Lieberman on Today Show: "I'm Less Likely to Appoint Gore to a Position in My Administration!"

The Today Show

[governsleastgovernsbest]

It ain't easy being a presidential candidate. Pundits generally agree that Al Gore's endorsement of Howard Dean hurts Lieberman the most of any candidate in the race. Yet the morning after the shocking news of the endorsement emerged, there was Joe Lieberman on The Today Show, smilingly explaining why this doesn't harm his candidacy in the least.

You had to hand it to Lieberman. He whistled past the graveyard with nary a dropped note.

Interviewed by Matt Lauer, Lieberman took the high road. No, Gore wasn't being disloyal. In fact, Lieberman would be "forever grateful" to Gore for giving him the opportunity to run for Vice President.

No, insisted Lieberman, this doesn't hurt his candidacy. "Al Gore only has one vote," and "we've got something going in New Hampshire."

Eventually, though, Lieberman was willing to raise some pointed questions. Lauer showed footage of Gore in 2000 annoucing his selection of Lieberman as his VP candidate and extolling him as fabulously qualified, etc., Lauer asked: "what has changed since then?" Lieberman said he didn't know and that you'd have to ask Gore.

Asked by Lauer how he explains this "shocking announcement," Lieberman said:

"I can't explain it. Al Gore will have to explain why he is endorsing someone who will take our country backward not forward, why he's endorsing someone who's against everything that Al Gore and Bill Clinton stood for: middle class tax cuts, strong foreign policy, values.

Lieberman pointedly mentioned that he spoke with Bill Clinton last night. He said that all his conversations with the ex-Pres. are private, but went out of his way to mention that they've known each for 33 years, that they had a good laugh, perhaps talked about the vicissitudes of campaigns, etc.

The interview ended on a note of humor and candor. Lauer quoted a recent statement from Lieberman to the effect that Al Gore was an "immensely principled, capable person who I would consider him for a high position in my administration." Asked whether he would still be consider Gore for a high post in his adminstration Lieberman admitted with a laugh: "That's less likely now." Lauer congratulated him on his frankness.

Then in was on to an interview by Katie Couric of NBC political analyst and Meet the Press host Tim Russert.

She began by observing that "you live for this," meaning that Russert is a political animal who enjoys dramatic political developments such as Gore's surprise endorsement.

The most telling moment of the interview came when Katie said: "some have called Dean too liberal. Does the endorsement by Gore, who is more centrist, help establish Dean in the mainstream?"

Notably, when Couric pronounced the words "too liberal," she drew quotation marks in the air (a la Chris Farley in some of his trademark Saturday Night Live sketches).

In other words, Couric wanted to disassociate herself from, and even poke fun, at the notion that Dean was in fact too liberal. That kind of thinking, she effectively was making clear, was something held only by (less enlightened) others.

Russert wasn't really buying Couric's notion that Gore's endorsement inoculated Dean against charges that Dean was too liberal. Russert made the case that Gore himself has veered left since 2000. He pointed out that Gore had endorsed the first Gulf War but has been a bitter critic of this war, and even plays footsie with the far-left Moveon.org.

Asked to explain Gore's decision to endorse Dean, Russert did so both in psychological as well as political terms. On the psychological level, Russert asserted that after the 2000 campaign, Gore expressed the wish that he had "let it all rip, and to hell with the pollsters." Dean's in-your-face, internet-based campaign is the kind of approach that Gore wishes he had adopted.

On the political level, Gore is thinking that his endorsement might position himself as the alternate candidate (instead of Hillary) at the 2004 convention should the current crop of candidates falter, and also might make him the standard bearer in 2008.

Then it was on to Gore's frosty relationship with the Clintons. "Is it symbolic that this announcement will be in Harlem, where Clinton has his office?"

Russert: "Dean has a problem with black voters, there are few in Vermont. Also, his statement that he wanted to reach out to southerners with Confederate flag decals on their pick-up trucks hurt Dean with some black voters." Beyond that, yes, Gore's relationship with Clinton can only be described as "formal."

Russert then mentioned that the other Dem candidates are "off the wall" with anger at Gore's endorsement.

He made particular mention of Lieberman and Gephardt. In the past, Gephardt had apparently had gone out of his way to endorse Gore.

As for Gore not giving Lieberman a heads-up that the axe was about to fall: "I'm surprised, yes, yes, as a matter of courtesy that Gore didn't advise Lieberman that he was doing something."

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today Show ping.

[scooter2]

I don't see why Al Gore shouldn't get a new government job. They must need janitors somewhere.

[billorites]

Hapless Joe.

He don't get no respect.

[fuquadukie]

Better buy some more popcorn and beer - this is going to get even more entertaining.

[thesummerwind]

Very classy Joe, or, very .......!

[Sam Cree]

He doesn't deserve it, or even pursue it, I don't think.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Lieberman bemoaned the fact that Gore is supporting Dean who is diametrically opposed to Gore's past positions on issues.

This shouldn't surprise Lieberman. He himself had to do a tight-wire act, while flipping on issues, in order to be crowned the VP candidate.

[JennysCool]

Gore Calls Dean Endorsement "Big Mistake"

"Oh, sweet mother of Gaia!" former Vice President Al Gore exclaimed, upon discovering he had endorsed "maverick" candidate Howard Dean for president.

"That wasn't what I meant to do at all," Gore, flanked by his wife, Tipper, told a hastily-called news conference.

"I guess I was confused by the ballot," Gore contended. "I had a list of the nine dwar -- er, candidates running and I guess I just slipped up and marked the wrong one, darn it!

"This is the kind of thing that could happen to anyone," Gore continued. "Particularly our seniors, now so hard-hit by President Bush's shameless and draconian Medicare bill."

Gore said he had meant instead to endorse his former vice presidential running mate, Joe Lieberman.

"I hope Joe will forgive me this egregious error," Gore said. "I've always said the little shrim -- er, senator -- had my endorsement, unless and until Hillary announces, and then I would reserve the right to endorse her, if I know what's good for me. Isn't that right, Tipper?"

"What?" Mrs. Gore replied.

The former vice president added he would seek immediately to have his endorsement invalidated by the Florida Supreme Court.

[grania]

Better buy some more popcorn and beer - this is going to get even more entertaining.

Only if the other Dem candidates get down and nasty with some real bad dirt about Dean. They'd have to do it during that debate tonight.

<^..^>

This brings up the whole reason why Al Gore lost the last election...Al Gore!!

[Loyal Buckeye]

"The most telling moment of the interview came when Katie said: "some have called Dean too liberal. Does the endorsement by Gore, who is more centrist, help establish Dean in the mainstream?" "

Right, Gore is ultra-liberal and Dean is wacko-liberal. Gore's endorsement sure establishes Dean in the mainstream.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

LOL!

[PGalt]

Joe...you are the classic useful idiot. Now get back to the work of the party, Mr. Conscience of the Senate.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Interestingly, Russert essentially agreed with you! He pointed out that Gore has moved left, and that someone who flirts with Moveon.org can hardly be considered "centrist."

[JennysCool]

"Is it symbolic that this announcement will be in Harlem, where Clinton has his office?"

Sigh. The Libs. They can't even make a simple announcement without putting on a pandering show. All smoke and mirrors.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Mr. Conscience of the Senate

Some wag once observed that Lieberman loves to very publicly struggle with his conscience, but that his conscience almost always loses the struggle, witness his vote in favor of partial birth abortion, his 'no' vote on Clinton's impeachment, etc.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Are Gore and Soros buddies?

Gore is a pretender to the throne, and he knows it.

[PGalt]

Well stated. Says it all about Joe, doesn't it?

[RedBloodedAmerican]

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ping to 19

[randita]

He pointed out that Gore had endorsed the first Gulf War but has been a bitter critic of this war, and even plays footsie with the far-left Moveon.org.

Did Russert mention that Al Gore traded his vote FOR the Gulf War for time to make a speech on the Senate floor?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I can't seem to open the picture. Could you repost?

[massadvj]

Folks, there is a bigger point at play here and so far nobody seems to be talking about it.

Gore's endorsement effectively sews things up for Dean. It is a very big slap in the face to Bill Clinton, and an attempt to take control of the Democrat Party away from the Clintons.

The only way the Clintons can now keep control of the party is for Hillary to enter the race. Otherwise, the party apparatus is handed over to the far leftists and Dean. I am certain Gore extracted some concession in this regard from Dean's camp in exchange for the endorsement.

Gore wants to run in '08. He has no chance if Hillary runs. So he is effectively defanging the Clintons now, trying to draw Hillary in early. The Clintons' lapdog Clark is going absolutely nowhere, so it's Hillary or nothing if they want to retain control over the party and its pursestrings.

The Clintons' response has been to withdraw and form shadow organizations for collecting soft money. I think you can take this as a sign that Hillary will not run, and that they will marshall the resources for their '08 campaign from outside the party establishment.

Still, the Dean nomination is a setback to the Toons' future ambitions.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Right click on it, hit show picture, or try here http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/caption/882/image

[Savage Beast]

"Gore is thinking that his endorsement might position himself as the alternate candidate (instead of Hillary)..."

You've got to admit that the sheer scope of his wild imagination is awesome.

Lieberman spent the rest of the day nursing a blister on his tongue and sticking pins into an effegy of Gore.

(He probably never liked Gore in the first place.)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I tried the right-click 'show picture' technique with no success, and the link produces an error message. Can you post URL for the picture?

[Toespi]

I would love to see Lieberman get the nomination!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Why's that? Do you think he's more beatable than Dean?

[Savage Beast]

"...loves to very publicly struggle with his conscience, but that his conscience almost always loses the struggle"

That's why the designation Conscience of the Senate fits him so well. It couldn't be more appropriate or more loaded with irony.

[Savage Beast]

I'm not so sure. If the Democrats nominate Dean, they'll go down in another McGovern-Dukakis disaster. The Clintons will emerge as saviors of the Party, clean up the debris, and run in '08.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/caption/882/?cmt=1

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Got it, thanks for your persistence! Is it on a main highway that Gore has likely traveled?

[battousai]

'Russert: "Dean has a problem with black voters, there are few in Vermont. Also, his statement that he wanted to reach out to southerners with Confederate flag decals on their pick-up trucks hurt Dean with some black voters." Beyond that, yes, Gore's relationship with Clinton can only be described as "formal." '

Hah this is a laugh the black voters who are already chained to their slave master the democRAT party, would vote for a democrat even if he were the grand pubah of the KKK,

oh wait a minuet Byrd is a democrat.. well I rest my case.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I think so, but that one has been "touched-up" a bit :o)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Too bad! I was thinking it might also have been good to call Tennessee Gore's "ex" home state, since I'm sure he spends a lot more time in Washington and various swanky places.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

You are so right. Sad, isn't it? Someday I believe this will change, and when it does, the Democrat party will cease to exist as a significant factor in American politics.

[Toespi]

Just think it would be a hoot to see Lieberman go ahead of Dean now that Gore has endorsed Dean. Just a fantasy, Dean is the dem's man and that isn't going to change.

[cookcounty]

" Asked whether he would still be consider Gore for a high post in his adminstration Lieberman admitted with a laugh: "That's less likely now."

Can you blame him? The two things you look for first of all are a sense of loyalty and consistency. Gore has neither.

Al is such a strange man.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Poll question to all:

Who will be the next Dem contender to drop out of the race?

[Re-electNobody]

Wouldn't you love to have someone in the control room for the Today Show strike up "Its Howdy Doody Time" theme music as they cut away to Joe Lieberman?

[BibChr]

Lieberman's statement is true on a couple of levels, when you think about it.

...which is unusual, for him, since he sold the last shattered remnants of his soul.

Dan

[SpinyNorman]

I am dying to hear what Zell Miller has to say about this low class move.

[azhenfud]

"....someone who's against everything that Al Gore and Bill Clinton stood for: middle class tax cuts, strong foreign policy, values."

That's it, Joe. Al is trying his best to disassociate himself with those Clinton VALUES.

[sr4402]

Super LOL!

[sr4402]

Lieberman pointedly mentioned that he spoke with Bill Clinton last night. He said that all his conversations with the ex-Pres. are private, but went out of his way to mention that they've known each for 33 years, that they had a good laugh, perhaps talked about the vicissitudes of campaigns, etc.

Another Dwarf biting the poisoned apple.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I was struck by that too. The ultimate oxymoron: Clinton values.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Interesting point - Zell should have a good zinger to offer!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Who will be the next Dem contender to drop out of the race?

Well, since no one else is jumping in, let me see if I can prime the pump. I predict Kerry will be the next to drop out, perhaps even before the NH primary. Doing so at that point would permit him to avoid humiliation in his backyard state.

I think pretty soon it will dawn on Kerry, and that his friends and advisors will tell him, that he has no chance, and that he has already sacrificed much of his dignity. Time to end the bleeding.

[McGruff]

What you didn't see in the Green room after the interview.

[truthandlife]

Gore is trying to get behind a winning horse. He is also looking for payback. Gore wanted very badly to run 2004 but the Democrat (Hillary & Bill show) establishment would not support him $$$.

This is payback. It is the Democrat establishment vs. Howard Dean. Gore is bitter and he is doing the opposite of what the Democrat machine would want him to do.

It will be interesting when the Clintons will put the pressure on Dean. It will probably be after the nomination and will pull the rug ($$$) out from Dean.