Lieberman, Kerry hammer war opponent Dean -- Anti- and pro-war Democrats praise capture

CNN.com ^ | 12/15/03 | CNN

[NormsRevenge]

The hawkish Lieberman, a senator from Connecticut, lambasted Dean and his consistent anti-war message, saying that if Dean "had his way, Saddam Hussein would still be in power today, not in prison."

Kerry, a senator from Massachusetts, told "Fox News Sunday" that "I personally have said all along that saying 'no' is not a policy. And Howard Dean has only basically been saying 'no' and been angry about the war."

[ClearCase_guy]

if Dean "had his way, Saddam Hussein would still be in power today, not in prison."

What Joe neglects to point out is that if Gore had won the election, and if Lieberman were the VP, Saddam Hussein would still be in power today.

The ONLY reason Hussein is NOT in power today, if because the Democrats are not in control of our foreign policy.

[EveningStar]

The hawkish Lieberman...

He doesn't want to empower people whose main goal in life is the extermination of Jews and that makes him hawkish? Good lord.

[Kenton]

Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, who also has been staunchly anti-war, said "the United States must seize this moment and end the occupation of Iraq."

Now, Dennis. This is Bush's greatest triumph so far. It bears testimony to his far-reaching vision of what it will take to make this world a safe place for decent people to live.

This is hardly the time when he would be expected to reverse directions and do what you head-in-the-mud Democrats seem satisfied with.

Bush is winning, you are losing, get used to it.

[Maceman]

Although I ahve a terrible batting average, here is my early prediction for how it plays out among the Democrats:

Kerry has gone from warm bread to toast, because of his absurd attempt to suddenly tout that he supported the war. His waffling transparency will offend even the Democrats. He is done (has been for some time, but now really)

Dean still has a passionate core of followers, but the moderates who were starting to buy into him are getting cold feet because his anti-war stance is unsupportable now -- as Lieberman and Kerry are saying. Dean will start to slip, if not hemmorhage.

Lieberman has gained some respect for his courageous support of the war, some sympathy for having been screwed by Gore (who must be shouting "DOH!" to the rooftops over the timing of the Dean endorsement), and some appreciation for his classy handling of both the Saddam capture and the Gore slight. But he is hated by a lot of the Democrat base (the Dean, Kucinich, Braun supporters), and he is Jewish, which by itself renders him unelectable.

The last of the major candidates standing is Gebhardt, the Democrats' Bob Dole, whom I predict will win the nomination, even in a brokered convention -- unless, of course, Hillary steps up to the plate, which I don't see her doing now.

The Dean/Kucinich "Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party" -- the Democratic Democrats -- will leave, probably for the Green Party, especially if someone besides Nader runs. Nader is not well liked by the Democratic Democrats, so many will just stay home in protest or apathy.

Gebhardt will run an earnest campaign, but will not be a match for Bush in charisma, policy or gravitas. Gebhardt will be supported by 40-45 percent of the voters, and Bush will win 55% to 60% of the popular vote.

Probably the total will be closer to 60%, because unless something completely drastic happens to make Bush seriously vulnerable, a lot of demoralized and angry Democrats are going to stay home on Election Day.

[mountaineer]

if Gore had won the election, and if Lieberman were the VP, Saddam Hussein would still be in power today

Exactly right. Mr. Lieberman's newly-found hawkishness is disingenuous, at best. Either that, or he's finally realizing just how he prostituted himself to be Big Gay Al's running mate.