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Talk Of Lieberman As Mr. Secretary
Hartford Courant ^ | November 17, 2004 | DAVID LIGHTMAN

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 ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Connecticut
KEYWORDS: bush; cabinet; lieberman; ridge; rumsfeld; secretary; waronterror
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To: West Coast Conservative
I'm no Lieberman fan. He really torqued me with his passionate speech against Clinton and then voting no for conviction. He followed that up with some truly hateful speeches in the 2000 election, especially when Florida was being contested.

Yes, he's strong on national security, but there's no need to invite another Democrat into the Cabinet. One is enough, if not too much. Fire Mineta, and then talk to me.

81 posted on 11/18/2004 3:43:39 PM PST by Dog Gone
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To: West Coast Conservative

One democrat is enough; first get rid of Mineta.


82 posted on 11/18/2004 3:43:48 PM PST by matchwood
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To: West Coast Conservative

;Talk Of Lieberman As Mr. Secretary

But who'd want him to sit on their lap and take dictation ?

shiver.....


83 posted on 11/18/2004 4:40:06 PM PST by festus (Old growth timbers make the best campfires....)
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To: XJarhead
Hmmm. Joe's a decent guy, and might be a good choice for Homeland Security.

I don't know that I want him someplace where he can lobby for expanded gun laws to further infringe on our 2nd Amendment rights. There was never a gun law he didn't just love.

84 posted on 11/18/2004 5:26:38 PM PST by ExSoldier (Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.)
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To: AuH2ORepublican; comebacknewt; fieldmarshaldj

If Nancy Johnson got moved up to the Senate, her district would likely elect a republican (I'm in her district).


85 posted on 11/18/2004 7:03:00 PM PST by Uncledave
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To: Uncledave; AuH2ORepublican; Kuksool; JohnnyZ; Clintonfatigued
"If Nancy Johnson got moved up to the Senate, her district would likely elect a republican (I'm in her district)."

I dunno, I would betcha fmr. 'Rat Rep. Jim Maloney has an excellent shot in an open-seat situation. That is, unless Gary Franks wants to make a comeback (but Maloney defeated him in '96 when Franks was asleep at the wheel).

86 posted on 11/19/2004 5:14:02 AM PST by fieldmarshaldj (*Rally Cry In '05: No Justices - No PEACE !*)
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To: jim35

Jim,

There hasn't been a VP candidate in my lifetime who didn't go out and tow the party line, regardless of where the party line was in reference to his own leanings, regardless of party. Its the job of a VP to do this during the election, and if one isn't willing or able to do it, they don't get to be VP.

Look at BUSH Sr. for crying out loud, he was the one who coined the phrase "Voodoo Economics" yet once in the VP spot was out defending and supporting the same economic policies he was previously lambasting.... towing the line is part of the job.


87 posted on 11/19/2004 5:17:23 AM PST by HamiltonJay ("You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.")
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To: West Coast Conservative

He is what the Dems have in short supply -- a true patriot. As this should be the only "litmus test", I'd welcome him with open arms.


88 posted on 11/19/2004 6:41:26 AM PST by Dionysius
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To: 1Old Pro
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)

That's a GREAT idea. nominate Shumer for National Security Adviser, and shrillary for Homeland defence. After they are confirmed, and replacements appointed by Pataki, Bush could just fire them.

89 posted on 11/19/2004 7:13:44 AM PST by BlueMondaySkipper (The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it. - George Orwell)
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To: 54skylark

Jodi Rell is the RINO Governor of Connecticut. Who she'd appoint is unknown. She might run for the seat herself in 2006 if Leiberman takes a cabinet position.


90 posted on 11/20/2004 10:48:51 AM PST by Clintonfatigued
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To: RockinRight
"I think Joe'd do OK at Ridge's old job."

Do you mean Governor of Pennsylvania instead on Rendell?
91 posted on 11/20/2004 10:56:32 AM PST by leprechaun9
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