Posted on 05/15/2008 9:41:20 AM PDT by Cinnamon Girl
Senator Joseph Lieberman, a stalwart backer of John McCain who calls himself an "independent Democrat", could face punishment from the Democratic party if he is asked to speak at this summer's Republican convention.
Lieberman has said he would appear at McCain's nominating convention if invited by the Republican, fuelling frustration among US liberals already angered by his support for the Iraq war. Democrats revoked his superdelegate status earlier this year.
The onetime vice presidential nominee of Al Gore has played a pivotal role in maintaining Democrats' narrow control of the Senate. But party leader Harry Reid today left the door open to sanctioning Lieberman if he speaks in favour of McCain's nomination.
"I'll consider anything," Reid said at a breakfast with reporters today, adding that the Democratic presidential nominee, likely Barack Obama, would want to weigh in on Lieberman's future role.
Reid noted that Lieberman's reliable alignment with Democrats on domestic issues such as education and taxes - he has proposed a "war on terrorism" tax to fund the US presence in Iraq - makes the case for his continued value in the party.
The Connecticut senator sides with Democrats "90 to 95%" of the time outside of war-related issues, Reid said.
But Iraq has permanently discoloured Lieberman's standing with some US Democrats who believe his praise for George Bush has undercut the party's efforts to end the war. The strong bond between Lieberman and McCain has only exacerbated those doubts.
Democrats nearly faced a similar conundrum in 2004 when their senator from Georgia, Zell Miller, publicly denounced presidential nominee John Kerry at the Republican convention. Miller's previously announced retirement from politics that year spared him sanctions within the party.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Will they punish all of their own for appearing at the GOP convention? Including McCain?
“I wish Lieberman would switch sides now. All he has to do is caucus with GOP.”
Heck, he wouldn’t even have to change any of his leftist views.
And....
Write a tell all book.
He would commit Arkancide within a week.
I believe that henkster was fully aware of that ... hence, the sarcasm tag on the post.
Well, the Dems have already tried to end him politically, and now they want to silence him.
I disagree with Joe L politically, I do think he is a man of Character and he understands what is at stake in Iraq and in this election, if he wishes to speak, by all means he should be asked on stage.
Granted he’s not Zell Miller, but I think his support will mean something in November.
Liberman will be the lever used by McCain to lift the Senate out of Gridlock. Liberman and probably Grahm working together will make life hard for the Senate Majority leader, Democrat or Republican.
There is no doubt it will mean something. I was talking with someone who is for some mysterious reason a Hillary! supporter and she was very surprised to hear that Joe Lieberman loves John McCain. She seemed taken aback by the news, as if this put things in a different light.
Lieberman is an independent, not a Democrat.
Stuff it.
What would Pope Algore say about that?
NOTE: My statement was directed at the DNC peanut gallery, not you personally...
“Take him to the secret room.
Are the electric cattle prods charged?”
Just imagine the rage from Reid, Pelosi, Gore and company when they see Joe on stage at the GOP Convention hugging Johnny and declaring what a great president he would make, over the dem nominee.
8675309 will be in my head all day now.
More info on Lieberman.
The Dems are evil, and evil knows no boundries.
Matthew 24:6-7 -
“And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.”
Lieberman reminds me of a battered wife. The Dems keep beating up on him, yet he still caucuses with them, as if he has nowhere else to go. It’s really very sad.
A note to Democrats:
While Lieberman may be far from a “Conservative”, he ditched the Democrat Party. If he is invited and elects to speak at the Republican Convention, they have no room to complain. They turned their backs on him. I am frankly surprised that he hasn’t taken on the “R” next to his name - as he is no more liberal than many of the RINOs out there.
A battered wife doesn’t usually have the upper hand, but Lieberman appears to.
Really? I don’t for the life of my understand why Joe “Bad boy, Bill! Bad! Now back to work!” Lieberman has any credibility with anyone about anything.
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