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The Spectacle Blog
Given Joe Lieberman’s impending announcement of his retirement from the Senate let me share a few thoughts about him.
In just over five years, Lieberman went from being the number two man on the Democratic ticket to public enemy number one amongst Democrats. His vigorous defense of the Bush Administration on the War in Iraq sealed his fate with liberals who would choose Ned Lamont to be the Democratic Party’s standard bearer in Connecticut in the 2006 election. Lieberman would run as an Independent Democrat and was re-elected with the solid support of Republicans.
Of course, Lieberman was no conservative and he didn’t pretend to be. Shortly after his re-election, Lieberman told Chris Wallace, “I agree more often than not with Democrats on domestic policy. I agree more often than not with Republicans on foreign and defense policy. I’m an Independent.”
There is a price to be paid for independence. You will invariably make people angry. So despite his initial opposition to Obamacare it really should have come as no surprise that Lieberman would have eventually got on board with it.
So Dave Weigel is probably right to say Lieberman would have lost had he sought re-election next year. But in the long run I think Lieberman will be remembered for his transparent decency and willingness to act on principle.
View all comments (9) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/01/19/thoughts-on-lieberman
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WJ| 1.19.11 @ 10:50AM
The man has a 59 percent progressive rating. A 32 percent conservative rating. He voted to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, he voted for the DREAM act, Obama care and a long line of horrible bills that have severely damaged this country. He is a liberal through and through.
He supported the war against Iraq so I guess "conservatives" are supposed to forget that he has been a nightmare for this country.
BD57| 1.19.11 @ 11:08AM
Lieberman's not a "nightmare" - the Pat Leahy / Bernie Sanders / John Kerry / Chris Dodd-type of NE liberal democrat senator, those are your nightmares.
Lieberman at least generally got foreign policy right, which, given the demographics of Connecticut, is an "exceeds expectations" for our side.
Doubt me?
Wait 'til you see what Connecticut elects to take Lieberman's place.
Prince William| 1.19.11 @ 11:20AM
It would be dear if Senator Lieberman and Senator Graham held hands during the State of the Union address.
SCPOret| 1.19.11 @ 12:10PM
I didn't agree with Sen. Lieberman on a whole host of things, but he was always thoughtful and reasoned in why he voted the way he did.
I won't be glad to see him gone because I'm sure we will get something a lot more liberal.
edward cropper | 1.19.11 @ 12:27PM
Joe is basically a decent man. Having said that I also think he is a basic wimp. Anyone who tries to placate both sides in every situation is a wimp pure and simple. His replacement will undoubtedly be a purist liberal which is not good for America. So a wimp is still better than a purist liberal. As a matter of fact almost anything is better than a purist liberal.
Dixie Pixie| 1.19.11 @ 2:06PM
Has anyone considered after being a Vice Presidential running mate with Al Gore and the second choice for Vice President by John McCain that he might be tired of being the second runner up.
Lieberman may be gearing up for a Presidential run on the theory he is the only candidate who can draw votes from both the Democratic and Republicans.
After all Obama ran and won on the premise of being a fusion candidate acceptable to all sides. Lieberman may believe the 2012 election is his best chance for a Presidential run.
Lieberman / McCain 2012
You may now cackle uproariously at the thought.
CalMark| 1.19.11 @ 2:19PM
Joe Lieberman is a whore.
The Democrats kicked him out for his national security stance; the Republicans supported his candidacy for that reason; and Lieberman caucused with...the Democrats.
Personal story: the 12/15/2009 Tea Party in D.C. against Obamacare was the same day Lieberman announced his sellout. Several of us sat peacefully in Lieberman's office, hoping someone would talk to us. Lieberman's arrogant young gatekeepers, sitting behind chest-high counters, told us this was a "private office" and to leave or be arrested. Then sent a dozen Capital Hill storm troopers (er, I mean freedom-loving American cops--they just LOOK and ACT like Storm Troopers) after us.
Joe Lieberman, political whore. You won't be missed. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Aileen| 1.19.11 @ 2:21PM
What transparent decency and willingness to act on principle? When he was Gore's running- mate and expressed some disagreements with Gore, he was asked on at least two Sunday talk shows what he'd do as VP if he disagreed with President Gore on some policy issue, and he replied on both occasions that he would support the President because the Constitution required the Vice President to do so. The Constitution requires no such thing. Either Lieberman hadn't read the Constitution he'd sworn to uphold or he was relying on his hearers' ignorance. Either way he was not being transparently decent or acting on principle.
Dale Cord| 1.20.11 @ 11:31AM
("Lieberman will be remembered for his transparent decency and willingness to act on principle"). This has got to be the most hilarious and ridiculous statement made so far in 2011. To even link "Decency" and "Principle" with the name Lieberman is the epitome of the deception and mental disorder of the liberal mind. Let me refresh everyone's memory by taking us back to one of the "Worst". If not the Worst Presidency's, this country has ever witnessed since it's inception of the 1789 election of George Washington. One of the loudest opposing voices in Washington to the immoral and decadent adulterous acts, committed by a President right in the Oval office, was that of Joe Lieberman's against Bill Clinton. That outrage was silenced soon after it was displayed to the public in the first day of the senate impeachment hearing of this mentally disturbed individual. Why the silence? He was offered a deal, any dishonest person could not refuse. He was offered the Vice Presidential spot on the ticket with Al Gore if he would rescind his opposition to Bill Clinton's immoral behavior, as the Highest Officer of Law and Order and Commander and Chief of the most powerful military forces in the world. This was just one incident that became the corruptible character of this self serving Senator. Joe Lieberman was just another prostitute in the long line of paid whores filing into the Senate Chambers cheapened and made a house of ill-repute by those the likes of Wilson, FDR, JFK, Johnson, Ford, Carter, Bush Sr. Clinton, Bush Jr. and now Obama. All bought off and owned by their Billionaire Pimps, to do their bidding and acts of Treason against the American people.