As Expected, Lieberman “Scandalizes” Dems
HILLSBOROUGH, N.H. (AP) - The Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2000 endorsed Republican John McCain for president on Monday, scandalizing Democrats in Washington and giving the GOP hopeful a much-needed boost in New Hampshire where independents outnumber Republicans and Democrats.
Sen. Joseph Lieberman, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, said he chose his longtime Senate colleague because he has the best shot of breaking partisan gridlock in Washington. Both men also are strong and vocal supporters of the war in Iraq.
“On all the issues, you’re never going to do anything about them unless you have a leader who can break through the partisan gridlock,” said Lieberman, who was Al Gore’s running mate seven years ago. “The status quo in Washington is not working.”
Independents hold considerable sway in New Hampshire’s first-in-the- nation primary on Jan. 8, and they helped McCain win the state’s Republican primary in 2000 over George W. Bush. As of March of this year, voters who are independent—undeclared is the official term—accounted for 44 percent, compared with 30 percent Republican and 26 percent Democrat.
Traveling with Lieberman Monday morning to Hillsborough’s American Legion hall, McCain said the Connecticut senator is his answer to the people he hears in every town hall meeting who ask, “Why can’t you all work together?”
Lieberman said McCain’s approach to Iraq and his credentials on national security are the main reasons he is supporting a Republican for president.
But both men said the election seems increasingly about the economy and domestic issues rather than Iraq. On those issues, Lieberman acknowledged he does not always see eye-to-eye with his 2008 pick. But, said Lieberman, McCain is always straightforward about where he stands.
Leading Democrats weren’t happy with his latest move.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said in a statement: “I have the greatest respect for Joe, but I simply have to disagree with his decision to endorse Senator McCain.”
Al From, the founder and CEO of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, said, “I am very saddened by Senator Lieberman’s choice and profoundly disagree with it. We need to elect a Democratic president in 2008.”
For McCain, behind in the polls here but gaining, the endorsement carries the risk of alienating conservatives who have been critical of his support for immigration and campaign finance reforms.
“If I get some criticism for aligning myself with a good friend I have worked with for many years, I will be more than happy to accept that criticism,” McCain said.
For Lieberman, it marks another turn away from the Democrats.
“Political party is important, but it’s not more important than what’s good for the country and it’s not more important than friendship,” Lieberman said.
Lieberman won re-election to the Senate in 2006 as an independent, after losing the Democratic primary to upstart Ned Lamont largely because of his support for the war. High-profile Democrats abandoned him after the primary defeat, including his Connecticut colleague, Sen. Chris Dodd.
Although Dodd also is seeking the presidency, Lieberman backed McCain. He said he had intended to wait until after the primaries to make a choice for the 2008 presidential race, but McCain asked for his support and no Democrat did.
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As liberal as I see him to be, Sen. Joseph Lieberman IS the only true Democrat left in this country and he even had to leave his party in the dust.
December 17th, 2007 at 9:54 amI dont despise true Democrats, in the case of Lieberman, I like the guy..I like how he supports the President and our Troops, the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and the GWOT as well. He is not a communist in training like the rest who mascarade as dems in congress
December 17th, 2007 at 11:34 amJohn McCain is among the greatest of our country’s patriots. The only men I can think of whose commitment and patriotism can be said to surpass that of John McCain’s are all dead. Five years in a Hanoi P.O.W. prison camp, not to mention he was offered a chance to go home 3 years into his ordeal and he refused, surviving incredible physical and mental tortures and now this man is running for president, as a republican, or as a patriot for that matter, how could you not vote for this man.
December 17th, 2007 at 5:02 pm@John Courage
December 17th, 2007 at 6:00 pmHow could one not vote for him? Oh, maybe by living in AZ, gateway for 12 million illegals might temper one’s opinion.
Co-signatory of the shamnisty bill.
It was an honorable thing he went thru, but to go thru that, then give away the farm he did it for,is a reach.
Illegal is illegal.
VOTING FOR McAMNESTY IS LIKE HOLDING A TURD
April 8th, 2008 at 8:53 amIN ONE HAND, AND LICKING AN ICE CREAM CONE IN THE OTHER.
( YOU WON’T GET THE TASTE OF THE TURD OUT OF YOUR MOUTH)