ESPN's Chris Berman Endorses Joe Lieberman

New Haven Register ^

[governsleastgovernsbest]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman’s presidential bid has been picked to win by one of the nation’s best-known, if politically unaccredited, prognosticators: ESPN’s Chris Berman.

Berman, a Cheshire resident who has been with the Bristol-based sports network since just after its inception in 1979, delivered his endorsement in character.

"The Swami says Joe Lieberman could … go … all … the … way. Just like the Patriots," Berman said, cozying up to New Hampshire voters who cast ballots in the state’s pivotal primary on Jan. 27.

Berman said he has voted for the Connecticut Democrat in each of his bids for the office of state attorney general and the U.S. Senate, and is proud of supporting Lieberman now.

Recent polls show Lieberman pulling close to U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., for third place among likely New Hampshire primary voters, although retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark is advancing as well, in second place behind the current favorite, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

A poll conducted Monday and Tuesday by Boston’s WHDH-TV and Suffolk University showed Dean leading in New Hampshire at 32 percent, Clark at 17 percent, and Kerry and Lieberman in a statistical dead heat at 12 percent and 11 percent, respectively.

The poll had a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.9 percentage points.

Vying with Clark and others to emerge as an alternative to Dean, Lieberman’s campaign has shifted its attacks from Dean and President Bush to Clark.

Lieberman’s campaign has assailed Clark’s record of voting for Republican presidential candidates, and Clark’s purportedly contradictory statements about his position on the war in Iraq.

To illustrate their point, members of Lieberman’s campaign delivered assorted pairs of flip-flops Wednesday to Clark offices in Arizona, New Mexico, and South Carolina.

Bill Buck, a spokesman for Clark’s campaign, was not amused.

"I’m not sure what claim they were trying to make. General Clark has consistently opposed the war in Iraq as a distraction from the war on terror," Buck said. "I think his 34 years in the military give him adequate experience to deal with the war on terror."

Lieberman’s campaign has become the first to hit the airwaves in the Feb. 3 primary state of Delaware.

The campaign is running an ad touting Lieberman’s proposed middle-class tax cuts on two television stations based in Salisbury, Md.

A new radio ad features former governor and U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., who has endorsed Lieberman.

Lieberman’s campaign hinges on New Hampshire and Feb. 3 contests in Arizona, Oklahoma and South Carolina, but he made a point of spending time and resources in Delaware, where modest investments have historically paid big dividends on primary day.

Of the nine Democrats running for president, only Lieberman and the Rev. Al Sharpton have campaigned personally in Delaware.

Joseph Straw can be reached at jstraw@nhregister.com, or (202) 737-5654.

©New Haven Register 2004

[Cautor]

Never heard of Berman myself. No doubt tomorrow's Zogby will show holy Joe taking the lead in all the polls thanks to Chris what's his name's endorsement.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Within the context of ESPN, and sports journalists in general, Berman is a big name. He's one of the most veteran ESPN guys, and is influential. Then again, I'd agree that his endorsement counts for essentially zip.

[Benrand]

We have it mistaken, he is getting behind Joe Theisbermann.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I think the Sunday Night Football crew, with Theisman, Mike Patrick and Paul McGuire is the best in the business, far better than the MNF crew, among others.

[Benrand]

Yeah, but they descend into cliches too. I find Suzy Kolber to prattle on and on, so much that they have to break up her stories of someone's uncle so that they can call a play.

And McGuire is hilarious..."YOU WANNA TALK ABAHT HITTIN! WATCH THIS......BAM!!!!!"

Theesmann tends to say about how he talked to the assistant butt scratcher last night too much and Mike Patrick tends to talk in platitudes when it's not warranted. "He's a WORLD CLASS player, he belongs in the pro Bowl this year."

[xp38]

Chris "endorses Lie" Berman

[mhking]

Proof that the Swami doesn't know everything.

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[Maigrey]

Does the airheaded talent realize that you don't p*** off the other viewers?

And I thought sportswriters and sportscasters to stay out of politics? I guess when you're older than dirt, you can make your own rules (a la cronkite.)

[Straight Vermonter]

The Swami's record for predictions should stay as miserable as it always has been.

[Dan from Michigan]

Does ANYONE take Chris Berman seriously? The guy's character is to sound like he's crazy.

[Dan from Michigan]

Besides, I'd rather have Jerry Lawler's endorsement

[Vision]

Is this a joke? A sports dork endorsing a politician?

[CounterCounterCulture]

Rumblin stumblin bumblin...

[Chi-townChief]

"ESPN's Chris Berman Endorses Joe Lieberman"

And the question is:
Who gives a sh*t?

[Joe_October]

Lieberman has as much chance as Mosely-Braun and she bowed out today (Note to self: careful when saying Mosely-Brown and bow wow in the same sentence).

[InvisibleChurch]

i'd like to see chris berman back-back-back-back-back-back into a lake

[Diddle E. Squat]

Every year Chris Berman picks the Buffalo Bills to win the Superbowl. Seriously.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Suzy Kolber tries ridiculously too hard to lower her voice, almost like a man, and tries to imitate Jim Rhome. Very annoying.

But I guess Joe Namath finds that attractive.

[MizzouTigerRepublican]

I can not stand Paul McGuire. He just rattles on with his John Maddenish schtick. It is brutal to listen to him. If they would kick him off the Sunday night football crew I would be in hog heaven. I love Mike Patrick and can even take Theisman.

[MizzouTigerRepublican]

Berman is like that drunk uncle you just put up with at family get togethers and ignore.