trumptman
04-29-2008, 01:23 PM
Real Clear Politics (http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/04/for_mccain_theres_only_one_per.html)
There is, however, somebody who would fill that bill and therefore be a near-perfect pick for McCain: Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman.
Lieberman's selection to McCain's ticket would send a clear message about bipartisanship and about McCain's desire to change the way things are done. While the Democratic nominee surely will talk about bringing people together and "change," a truly bipartisan McCain-Lieberman ticket would trump any and all Democratic rhetoric.
The selection of Lieberman would have particular appeal to independent voters, who are likely to be a key swing group later this year.
Second, Lieberman is clearly ready and able to be president, if need be. Even many of his critics acknowledge that he is a man of accomplishment, experience and integrity. Since Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore selected Lieberman for his running mate in 2000, Democrats would have a hard time attacking the Connecticut Senator on anything but his position on Iraq.
Third, selecting Lieberman would anger both conservatives and Democrats. In other words, it's a "two-fer" for McCain, who seems to relish those moments when he can stick it to people he doesn't like. Just think how McCain would chuckle at the thought of annoying both ends of the political spectrum.
As a thought experiment,:D let us ponder the ramifications of this. We all know that it was Lieberman that was traveling with McCain throughout the Middle East. Lieberman, while not a Republicans certainly would be a Blue-Dog or Reagan Democrat if ever there were one. As the article notes, you can't really do more to prove bipartisanship intent and show a change from the ordinary than this one.
If you are a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, could you support a McCain/Lieberman ticket? Why or why not?
While I think it would be personally interesting for it to happen, I just can't imagine it even though I would easily support it. I think the narrative it would allow the Republicans to put forth would just be too damaging for Democrats for Lieberman to endorse. McCain would clearly be able to portray himself and the party as coming back to center from the claimed far right if the Democratic VP candidate from 2000 were on the ticket. It would allow the Republicans to state that the Democrats were just running old wine in a new bottle be it Clinton or Obama.
Thoughts?
There is, however, somebody who would fill that bill and therefore be a near-perfect pick for McCain: Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman.
Lieberman's selection to McCain's ticket would send a clear message about bipartisanship and about McCain's desire to change the way things are done. While the Democratic nominee surely will talk about bringing people together and "change," a truly bipartisan McCain-Lieberman ticket would trump any and all Democratic rhetoric.
The selection of Lieberman would have particular appeal to independent voters, who are likely to be a key swing group later this year.
Second, Lieberman is clearly ready and able to be president, if need be. Even many of his critics acknowledge that he is a man of accomplishment, experience and integrity. Since Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore selected Lieberman for his running mate in 2000, Democrats would have a hard time attacking the Connecticut Senator on anything but his position on Iraq.
Third, selecting Lieberman would anger both conservatives and Democrats. In other words, it's a "two-fer" for McCain, who seems to relish those moments when he can stick it to people he doesn't like. Just think how McCain would chuckle at the thought of annoying both ends of the political spectrum.
As a thought experiment,:D let us ponder the ramifications of this. We all know that it was Lieberman that was traveling with McCain throughout the Middle East. Lieberman, while not a Republicans certainly would be a Blue-Dog or Reagan Democrat if ever there were one. As the article notes, you can't really do more to prove bipartisanship intent and show a change from the ordinary than this one.
If you are a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, could you support a McCain/Lieberman ticket? Why or why not?
While I think it would be personally interesting for it to happen, I just can't imagine it even though I would easily support it. I think the narrative it would allow the Republicans to put forth would just be too damaging for Democrats for Lieberman to endorse. McCain would clearly be able to portray himself and the party as coming back to center from the claimed far right if the Democratic VP candidate from 2000 were on the ticket. It would allow the Republicans to state that the Democrats were just running old wine in a new bottle be it Clinton or Obama.
Thoughts?