Thursday, August 28, 2008
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The Lieberman Possibility
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Posted by:
Matt Lewis at
5:10 PM
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Most conservatives and political junkies that I know don't put much stock in a Lieberman veep pick.
To us, it seems a ridiculous notion.1 That's because we are thinking: "He can't do that! It would ruin the convention! Conservatives would walk out! It would be political suicide!" (All these things are most likely true.)
But our philosophical inclinations may mean that we are not best-suited to analyze the possiblity (this is why most political operatives are pragmatic types like Steve Schmidt). Our philosphy may, in this instance, cloud our analysis ...
I have talked to non-conservatives who would view a Lieberman pick as an example of McCain showing he's a "maverick," or as an example of McCain making a governing choice. Sure, conservatives hate the idea -- and "Republicans" may not like it much -- but the general public may like it just fine. And more importantly, McCain may see it that way, too. Keep in mind, he has had to defer a lot of his decisions and gut instincts for the good of the campaign. My experience has been that once in a while, a candidate has a psychological need to demonstrate to everyone that he does what he wants to do -- no matter what his advisers say. And if there is ever a decision, he may reason, when he gets to decide for himself, this is it ...
(Dwayne Horner has written the speech that McCain could use to "sell" a Lieberman pick) ...
But what about the Rove story? Some saw the story of how Karl Rove tried to kill a Lieberman pick as further proof that McCain wouldn't dare pick Lieberman. But it could be a way for McCain to demonstrate he's not listening to Bush or Rove. In fact, maybe it was set-up that way... 2
So picking Lieberman could help position McCain as a maverick who defied Karl Rove. If you think of it, the best argument Obama has is that McCain is like Bush, so this could help (then again, it is interesting that there are pictures of McCain hugging Bush -- and of Lieberman kissing him -- so maybe that wouldn't work...)
I'm not saying this is going to happen -- or that it is a legitimate argument, but I do think that conservatives may dismiss the notion that McCain would pick a Democrat as ridiculous, and in so doing, have failed to do the things that would have prevented this pick.
1. This will probably not happen. Joe Lieberman will probably not be the pick, and this post is likely not going to be in tomorrow's Blogometer, either. It will probably be Pawlenty or maybe Romney. I'm just saying, it COULD happen ...
2. This, of course, is a very cynical theory -- and when I posited the theory to Garthwaite, he responded, "How Rovian!"
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If McCain wants to suffer a humiliating defeat then he should pick Lieberman. McCain should really be running on the democrat ticket, that's where his ideological brethren are. If he wants us to vote Republican he better put a Conservative on the ticket.
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I've honestly thought about it. It is definitely possible.
I hope it's not Lieberman, but I would support it.
I like Lieberman. He's a good man. I would prefer McCain pick a more conservative (Joe is a social liberal), but they would make one heck of a good bipartisan team. With a dem controlled congress, they will have to be bipartisan.
I consider myself a center-right independent, but I always lean conservative, and generally vote republican. I'm not a far-right nut that would stubbornly refuse to accept him as VP under any circumstance. Country first. Party? R for now.
True, McCain would lose the far right crowd, but he would gain the center and left-to-center crowd, and still win the election. He might even get more votes going this route. It would split the party... we'd be just like the dems. Hillary and Obama split their party.
The congress republicans would be furious at him, but so what? I'm furious with congress! All those jerks on both sides refuse to work together, and play their partisan crap. I'm sick to death with congress. They need to shut up, and start working together. I say the far-left and far-right loons in congress need to go. I want some RESULTS!
The whole above prospect scares me, I'll be honest, but then again, the shake-up has great potential.
Like I said, I've thought about it.
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It would be embodiment of his maverickness and complete the transformation of the "New GOP", into D-Lite.
GOP-RIP |
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I think you have some good points. When this whole American Experiment began, the VP was the guy who came in second anyway. Plus the VP's power is in very limited areas. Although, Lieberman could cast the deciding votes in the Senate. That would probably be interesting. I think it's valid to point out that us political junkies live in a bit of a bubble. There are a lot of people who don't pay that much attention, but vote, who would see this as a positive pick. As a student of history and politics, it would be very interesting to see what would unfold if he picked Lieberman. Character is really what counts anyway. That being said, I don't think he'll do it, and don't have any hope that he does it either. |
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Yes, but all this machiavellian maneuvering is unnecessary. McCain's poll numbers go up when he talks like Reagan and advocates Reaganesque policies. That Mac and his staff apparently continue to ignore this simple fact is an indication, to me, that they are not prepared to lead the country in the direction that is best for the country and that the majority of people actually want. Also, that McCain may be more concerned with is image as 'Maverick' than doing what works and is best for the country isn't a good sign either. Just my humble opinion. Vote third party for 'CHANGE'. lol |
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stuff. And as I am constantly reminded, I love McCain (actually I just respect him a lot, but I do love him for his service to this country--Take that Jimmah). |
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The only benefit that a Liberman Vice Presidency brings is on the side of foreign policy. One might say it also brings a sense of bi-partisanship, but that is not really a necessity at this time. McCain already has the foreign policy side of things sewn up, where he needs to start showing strength is on the domestic side. Palin brings the energy issue to the forefront, as well as delivering females; Romney has loads of business experience. Either would work well toward strengthening the domestic side of things. Use Lieberman as a cabinet position. |
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A picture of Pawlenty and Mac, and then a picture of Huckabee, Mac, Romney...and THOMPSON.
Thompson is the one pick that neither Huckabee or Romney could get too upset with. Okay, they might be smiles for Pawlenty, but they would be really smiles for an old guy as Veep who gives the two of them the chance to run as President later on.
I know this is a wild long shot...but Fred would be great. I have still not taken by Fred sticker off the bumper. Awesome! |
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I predict:
That would mean mainstream America has spoken. They would feel they have the mandate, and would run with it.
In Congress, extremists on both sides of the aisle would continue to obstruct everything, blindly voting down party lines. There would be two more years of a worthless, do nothing congress.
After two years, mainstream America would VOTE OUT all of the extremists on both sides, and replace them with more reasonable, bipartisan people. By the way, that includes extremists like Obama and Biden. Nevermind the white house, they aren't fit for congress. All extremists OUT!
The next two years would enjoy a bipartisan Executive Branch and bipartisan Legislative Branch. Problems would get SOLVED! Congress approval would soar. The clouds will break, the waters spread, an epiphany would.... hmm better get permission to use those words LOL
As for the Judicial Branch, do the same thing. Start nominating non-partisan middle-of-the-road judges. Rulings would become more fair over time.
Just like that, our worthless government would be reborn. Replaced and restored to the functional system it was designed to be.
Ahhhh what a dream. Politicians would never go for it.
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Do it! C'mon Mav, pick Hillary! You know you want to... |
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Just what we need: another religious fanatic. |
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one can consider the War in Iraq a "Republican" or "conservative" issue, it'd be the only issue in which Lieberman is "conservative".
It may be a good pick for McCain, it'd be the death knell of the GOP. Moderates, for some reason, don't volunteer as precinct captains.
To boot, Lieberman isn't a Republican (in name). I don't know what the GOP rules are, but I'd be surprised if he were even eligible to run on the GOP ticket.
OMT, it is compromise and bipartisanship that has gotten us into the mess we are currently in. When Right compromises with Left, Left wins. When the forces of liberty compromise with the forces of tyranny, tyranny wins. Socialism is the antithesis of liberty. It is a zero-sum game. More socialism (compromise) necessarily means less liberty. Liberty is the MEANS and the END of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Gotta dim view of individual liberty (drokmed)? Willing to compromise it away for the sake of bipartisanship? There are plenty of countries you can choose from who agree without screwing up mine.
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