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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC Political Researcher



Lieberman vs. Obama

Posted: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:14 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: ,

From NBC's Mark Murray
It looks like Joe Lieberman's differences with the Democrats doesn't pertain to just foreign policy. Per the liberal Think Progress blog...

NAPOLITANO: Hey Sen. Lieberman, you know Barack Obama, is he a Marxist as Bill Kristol says might be the case in today’s New York Times? Is he an elitist like your colleague Hillary Clinton says he is?
LIEBERMAN: Well, you know, I must say that’s a good question. I know him now for a little more than three years since he came into the Senate and he’s obviously very smart and he’s a good guy. I will tell ya that during this campaign, I’ve learned some things about him, about the kind of environment from which he came ideologically. And I wouldn’t…I’d hesitate to say he’s a Marxist, but he’s got some positions that are far to the left of me and I think mainstream America.

Asking whether Obama is a Marxist is a good question? What say you, Harry Reid?

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Comments

That has to be the stupidest question I've ever heard... and Bill Kristol is an idiot.
All hail Marx & Lennon! (Groucho & John that is!)
-----------------------------------------------------Will the media ever report on the upcoming Clinton vs. Paul trial?
-----------------------------------------------------

Yeah, I saw that.

Don't think he's getting reelected from CT.  Of course, didn't think he was before anyway so its probably no loss for him.

Grrrr, and to think I voted for him.  Yes, I fully realize my credibility is shot.

Obama 08
Lieberman is just another out of touch bitter old man who has long ago ceased to be in touch with his constituents or the American people.  He's like Zell Miller, only slightly more crazy.  If he was up for election today he would get beaten worse than Santorum did against Casey in 2006.

When the Dems pick up 6-9 seats in the senate in 2008 and he gets stripped of all his committee positions for attending McSame's RNC convention in Minnesota, he will finally move to the Publican party, where he has been since the Iraq war began.

Then in 2010 he will retire rather than getting obliterated by a real progressive.
News Flash!

Lieberman's defeat in the 06 democratic senatorial primary contest has "embittered" (sorry, saw an opening and went for it) him toward the party.  His alligences lie where they may.  Frankly, the more of these old guard pols we can rid our selves of the better.  The mentality that Americans can't expect better because we are so great undermines the fact the this is the greatest nation on earth.  That doesn't mean we should get better.
Hillary Clinton ... you see where your campaign is headed to.

You WILL SOON become JOE LIEBERMAN !

Thats where you're headed to.

People are wondering why you have not declared yourself as an independednt and ran for office if you think that McCain is more qualified to be Commander-in-chief, then you come in next, but Obama just has a speech.

Clinto-Lieberman 08?
I realize it makes for good print that this fossil is straddling the party lines but stop giving him attention.  He's dreadfully wrong on the fundamental issue of our time and should be relegated to the dust bin.  
It is time for people of Conneticut to recall Joe Liberman. The guy is damn fool is reading from Carl Rove's play book.

I hope that comment comeback to bite him
What is up with all of the silly labels?
Bill Kristol, PNAC.
Nazis.
Does anyone still take Lieberman seriously? The man is a joke. The only person who still needs him is John McCain, to tell him the difference between sunni and shiite, the meaning of Purim, and all those other things McBush is supposed to be an expert on.
Ron, Tx- Ditto, and by the way, who gives a crap what traitor Joe has to say, he is McWar's back pocket anyway.
Re-cycling the 'failed' Clinton Presidency

Ready 'From Day One" ????

In his biography of her, Bernstein called Hillary
'SOULLESS'

'... lowered execution, half truths, outright lies
(and imaginary flights), take-no prisoners politics,
some very good policy ideas, a presidential spouse
given to wallowing in anger and self-pity, and a
succession of aides and surrogates pushed under the
bus when things don’t go right. Which is to say,
often....'

You forgot the nubile young interns for Bill
Chelsea's abusive boy friend (just like dad)
The North American Union
The Global Freet Trade Agreement
Politics of 'personal destruction'
The 'unexplained' 'suicides'.....


From Anderson Cooper 360 Blog:

April 12, 2008
Carl Bernstein’s View: A Hillary Clinton presidency

What will a Hillary Clinton presidency look like?

The answer by now seems obvious: It will look like her
presidential campaign, which in turn looks
increasingly like the first Clinton presidency.

Which is to say, high-minded ideals, lowered
execution, half truths, outright lies (and imaginary
flights), take-no prisoners politics, some very good
policy ideas, a presidential spouse given to wallowing
in anger and self-pity, and a succession of aides and
surrogates pushed under the bus when things don’t go
right. Which is to say, often.

And endless psychodrama: the essential Clintonian
experience that mesmerizes the press, confuses the
citizenry, confounds members of both parties in
Congress (not to mention the Clintons themselves, at
times) and pretty much keeps the rest of the world
constantly amused and fixated.

Such a picture of Clinton Redux is, by definition,
speculation. But it is speculation based on the best
evidence at hand: the demonstrable and familiar record
of Hillary and Bill Clinton coupled together in
Permanent Campaign-mode for a generation, waging a
continuous fight on the national political stage since
1992, an unceasing campaign for the White House, for
redemption, for their ideas (sometimes) and for
themselves (almost always), especially in 2008.

The basic dynamics of the campaign, except for the
Clintons’ vast new-found personal wealth and its
challenges, have been near-constant since they arrived
in Washington: through Whitewater, health care, the
battle of the budget, the culture wars, the tax
returns released only under duress, the travel office,
Monica, impeachment, the pardons and through Hillary
Clinton’s often repugnant presidential campaign.

In many ways, the characteristic tone, secrecy, and
resilience of the Clinton political march have been
determined more by Hillary Clinton than by her
husband, reflecting her deepest attributes and
attitudes, fermented in recognition of the antipathy
held against both of them, and often, the foul tactics
of their enemies. As an aide put it (quoted in my
book, A Woman In Charge: the Life of Hillary Rodham
Clinton):

“She doesn’t look at her life as a series of crises
but rather a series of battles. I think of her viewing
herself in more heroic terms, an epic
character like in The Iliad, fighting battle after
battle. Yes, she succumbs to victimization sometimes,
in that when the truth becomes too painful, when she
is faced with the repercussions of her own
mistakes or flaws, she falls into victimhood. But
that’s a last resort and when she does allow the
wallowing it’s only in the warm glow of martyrdom—as a
laudable victim—a martyr in the tradition of
Joan of Arc, a martyr in the religious sense. She
would much rather play the woman warrior—whether it’s
against the bimbos, the press, the other party, the
other candidate, the right-wing. She’s happiest when
she’s fighting, when she has identified the
enemy and goes into attack mode. . . .

That’s what she thrives on more than anything—the
battle.”

The latest transmutation of leadership...'

For Hillary, everything is a series of battles
That excuses her incompetence
That excuses her 'gutter politics'
Only 'enemies' would question her ethics
Where the hey did this come from?  I thought Lieberman was a democrat at one time...oh wait, he changed to an independent so he could run for the senate in CT...but he's traveling with a republican...and correcting McCain's statements...

Someone tell me what HE stands for again...?
Joe will say any BS because he knows he is helping McElitist.
How much does Joe make? His buddy McElitist has a wife who makes, with his income mixed in, more than $100 million. And Lady O Lies (Hillary) makes, when combining her earnings with Bill, $109 million in seven years and about over $20 million last year.
Now, go grab and post the definition of "elitist". Those politicians are fools and so out of touch.
IF Kristol OR Lieberman had any credibility to begin with, I'd say that just went flying out the window.

Hey, is Senator McCarthy around? I hear he's a more credible source than either of these hucksters.

Thanks for the laugh of the day.
The truth remains, If Barack Obama were a black quarterback, the pundits on other channels would be criticizing his throwing machanics, his intelligence and saying he'll need to learn to read defenses better.  Like Joey Harrington and David Carr are good!

The point is that no matter, a Black man is going to have to prove his worth at every point.  That is why this contest has been less about the issues than distractions.
http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
Yeah, he's a Marxist alright, a millionaire marxist.
This is the republican machine setting up questions in the background for the talking heads in the media to ask each other everyday, everynight ad nauseum.  Similar to the "black child" whispers on McCain, and the Hillary-induced somnambulist "elitism" question...etc. ect.   These will be the background whispers about the strongest candidate...soooooo predictable....both repubs and democrats who are scared.
Well Obama is a Socialist, folks it didn't work for the Soviet Union and it won't work here, Big government and High taxes solve nothing, wealth re-distribution is just the government stealing from those who work and succeed and giving to the lazy, that is a bad system...
Joe Lieberman is a traitor and piece of human filth.  How many US soldiers are dead because of traitors like Lieberman?
Lieberman is such a bore. The tedious repetition of his gums flapping will put anyone to sleep. Yawn.
hey- dont knock on Bill Kristol! I thought City Slickers was funny.
Bill, Bill, Bill... Green tea will help you sleep better, and you will start asking important questions from now on.
The more that Obama presents himself , the more you see a different man than the one at the beginning of this candidates.  Reading about his past, his associations and things said and done during the campaign, have proven money brought him in to politics and money kept him in politics and now money will buy him the nomination and Presidency.
Lieberman has officially jumped the shark!
This would be news if anyone still cared about what Joe says.  He's endorsed McCain.  Treat him as he acts...like a neo-con Republican.
And Lieberman should be required to register as an agent of a foreign government.
Connecticut, what were you thinking?
Compared with Joe Lieberman, most Republicans are far to the left.

Bill Kristol … how does that rube still have a job? In one of his columns regarding the Rev. Wright flair up, he essentially called Obama a liar and said Obama was in church when Wright made his comments. He later recanted that statement, but didn't remove it from his online article. I'm not sure how anyone would take anything he says with a grain of salt.
These people are idiots and we are so tired of them.  From month to month we have seen the theme of Obama change.  Too black, not black enough, muslim, radical christian, now he is a marxist.  May is right around the corner; what's next?

Give it up, already.

Say it to his back, when he is walking into his new residence; the White House.

If it were not for this election year, we would not have known how stupid some of these people are.  The nerve to call themselves leaders.  I say Leaders of the village idiots.  

I can't wait after this election year, we will see many seat changes in the future...so long old guards!  
Is Bill Kristol on Hillary's payroll or did Bill get him his job?
What is the name that you will willy nilly call Senator Obama next? 'Marxist', my God.

Keep it up, and it will be Mr. President.  The good people of America will not stand by, and let you continue to crucify this good, and honest man unjustly.
Senator Lieberman . . . that name sounds familiar . . . isn't he the guy that carries John McCain's umbrella for him and reminds him to take his medicine?
Senator John McCain and Senator Joe Lieberman...

BFF!
Marxist... in contrast to British politics, Mr Obama is positively right wing and to accuse the United Kingdom as being Marxist is somewhat absurd.
Lieberman is a Judas.  He should suffer the same fate.
Anybody who's been "taken in" by Obama's quick-footed, fast-talking, "used car salesman" style of politics is a damned fool.
The man is a LIAR. He did poltical favors for Rezko in exchange for financial help to buy his home in Kentwood.
The man is a CHEAT. He and his surrogates don't like the fact that he LOST both the Michigan and Florida Primaries and he knows he would LOSE in a re-vote too! That's why he favors disenfranchising Democratic voters in both of those states. Instead of CHEATING voters out of participation in selecting their party's candidate, Barack Obama and his evil henchmen should be looking to find a way to correct this travesty and award delegates to the rightful winner of BOTH primaries.
After all, that IS Democracy!
Why doesn't anyone ask Bill Kristol is he is a racist. This is the individual who had previously stated that Obama was in the church at the time Rev. Wright had said those controversialremarks, then had to change his story because he had LIED. Why this man still has a job at the NYTIMES is mind boggling. Remember the NYTIMES previously fired a Black writer for Lying, how come they haven't fired this Bill Kristol, maybe becasue he's white.
A few of Obama's plans: Doing away with tax breaks for the very wealthy.  Health care for all Americans.  Accepting no money from lobbyests. Serious improvement of the nation's education. Serious help for low-income college students. This is Marxism?
Did't Joe Lieberman used to be a Democrat before he stuck his head up John McCain's butt? No doubt Joe's perspectives have changed given the views from inside his new environment.

The year for change does not include going back to the old ways of old farts like Joe Lieberman.
What Lieberman says is true. Obama is as close to being a Marxist as anyone else in the Democratic party. Obama is a social liberal, an economic liberal, a protectionist, and a pacifist who would like the government to control most, if not all, of major institutions of the country. If anyone has any evidence to the contrary, I'd like to see it presented. Hillary isn't too far behind him either.
Obama is an eliteist socialist, who will destroy the Democratic Party in much the same fashion as Jimmy Carter did 30 years ago.
Voting for someone because you're afraid of being called a racist is not a valid reason.
Yeah, this is coming from a Neocon - Joe Lieberman may label himself an "independent Democrat" but He is a NeoCon just like George Bush - He has no credability - so he can say whatever he likes - anyone who believes him wouldn't be voting for Obama anyway.
Lieberman should do something more than half-ass and join the republican party.  If stupid questions are the game of the day maybe someone should ask if Joe is a fascist.
Sure, he's a marxist, an elitist, he's been ghettoized by his Christian pastor, he's the black candidate, he's a secret Muslim... am I forgetting any Clintonista/Republican talking points, and which one is the attack line for today, I get so confused??
If Barak Obama is so out of the mainstream, then why is it that he has won more votes than anybody in the history of the primary process and has received donations from more American citizens than any candidates in the history of American elections?  If Joe is so mainstream, how is it that he won 2% or less of the vote in more than 30 primaries in 2004?
It is absolutely incredible that anyone is still listening to Bill Krystal.  This man should be in a jail cell instead of writing op-eds.  How gravely and often do you need to be wrong before people stop listening?
so lieberman has finally fully aligned himself with the war drum rightwingnut branch of the repugnant party? Bill Kristol is a coward who wants to send our kids to fight his boogeymen but he didn't serve one day in even the boy scouts
He calls himself and Independent? Seems more more like the guest who does not know when to leave.
Liberman--what a joke--a republican in democratic clothing.  


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