MyDD :: Consequence of McCain nomination: Lieberman (R)

Consequence of McCain nomination: Lieberman (R)

by InigoMontoya, Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 03:55:08 PM EST

No extended diary but my subconscious has been processing politics while I sleep and when I woke up this morning the thought was in my head that if McCain gets the nomination, Joe Lieberman (D-Likud) will take the opportunity to cross the aisle.

There is no doubt in my mind that if the Democratic nominee is either Hillary or Obama, Lieberman will campaign with McCain. If he doesn't jump on his own accord, I'd be happy to give him an assist with a collective Democratic Senatorial boot to the rump.

Tactically, I've been of the camp that's found it pragmatic to tolerate McCain to preserve the Democratic in-name majority but his campaigning for McCain would be the excuse to drop the charade and the PR and tactical damage, with only a few months left, would be minimal. (Lieberman never had more power than on the day after the 2006 elections and that leverage has dwindled with every passing day.)

A bit more after the jump.

If Lieberman does jump, he actually does become the most liberal Republican Senator by a longshot but his hawkishness trumps all else and the Republicans will hold their noses and take him gladly in hopes of keeping it close in the Senate.

Tags: McCain, 2008, presidential election, Lieberman, Hillary, Obama (all tags)

Permalink :: 18 Comments :: Post a Comment

he won't switch (none / 0)

1. because he loses all power as a republican. Who would care what he thinks as a repubican?
2. the dems are going to win seats in nov., and no way he switches to the minority party

Plus liberman is a democrat. He just doesn't toe the line on a few issues.

by yellowdem1129 on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 04:26:36 PM EST

Re: Consequence of McCain nomination: Lieberman ( (none / 0)

The calculus that the Dems win seats and condemn the Republicans to continuing minority status is the one thing that might keep Lieberman in the fold. But don't underestimate his attachment to McCain. And if he campaigns with McCain, I think he needs the boot.

by InigoMontoya on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 04:39:03 PM EST

not me (2.00 / 1)

less than 2 years ago the Republican party was so full of hubris that they contemplated changing long held senate rules to offer every senator full debate on any item, forcing 60 votes to pass almost any measure.

They thought they were going to be the majority party for a generation. They now find themselves less than 2 years later fighting to stay relevant at all.

Democrats must accept a big tent to be a majority.
Ben Nelson is more conservative than Lieberman and doesn't even give us the courtesy votes.

His only vote that helps us is his first organizing one.
Lieberman is way to the left of Nelson.
People are just so mad at Lieberman because they think Conn. should send a liberal to congress. Well they had the choice and they chose lieberman. If we're not careful they could choose nancy johnson or chris shays types, who sound really moderate but often vote republican down the line.

remember lieberman kept his word and organized with dems. letting barbar boxer and others chair committees, and dems control the floor. It is a big deal to control the floor.

by yellowdem1129 on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 04:49:32 PM EST

Re: Consequence of McCain nomination: Lieberman ( (none / 0)

YD, for a short time, in another lifetime, I was a Senate staffer. I understand about the power of organizing the floor. I also understand the sin of campaigning with the opposition's presidential candidate.

Nelson may make a number of votes against the Democratic majority but he never makes a media case about it and I doubt he would ever campaign with McCain.

I agree with you about the so-called "moderate" Republicans who are sheep in sheep's clothing.

by InigoMontoya on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 04:59:43 PM EST

Re: Consequence of McCain nomination (none / 0)

Jerk. Real nice touch with your "Joe Lieberman (D-Likud)" comment. Feel you need to highlight that Lieberman is a Jew with Likud comment. What an ass.

by oaktownchicken on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 05:42:00 PM EST

Re: Consequence of McCain nomination (2.00 / 1)

D-Likud has nothing to do with Lieberman being a Jew and everything to do with supporting the most right-wing Israeli policies with great fervor. Get a grip.

by InigoMontoya on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 05:49:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Consequence of McCain nomination (none / 0)

Many non-Jews support right wing Israeli policies - that's what makes you a jerk. Do you put 'Likud' after Christian politicians.

by oaktownchicken on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 05:56:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Consequence of McCain nomination (none / 0)

There is no elected Democrat who is fervently in the AIPAC pocket as Lieberman. The appellation stands.
Now watch, this will be like Obama's people accusing the Clintons of being racist.

by InigoMontoya on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 07:17:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Consequence of McCain nomination (none / 0)

See only what you want much? I'm not denying Lieberman is a supporter of AIPAC - he is. AIPAC gives a bunch to the Democratic party at large. So you better add 'Likud' after Pelosi, Ackerman, Lantos, Harman and, yes, both Clintons - so sorry to burst your bubble. AIPAC is like all PACs - their goals are to influence policies. By the way, AIPAC is not tied to the Likud. And if support and partnership of AIPAC is a deal breaker for you then you may want to question your loyalty to the Democratic party.

Not sure why you brought up racism, you must be assuming that I'm going to call you an anti-semite shortly. well, i wasn't. But I do think regarding AIPAC, the Democratic party ties to AIPAC and the overall pro-Israeli stance by the D-party you must be a bit uniformed, because you are supporting a pro-Israel party.

As far as me being an Obama supporter? Well, I must be the dumbest Obama supporter ever because I voted for Clinton (CA). So I guess we agree there.

I do want to apologize for calling you a jerk / ass. That was wrong of me - sorry.

by oaktownchicken on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 09:22:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Consequence of McCain nomination (none / 0)

Thank you for the apology. Accepted. And please pardon my presumption.

My scorecard against Lieberman goes back to 2000, when in his "debate" against Cheney he virtually did a Monica on him. I think Lieberman's selection as veep, part of Gore's attempt to distance himself from Bill Clinton (may Bob Shrum fry), was a strategic mistake.

by InigoMontoya on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 10:41:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

"Prmarying" Lieberman (none / 0)

was the dumbest move ever.

Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!

by Seymour Glass on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 05:46:04 PM EST

Re: "Prmarying" Lieberman (none / 0)

Curious why you think that (I mean it). Since I'm not a fan of Joe, I like that whatever he says is no longer associated with Dems. He's on his own with his opinions and votes.

by oaktownchicken on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 06:29:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: "Prmarying" Lieberman (none / 0)

I had no problem with Lieberman being primaried. It's not a tool I like to see often, though I think both Wynn and Lipinski this cycle are valid targets, whereas I thought challenging Jane Harman was a stupid waste of resources.

What I have a major problem with is Lieberman getting two bites at the apple by arranging to run as an independent. Gutless.

by InigoMontoya on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 07:19:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Consequence of McCain nomination: Lieberman ( (none / 0)

Good riddance.

by moi moi on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 06:16:38 PM EST

Re: Consequence of McCain nomination (none / 0)

My parents being holocaust survivors, I am as sensitive as anyone can be on the subject of Judaism. I did not take the Leiberman (D-Likud) comment to be the least bit offensive. If the writer had used (D-Israel), it may have been borderline, but the Likud Party is made up of a bunch of jingoistic Jewish Pat Robertsons. They are the Israeli version of today's Republican Party. If Leiberman were to emigrate to Israel, I am certain he would be out campaigning to bring back the racist Netanyahu administration.

by nytrialman on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 09:22:21 PM EST

Re: Consequence of McCain nomination (none / 0)

Ma Nishma,
Two Jews, two opinions - wow, that never happens! I agree with your comments regarding Likud v. Israel, however, you should be a bit offended. If the diarist attached D-Likud to other non-Jewish Dems then I wouldn't be offended, he would be consistant. Many Dems play ball with AIPAC. Perhaps Clinton (D-Likud)?

by oaktownchicken on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 09:29:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Consequence of McCain nomination (none / 0)

"jingoistic Jewish Pat Robertsons." Yeah, that captures what I was aiming at. And I made the distinction between "Israel," which I support, and "Likud," which I do not, for exactly those reasons.

by InigoMontoya on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 10:37:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

it must be really boring in the pc world (none / 0)

where your jokes are so limited.

d-likud was sort of funny.

so was

d-punjab

I have this crazy idea:
if someone is trying to be funny don't take them seriously.

by yellowdem1129 on Sat Feb 02, 2008 at 10:08:46 PM EST

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