Posted on 05/14/2004 9:22:35 AM PDT by OPS4
Friday, May 14, 2004 11:30 a.m. EDT Lieberman: Why Rumsfeld Must Stay
Warning that forcing the resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld "would delight foreign and domestic opponents of America's presence in Iraq," Connecticut Democratic senator Joseph Lieberman said only solid proof that Rumsfeld has a hand in the abuse of Iraqi prisoners would justify his removal from the president's Cabinet.
Writing in today's Wall Street Journal, the recent candidate for his party's presidential nomination drew a clear line between himself and fellow Democrats calling for Rumsfeld's ouster.
"Many argue that we can only rectify the wrongs done in the Iraqi prisons if Donald Rumsfeld resigns," he wrote.
"I disagree. Unless there is clear evidence connecting him to the wrongdoing, it is neither sensible nor fair to force the resignation of the secretary of defense, who clearly retains the confidence of the commander in chief, in the midst of a war.
"I have yet to see such evidence. Secretary Rumsfeld's removal would delight foreign and domestic opponents of America's presence in Iraq."
In his op-ed column, "Let Us Have Faith - Why Rumsfeld Must Stay," Lieberman says he is appalled by the humiliating abuse of the detainees in Iraq.
He calls for a thorough investigation of the whole scandalous matter, insisting, "We cannot allow the prison scandal in Iraq to diminish our own American sense of national honor and purpose, or further erode support for our just and necessary cause in Iraq."
America, he wrote, must stay the course.
He recalled President Lincoln's words at another difficult moment in American history in pursuit of another just cause - The Civil War and the the abolition of slavery: "'Let us have faith ... and in that faith, do our duty as we understand it.' "
One more reason why Lieberman is known as "the conscience of the Senate."
Ops4 God Bless America!
Sounds to me like Lieberman is trying to read himself out of the Dem party...in additionto his comments, the NY Daily News has been printng some very surprising editorials lately. They're both starting to get it, at least publicly..
I've been steadily gaining respect for Lieberman since 2000.
The moderate dem's are behind Lieberman, and will continue to speak out, Kerry will not have solidarity in his party.
OPs4 God Bless America!
Lieberman is a responsible democrat worthy of respect.
Lieberman has also regained my respect since his fall from grace during his abortive run for VP with "Earth in the Lurch". Hard to believe that a Northeast Dem is now one of my favorite pols.
In the past couple of months, my respect for Lieberman has grown immensely.
Ya know, I'm beginning to like Lieberman.
Uncle Joe was the dem candidate I was most afraid of getting the nomination. He would have appealed to many republicans who are sitting on the fence (right or wrong) regarding their vote for GW.
Yes and he could still be a last second choice for VP when they see Kerry going down with liberal agenda!
Ops4 God Bless America!
Don't ever be fooled by a dem. Put him on as V/P & watch how he trashes the right. Remember what he said 4 yrs ago.
I think part of the reason Joe understands this is because he is Jewish and he understands what this war is about more than a photo-op catholic like Kerry.
Please stay, Donald Rumsfeld, we LUV you!
Include me out of the throng of admirers, please!
Joe Lieberman never ceases to amaze me.
Far as I can see, his only real lapse of judgement was hooking up with Algore, did his reputation as being honorable and having good judgement no end of harm.
Pretend Catholic, with Jewish roots is Kerry.
Kerry is agnostic at best!
OPs4 God Bless America!
I know there's been a lot of talk about the GOP possibly fracturing because of the dissatisfaction of some folks, but it looks like the Dems may have a deeper divide between the old-school moderates and the hard-core libs.
Joe Leiberman does not veer from his political viewpoints and has integrity most politicians lack. I was very close to voting for Leiberman here in NH but realistically, we need a war-monger like Bush for President right now. I have no doubt though he would have made a decent President, but I DO NOT LIKE KERRY AT ALL.
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