WHO IS JOE LIEBERMAN? (RNC RESEARCH)

Republican National Committee ^ | 13 January 2003 | RNC Research Department

[PhiKapMom]

Who Is Joe Lieberman?

“The Lieberman persona is so inventive, has been so creative, has been so gymnastic in its many shapes and forms, that only he can even begin to explain it. . . . Many politicians look a bit oily, a bit uncomfortable moving across and around the political spectrum, but our Joe looks as comfortable as if he’s merely changing clothes.” (Laurence D. Cohen, Op-Ed, “The Chameleon Who Came To Dinner,” The Hartford Courant, November 3, 2002)

The Facts About Joe Lieberman (D-CT)

On School Vouchers, Lieberman Betrayed His Beliefs To BECOME GORE’S RUNNING MATE

In The 1990’s, Lieberman Passionately Supported School Choice, But In The 2000 Campaign, He Cynically Ran Away From His Record.

On Social Security, Lieberman Sacrificed His Convictions FOR AMBITION

As A Senator, Lieberman Thought Investing A Portion Of Social Security In The Markets “Has Got To Happen,” But As A Campaigner, Lieberman Succumbed To Gore’s Pressure To Abandon This Position. (Robert Novak, “Moderate Talk, But A Distinctly Liberal Walk,” Chicago Sun-Times, August 10, 2000)

On Affirmative Action, Lieberman Flip-Flopped

As Chair Of The DLC, Lieberman Denounced Group Preferences As “Patently Unfair.” But In 2000, He Ran Away From His Record. (“CBO: Clinton Deficit Larger Than Advertised,” USA Today, March 10, 1995)

On Corporate Corruption, Lieberman Obstructed Reform, But “Found Religion” When The Political Tides Turned Against Him

Former SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt Said Lieberman “Led The Charge” To Halt Regulation That Could Have Curtailed Corporate Corruption. (Editorial, “Congress’ Own Corporate Scandals,” Business Week, September 30, 2002)

On Tax Relief, Lieberman CONTRADICTS HIMSELF

Lieberman Called For A Tax Cut To Pull America Out Of The 1991 Recession, But Criticized The Bush Administration For Cutting Taxes To Pull America Out Of Recession.

On Supreme Court Nominations, Lieberman TRIES TO HAVE IT BOTH WAYS

Lieberman Vowed Not To Apply A Pro-Abortion Litmus Test To Supreme Court Nominees, But Joined A Campaign That Promised To Do That Very Thing.

Joe Lieberman In Depth

Situational Ethics: Joe’s Journey From Populist, To Moderate, To Moralist, And Back Again

1980: “Some Lessons Are Learned Only Through Experience, And Here [Is A Lesson] That I Learned From My Loss In 1980: A Candidate Must Keep Polling Right Up Until The End, And Be Prepared To Conduct The Campaign Accordingly.” (Senator Joseph Lieberman, In Praise Of Public Life, 2000, p. 60)

1986: Lieberman Appears Inauthentic To Many. “Some say Attorney General Joseph I. Lieberman is an important force for justice in Connecticut. . . . Others say he’s a publicity-hungry, showboating politician.” (Sterling North, “Connecticut Lawsuit Alleges Big Oil Retained The Windfall,” New England Business, September 1, 1986)

1987: Always Looking For A Political Conquest, Lieberman Targets His Next Opportunity – U.S. Senator Lowell Weicker’s Seat. After conducting a poll, consulting his family, and being recruited by Senator John Kerry, who provided Lieberman with “a thick [opposition research] book on Weicker’s career,” Lieberman concluded that Weicker’s seat was vulnerable. Lieberman wrote, “This was a unique moment in my career. I had never been coy about having political ambitions and regularly thought about the next office I might seek. . . . In 1987, I was drawn into a race that I had not seriously considered, but it was for an office – United State senator – that was my ultimate ambition.” (Senator Joseph Lieberman, In Praise Of Public Life, 2000, pp. 73-77)

1988: To Obtain His “Ultimate Ambition,” Lieberman Successfully Purges His Liberal Democrat Identity And Redefines Himself As A Moderate. “Lieberman is expected to play down his progressive image, with the hopes of drawing support from Republicans displeased with Mr. Weicker’s record in the Senate.” This shift “enables him to hold onto the Democratic base,” while attracting “independents . . . [and] conservatives who would like to vote against Weicker, but not for someone who is running openly as a liberal.” (Nick Ravo, “Lieberman Begins Bid To Win Weicker’s Seat,” The New York Times, February 23, 1988; The Cook Political Report, May 31, 1988)

Early 1990’s: Perfecting The Art Of The Veneer-Candidate, Lieberman Goes To Washington, Professing To Be A “New-Dem,” But Voting Like An Old-School-Liberal. “His voting record was not demonstrably different from that of your average liberal Democrat, but his rhetoric was enough to get him invited to dinner at the right (literally and figuratively) think tanks. He was an eager and early participant in the New Democrat movement, which at least pretended that the Democratic Party didn’t want to steal all your money and spend it on government.” (Laurence D. Cohen, “The Chameleon Who Came To Dinner,” The Hartford Courant, November 3, 2002)

1998: From Moderate To Moralist, Lieberman Lambastes Clinton Over The Lewinsky Affair On The Senate Floor, Takes The National Spotlight, And Elevates His National Stature. “Lieberman is perhaps best known to voters for a September 1998 speech that criticized Clinton’s behavior in the Monica Lewinsky scandal as ‘not just inappropriate. It is immoral.’” Lieberman continued, “‘[I]t is harmful, for it sends a message of what is acceptable behavior to the larger American family-particularly to our children.’” (Congressional Quarterly Website, http://oncongress.cq.com, Accessed December 11, 2002)

2000: From Moralist Back To Populist, Lieberman Banks Left To Pursue Vice Presidential Ambitions. Lieberman called his Vice Presidential candidacy “‘a victory for a set of ideas,’ but different groups [at the Democratic Convention] heard different versions of the set. Lieberman . . . reassure[d] basic Democratic constituencies – including teachers, African Americans and union members – that he is sympathetic to their interests despite [his] centrist New Democrat ideas . . . . Lieberman acknowledged that the Gore campaign message of . . . standing up ‘for the people, not the powerful’ is not classic New Democrat rhetoric.” (Mike Allen, “Reaching Across Liberal-Centrist Divide,” The Washington Post, August 18, 2000)

2002 (And Beyond): To Further His Presidential Ambitions, What Shape Will Lieberman Contort Himself Into Next? Expect More Of The Same. When Gore chose him, “Lieberman ranked as one of the more conservative Democrats in the Senate . . . question[ing] affirmative action, support[ing],” school choice, “and generally irritat[ing] some of the Party’s most stalwart constituency groups. During the campaign, Lieberman hewed closer to the party line . . . . [A]s he weighs entering the Democratic Presidential primaries-with their left-skewing voters-he has reestablished his [liberal] bona fides . . . . He voted against the Bush tax cut, denounced the Republicans’ environmental policies, and, in homeland security, made a stand for unions.” (Jeffrey Toobin, “Candide, Joe Lieberman Looks Hopefully Toward The White House,” The New Yorker, December 16, 2002)

Lieberman On The Issues: When Opportunity Knocks, Principle Gives

On School Vouchers, He Betrayed His Beliefs To Win Gore Votes

As A Senator, Lieberman Supported School Choice. Defending school choice and charter schools, Lieberman said, “The undeniable reality here is that this system is already in ruins, and to blindly reject new models and refuse to try new ideas is simply foolish. We can and must do better for these children, and to cling stubbornly to the failures of the past will just not get us there.” (Senator Joe Lieberman, The Senate Government Affairs Committee Hearing, April 17, 1997)

But As A Vice Presidential Hopeful, He Ran Away From His Record. In answer to a question about his support for public school vouchers, a position opposed by Gore, “Lieberman signaled his willingness to follow Gore’s lead: ‘If you want to get me off this idea, the best thing to do is elect the Gore-Lieberman ticket.’” (Ken Foskett, “Democrats Downplay Differences,” The Atlanta Journal And Constitution, August 10, 2000)

On Social Security, Lieberman Sacrificed His Convictions In The Face Of Political Pressure

As A Senator, Lieberman Thought Investing A Portion Of Social Security In The Capital Markets “Has Got To Happen.” “‘A remarkable wave of innovative thinking is advancing . . . some personalization of retirement plans.’ Such a plan, [Lieberman] added, can ‘give people more confidence about what their retirement years will be like. . . . [I]ndividual control of part of the retirement/Social Security funds has got to happen.’” (Robert Novak, “Moderate Talk, But A Distinctly Liberal Walk,” Chicago Sun-Times, August 10, 2000)

But As A Campaigner, Lieberman Succumbed To Gore’s Pressure To Abandon This Position. “In June, [2000] the Gore campaign prudently asked Lieberman to prepare an ‘op-ed column’ on Social Security. ‘My Private Journey Away From Privatization’ attacked ‘an expensive experiment’ and endorsed Gore’s plan. It appeared in no newspapers, but was filed at Gore headquarters for future distribution – which came this week.” (Robert Novak, “Moderate Talk, But A Distinctly Liberal Walk,” Chicago Sun-Times, August 10, 2000)

On Affirmative Action, Lieberman Flip-Flopped

As Chair Of The DLC, Lieberman Denounced Group Preferences As “Patently Unfair.” “Lieberman said the DLC has no specific position on the review of affirmative action under way by the White House, but he said he feels group preferences are ‘patently unfair.’” (“CBO: Clinton Deficit Larger Than Advertised,” USA Today, March 10, 1995)

But In 2000, He Ran Away From His Record. “[W]e’re two active minds. That’s the nature of our friendship and partnership . . . . Incidentally, some of those topics you mentioned, like affirmative action, we’re together on.” (ABC’s “Good Morning America,” August 9, 2000)

On Corporate Corruption, Lieberman Obstructed Reform, But “Found Religion” When The Political Tides Turned Against Him

Former SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt Said Lieberman “Led The Charge” To Halt Regulations That Could Have Curtailed Corruption. Lieberman “led the charge. He introduced legislation to bar the SEC from enforcing the rule,” to require accounting of stock options. Lieberman also wanted to require the “SEC to ratify each of [FASB’s] decisions . . . [and he] sponsored a Senate resolution that declared the FASB proposal a cockamamie idea . . . [with] ‘grave consequences for America’s entrepreneurs.’” (Arthur Levitt, “Take On The Street,” Business Week, September 30, 2002)

But To Save Face, Lieberman Decried The Breakdown In Corporate Accountability As “A Scandal Of Lost Values.” Lieberman told the DLC national convention that Enron and WorldCom were “scandal[s] of lost values as much as lost value. Not content with a booming economy and a bullish market, a lot of powerful people turned into con artists and thieves to satisfy their personal greed. . . . They forgot that in America, as we New Democrats have always said, opportunities come with responsibilities.” (Senator Lieberman, Remarks At The 2002 DLC National Convention, July 29, 2002)

On Tax Relief, Lieberman’s Record Is Contradictory

As A Statesman, Lieberman Called For A Tax Cut To Pull America Out Of The 1991 Recession. “We sure are in a deep recession today. Let us cut taxes so we can put more money into the hands of the middle class . . . . Let us cut taxes on business so they will invest and create the kind of jobs that will make us competitive and protect our future. Read our lips, Mr. President, let us cut taxes because it is good for America.” (Senator Joe Lieberman, Congressional Record, October 25, 1991)

As A Presidential Hopeful, Lieberman Criticized The Bush Administration For Cutting Taxes To Improve The Economy. “[T]he Bush Administration suffers from a profound economic leadership deficit . . . . This Administration has no growth strategy, except their one-note plan that could fit on the back of a shampoo bottle – ‘Cut taxes, increase spending, borrow, repeat.’ That’s not a recipe for a growing economy and more jobs, but for exploding deficits and lost jobs.” (Senator Joe Lieberman, Remarks At The 2002 DLC National Convention, July 29, 2002)

On Supreme Court Appointments, Lieberman Will Betray Principle To Advance His Career

Lieberman Vowed Not To Apply A Pro-Abortion Litmus Test To Supreme Court Nominees. Speaking with “the pro-life lobby, Lieberman said he would have voted to confirm Robert Bork to the Supreme Court had he been in the Senate at the time. And future such nominees? ‘I’m not going to vote against a judicial nominee just because he’s pro-life,’ Lieberman promised. ‘I’m not going to apply a litmus test.’” (“Joe Lieberman Borks Himself,” The Weekly Standard, September 25, 2000)

But He Joined Gore’s Campaign, Who Promised To Do That Very Thing. On ABC’s Nightline, Gore said “[I]f you believe in a woman’s right to choose – a right that must never be weakened, never be undermined, never be taken away, join us now. The Supreme Court is at stake and our campaign is your cause.” (ABC’s “Nightline,” October 2, 2000)

At Odds With Fellow Democrats

On Iraq

Lieberman Disagreed With Kerry And Gephardt On Desert Storm. Lieberman voted for the 1991 Persian Gulf War Resolution, but Kerry and Gephardt did not. (S J Res. 2, CQ Vote #2: Adopted 52-47: R 42-2; D 10-45, January 12, 1991; H J Res. 77, CQ Vote #9 Adopted 250-183: R 164-3; D 86-179; I 0-1, January 12, 1991)

On Civil Justice Reform

Lieberman Disagrees With Kerry And Edwards On Civil Justice Reform. Lieberman supported “just about every tort reform proposal that’s come along the track,” while Kerry voted against caps on punitive damages, and Edwards has always been a friend to trial lawyers. (Senator Joe Lieberman, Press Conference, July 15, 1999; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #152: Cloture Motion Rejected 47-52: R 45-9; D 2-43, May 4, 1995; David Byrd, “Why Trial Lawyers Have A Beef With Bush,” National Journal, May 8, 1999)

On Abortion

Lieberman Disagrees With Gephardt On Federal Funds For Abortion. Lieberman voted against a provision to prohibit the use of federal funds for abortions except in cases of rape, incest or threat to the mother’s life, but Gephardt voted in favor of the provision. (H.R. 2518, CQ Vote #290: Rejected 40-59: R 6-38; D 34-21, September 28, 1993; Amendment To H.R. 2518, CQ Vote #309: Amendment Adopted 256-171: R 157-16; D 99-154; I 0-1, June 30, 1993)

On School Choice

Lieberman Disagrees With Kerry On School Choice. Lieberman advocated and voted for school choice, but Kerry opposed it. (Senator Joe Lieberman, The Senate Government Affairs Committee, April 17, 1997; Amendment To S. 2, CQ Vote #2: Rejected 36-57: R 33-6; D 3-51; I 0-0, January 23, 1992)

On Trade

Lieberman Disagrees With Gephardt And Dean On Fast-Track Trade Authority. Lieberman supported fast-track trade authority, but Gephardt opposed it and Dean would not give President Bush fast-track trade authority without strong provisions for labor and environmental interests. (H.R. 3009, CQ Vote #207: Adopted 64-34: R 43-5; D 20-29; I 1-0, August 1, 2002; H.R. 3009, CQ Vote #370: Adopted 215-212: R 190-27; D 25-183; I 0-2, July 27, 2002)

On Welfare Reform

Lieberman Disagrees With Gephardt On Welfare Reform. Lieberman supported welfare reform, but Gephardt opposed it. (H.R. 3734, CQ Vote #232: Adopted 74-24: R 51-1; D 23-23, July 23, 1996; H.R. 3734, CQ Vote #262: Adopted 78-21: R 53-0; D 25-21, August 1, 1996; H.R. 3734, CQ Vote #331: Adopted 256-170: R 226-4; D 30-165; I 0-1, July 18, 1996)

On Civil Unions

Lieberman Disagrees With Kerry And Dean On Civil Unions. Lieberman voted for the “Defense of Marriage Act,” but Kerry voted against it and Dean would honor civil unions as a matter of national policy. (H.R. 3396, CQ Vote #280: Adopted 85-14: R 53-0; D 32-14, September 10, 1996; Ross Sneyd, “Dean Would Recognize Civil Unions As President,” [Montpelier] Times Argus, September 14, 2002)

On Missile Defense

Lieberman Disagrees With Kerry On Missile Defense. Lieberman supports national missile defense, but Kerry opposes it. (Senator Joe Lieberman, Press Release, March 15, 1999; S. 3114, CQ Vote #182: Motion To Table Amendment Rejected 43-49: R 34-5; D 9-44, August 7, 1992)

Lieberman’s Key Votes

107th Congress, 2001-2002 Senate Votes

Against Tax Relief. Lieberman voted against passing a $1.35 trillion tax cut package to reduce income-tax rates, alleviate the “marriage penalty” and gradually repeal the estate tax. (H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #165: Adopted 62-38: R 50-0; D 12-38; I 0-0, May 23, 2001)

Against Tax Relief. Lieberman voted to reduce Bush’s proposed tax cut by $448 billion over 10 years. (Amendment To H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #69: Amendment Adopted 53-47: R 4-46; D 49-1; I 0-0, April 4, 2001)

Against President Bush’s Attorney General Nominee. Lieberman voted against confirming John Ashcroft to be Attorney General. (CQ Vote #8: Confirmed 58-42: R 50-0; D 8-42; I 0-0, February 1, 2001)

106th Congress, 1999-2000 Senate Votes

Against Tax Relief. Lieberman voted against cutting taxes for married couples. (H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #226: Conference Report Adopted 60-34: R 53-1; D 7-33; I 0-0, July 21, 2000)

For Expanding The Scope Of Hate Crimes. Lieberman voted to include gender, sexual orientation and disability in federal hate crime protections. (Amendment To S. 2549, CQ Vote #136: Amendment Adopted 57-42: R 13-41; D 44-1; I 0-0, June 20, 2000)

For Abortion Rights. Lieberman voted to support the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision. (Amendment To S. 1692, CQ Vote #337: Amendment Adopted 51-47: R 8-44; D 43-2; I 0-1, October 21, 1999)

Against Tax Relief. Lieberman voted against reducing federal taxes by $792 billion over 10 years. (S. 1429, CQ Vote #247: Adopted 57-43: R 52-2; D 4-41; I 1-0, July 30, 1999)

105th Congress, 1997-1998 Senate Votes /i>

Against Banning Partial-Birth Abortions. Lieberman voted against banning “partial-birth” abortions. (H.R. 1122, CQ Vote #277: Rejected 64-36: R 51-4; D 13-32; I 0-0, September 18, 1998; H.R. 1122, CQ Vote #71: Passed 64-36: R 51-4; D 13-32; I 0-0, May 20, 1997)

Against Banning Human Cloning. Lieberman voted against banning human cloning. (S. 1601, CQ Vote #10: Cloture Motion Rejected 42-54: R 42-12; D 0-42; I 0-0, February 11, 1998)

Against A Balanced-Budget Constitutional Amendment. Lieberman voted against a balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (S.J. Res. 1, CQ Vote #24: Rejected 66-34: R 55-0; D 11-34; I 0-0, March 4, 1997)

104th Congress, 1995-1996 Senate Votes

Against Banning Partial-Birth Abortion. Lieberman voted against banning most “partial-birth” abortions. (H.R. 1833, CQ Vote #301: Rejected 57-41: R 45-6; D 12-35; I 0-0, September 26, 1996)

Against A Balanced-Budget Constitutional Amendment. Lieberman voted against a constitutional amendment to require a balanced federal budget. (H.J. Res. 1, CQ Vote #158: Rejected 64-35: R 52-1; D 12-34; I 0-0, June 6, 1996)

103rd Congress, 1993-1994 Senate Votes

For Clinton Supreme Court Justice Nominee. Lieberman voted to confirm Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the U.S. Supreme Court. (CQ Vote #232: Confirmed 96-3: R 41-3; D 55-0; I 0-0, August 3, 1993)

For A Tax Increase. Lieberman voted for the largest tax increase in American history. (H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #247: Adopted 51-50: R 0-44; D 50-6; I 0-0, With Vice President Gore Voting “Yea,” August 6, 1993)

102nd Congress, 1991-1992 Senate Votes

Against Bush Sr. Supreme Court Justice Nominee. Lieberman voted against confirming Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court. (CQ Vote #220: Confirmed 52-48: R 41-2; D 11-46; I 0-0, October 15, 1991)

101st Congress, 1989-1990 Senate Votes

Against Flag Desecration Constitutional Amendment. Lieberman voted against a constitutional amendment on flag desecration. (S.J. Res. 332, CQ Vote #128: Rejected 58-42: R 38-7; D 20-35; I 0-0, June 26, 1990)

Against Parental Notice For Minors’ Abortions. Lieberman voted to oppose requiring parental notice for minors’ abortions. (H.R. 5257, CQ Vote #266: Rejected 48-48: R 8-34; D 40-14; I 0-0, October 12, 1990)

For Cuts In Defense Spending. Lieberman voted to halt production of B-2 stealth bomber after 13 planes. (S. 3189, CQ Vote #272: Rejected 44-50: R 9-32; D 35-18; I 0-0, October 15, 1990)

Interest Group Ratings

Issues/Groups

Liberal/ Conservative

Americans for Democratic Action (ADA)

75 -- ('89)
83 -- ('90)
65 -- ('91)
70 -- ('92)
65 -- ('93)
65 -- ('94)
95 -- ('95)
75 -- ('96)
75 -- ('97)
80 -- ('98)
95 -- ('99)
75 -- ('00)
95 -- ('01)

American Conservative Union (ACU)

32 -- ('89)
22 -- ('90)
26 -- ('91)
22 -- ('92)
20 -- ('93)
8 -- ('94)
10 -- ('95)
35 -- ('96)
20 -- ('97)
16 -- ('98)
0 -- ('90)
20 -- ('00)
28 -- ('01)

Abortion

National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL)

100 -- ('89)
90 -- ('90)
100 -- ('91)
100 -- ('92)
100 -- ('93)

100 -- ('99)
100 -- ('00)
100 -- ('01)

National Right to Life Committee (NRLC)

0 -- ('92)
0 -- ('93)
0 -- ('94)
7 -- ('95)
0 -- ('96)

7 -- ('98)
0 -- ('99)
0 -- ('00)
0 -- ('01)
0 -- ('02)

Firearms

National Rifle Association (NRA)

B+ -- ('88)

F -- ('94)

F --('00)

Labor

AFL-CIO

90 -- ('89)
78 -- ('90)
83 -- ('91)
83 -- ('92)
82 -- ('93
71 -- ('94)
100 -- ('95)
86 -- ('96)
29 -- ('97)
75 -- ('98)
78 -- ('99)
80 -- ('00)
93 -- ('01)

Teamsters

100 -- ('89-90)
80 -- ('91-92)

67 -- ('97)
67 -- ('98)

100 -- ('00)

AFSCME

100 -- ('99)
83 -- ('00)
87 -- ('01)

Taxes/ Spending

National Taxpayers Union (NTU)

37 -- ('89)
33 -- ('90)
20 -- ('91)
26 -- ('92)
27 -- ('93)
24 -- ('94)
22 -- ('95)
32 -- ('96)
34 -- ('97)
17 -- ('98)
8 -- ('99)
16 -- ('00)
7 -- ('01)

Americans for Tax Reform (ATR)

5 -- ('99)
15 -- ('00)
25 -- ('01)
12 -- ('02)

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW)

33 -- ('90)
8 -- ('92)
41 -- ('92)
30 -- ('93)
47 -- ('94)
22 -- ('95)
16 -- ('96)
25 -- ('97)
10 -- ('98)
14 -- ('99)
14 -- ('00)
25 -- ('01)

Business

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

38 -- ('89)
17 -- ('90)
30 -- ('91)
50 -- ('92)
45 -- ('93)

30 -- ('94)
33 -- ('95)
54 -- ('96)
60 -- ('97)
56 -- ('98)

47 -- ('99)
33 -- ('00)
43 -- ('01)

National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB)

32 -- ('89-90)
50 --('91)
50 -- ('92)
38 -- ('93-94)
45 -- ('95)
33 -- ('96)
60 -- ('97)
43 -- ('98)
16 -- ('99)
16 -- ('00)
17 -- ('01)

Environment

League Of Conservation Voters (LCV)

100 -- ('89)
92 -- ('90)
100 -- ('91)
100 -- ('92)
100 -- ('93)
77 -- ('94)
100 -- ('95)
89 -- ('96)
100 -- ('97)
100 -- ('98)
100 -- ('99)
94 -- ('00)
100 -- ('01)
82 -- ('02)

[blackie]

Joe Lieberman is a democrat that's all one needs to know!

Be Well - Be Armed - Be Safe - Molon Labe!

[kitkat]

Bookmarked, and thanks.

[wingnuts'nbolts]

As with Al Gore there is no real Joe. There is a real Hillary, one that stands for her own power and narcissistic needs and she is pretty up front about it even when she lies the truth shines through. Joe however, thinks he has us fooled. He thinks we believe he is an Orthodox Jew with strong convictions. He is not and does not.

The American people may have no trouble with his Jewishness, excluding of course, most angry blacks, all Muslims a lot of whom are angry blacks, and all antisemitics. Then there's the European community to be taken into account. They mostly qualify as antisemetic. What about Israel? Will they be happy to see Joe as President (if he had a hope in hell)?

To the rest of us he is just another democrat in the senate who thinks he can wrest the Presidency from G.W. doing his Bring Back the American Dream liberal class baiting. No matter how strongly Joe may feel about something he never comes across as decisive, except when he yells "I Will Be The President" to the press, who cover their mouths to hide the smirk. Nevertheless, the same shaky whiney voice emitting from the melting face of Joe belies any amount of shouting. He simply has not got what it takes to be President, a commanding presence and strong convictions. Even his hand slapping of Clinton during the impeachment was for the cameras and the press. He campaigned during the Sabath with AlGore, but that's ok, he had to do it. Nobody seemed to notice.

Last, but not least, I have misgivings about a first lady named Hadassah, and I am not antisemetic, an angry black, Muslim, or a European, just an ordinary dumb American.

[scouse]

Joe Lieberman is what Isaac Newton meant when he predicated his laws of motion. You will recall that Newton stated that for every force there is an equal and opposite force; well! Lieberman is both of these forces acting in unison. Or as Ella used to sing; First you say you do,and then you don't. Then you say you will and then you won't etc.

The man is a hypocrite par excellence.

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks! I have them in my email file but that didn't help on here!

[PhiKapMom]

Last, but not least, I have misgivings about a first lady named Hadassah, and I am not antisemetic, an angry black, Muslim, or a European, just an ordinary dumb American.

Let me join you as an ordinary dumb American! I agree with you 100%!

[PhiKapMom]

Last, but not least, I have misgivings about a first lady named Hadassah, and I am not antisemetic, an angry black, Muslim, or a European, just an ordinary dumb American.

Let me join you as an ordinary dumb American! I agree with you 100%!

[summer]

Lieberman will never get the nomination - the liberals hate him.

I agree. But, if he did win the nomination (which he won't), I think he might have appealed to more people than the Dem primary voters are willing to give him credit for. He is the only Dem candidate who comes across as acutely aware of the current international situation, and strongly pro-Israel.

[summer]

BTW, I must say the RNC is quick with the research! :)

[deport]

I went and found what I think are all of them and have them bookmarked on my profile page under.... RNC Research:

[PhiKapMom]

Good one! I still have my SoreLoserman Bumperstrip!

[PhiKapMom]

I get them direct from them and used to get them before they went public and had to post them on here anonymously. One of my good friends works for RNC which is how I got involved in posting them.

[RaceBannon]

Well, so we never forget!

[RaceBannon]

I am sure this article has him deeply troubled and feeliing very concerned, and saddened...

[PhiKapMom]

LOL!!!!!!!!!! That is too funny!

[PhilDragoo]

Against all tax cuts, against Clarence Thomas.

For all abortions, for Bader Ginsberg.

Is America ready for a jowlish president without core values?

Why does the word "pipsqueak" break out in uncontrollable Tourette's Syndrome fusillades at the merest thought of Jowl Lieberat?

A satire of himself, yes.

Something you feel under your shoe in the dark of a movie theater, that, too.

Look, down in the gutter, it's a nerd, it's a stain--it's Wheedle-Man!

Yes, Wheedle-Man, who came to earth without the core of mortal men!

Wheedle-Man, who bends over for the anagram of ogre!

And now blights a never-ending scandal with Ruth his Justice against the American Way!

[PhiKapMom]

LOL!!!!!!!!! That's funny!

[Fracas]

I just logged on tonight (Tuesday morning, actually!) and found your 'ping'. At various times today, depending on the news source, I heard Lieberman described as 'moderate', 'conservative', 'moral conscience', etc.

I heard he was 'pro school vouchers', 'anti-terrorism', 'pro military'.

After all this, sort of makes you wonder why he LOST in 2000! Oh wait - I forgot! It was Al's fault.

My quick take on Lieberman. He doesn't have a snowflake's chance, for these reasons.

1. Too short
2. Terrible voice
3. Inconsistent views (goes wobbly)
4. He's always late to the party. He's not a policy iniatiator....he's a 'me too' kind of guy
5. He lacks the 'vision thing'. I have yet to hear him say why HE wants to be President. He says why he doesn't want GWB (or any other Republican) to be President, but he has no articulate message of his own.

The one thing that distinguishes him from the rest of the field is that he is a recent LOSER....and that is a difficult image to shake.

[LoneGOPinCT]

After reading this RNC Research paper, it seems we are left to ask Will the "REAL" Joe LIEberman please stand up?

Don't count on it PKM, I'm not sure even LIEberman himself even remembers who the "Real" Joe LIEberman is.

A lefty editorial cartoonist with the Hartford Courant likes to draw Gov. RINOwland in a Sgt. Bilko light complete with a windvane on his helmet to see which way the political winds are blowing (and rightly so). I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that Jiminy Joe will not receive the same treatment despite his far more aggregious record of flip-flopping.