Lieberman ‘on McCain short-list’

Financial Times ^ | 08/09/2008 | Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington

[DCPatriot]

Good for you! Bless you!

We need to mute the perpetual whining of what I am convinced....after 10 years in the forum...is only a small minority of perpetually, pissed-offed FReepers that consider themselves the voice of Conservatism.

I am a conservative. You are a conservative.

They are NOT ‘real’ conservatives. They are phonies.

[EagleandLiberty]

I voted in 1978 for Ella Grasso (whose husband was my elementary school princpal, and I sold her my Honda 90), and she and Lieberman was the only Dems I voted for in statewide elections. (Voted Democrat in my town since my neighbor was mayor and 2 friends were running for town council). In 1994 I campaigned and voted for Tom Scott (The Hartford Courant had a picture of me on the front page celebrating the GOP control of Congress at Tom’s headquarters on the Berlin Turnpike.). I voted for Reagan in the 1976 primary, in 1980 I campaigned for Ron and I’ll be a FISCAL CONSERVATIVE and social moderate. (I don’t care if gays marry, I do want late tern and live birth abortions banned, thou.)

[Cicero]

Now that I think about this, I think the answer is that this is a deliberate leak to prepare the way for the real announcement.

“OK, base, we understand your pain. Since you are so dead set against Lieberman, we have considered your feelings, gone back to the drawing board, and have chosen that good, conservative Republican, Gov. Crist.”

Or words to that effect.

In other words, put something really horrible out there, and then do something just a little less horrible. The lesser of two evils principles strikes again.

[bigjoesaddle]

Where is that bullsh#t meter? No way. If McCain picked Lieberman his campaign would be over and he knows it. McCain will pick someone younger and more conservative.

I would %100 agree with you if it wasn't for the fact that Obama is in HUGE trouble, the Democratic party is becoming incredibly FUBAR, and McNut actually does have a good chance getting Dems to vote for him....which he LOVES!

[Mamzelle]

re: Now, the past few days have about convinced me that my first reaction was correct and that McCain would do more long-term damage. He and his campaign are making some very stupid blunders (unforced errors), and they seem to almost enjoy it.

They publicly diss conservatives on a daily basis. I'm sick of the contempt. Then he fills my mailbox every day with requests for money.

My take--he expects the conservative vote because of Obama-fear. But he also expects to achieve the WH with no visible help from conservatives so then he will be free to show them no loyalty whatsoever. He'll owe us nothing, he got elected by "moderates and independents."

I'd trade a McCain presidency for a fired-up Republican opposition in the House and a weak and silly Obama...

[Will88]

“No, Thanks — I’ll vote AGAINST OBAMA - by voting McCain - and I’m not happy with the choice, but a 3rd party won’t EVER win!! “

Not talking about a third part, but simply who would do the most long-term damage with a Dem. majority. McCain or Obama. And I’m not expecting any veto proof Senate or House. Too many Blue Dogs in the House, and the domestic energy production issue and the immigration issue will help Republicans in Congressional elections, even if McCain blows those issues in the presidential election.

[fightinJAG]

So you have a lot more patience for having Obambi in the White House and the Rats in control of our government?

[fightinJAG]

Conservatives would be pissed as hell – I think you would have a revolt, but sometimes John does what John wants to do,” the McCain adviser said.

Somehow this strikes me as a "briar patch" gambit.

[fightinJAG]

You have made an excellent point.

Another R senator would go a long way in helping constitute a majority in the Senate.

[DCPatriot]

You’re no different that the poor sap in the movie Deerhunter.

The one that puts one bullet in the revolver...spins the casing...puts the barrel at his temple...and bets he’ll hear a “click”.

No thanks.

Choose your battles wisely. November 4th is no day to gamble with the country’s life.

[Will88]

“I’d trade a McCain presidency for a fired-up Republican opposition in the House and a weak and silly Obama...”

So would I. McCain just loves to “reach across the aisle” too much. And as has been said, he’s just as often as not reaching across from the Dem. side to the Republican side.

2010 would probably be another 1994, with dramatic gains for Republicans in Congress.

At present, I can’t see any much difference, no matter who is in the WH. And, I’ve heard all the reasons McCain would supposedly be better. And most days he does something to make that seem pretty unlikely.

[fightinJAG]

If that’s the best kind of R we can get in CT, we should take it.

It still counts toward a majority and without a majority, none of the more conservative Republicans in Congress will have a prayer of influencing either McCain or the legislature.

But I thank you for pointing out a fundamental flaw in the reasoning that often underlies the refusal to vote for McCain because he’s not conservative enough:

There are many disticts/states in this country where a conservative would never run, much less win. If the reasoning applied to McCain were applied in a principled manner, that is, downticket as well, we could kiss goodbye forever the possibility of constituting a majority.

It simply can’t happen unless those who live in more liberal districts/states hold their nose and vote for RINOs.

So it’s pretty dumb when people claim they won’t vote for McCain because, in their mind, he’s a RINO, but they claim they will still “help” the cause of conservative by how they vote downticket.

[MARTIAL MONK]

It’s just ego stroking. The nominee will be the face of the future Republican Party. I can see Romney or Cantor but I do not see a Palin or (unfortunately) a Sanford.

[fightinJAG]

How can there be a majority in the House if the standard is never vote for RINOs?

There is no way to EVER constitute a majority in Congress without good, decent conservatives in liberal districts holding their nose and voting for the Republican candidate as a way to help make a majority and, thus, pave the way for conservatives from other parts of the nation to get into positions of leadership and influence.

[fightinJAG]

Conservatives would be pissed as hell – I think you would have a revolt, but sometimes John does what John wants to do,” the McCain adviser said.

If you truly believe that, you should vote for Obambi. Do the right thing and vote against McCain, if that's your conclusion.

[Will88]

“You’re no different that the poor sap in the movie Deerhunter.”

Like I said, you’re just another Bob Michel Republican, longing for the good old days.

If you get your way, take great pleasure in all the “comity” and “spirited debate’ (if your side is allowed to speak) and the occasional pork project that might come to your area, because you’ll be in the minority and sniffing for crumbs for many years.

[fightinJAG]

Voting against any Republican senate candidate is VOTING AGAINST A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.

Even a vote for a RINO counts as an “R” when tallying up the majority.

Without good, decent conservatives voting for RINOs when they have no other choice, NONE of the conservatives from other states could EVER get into positions of leadership.

[fightinJAG]

Your sarcasm aside, just what makes you think that McCain will do any better at picking a Supreme?

What makes you think that Obambi DEFINITELY won't make WORSE picks than McCain?

[fightinJAG]

So you’re saying our country “deserves” Obambi and the Rats in power?

[fightinJAG]

A stupid way to conduct a campaign.

No. It's stupid to try to use the ballot box on Election Day as a protest tool. Protest and make political statements all you want, but there are other, more effective, less damaging venues for it.