Posted on 01/28/2007 11:36:31 AM PST by Sub-Driver
If Joe Lieberman joined the GOP, he would flip control of the U.S. Senate. That is reason enough to hope for such a thing. As for his views, it's worth remembering that Senator Ben Campbell of Colorado wasn't a conservative, but the GOP welcomed him into their caucus anyway.
Campbell wasn't a liberal either. He was a true centrist, unlike Lieberman, who's just liberal in domestic issues and conservative in foreign policy. Don't get me wrong, if he wanted to switch, I'd take it, but I don't see it happening.
Here is why: The D's know its a possibility. They know he can yank the rug out from under them at any time. Because of this, he's the most powerful Senator in the Senate, and he knows it. He can blackmail the D's to get whatever he wants out of them. So why would he switch? If he does that, he risks being marginalized in the unfortunate event that the D's gain in 2008. He keeps the most power by staying on the D side with the option to switch if they pi$$ him off too much.
That said, if he did switch, it would sure be interesting to watch the media throw a fit...and somehow justify why they threw a fit this time and not when Jeffords switched.
Good points. I don't trust Lieberman anyway; remember, he ran as Al Gore's VP.
Brownback is wrong on immigration :P
I don't think Brownback is a RINO, I think he's a fine man and usually a very good Senator, but his stupidity on this issue proves to me he is unfit to be CiC.
Lieberman is an ally of GOP Sen. John McCain of Arizona, a 2008 hopeful, and supports President Bush's new Iraq strategy... "Obviously, the positions that some candidates have taken in Iraq troubles me. Obviously, I will be looking at what positions they take in the larger war against Islamist terrorism... I am genuinely an independent. I agree more often than not with Democrats on domestic policy. I agree more often than not with Republicans on foreign and defense policy."
Jeb Bush Rallies Conservatives at Summit
The Washington Post | January 28, 2007 | Zachary A. Goldfarb
Posted on 01/28/2007 12:54:13 PM EST by george76
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1775100/posts
He doesn't need to join the GOP, he can caucus with them without switching his "Indy" party label. The problem with the "Hamlet of the Potomac" is that he always says he's going to do this or that, but he still tends to uphold the 'Rat party line. If he was truly interested in repaying the GOP for dragging his butt across the line to reelection, he could've forced a power-sharing agreement where we split the chairs on the committees. He owed us that at the very least.
As for Ben Nighthorse Campbell, his ACU rating was more towards the liberal side of things, but he moved dramatically rightward once he crossed the aisle. Lieberman remains mired in the far left single (or zero) digits.
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in 2000 who won re-election as an independent last year, says he is open to supporting any party's White House nominee in 2008.
"I'm going to do what most independents and a lot of Democrats and Republicans in America do, which is to take a look at all the candidates and then in the end, regardless of party, decide who I think will be best for the future of our country," Lieberman said Sunday.
"So I'm open to supporting a Democrat, Republican or even an Independent, if there's a strong one. Stay tuned," said the three-term lawmaker who caucuses with Senate Democrats.
Lieberman is an ally of GOP Sen. John McCain of Arizona, a 2008 hopeful, and supports President Bush's new Iraq strategy. Lieberman won re-election as an independent last fall when Democrats backed an anti-war candidate who won the party primary.
Speaking of which politician he may support in 2008, Lieberman said, "Obviously, the positions that some candidates have taken in Iraq troubles me. Obviously, I will be looking at what positions they take in the larger war against Islamist terrorism."
He added, "I am genuinely an independent. I agree more often than not with Democrats on domestic policy. I agree more often than not with Republicans on foreign and defense policy."
The senator said he wanted to select someone "I believe is best for the future of our country. ... Party is important, but more important is the national interest. And that's the basis that I will decide whom to support for president."
Lieberman spoke on "Fox News Sunday."
___
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Even Sen. Joe Biden jokes about the Democrats' crowded White House field for 2008, which he is joining this week.
"I'm the 800th candidate," said Biden, who plans to make it official on Wednesday.
Dominating the early stages of the race are New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. Other candidates include former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, the 2004 vice presidential nominee; Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich.
"I am absolutely confident, if I get to stand on a stage, sit in the room with all the candidates you mentioned, I'll do just fine," Biden said in a broadcast interview when Clinton, Obama and Edwards were specifically cited.
"This is a marathon. If people learn my story, learn my record, I think I can compete. The question is, can I raise the money?"
The Delaware senator was interviewed on "This Week" on ABC.
___
WASHINGTON (AP) _ James Garfield was the last sitting House member to win election as president when the Ohio Republican captured the White House in 1880.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., realizes he is up against history as his 2008 campaign moves ahead.
"Well, that's true. But on the other hand, somebody's got to win this race," he said Sunday. "And I think my messages of a strong national defense, secure border, bring some of those high-paying manufacturing jobs back that we've given away because of trade deals that weren't smart.
"And I think that my messages will resonate with the American people and I think I've got a chance to win this thing."
Hunter faces a crowded GOP field, including Sen. John McCain of Arizona, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo.
Until Democrats took control of Congress this month, Hunter was chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, which oversees military policy.
But he is little known outside of Congress and his San Diego district. He is a strong opponent of illegal immigration who wants fences extended along the U.S.-Mexico border and supports the prosecution of smugglers bringing illegal immigrants across the border.
Hunter appeared on "This Week" on ABC.
You are forgetting the chameleon who ran under Gore in 2000! Rudy can be that way too. Duncan Hunter in '08!
Lieberman's ACU rating is 17. That's 20 points lower than Lincoln Chafee. Plus, Liberman votes to support the Dem blockade of judges. I wish Liberman lost to Ned Lamont. Let the moonbats have all the tv face time as possible.
Actually not. He voted against the Alito filibuster.
He's also better then most R's on Iraq. And keep in mind, some of his votes most recently have been strategic votes trying to win the D primary.
I'm under no illusions about how conservative Lieberman is, but give the man his due. Regardless of how much I disagree with him on other issues, I'm glad he's in the Senate for the same reason I'm glad we had Henry Jackson in the Senate from 52-83.
Lieberman considers backing GOP presidential candidate in 2008
AP | 28 Jan 07 | Unknown
Posted on 01/28/2007 1:12:10 PM EST by elhombrelibre
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1775107/posts
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