Posted on 12/14/2004 2:18:26 AM PST by West Coast Conservative
President Bush is courting Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, D-Conn., a former Democratic vice presidential can-didate, for a Cabinet post, presumably sec-retary of homeland security.
Lieberman couldn’t be reached for com-ment Sunday, but an aide said that if Lie-berman were asked to accept a nomination, it would most likely be the homeland secu-rity post.
The Washington Post, citing two anony-mous sources, reported Sunday that Bush wants Lieberman for a Cabinet position.
With former New York police Commis-sioner Bernard Kerik’s unceremonious with-drawal Friday from consideration as the nation’s next secretary of homeland secu-rity, Lieberman’s name has popped up again among a half-dozen others as a candidate for the post.
In recent weeks the New Haven Demo-crat said repeatedly he has not been con-tacted, nor did he expect to be, but that if he were asked, he would consider any re-quest.
As the top Democrat on the Senate Gov-ernmental Affairs Committee, a panel charged with oversight of the executive branch, Lieberman co-authored both the bill that established the Department of Home-land Security, and pending legislation that would reorganize the U.S. intelligence com-munity. The bill is awaiting Bush’s signature.
The latter legislation, passed last week in Congress, would specifically place U.S. in-telligence operations — civilian and mili-tary — under a single director of national intelligence.
The four negotiators that shepherded the bill to passage, Lieberman, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and U.S. Reps. Jane Harmon, R-Calif., and Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., were all asked after votes last week whether they had been approached about that job.
"We’re still waiting for the call," Collins said.
It’s been speculated that once Bush signs intelligence reform into law, former U.S.
Rep. and current CIA Director Porter Goss would be tapped for the intelligence post.
(Excerpt) Read more at nhregister.com ...
I cannot see this happening because the Republicans would gain a Senate seat, and the Dims would be screaming.
He's certainly sounds qualified for the Department of Constipation and Whining!
BTW, I have no idea why the author put all those hyphens.
A simple question for the Bush Administration:
HAVE YOU F#!&#?!?#G LOST YOUR MINDS???
From U.S. Senator to Secretary of Homeland Security - would he want to make that move? Why? Stepping stone to another Presidential run maybe. Would a Republican admin want to help a dem position himself?
The election is over... I wonder what this is about? Maybe Lieberman is disappointed with his party and this is his way out? nobody knows...
I dont see this happening...
This really probably is a Rove plot to get another Pubbie senator.....
This post is such a thankless job, and if something big were to happen, guess where the fingers would point to? I cannot anyone who is concerned about their public reputation would want this job.
I cannot see this happening because the Republicans would gain a Senate seat, and the Dims would be screaming.
Of course I could be wrong but I think Bush could certainly do worse. But yes, Lieberman would have to leave the Senate and would be effectively resigning from the Democrat party. That's certainly a feather in the cap but not the best reason for putting him in charge of HS. If he did take the job it would have to be for the right reasons.
Lieberman has been called on his *stated* principals a number of times and backed down each and every time...
Now it looks like Bush is offering him a chance to show that Democrats can be serious about nation security, but at the cost of a Senate seat.
Barring taking this post, Lieberman's has reached the pinnacle of his career as the Democrats have said his strong position on the WoT places him outside of what the party will allow a presidential candidate.
Serving as a successful Homeland Security Secretary might open up a small window for him in 2008 to run for president.
I really feel he would be a better choice than any RINO.
Lieberman is a weak candidate, what if he were to run because of this positioning, get the nomination and lose? That would work...
maybe they are using Lieberman to counter balance Hitlery?
cannot {imagine} anyone
Say what you want about Lieberman on most other issues, but as far as homeland security and our right to take unilateral action goes, Joe is definately on our side.
Sure, we may not agree with him on say, gun control, but then, Joe wouldn't be in the senate anymore to do anything about it.
I don't care much for dems (liberals) but Joe seems to be one of the better ones.
maybe the story was dictated by al gore...someone once said he speaks like people type
***If he [Lieberman] did take the job it would have to be for the right reasons.***
Does anyone here still remember Lieberman's performance when he was asked to run for V.P. with Gore? The man totally reversed his stand on key issues to get that slot. In fact, he was called "Flipflop Joe." He is not trustworthy.
It would help keep Hillery from cinching the Democratic nomination, for one.
That's something that should be fought by any and all means.
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