Joe Lieberman's Hypocrisy Posted by Michael Cohen

I have a confession to make to DA readers - and it's a pretty embarrassing one (worse than revelations about my unrequited crush on Dana Perino): I used to like Joe Lieberman. In fact, back in 2004, I actually supported him for President. However, after catching him on This Week yesterday, I feel the need to hang my head in shame.

Here's what Joe had to say about John McCain:

In my opinion, before we solve the problems the American people need us to solve in Washington, health care, the economy, education, global warming, Social Security, fiscal imbalance, we have to solve a problem within a political system, which is hyperpartisanship, a mud fight:  I don’t care what’s really good for the country; I care what’s good for my party.  That’s outrageous.

Of these three candidates, the one who has the clearest record of reaching across party lines, controversially sometimes, to solve a problem, is John McCain.

I wonder if Joe Lieberman would be able to square that sentiment with this one expressed by John McCain on January 24th of this year:

Senator Clinton decided that she wants to surrender, she wants to raise a white flag, she wants to set a date of immediate withdrawal from Iraq after we’ve been winning.

Or how about this on February 27th:

If we do what Senator Obama wants to do, and that’s immediate withdrawal, that would mean surrender in Iraq.

And this on March 13th:

In answer to a question on Iraq, McCain said the Democrat Formula for Iraq is clear: "Surrender to Al-Qaeda and leave."

Hmm, both leading Democratic candidates want to surrender to Al Qaeda - that sounds like just the kind of language that will bring the country together and end the hyperpartisanship in Washington. Good work Joe!

Comments

[Christian Prophet]

We have a history of hyperpartisanship and we've survived nicely. I'm more worried about the truth of Barack Obama that is only just now beginning to come out. See:
http://miraclesdaily.blogspot.com/

[Mike M.]

You don't know for sure that your crush on Perino is unrequited.

Glad you got over Lieberman, though. What did you ever see in him? I was always put off by his school marmish prudery.

[Michael Cohen]

What can I say Mike, I'm a centrist at heart - he was the most centrist in 2004. I was never a huge fan, I just liked him more then everyone else who was running.

As for Dana, hope springs eternal . . .

[Dan Kervick]

While I never supported Lieberman politically, I was impressed with him personally during the 2004 New Hampshire primary. I thought he showed a lot of integrity and principle by sticking to his positions in many cases where the more politically opportunistic course would have recommended changing course and fudging.

But since then, the the man has seemed to me little more than an egomaniacal and fanatical ass, a monster of self-righteousness, and an obsequious Bushist kiss-ass who has neglected no opportunity to insult Democrats across the nation, and has totally betrayed the Democratic Party - and particularly the Democratic voters of Connecticut who were responsible for elevating him to the position he occupies in the first place.

[Dan Kervick]

Lieberman is now a Republican, and should simply say so. If Democrats take several Senate seats in the fall, as they seem poised to do, they can finally just tell Holy Joe to finish burning his bridges, and go directly to hell.

[Brandon Friedman]

Don't feel bad. I voted for Bush in 2000.

[Zathras]

I don't approve of Sen. McCain's campaign rhetoric about Iraq either. However, it is only fair to observe, of Sen. Lieberman's assertion that McCain is the one Presidential candidate remaining with a record of reaching across party lines on controversial issues, that it is absolutely right.