The DLC and Joe Lieberman

Posted: Monday, December 17, 2007 12:04 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: 2008, McCain

From NBC's Mark Murray
With the news that Joe Lieberman (I) today backed McCain's presidential bid, the Democratic Leadership Council -- a group Lieberman once chaired -- issued this statement, courtesy of DLC founder and CEO Al From: "I am very saddened by Senator Lieberman's choice, and profoundly disagree with it. We need to elect a Democratic president in 2008."

But From and the DLC, critics would point out, didn't think it was important to elect a Democratic Connecticut senator back in 2006. From and key DLC aides supported -- and also worked on -- Lieberman's independent Senate bid, after Ned Lamont bested him in last year's Democratic primary. Lieberman went on to defeat Lamont and Republican Alan Schlesinger in the general election.

So why oppose Lieberman endorsing McCain -- but support Lieberman's independent candidacy a year ago? From, through a spokeswoman, gave this statement to First Read: "In 2006, Joe Lieberman ran in the primary as a Democrat and in the general as an independent Democrat, who said he would vote with the Democrats for control of the Senate. That's far different than supporting a Republican candidate for president." The DLC spokeswoman added that From's statement was his personal remarks, not the DLC's.

*** UPDATE *** And you knew this was coming -- Lamont weighs in with his own statement. "During our debate last year, Senator Lieberman intoned that he wanted to 'elect a Democratic President in 2008,' and that my election would 'frustrate and defeat our hope of doing that.' With his endorsement of John McCain today, it is now clear that Joe Lieberman is the one working to defeat our hopes."

More Lamont: "Last year, Senator Lieberman pleaded with voters to consider his full throated support for the invasion of Iraq as merely a 'single issue' in the context of an otherwise progressive agenda. His endorsement of Senator McCain reminds us that the war in Iraq is actually Lieberman's predominant issue, trumping all else -- or maybe he is looking forward to joining Sen. McCain in a duet rendition of 'Bomb, Bomb, Iran'... With voters just weeks away from making their first decisions, Democrats are lucky to have many extraordinary candidates running for President. I am disappointed that Senator Lieberman does not feel the same way."

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Comments

Lieberman just demonstrated how even more irrelevant he is.

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:09 PM)

Another train reck for the democratic party. The party of Joe Liberman, Hillary Clinton and Norman Hsu .

Disgusted (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:11 PM)

Lieberman didn't only promise Connecticut voters he would support a Democratic Senate. He also talked about the importance of electing a Democratic president in 2008.

Why anyone likes or supports this man or ever did, I will never understand.

thanks for nothing DLC (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:17 PM)

Joe Lieberman is useless, seriously - backing a 3rd or 4th tier Rerublican? How was he Gore's choice again?

Travis, Louisville, Ky. (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:19 PM)

Wow, another Sore/Loserman ticket. Now, this is news?

Gene Raleigh, NC (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:21 PM)

lost respect for joe l. long time ago when he showed that he was switching sides just to get reelected. he gives us independents a bad name. if he wanted to be a republican then he should have ran as one. he wouldn't have one as repub at that time.

ace p washington, d.c. (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:26 PM)

Joementum has jumped the shark. Joe shows that he wants no legacy. That he simply wants to be remembered as an angry old man that was spurned by his party.

He is a lot of Zig Zag Zell Miller. Old, used up, and angry.

I think this was his last parting shot at the Democrats who opposed him in his last Senate run. If Democrats pick up more seats in the coming election they won't need Joe anymore. They can kick him to the curb and strip him of his chairmanships.

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:31 PM)

Obama worked to get liebermann elected!

Chuck,San D (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:36 PM)

Lieberman is a joke and we all know why he is in Congress. This guy represents everything wrong with the Democrats, weak, spineless, conservative, excessively pro-Israel, bought and sold by big corporate interests. Can somebody get this guy a plane ticket home. Oh wait the Connecticut Democratic party tried to, however, idiots and traitor like From and the ridiculous DLC (Diet Lite Conservatives) got him into the Senate.
Next election he's out, and his kind (capitulators) are out too.
It will be the easiest election for an opponent ever. Ned Lamont steps to the podium and in a few words wins the whole thing by saying, "I told you so."
Democrats need to hold defectors like Lieberman up as an example of what not to do. He should be dismissed and criticized by the entire party.

Desperate, Overland Park KS (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:45 PM)

The tent of the Republican Party continues to grow; the tent of the Democratic Party continues to shrink.

John (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:45 PM)

The tent of the Republican Party continues to grow; the tent of the Democratic Party continues to shrink.

John, Hopkinton, Ma (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:46 PM)

Not only is Joe Leiberman a man of who gets headership, but like John McCain, his voting record is impressive. These are two of the most highly respected individuals that Washington has ever seen and regardless of the issue, they have both voted the correct way on almost every one of them. Leiberman is correct again in his endorsement...McCain is the only candidate that can get things done in the bipartisan fashion that will be required to do so.

J, New Hampshire (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:55 PM)

John, in Hopkinton, Ma, tell us about your tent.

Tell us how many women and minorities in your party are running for President.

Tell us how many African Americans represent Republicans in the House and Senate.

Tell us how many minority Republican governors there are.

Do tell us all about your big tent.

Tell whether you tolerate openly gay men and women in your party, or if they have to hide in the closet.

I can't wait to hear all about it.

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:00 PM)

obama, hillary nor edwards didn't work to get lieberman elected. where did that come from? he was a party outcast and no one within the party would lend him support. how do you make such an assertion?

ace p washington, d.c. (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:01 PM)

Not only is Joe Leiberman a man understands leadership, but like John McCain, his voting record is impressive. These are two of the most highly respected individuals in Washington and regardless of the issue, they have both voted the correct way on almost every one of them. Leiberman is correct again in his endorsement...McCain is the only candidate that can get things done in a bipartisan fashion.

Thinking straight, New Hampshire (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:02 PM)

LAUGHING OUTLOUD, the Republican tent continues to grow...Hahahahahahahahahahaha. Hilarious. I can't even start in on you.

Wait...was this a purposeful joke. If so, my bad artfully crafted. If this however was not intended to be a joke Hahahahahahahahahahaha. You're an idiot.

Desperate, Overland Park KS (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:02 PM)

How about the news of a possible fillibuster on the Senate floor, vis-a-vis FISA? Reactions from campaigns of Biden, Clinton, Obama? Any push from the MSM? Oh, wait, Hillary is pimping her mom in the campaign. yeah, that's news....

John- check out your polling numbers on Hispanics and get back to me on that "big tent" theory. Unless of course there are more gun toting, bible thumping, wall street-types out there in "Murrica" that I do not know about. Your party could care less about the LIMITATION OF GOVERNMENT POWER the Constitution intended. Get ye back to the 19th century where ye belong!

M, Saint Paul, Minn. (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:03 PM)

What a closed door party this has turned out to be.

Primaries not even started and the media is trying to give us tunnel vision on the 'obvious' winners and lossers.

We need a one day, lottery, that selects a person at random.

The best politician is a reluctant politician..

Itmustbetrue IhearditonTV (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:05 PM)

This would be a great endorsement for McCain......
If they let snakes and rats vote

Joe Lieberman, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Hillary Clinton are all DLC rats....

The DLC sold out hte Democratic party, making it 'business friendly' and 'lobbyist friendly'
It took the party to the right, towards war and the Military Industrial complex

Good riddance to all these DLC rats !!
That includes Bill and Hillary

TURN THE PAGE

Sierra, SF (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:06 PM)

Obama campaigned for Mr. Leiberman. Repeatedly.

You know how to Google? DO it and find out about the Barak/Joe agreements

Chuck,San D (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:12 PM)

Hillary Clinton was SO PROUD to say that she voted on the Kyl-Lieberman bill with Lieberman and Kyl. Well now, it turns out Lieberman is a closet Republican. What does this mean for Hillary?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/10/29/152057/38

Ron, TX (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:13 PM)

It is no surprise at all, Lieberman the zionist traitor does not only betray the Democrats by endorsing a Republican. In his whole political career he has continuously betrayed the American people by voting in the interest of Israel only. He does not care about our housing, economy or education. His sole interest is in zionist domination of the Middle East. And in voting for this zionist cause he has slaughtered our own interests. It is time we wake up to this fascist zionism threatening our way of life.

Woken up American, Wokey, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:14 PM)

Another train reck for the democratic party. The party of Joe Liberman, Hillary Clinton and Norman Hsu .
Disgusted
------------------------------------------

I couldn't agree more

Bee (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:14 PM)

Obama campaigned for Mr. Leiberman. Repeatedly.

You know how to Google? DO it and find out about the Barak/Joe agreements

Chuck,San D (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:15 PM)

"UNCLE JOE" WAS & WILL ALWAYS BE THE "INDEPENDENT" SENATOR WHO ONLY REPRESENTS ISRAEL!

TOM TYSKIEWICZ, FOREST HILLS, PA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:16 PM)

You may not like Liberman, but you have to admit: It's a good thing for the country when party affiliation doesn't determine EVERYTHING. If we expect bipartisanship in Washington, why can't we have it in an election, too?

Andrew, Atlanta, GA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:16 PM)

The tent of the reprehensible party continues to grow...thats funny stuff...unless of course you are a male page loving congressman or ted haggard drug snorting gay boy...is that what you meant by tent?

Rick, WS, NC (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:16 PM)

Zell Miller 2008 is none other than Joe Lieberman. Here is a man that clearly has no shame. The idea that a man can support anyone from a party who railed against him for being an Orthodox Jew is beyond me. So much for party politics. You Go Joe!!!! Go Home.

Kristian O (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:16 PM)

Joe's going for anyone who sings "Bomb, Bomb Iran." I wonder which nation he puts first?

Lee in CA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:18 PM)

Liberman has always been for Lieberman. If it is to his benefit politically or otherwise, he will probably vote for a Republican in the general election just like Schaffer, former governor of Maryland did.

I don't trust this man. Dickie Flatts: he is worse than Zig Zag Zell Miller.
Shotti.

Shotti Kawlra (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:18 PM)

That Republican tent is big enough for all the old angry white men - herre's one more.

George Rice (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:18 PM)

WOW! Talk about a "snake in the grass"!!

Stu Hyvonen, Saginaw, MI (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:19 PM)

"What does this mean for Hillary?"

She's not a blind, partisan hack?

If a dem cooperates, they're weak. If they don't they're causing "partisan gridlock." Must be great knowing you'll have something to complain about every day.

Just sayin' (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:21 PM)

“There…there’s so many of them…somebody must do something…where did all these Paul supporters come from…somebody must DO SOMETHING…we can’t let him win…he’s going to win…NOOOOO!!!!”

Non Paul supporter (at the polls) (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:27 PM)

I am a Jewish and true democrat, and I am ashamed of Joe Lieberman, who acts as a member of Israeli Knesset and not as a U.S. Senator. And Mr. From and those who elected him as an "Independent Republican" should be ashamed even more. Get this worn-out guy out of politics once and forever.

Michael David, Las vegas, NV (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:28 PM)

J, New Hampshire
"Not only is Joe Leiberman a man of who gets headership..."

But the question only McCain can answer is:
Does Joe give headership as well?

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:28 PM)

Chuck, so basically, you're saying that, Obama reaches across the isle and helps others out, but still stands up for his principles against the Iraq war and tying Iran to the Iraq war (exactly what Kyl-Lieberman did). And that Hillary, well Obama helped out Lieberman once, so that negates the fact that Hillary has no principles?

And WOW! I just found out about the Today show interview with Clinton this morning! If anyone needs any more of a reason why Hillary isn't fit to be president, this should do it! Presidents have to answer questions, and be able to think on their own without Billy Clinton or Marky-Mark Penn whispering in their ears...
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2007/12/17/gregory-grilling-turns-hillary-grin-upside-down

Ron, TX (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:28 PM)

Ron, TX
"Hillary Clinton was SO PROUD to say that she voted on the Kyl-Lieberman bill with Lieberman and Kyl. Well now, it turns out Lieberman is a closet Republican. What does this mean for Hillary?"

A crowded closet?

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:30 PM)

As for Obama campaigning for Lieberman, may I also note that Clinton did as well? That is, during the primary contest in 2006. Once Lamont won the primary, both candidates in turn support Lamont's candidacy in the GE.

I do know how to google. I also know how to tell the whole story.

Edwards, shall I inform you, supported Lamont in the primary and GE.

Reminder: Lamont lost.

M, Saint Paul, Minn. (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:34 PM)

Lie-berman and his bunch never saw a fraudulent war they would not support,Mc Cain/Lie-berman would make a great team to clean bed pans in Iraq.

Bill Jacobs (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:35 PM)

I am not surprised! Did you hear about Lieberman/Kyle Amendment, which was enthusiastically supported by Hillary and McCain? If you are suprised, wait until Hillary is elected and she teams up with Kyl, Lieberman and McCain to usher in a new US Foreign policy. You will admire the good old days of Bush/Cheney.

This nomination is fight for the soul of the Democratic Party and the future of our Republic. A Hillary nomination will mark the beginning of the end of the Democratic Party. With drums being beaten for coronation and institutionalization of dynastic rule I fear for my country and party! Obama/Edwards or Edwards/Obama- any of these is guaranteed to be a formidable ticket that will bring CHANGE.

Joseph, Maryland (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:39 PM)

he is a liar and a republican, one and the same.

kenn (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:39 PM)

Dear Mr Mark: Will be watching MSNBC live coverage of Sen. Lieberman's interview at 2:00 p.m. Could you get Ned Lamont on for his reaction to this breaking news on Hardball at 5:00 or 7:00 p.m.? Thanks Mark

Dave Freeman (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:40 PM)

just because your tent has an orthodox jewish man in it doesn't make it a big tent, john. it just makes it more white, and more rigid.

betty in baltimore (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:41 PM)

Next Liberman will team up with Al Sharpton. Same people who listen to Al care who Liberman backs. Please voters from Conn. vote the jerk out(Liberman).

Michael, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:42 PM)

Why the anger?

Lieberman is no longer a Democrat. He lost the endorsement of his party and ran as an indepedent.

While I don't like the term, he really is a Democrat in Name Only, as he describes himself as a Democrat.

CT, however, clearly disagreed, and as such, he has even less legitmacy as a "bipartisan voice" than Linc Chafee.

Fox News will run with it, but it will hardly earn McCain any votes.

so what?Chicago (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:43 PM)

HILLIARY IS THINKING AHEAD TO THE GENERAL ELECTION>What fool is running thier elections to win primaries,oh yea all the rest .Just remember the person you are pissing off now is the same one you need during the general election unless you are not in it to win and want to just rub thier ego.Hilliary is finding the middle ground so you idiot republicans should be happier with her than Obam unless you want a repucker back in then this all makes sense.

kenn (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:44 PM)

Joe Lieberman was thrown under the bus by the DLC once before. He knows better then to have it done to him twice. He saw what the democrats are offering for president and none of them fit the bill, so he went with McCain. Would have been better to throw his support to Romney, but hey, this is what happens when democrats throw their own to the wolves.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:49 PM)

Andrew if you want bipartisinship then join the other party ,my IDEALS and Values do not include SEXUAL HARRASMENT,KILLING THE ENVIROMENT<AND STEALING MONEY FROM POOR PEOPLE,if thats for you you go work with them the rest of us and the democratic congress are doing the best to turn this country away from the worst policys the US ever had ,PRE MEDITATED SRTRIKES AGAINST COUNTRIS YOU HAVENT DECLARED WAR ON, we would be dead if bush had been president during the cold war,lucky, this war is just economics and oil and not about principle.

kenn (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:50 PM)

MAYBE THEY CAN BOTH LIP LOCK BUSH GIVE EM A LITTle TOUNGE THEY WILL FOLLOW YOU ANYWHERE BUSHIE,I thought men hugging and kissing were against repuckers ways.

kenn (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:53 PM)

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