Posted on 11/18/2004 10:37:18 AM PST by West Coast Conservative
Joe Lieberman respects the presidency and likes being wooed. And so, he said Tuesday, he's not ruling out a Bush Cabinet appointment.
"I am a traditionalist," the Connecticut Democratic senator said. "If the president ever calls, you'd have to consider it. But I am very happy to be in the Senate."
At the same time, said Lieberman, "I don't expect an offer, and I have no indications that it will happen."
There's no opening the door a crack in Washington; you're in the game or you're not. And while there's no firm - or even flimsy - signal from the Bush team with regard to Lieberman, there is talk among the connected class in Washington that he could be in the mix for several positions.
There's a certain logic to considering Lieberman to join the GOP team, because he was a strong backer of the Iraq war and Bush's faith-based initiatives.
The senator's position is a change of sorts from just 10 days ago, when rumors popped up that Lieberman could be considered for secretary of state.
His office scoffed at such reports and issued a firm denial, saying he was running for re-election to the Senate. "It's never gonna happen," said spokesman Rob Sawicki of the State Department idea.
Well, it didn't happen, but there could be other jobs available, and Lieberman's not ruling anything out.
The most logical post, sources say, is homeland security, where reports have current Secretary Tom Ridge stepping down soon. The department was largely Lieberman's brainchild. He pushed it even as a reluctant Bush White House tried to thwart him - and finally got it through Congress.
(Excerpt) Read more at ctnow.com ...
I think Joe'd do OK at Ridge's old job.
A trial balloon, or a listening tour?
Hmmm. Joe's a decent guy, and might be a good choice for Homeland Security. At the very least, the lightning rod for criticism would be a Democrat.
Does CT still have a repub gov? Good way to get addl senator on the repubs side !!!!!!!!!!!!
Who's the Governor of Connecticut (who would appoint the replacement Senator)-- R or D?
Now what vacant Cabinet position is unimportant enough to risk putting in a Democrat?
We need democrat senators from red states with Pubbie governors to be drafted for cabinet positions.
Yes CT has a woman R Governor
The Gov. is a RINO, but at least we'd nominally have another seat.
Governor is an R
If it's gotta be a Donk, Lieberman is a good 'un.
Well, at least he's not in charge of abortion.
Hmm. I still think Rudy or Bernard Kerik should be DHS, but I suppose Lieberman wouldn't be *that* bad a pick. He would disagree with the President on many things, but that's not all bad...different viewpoints can be healthy.
Joe falls into the "he could do worse" category, I guess...no ringing endorsement, that.
}:-)4
I agreed he took a lot of grief from his own party supporting President Bush. He is as much as a hawk on national security as you can get in the Democratic party.
Joe gets it on several levels. I was just telling my wife what a basket of idiots her party was for presenting the most liberal idiot in the Senate as their candidate, when they had Joe Lieberman to run against Bush.
Her party wants credit for dumping Dean, who she said was even worse then Kerry - no argument there.
I asked her why her party was mad that we rejected Kerry, after all of the true filth that was surfaced on the guy.
Still mad about W. What it comes down to. She's actually glad Kerry lost. Says the D's didn't have a plan for winning the Presidency other than to high five, and make sure that ABA protected the sanctity of the Tax Code.
I wonder if Karl Rove is behind the moves....
I'd love to see Joe in the Bush cabinet, he's by far the best the Dems have to offer! I don't think we should do it just to get another Senate seat though, and I think Joe wouldn't do it if that was the intent. I'd be happy with a conservative Dem (one that wouldn't filibuster) being tabbed to replace him.
All that said, I doubt it will happen, just because of all the spin that would come out targeting both the Bush team for trying to pick off a D seat and at Joe for becoming a "traitor" to his party.
You can bet Mr. Rove came up with this idea! Joe would be perfect for the job (a lightening rod...so to speak) and it would also allow a Rep. gain.
I concur!
Go Joe
Just remind that same "D" party that it was AL GORE who stabbed Joe in the back by backing Howard Dean instead of Joe during the run up to the dems primary! I'd personally rather see Rudy in DHS, but we'll see!
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