the first Republica Governor down here since reconstruction. He was a Democrat until about 10 years ago. Zell was a Republican he just didn't realize it. Lieberman's still a Democrat at heart he's just still ticked off at the Lamont thing.
August 20, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's ticked off at the Lamont thing, and, he's still not over the embarassing "Joememtum" run for the Presidency in 2004.
Man's got a stockpile of bitterness at this point.
August 20, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Joe revels in his status as McCain's favorite butt-gerbil, poor Lindsey is 2nd... last one in, first one out.
August 20, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I second your characterization of Traitor Joe.
August 20, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lieberman didn't bring any help to Gore's cause in 2000. I'm not sure his drab personality and hawkish backing of an unpopular war are exactly a difference maker - at least in McCain's favor - if he were put on the ticket.
Oh, and screw you, Joe.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 20, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Will the real Mister Magoo please stand up.
August 20, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Democrats need to start repeating, "The only thing Lieberman and Republicans agree on is the war in Iraq, which the majority of the country disagrees with."
August 20, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
He wouldn't be speaking that night if he was on the ticket, but one can wish he would.
The two parties do have an agreement that the Dems keep control of the Senate even if Traitor Joe defects. However, its not clear to me whether that agreement applies if the the Democrats actually kick his smarmy butt out of the caucus. If there's even the slightest doubt about it, you know McConnell will say it doesn't.
August 20, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hmmm. Interesting.
The agreement keeps Dems in control if Joe LieberSchmuck defects, but not if he's kicked out?
If that's true, Holy Joe should lose his committee chairmanship(s). If he then retaliates by quitting the Dem caucus, no harm done.
Caveat: I really don't know the details of that agreement first-hand, nor of the minutiae of Senate rules and protocol. Just sayin...
August 20, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lieberman's chairmanship of the Homeland Security committee has been a disaster for all involved DHS is a beast and Lieberman has done nothing to rein in its excesses. What a joke.
August 20, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hope you have some inside info about Lieberman losing his "plum committee spots come 2009" other than the same sense of outrage that I share, because up until now, Reid and Durbin have let Traitor Joe get away unscathed. Sure, it's a no brainer that he should get the boot from the Dem caucus, but to date he has not.
And why is this? I thought I had read that he could not hold the Dem Caucus hostage by threatening to officially switch sides, as the organizing resolution passed at the beginning of this Congress set the official balance of power in stone and could not be changed later, even given a potential Traitor Joe switch. Thus, there was no chance his switch could throw the balance of power to the Repubs.
Anyway, just saying that Reid and company haven't shown any backbone yet, and Lieberman still runs Homeland Security with impunity while continuing to lie and smear Obama every chance he gets.
Dump his ass now! He's a disgrace to the party and to this country.
August 20, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
someone should tell chris bowers that joe lieberman is not a democrat. he's not a "conservative democrat" he's definitely not a "liberal democrat" he's not a even democrat at all.
August 20, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Vomitous.
August 20, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Let's not forget the Democratic enablers, chief among them former President Clinton, who told us that it would make no difference whether Lieberman or Lamont was elected, that we would still have a reliable Democrat.
I wish I could believe that Lieberman will be expelled from the Democratic caucus, but I'm doubtful when I consider that the people making that decision will include the Nelsons, Landrieu, Lincoln, Pryor, Bayh, Feinstein, Boxer, Clinton, Casey, Rockefeller, Mikulski, and Inouye.
August 20, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
We could all see that Lieberman was lying, just like Bush lied before he was elected claiming he would be middle of the road and not a war-mongering, coke-freaked, Constitution-shredding, deficit-busting douche. If the Republicans want him, great.
August 20, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kick the traitor out of the party, now!
August 20, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
You already did...remember? That's why he had to run as an Independent.
August 20, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um, no . . . the Democratic voters of Connecticut decided they'd rather nominate someone else for the Senate, and Holy Joe got in a snit and quit to become an "Independent Democrat," whatever the hell that is.
He quit. Nobody said, "Joe, you can't be a Democrat anymore." Connecticut Democrats did say "Joe, you're not our choice for Senate, sorry pal," which is not the same thing at all.
Can you understand the difference?
August 20, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Could we invite Lincoln Chaffe or Gordon Smith to speak at the Dem convention? Or Colin Powell?
August 20, 2008 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just get the guy who quit the GOP and went Indi like Lieberman. Jim Jeffords would be an excellent speaker for your convention.
August 20, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
"This is the moment I've been waiting for, the coronation of America's New Benedict Arnold!" In all seriousness, this would be great for Obama. No one trusts a traitor and he would be under attack from both sides. Lord, please let Traitor Joe be nominated for VP.
August 20, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
There goes my Mentum mentum.
Looks like Pawlenty which ominiously enough Chuck Todd opines is McCain's safe choice and index of confidence in the McCain Camp that they have a real shot at winning
I couldn't argue with that last after the recent national and state polling results
August 20, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
The dems won't kick traitor joe out because he is mcbush's bud and it looks like mcbush will be president. Traitor joe will remain within the caucus in January.
August 20, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
If we win the trifecta of which you have spoken, do we get to start a war in Iran??
August 20, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, and by the the way, I have just used AdBlock to get rid of Lieberman's smug puss.
There are too many horrible, dreadful, despicable politicians who must feature on this otherwise excellent Web site. I hate the sight of them, and I zap away their pictures.
August 20, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lindsey Graham?
Please pass the *cough cough* Log Cabin for these pancakes.
Just sayin.'
August 20, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Junior Senator from Israel. Please John pick him. Please.
August 20, 2008 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tacky.
August 20, 2008 4:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
It seems to me that Lieberman's "change of heart" has more to do with blind ambition than with Iraq or Israel or anything else. After being Gore's VP choice, running for president as a Democrat in 2004, and changing parties in 2006 to remain in the Senate as an independent, he finally sold out completely to back McCain. And speaking of blind ambition, McCain has been running for president for 8 years now, and even flirted with switching parties to run with Kerry in 2004, right? I think now would be a good time to start talking about how the John "Country First" McCain and his number one supporter are actually putting themselves first, and they always have.
August 20, 2008 6:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think we all need to take a step back and take a fresh, non jandiced look at Lieberman's association with McInsane during the campaign . . .
During Joementum's run as the party of one for connect-ti-cut, Holy José said he was going to work for DEM control of the Congress and the Office o' the pResident. His current bullshit has gotta be working in Obama's favor . . . And everyone wants more DEMs in the Senate so Reid can toss his pasty white arse.
Maybe Lieberman is attempting to deliver on his campaign promises . . .
August 20, 2008 11:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
McInsane gets Joementum '08 . . . Two guy pals out on the road.
McInsane and Mittens Romney . . . a modern day Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.
August 20, 2008 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
McInsane gets Joementum '08 . . . Two guy pals out on the road.
McInsane and Mittens Romney . . . a modern day Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.
August 21, 2008 9:18 AM | Reply | Permalink