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 ...
Lieberman is one of the few Democrats I have some respect for, but the Joe I want for Tom Ridge's job would be Joe Arpaio. http://www.mcso.org/
Sometimes Annie makes me think that having only one wife is "not generous".
Personally, I'm eternally grateful that the Dems didn't nominate Joe for president.
His abandonment of all he stood for to defend slick willie.
Lieberman is a mensch. A good choice for any department that does not interface with Middle East affairs.
Lieberman sold his soul during the campaign for 2000, when he zigged hard to the left, defending and adopting algore's stances on all liberal issues. He is at heart a semi-conservative democRAT, but he showed that he has a weak core, when he gave it all away to become veep. It showed he craves power more than he respects scruples.
You mean the guy who helped Al Gore try to steal the 2000 election? I want to see him in jail, not in the cabinet.
It might be worth doing this -- if for no other reason that to rub dirt in Al Gore's face. Sorry Al, you're all washed up ...
Yep. And yet, how soon they forget campaign '00. I will never forget, and never respect Loserman again. I hope Bush doesn't put ANY 'Rats in his cabinet.
If I was Bush, I would consider Lieberman for a Cabinet post.... not any post, but certainly he is a serious man, and not a leftist wacko. I'd have to put him on the list for certain cabinet posts consideration if they came open.
Only if we have a senate candidate that can easily pick up that CT. seat.
Perhaps Bush could ask Hillary and Schumer to work on something important like helping to predict sand storms and Pataki could appoint 2 GOP senators. (I can dream)
She is an "R".
No, Lieberman did what he was asked and required to do as a VP during a campaign. Yes it hurt to watch Lieberman vocalize stands you know in his heart he did not believe, but were the party line of Algore et al. However, that is part of what you do when you are the VP on the ticket.
Lieberman type democrats are the types of democrats that are a dying breed. True americans and not secular socialist/communist american haters. I definately would consider him for a post in my administration if I were Bush.
We would likely see Sen. Chris Shays. Not ideal, but realistically, that is about the best we can hope for in CT.
Yep, I will drop any objections if we can trade his appointment for another R senator. As long as it's not Sec'y of state, defense, homeland security, or any other of the biggies. Maybe energy, or transportation. Or education. But ONLY as a swap. After the 2000 campaign, Leiberman lost any respect that I had for him.
The attempted theft of a presidential election was just the icing on the cake, but Loserman's easy ability to tow the party line in order to be the veep means he has no scruples. He was willing to juke to the left, in exchange for power. Even being conservative on war/security issues is not enough to earn forgiveness, since he's still a lefty on so many other issues.
Not to be too picky, but of all the nice photos of Ann - this one doesn't do it for me.
Are her arms really that long?
(And it doesn't hurt that there's a Republican governor in CT who would appoint a replacement, right?)
There's no guarantee that were a position offered the governor would pick a Republican.
I would have absolutely no problem with a governor choosing another Dem out of respect to a Senator who essentally took a promotion, and answered the call of duty for his country. The people of CT that elected him deserve to have their President and Governor respect the choice they made in Senators, and to advocate shifting gears on them in a situation like this is, IMLTHO, wrong.
If the President deems him to be the right man for the job, negotiating such a deal with the Governor of Connecticut could be a fantastic political move, or not. Ensuring the selection of another pro-defence and relatively conservatve Democrat would show a true interest in getting the best man for the job.
Do I think the Dems would truly respect such a move, or honor the concept in the future? Doubtful. But sometimes you do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
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