MyDD :: Lieberman to Endorse McCain

Lieberman to Endorse McCain

by Melissa Ryan, Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:23:49 PM EST

I'm not surprised really. He's been hinting at doing this since losing the primary last year.

Details at the Politico:

The two will appear together on NBC's "Today" show tomorrow, then at an 8 a.m. town hall in Hillsborough, N.H.

The move, which will help cultivate McCain's moderate status, is an effort to draw attention to the McCain campaign, which needs a splash. Otherwise, it does not make sense for McCain because it will only remind core Republicans why they distrust him.

Independents are an important factor in New Hampshire, and McCain, who won the state in 2000, is now depending on them.

The announcement looks like an effort to stem a stream of independents moving to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)

A year later, I'm still proud that CT Democrats had the good sense to get rid of him.

Update [2007-12-16 15:42:50 by Jonathan Singer]: With Lieberman endorsing a Republican for President and Bob Kerrey apparently endorsing a Democrat, it's sure a good thing that folks considered the two to be exactly alike in opposing the latter's Senate bid in Nebraska this cycle...

Tags: Joe Lieberman, John McCain, 2008 (all tags)

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note to the DSCC (2.00 / 1)

Lieberman played you for fools last year.

I can't want to have a big enough majority to kick him to the curb.

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by desmoinesdem on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:27:50 PM EST

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (2.00 / 1)

mccain is more popular with the DLC democrat crowd than he is with his own base.

I really don't understand how that is an attack; lol. ~ by Jerome Armstrong

by jello on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:31:47 PM EST

Shows how tone-deaf people really are. (none / 0)

Joe ain't gonna get one person to switch their vote. Let's see, "Gee, I wasn't gonna even vote, but now I am going to get all behind John McCain because JOE LIEBERMAN endorsed him."

Hmmm. Just how far do folks have to go to feed the ego of this non-entity? Sure, he may not be a non-entity in the Senate makeup numbers wise, but he certainly is with the public.

No one outside of Likud gives a fuck what Lieberman does.

McCain is defining Obama, and Obama is neither defining himself, nor McCain. This is awful.

by jgarcia on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:40:14 PM EST

you're with Obama now? (none / 0)

Hadn't heard that.

I agree with you that Lieberman is unlikely to help McCain much with voters, but this will certainly affect the national media narrative about the GOP race.

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by desmoinesdem on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:42:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: you're with Obama now? (2.00 / 1)

I read, "Microtrends."

Then I researched Mark Penn and what influence he has over the Clintons. And it's stomach-turning. I have a conscience and just could NOT say "yes" to Hillary.

I must say it has been VERY difficult to be supporting Obama right now when my heart is with Edwards. (especially since I loathe Oprah...LOL)

I hope your Edwards-Obama-Clinton finish you predict in the other diary comes true. That would be awesome!

McCain is defining Obama, and Obama is neither defining himself, nor McCain. This is awful.

by jgarcia on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:50:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (2.00 / 1)

What was Al Gore thinking?

by Piuma on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:45:11 PM EST

he needed to distance himself (none / 0)

from Bill Clinton's personal issues. That's what he was thinking.

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by desmoinesdem on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:46:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You me he thought that he had too (2.00 / 1)

Dumb ... no sane voters would have held Gore responsible for Clinton scoring oral sex in the Oval Office.

Gore should have picked a more charismatic fellow ... instead of picking the guy who looks and whine like "Willy" from the old show 'Alf'.

by dpANDREWS on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:49:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You MEAN he thought that he had too (none / 0)

Gore was dumb ...

by dpANDREWS on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:59:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

actually I do think Lieberman helped (2.00 / 1)

Gore in Florida. He got a bump in Florida right away after choosing Lieberman. Even though he was still way behind Bush in the polls at that point, he wasn't as far back in FL as he was in the national polls.

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by desmoinesdem on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 04:20:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I think that was shortsighted (none / 0)

I know that Joe helped in Florida, but I think you can't pick that way.

Unless a candidate can deliver a state, just hand it to you, then I think you have to pick the guy or girl that helps you the most overall. That wasn't Joementum.

by dpANDREWS on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 04:27:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

who would have helped Gore more? (none / 0)

I remember he was also considering Kerry and Richardson. Was anyone else on his short list? Which state would Richardson have handed to Gore? NM only has 5 electoral votes.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:20:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: who would have helped Gore more? (none / 0)

JRE was on the list as well.

by benny06 on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 06:09:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: who would have helped Gore more? (2.00 / 1)

anyone who could have soften-up Gore's at-the-time undeserved anti-gun image. Several border states (border meaning, Mason-Dixon border) like AR, KY, TN, WV went Bush because of guns.

Joe had nothing in his record to combat this perception. In fact, his record has been pretty anti-gun.

I am pro-gun and I remember at the time I was worried about Gore losing the aforementioned states because of it. It was all anyone was talking about in the state I lived in (Arizona). Hell, I voted for Gore, but I'll be honest, I was hesitant because of the issue.

McCain is defining Obama, and Obama is neither defining himself, nor McCain. This is awful.

by jgarcia on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 06:13:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: who would have helped Gore more? (none / 0)

Out of curiosity, does "pro-gun" mean against ANY gun regulation? No snark intended -- I've just always been baffled that the NRA has been successful in painting democrats as the extremists on this issue. Personally, I view the Second Amendment as an individual right that allows limited, reasonable regulation. I don't get why that kind of position scares gun owners.

by HSTruman on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 06:47:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I think that was shortsighted (none / 0)

Anti-semitism dragged down Gore-Lieberman in at least three states: Ohio, AR and TN. Those who think racism is not a problem in elections are going to be in for a shock. Bob Graham would have carried helped carry Florida by a bigger margin and all the grief since 1/20/2001 could have been avoided. Instead Gore was idealistic and overestimated the open-mindedness of the racist American electorate at least in key state, not very different from the Obama supporters of today.

by Boilermaker on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 11:24:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Florida. (none / 0)

THAT was what Gore was thinking.

Didn't work out so well for him, though. Perhaps someone else on the ticket would have helped him win his own freakin state, saving the Florida humiliation.

Oh, well.

McCain is defining Obama, and Obama is neither defining himself, nor McCain. This is awful.

by jgarcia on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:54:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

TN was a lost cause in 2000 (none / 0)

It was a very different state politically from when Gore last got elected to the Senate. He had no chance at TN.

Now maybe someone else could have helped him more in OH, I don't know.

But I do think Lieberman helped Gore in FL.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 04:21:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: TN was a lost cause in 2000 (none / 0)

Bob Graham would have helped him win Florida.

by Boilermaker on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 11:26:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Florida. (2.00 / 1)

Also, I don't think Lieberman was considered a conservative back then so much as a moderate. The Iraq War is really what radicalized him and differentiated him from Democratic values and voters.

by lorax on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:43:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (none / 0)

Interesting that he didn't endorse Barry, considering he mentored him and all.

by lonnette33 on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:47:39 PM EST

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (2.00 / 1)

barry is not his name kiddo.

zombies are coming

by leewesley on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 04:03:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (none / 0)

Nobody on this site uses "Hellary". I wish you would extend the same courtesy to Obama supporters.

by Will Graham on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 07:39:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

really classy of Lieberman (2.00 / 2)

to endorse the guy who thought "How can we beat the bitch?" was an "excellent question."

After Bill Clinton saved Lieberman from a more humiliating loss in the primary, what an ingrate!

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:47:39 PM EST

Re: really classy of Lieberman (2.00 / 1)

Joe doesn't give a shit about women or their feelings. OR loyalty, either.

Bill campaigned for Joe when Joe was running for a CT state sen seat whilst Bill was at Yale. Now, Joe abandons Bill?

hmmm, I guess that lecture Joe gave to Bill for Lewinsky really was a "tell", wasn't it. Sanctimonious shithead.

McCain is defining Obama, and Obama is neither defining himself, nor McCain. This is awful.

by jgarcia on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:56:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: really classy of Lieberman (none / 0)

It's all Village kabuki.

Clinton stumped for Holy Joe after Holy Joe gave the impeachment farce "bipartisan" cover with his Senate floor jeremiad on Monica.

It's all for show. Bill and Hillary aren't going to care.

by Master Jack on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:58:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lieberman (2.00 / 1)

Will Dirty Harry Reid NOW relieve Joe of all leadership positions in the DEMOCRATIC PARTY? I will not hold my breath!

by randron on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:48:13 PM EST

Re: Lieberman (none / 0)

Perhaps after Dems gain four to five more seats next year. If he does not do it after that Reid belongs in a mental asylum.

by Boilermaker on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 11:28:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

can lieberman be recalled? (none / 0)

He is a frickin JOKE!

Washington Woman

Progressive Blue

by kevin22262 on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:53:55 PM EST

Kerrey (CFL-NE) (2.00 / 1)

With Lieberman endorsing a Republican for President and Bob Kerrey apparently endorsing a Democrat, it's sure a good thing that folks considered the two to be exactly alike in opposing the latter's Senate bid in Nebraska this cycle...

Umm...:

"Sometimes public opinion is wrong. Sometimes the majority is wrong. And I think in this case, if the majority of the Democratic party of Connecticut voted against Joe Lieberman... I would say very respectfully, and very gently, that "you're wrong."

by tparty on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:54:33 PM EST

off-topic to jonathan singer (none / 0)

Regarding your breaking blue post. I didn't see the show, but I think Mari Culver (Chet's wife) was for Edwards in 2004.

The Culver family have long been close friends of Chris Dodd. John Culver represented IA in the US Senate from 1975-1981. I would be surprised if Chet Culver came out for anyone other than Dodd.

Several advisers who are close to the Culver family (Bonnie Campbell, Bill Knapp) have endorsed Hillary, but I don't expect either Culver to come out for Hillary.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:58:38 PM EST

hmmm (none / 0)

does lieberman want to run as VP again?

Washington Woman

Progressive Blue

by kevin22262 on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:59:17 PM EST

Re: Unity 2008 (2.00 / 1)

This cracks me up. Seems to me he could have been like the DMR and endorsed both Clinton and McCain since they are both the most hawkish.

by benny06 on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 04:16:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (none / 0)

CT had the good senes to get rid of Liberman last yeaar?
In the primary, yes. Too bad they didn't follow through in the general.

by spirowasright on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 04:05:09 PM EST

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (none / 0)

If we gain enough Senate seats next year, it's time to let Lieberman go to other side of the aisle.

by mikelow1885 on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 04:08:49 PM EST

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (none / 0)

This endorsement makes Mccain look more irrelevant than he was even the day before. John Mccain has as much of a chance to win the Republican nomination as the Dolphins have winning a NFL game this season.

Looks like the Dolphins will lose again in overtime against the Ravens.

by Djneedle83 on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 04:14:50 PM EST

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (none / 0)

Oh shit, the Dolphins won in overtime for their first win of the season. Looks like Mccain may have a chance after all. Who are we kidding? lol!

I'm going to the Dolphins/Patriots next week and my Partiots may put up almost 60 against them.

by Djneedle83 on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 04:21:28 PM EST

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (none / 0)

"YOUR" Patriots?

Hmmm, are you playing center, nose guard, wideout, or what? Or are you really Bob Kraft?

The Dolphins got the big mo now. I'd worry that that mo will cary over til next week if I were you.

and if you believe I am being serious, then maybe you ARE one of those humor-challenged Boston sports fans. just kidding, :P

McCain is defining Obama, and Obama is neither defining himself, nor McCain. This is awful.

by jgarcia on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 04:41:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (none / 0)

Damn.

My prediction of the 0-14 Phins traveling to Foxboro and beating the 14-0 Pats won't come true.

by RepublicanWatch on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 06:34:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (none / 0)

This knocks news of DMR endorsement right off the front page. The Clintons came to Lieberman's rescue and now he stabs them and the democratic party in the back. I wonder what he will say about Clinton tomorrow. The next question is, if McCain is not the nominee, who will he endorse in the general?

by Javier Doval on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 05:26:09 PM EST

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (2.00 / 2)

A McCain-Lieberman vs Clinton ticket would be an all out war for 2008, that's for sure. It would actually bode well for us, as their base would detest their top of the ticket, and our base would detest the VP on their ticket.

by Jerome Armstrong on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 10:11:22 PM EST

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (none / 0)

So if McCain loses the primary, who do you think Loserman will endorse in the General? Ha ha ha ha. It's too bad the joke is on us. Even if the Dems gain a bigger senate majority, I cannot see the DEms with enough self respect to put Loserman in his place.

by Pravin on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 05:11:48 AM EST

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (none / 0)

I sure am glad the entire Dem Senate caucus gave Joe a standing ovation after he defeated Ned Lamont in 2006. Makes me proud...

by Will Graham on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 07:43:07 AM EST

Re: Lieberman to Endorse McCain (none / 0)

I am a Connecticut voter. In fact I grew up in the same town as Ned Lamont. Ned Lamont was great for Greenwich but is not the type of person you want as a senator and he rightly and predictably got killed in the election.

People reading this site should be more sohphisticated than to judge candidates by one issue, e.g. Iraq. Lieberman's position on Iraq is terrible, but a Senator's duty toward Bush's irresponsible war is only one part of what they do. For the rest Joe does fine. Ned, not so much.

Unlike the other posters, I curse the foolish Connecticut Democrats who nominated Lamont. If Joe hadn't run we'd have a Republican Senator in this spot. How "proud" would you be then?

If we had nominated Joe and kept him in the fold. No way would you have seen a McCain endorsement if Joe hadn't been rejected (which he took quite personally).

So, Connecticut Democrats, congrats on maintaining your ideological purity and screwing up everything else.

by mcguigan97 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 12:57:44 PM EST

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