Joe Will Go

by Todd Beeton, Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:09:46 PM EST

No shock here, but it looks like it's official as The AP is reporting that Joe Lieberman will speak at the Republican convention.

A Republican official tells The Associated Press that Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman will be speaking at the Republican National Convention.

The GOP official said Wednesday that Lieberman would deliver a speech as Republicans gathered in St. Paul to nominate John McCain for president. The official requested anonymity because he wasn't authorized to make an announcement.

The timing of the revelation is interesting as it coincides with Andrea Mitchell's reporting that Lieberman is being seriously considered as a VP choice by John McCain, so much so that the campaign is asking states whether it would be a problem to put someone who is not a Republican on the GOP presidential ticket. Chuck Todd broke down McCain's thinking last night on Countdown:

If he believes it's 3rd and 4 and all he needs is 4 yards to get that touchdown and win this election, he's going to pick Tim Pawlenty out of Minnesota. If he thinks it's 3rd and 11 and he needs to throw the long ball a little bit, and he's gotta take a risk, he's gonna do Joe Lieberman...Lieberman's the riskiest choice but there may be part of McCain who believes this is the only way I can get over 50. It's not about keeping it close it's about winning.

As the election stands right now, McCain certainly seems to be more in Pawlenty territory than in Lieberman territory, but whether or not he's on the ticket, Lieberman's mere presence at the convention should serve as the last straw for senate Democrats on the question of whether he should be removed from the caucus and hence from his committee chairmanship. Something tells me though that the only thing that will remove Lieberman from that chairmanship will be his resignation from the senate to take a cabinet position in a McCain administration, which would mean that -- and correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is that since CT has a Republican governor, Lieberman would be replaced by a Republican senator. Which means Lieberman would get the last laugh.




Tags: 2008 republican national convention, joe lieberman, john mccain (all tags)

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Re: Joe Will Go (2.00 / 1)

Joe has been a bitter used up little man ever since he realized that being the VP canidate on a losing ticket didn't automatically make him the nominee the next time around.


by RichardFlatts on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:22:40 PM EST

Re: Joe Will Go (2.00 / 3)

Well it would be fun to see him be th Veep choice on another losing ticket...


ENOUGH!
by JDF on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:24:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Joe Will Go (2.00 / 2)

But will Joe challenge Chris Matthews to a duel!?


by RichardFlatts on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:26:26 PM EST

Re: Joe Will Go (2.00 / 1)

It's time to toss him out of Dem. caucus and strip him of his chair position on Homeland Security. So we lose a vote, it's not like they are getting anything accomplished anyway.


Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.
by jsfox on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:32:04 PM EST

Fillibustering (none / 0)

It will mean 4 months of fillibustering until Jan 3.  I also don't relish the thought of Sen. McConnell setting the agenda during the campaign.

But I do also see the good in getting rid of him sooner than later.  

I think he knows that his only hope is a cabinet position.  The Republicans only like him for his war stance, anything else they won't support.   He is going to be a very, very lonely man come January.


by gavoter on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:48:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Fillibustering (none / 0)

The senate passes an organizing resolution at the start of each new congress. Lieberman can't be stripped of anything until then, nor could he throw the majority the other way until then as it's set in stone with the organizing agenda. Jeffords was able to change the majority because the organizing resolution was setup to allow specifically for that due to circumstances at the time.

Lieberman should be kicked out of the caucus and stripped of his chairmanship and seniority in 2009. Let republicans give him seniority if they want to - they won't.


by Quinton on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 04:55:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Fillibustering (none / 0)

Thanks for updating that.  I wasnt sure what the organizing resolution was.    It is somewhat comforting to know that Lieberman can't screw us over these last few months by handing the Senate back to the GOP for the remainder of Bush's term.


by gavoter on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 05:01:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Fillibustering (none / 0)

The Senate has only about 5 weeks in session left this year.  I'm not sure it's worth taking action right now on this -- Why give the R's the opportunity to claim that Reid acted vindictively to distract people from their own ineffectiveness and pettiness?  I believe that changing the committee chairs would require a senate resolution, which would be subject to filibuster -- in other words, it would fail.  

But he will undoubtedly pay the price after November and he knows it.  What will be interesting is whether the R's will allow him in their caucus in January or if he's going to be truly independent.


by Headlight on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 05:46:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Please go Joe (none / 0)

away that is, or at the very least start being honest about what party you are in.


by zerosumgame on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:36:16 PM EST

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

It's surprising that Joe and Tim are the top two names supposedly (or that's the way the Chuck Todd thing makes it sound - the safe choice and the home run).  Personally, I'd be more worried about what a guy like Bobby Jindal could do for the Republicans.


by toonsterwu on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:43:13 PM EST

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

I'd be more worried about Ridge or Mitt.

But I tend to think more on a state-by-state basis than most.


by Bush Bites on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:47:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

Jindal would be a good choice...for us.
He doesn't put anything new in play for McCain and can be painted as absolutely insane (the man once performed an exorcism.)

My biggest fear is Ridge. I don't think Mitt does anything for the Republican ticket


ENOUGH!
by JDF on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 04:23:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

I would love ridge!  He does nothing for PA, and his pro-choice views might suppress some of that recent enthusiasm for McCain in conservative circles right now...


It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)
by LordMike on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 06:02:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

Jindal would give the racists--quite a lot of these in the republican base--fits. They're be a black guy atop one ticket and an indian guy as veep on the republican ticket. Added to that is that Jindal is inexperienced and he'd be a heartbeat away from the becoming president, which is a very real concern with someone McCain's age. Jindal is a no go for McCain, but would be great for us.


by Quinton on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 04:59:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Joe Will Go (2.00 / 1)

After his appearance I will expect/demand Harry Reid strip him of his chairmanship.


by NJDEM1 on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:46:13 PM EST

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

It isn't going to happen until after the election. Although I wouldn't be surprised to see Joe leave the caucus before then on his own. It would provide a boost to the Republicans right before the election.


ENOUGH!
by JDF on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 04:24:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama's Pick Will Influence (none / 0)

If it's Clinton, McCain will panic and pick Romney.

I don't think he's going with Lieberman or Ridge.

If it Obama picks Sebelius, Bayh or Kaine, McCain picks Pawlenty or Portman.

Huckabee would make a good choice, but he's too all-over-the-place for a VP.


I proudly support Barack Obama for President!
by Zeitgeist9000 on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:47:22 PM EST

Re: Obama's Pick Will Influence (none / 0)

What about Biden?


by Bush Bites on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:48:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Pick Will Influence (none / 0)

Biden has too much "aural text" of things he has said over his near 40-year tenure in the Senate.

I don't think he works for a position like VP.


I proudly support Barack Obama for President!
by Zeitgeist9000 on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:52:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Pick Will Influence (none / 0)


ENOUGH!
by JDF on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 04:26:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Pick Will Influence (none / 0)

whoop, accidentally clicked post.

What I was going to say was I would like to see him pick Rendell. It would put PA out of reach for McCain and would be someone who can reach people that Obama can't (Appalachia.)


ENOUGH!
by JDF on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 04:27:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Pick Will Influence (none / 0)

Rendell took himself out of contention....

But we'll soon see what Obama Appalachian plan is, if any!


I proudly support Barack Obama for President!
by Zeitgeist9000 on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 04:46:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's Pick Will Influence (none / 0)

Rendell has taken himself out of contention but having worked in PA politics for the last few years I can say with a certain amount of confidence that the man is prone to changing his mind.


ENOUGH!
by JDF on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 04:47:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Agreed (none / 0)

If Obama goes and says to Rendell that the party and the country need him, then how can Ed say no?

If you went back a few months I actually thought that Spitzer would have been a great choice, but I guess that looks terrible in hindsight


by gavoter on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 05:04:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Agreed (none / 0)

I also had high hopes for Spitzer. I thought first reform and innovation in NY and then either AG sometime late in the 2012-2016 term or VP in 2012 and then a successful run for president in 2016. He was clearly going places and then...


by Quinton on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 05:08:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Agreed (none / 0)

Spitzer's fall from grace certainly weakened our party. It also has served as an important reminder of holding to our principles.


ENOUGH!
by JDF on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 05:38:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Spitzer (none / 0)

probably would've cost Obama votes in New York even before his scandal. His popularity plummeted from day one. The drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants didn't go over well, even with many Democrats.

I almost feel like the scandal was his route out. When the scandal broke, the first thing I heard from a friend was "Thank God, I thought we'd be stuck with his guy for three more years"

Paterson's a gem.


The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.
by nrafter530 on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 06:01:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Well Joe LIEberman has to go! (none / 0)

He is no longer part of the Dem party.


by puma on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 03:51:30 PM EST

Re: Joe Will Go (2.00 / 1)

At this point I just wish Obama would pick Clinton and shake it all up. McCain would panic and think he has to go one up, and pick Leiberman. A Lieberman pick will destroy his base.


by NJDEM1 on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 04:16:15 PM EST

How can McCain pick a pro-choice VP? (none / 0)

I just can't see it happening. Even Romney isn't anti-abortion enough for the fundies, and Lieberman has more than a 90 percent lifetime rating from Planned Parenthood, I think.

Would Pawlenty really deliver MN for McCain? I don't see much upside there.

McCain hasn't had a lot of good options since Sarah Palin got herself into a scandal in Alaska.


See if Saxby Chambliss is helping you.
by desmoinesdem on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 04:50:07 PM EST

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

Joe is a long shot. McCain's hype of Joe is to set up Mitt Romney. By talking about Joe or Ridge for VP, he hopes that Republicans will breath a sigh of relief when he picks Mitt Romney who is more conservative on abortion than either Lieberman or Ridge.

I can see McCain picking Pawlenty, too. With Obama with just two points ahead in Minnesota in some polls, Pawlenty probably would turn Minnesota red. However, Mitt Romney could also turn Michigan red and Michigan has more electoral votes than Minnesota.

If McCain believes he must throw a Hail Mary to win, look for him to choose a woman for VP.


Dizzy Zzyzzy
by Zzyzzy on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 05:02:55 PM EST

Re: Joe Will Go (2.00 / 1)


Something tells me though that the only thing that will remove Lieberman from that chairmanship will be his resignation from the senate to take a cabinet position in a McCain administration, which would mean that -- and correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is that since CT has a Republican governor, Lieberman would be replaced by a Republican senator. Which means Lieberman would get the last laugh.

Democrats hold majorities in both houses of the CT legislature, so they may be able to force though a bill that would require a special election as opposed to an appointment by the Governor - if a special election isn't already required to begin with.


by Quinton on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 05:05:06 PM EST

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

Besides .. would Rell risk her standing in CT .. by picking a Republican?  Also, who is on their bench .. considering they ran a non-entity last time


John McCain: Bush right to veto kids health insurance expansion
by Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 05:12:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Technically (2.00 / 1)

Lieberman wasn't elected as a Democrat, so even if you force Rell to appoint someone from the same party, wouldn't that be "Connecticut for Lieberman"

What closet right-wing Connecticut Republican is going to become the head of the "Connecticut for Lieberman" Party then?


The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.
by nrafter530 on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 05:59:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

Well, I guess we'll know where the McCain team stands based on the VP pick... if they go for the reach, they obviously don't believe it is as close as it is...

If Obama reaches for Clinton, then THEY obviously believe that it's 3rd and 11 for us... and that's really bad!


It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)
by LordMike on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 06:07:49 PM EST

yes you're right. I wouldn't put pass Loserman (none / 0)

getting appointed as Secretary of DHS (Dept. of Homeland Security)in a McCain administration. This is more likely to happen if he loses his Chairman of the Senate Committee for Homeland Security. If he resigns his Senate seat, CT Gov. Rell is likely to appoint Chris Shays the lone Republican Congressman from New England as the Senator.


by louisprandtl on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 06:14:53 PM EST

Re: yes you're right. I wouldn't put pass Loserman (2.00 / 2)

Ugh. All this Speculation on a McCain Administration with Leiberman as head of DHS is making me ill.


by NJDEM1 on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 06:55:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

Quick Draw McCain and Droopy Dog. God. Please make it be. Please.

No Scruples hooks up with No Brain. If only Lieberman would have to resign to run again (sort of a double jeopardy rule).


by shermandem on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 07:14:07 PM EST

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

That Joe will attend the Republican convention is not news. The big question is: will he chaperone the Rev. Hagee?

Anyone know why McCain got off the hook so easily with his acceptance of an endorsement from the paranoid warmongering reverend? After all, his acceptance occurred after the reverend came out and supported a "military preemptive strike against Iran."


by shyboy on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 07:33:14 PM EST

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

Of Course he'll go.  In case you haven't figured it out, it's all about Joe.  This is his last chance to retain any vestige of power.  

Lieberman's an experienced politician, he can figure out that he won't be needed (or leverage himself) as the chair of a Senate committee next year.  His one last straw at retaining Beltway power is a desperate grasp onto McCain's bandwagon.  

Hope McCain picks him, that WILL be FUN!  


by NvDem on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 07:40:16 PM EST

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

I'd rather have a real Republican occupying his seat than a cowardly pseudo-Republican. What's the difference? Screw Lieberman.


by Covin on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 08:25:51 PM EST

Re: Joe Will Go (none / 0)

3rd and 4?  Pfffft.  It's 2nd and short for McCain. And the 3rd and long pick isn't Lieberman, it's Hillary.

And don't think she wouldn't jump at the opportunity.


by cjbreisch on Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 09:37:09 PM EST


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