From FT.com
Joe Lieberman, the former Democratic vice-presidential nominee who has endorsed John McCain, is being vetted as a potential running mate for the Republican presidential hopeful, according to an adviser to Mr McCain’s Âcampaign.
Mr Lieberman, who has campaigned for the Arizona senator, has long been Âconsidered an unconventional but plausible choice for Mr McCain.
Strike 1. He IS a Democrat
Strike 2. Lieberman pro-choice
Strike 3. If the untimely demise of McCain comes about, it would allow a Democrat to ascend to the White House.
Strike 4. The social conservatives delegates who originally backed candidates like Mike Huckabee will throw a fit at the convention
Strike 5. The American Conservative Union’s lifetime overall conservative rating of Lieberman is 16 percent
On social policy policy, Lieberman’s liberal ranking was better than 14 other Democrats, including Minority Leader Harry Reid. Consider that and Strike 3.
His ratings from key issue advocacy groups according to the Almanac of American Politics:
Americans for Democratic Action: 80
League of Conservation Voters: 100
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees: 86
American Civil Liberties Union: 83
Sorry, no way Johnny. – AWB
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That would be a really flawed choice. The VP should be picked to draw people from groups that the President does not already carry.
Lieberman is a solid Democrat in all areas except for foreign policy. And I believe his chnge in this area is only specifically because he is taking the pro-Israeli stance. Lieberman has pissed off a lot of Democrats by not only voting with Bush, but holding his hand at numerous press conferences. A lot of Democrats, I believe, see him as a turncoat to their party. Putting him on the ticket will probably just push these voters further from Lieberman rather than closer to McCain.
On the other hand, there is nothing about Lieberman which would make him more appealing to committed Republicans than a host of other choices. And as you pointed out, his strong liber voting record will probably make him very unappealing to them.
Now I could see some kind of crossover for cabinet positions under either McCain or Obama being a practical consideration. I haven’t given the McCain side a lot of thought, but for Obama, Senator Lugar comes easily to mind. The two have worked closely and enjoyed a very cordial relationship since before Obama’s name ever came up on the national radar. Lugar has a lot of prestige to his name, and this covers both sides of the aisle. I think he would be most suited for Secretary of State, but would also make an excellent Secretary of Defense. But if Obama put him as VP, I don’t think that would work much better than McCain/Lieberman.
Oh please oh please let it be Lieberman!
A minor correction though – Lieberman is NOT a Democrat as he was purged from the party during the primary. He won as an independent and currently he caucuses with the Democrats. However, once they gain a couple seats in the Senate he will lose all his committee chair positions.
On a serious note, this would be an awful, awful choice for McCain for many of the reasons you and Phil already listed…
Okay, here is the only reason you don’t want to pick Lieberman. OBAMA WILL WIN.
I admire Lieberman as a human being, I think he is a fair and honorable man, but I don’t want him anywhere near the Oval Office.