The Weekly Standard simply can not control themselves when it comes to the idea of Joe Lieberman as the VP candidate under a Republican presidential candidate. Here is Michael Goldfarb parroting that idiot Bill Kristol.
I am at home and feel like shit, so i am not up to it, but does someone want to spend a few minutes and go through some of the older Gore/Lieberman era Weekly Standard dribblings to find out what Kristol and company thought about Lieberman then (Sore/Loserman sound familiar, anyone?). Because that could turn out to be loads of fun.
Tax Analyst
Gee, I’d love to, John, but my boss just assigned me a bunch of drudge-work of my very own (sigh). Good luck.
Punchy
Isn’t this really just capitulation by the Rs that they cannot win merely on R votes alone? Why else on Earth would they be pimping a very mild R (at best) to run with Crazy-Man Guliani?
I’m guessing they’ve seen what percentage of Indies plan vote D, what % Dems will vote D, and what % of the Evanies will boycott the election, and figged that they’re going to have to out-stupid the electorate by sticking what many still think is a D on the R ticket and scream “bipartisanship, bitches!”
Zifnab
link
Sorry, but it looks like Kristol has been a Lieber-fan for longer than you think. Which is both depressing and frightening.
Warren Terra
A reference to the ‘Sore-Loserman’ meme is a bit misleading; yes, it contains an insulting variation on Holy Joe’s name, but if you’ll recall the actual recount controversy, Lieberman was all for capitulating as quickly as possible, including a typically sanctimonius denunciation of Dem lawyers’ challenges to military ballots that arrived very lated and without postmarks, at the same time as Repub lawyers were challenging military ballots that arrived late and without postmarks to heavily Democratic precincts.
Lieberman is a dedicated advocate of High Broderism, the first principle of which is: when in partisan conflict, surrender abjectly and claim the moral high ground. For this and other reasons, Joe has been an almost unmitigated boon to the Repubs’ policy and electoral ambitions for at least a dozen years, and while that doesn’t mean the R’s want him setting policy it does mean they’re rather fond of him. And remember, while we’ve had first a moderately powerful Veep in Gore and now an unbelievably powerful Veep in Darth Cheney, the office as established is worth about what John Nance Garner said it is.
Andrew
If I were a Republican I would laugh at lap-dog Joe. He may be doing the bidding of Cheney now but you gotta watch that guy. He will sell his whatever to stay in power. He has burned every bridge on the Dem side and now is clinging to the Republican side. With friends like Joe, you don’t need enemies. When he sees a better deal he will always take it, no matter the consequences to democracy.
Jon H
I half suspect Lieberman was planted in the Gore campaign under false pretenses, specifically to help set up the Bush win.
Remember his ‘debate’ against Cheney, in which he basically agreed with everything Cheney said?
jprice vincenz
The “sore-loserman” comment puts me in mind of the AmTaliban bible-thumpers up the road back when Lieberman was the national menace running for VP with socialist Gore. They had no problem stealing/removing a campaign sign for Gore-Lieberman and altering/defacing it (and displaying it in their front yard) as “Gore-Lies.” Now the very name that was synonymous with mendacity could be displayed without any irony in a pure, virginal campaign sign next year, planted right in their front yard. Ah, the leaps of reason/consistency taken by these movement conservatives…
Andrew
I have often half-wondered the same thing. How did that come about anyway? Gore did not need the NE, he had it. I just think the beltway Democratic consultants were so out of touch that they couldn’t find their a** with both hands. I actually still feel the same way. To get good info the candidates need to reach beyond Wash consultants.
Gus
I honestly don’t think Kristol’s an idiot, he just plays one on TV. I don’t think the guy has an ounce of principle; he doesn’t believe much of anything he says or writes.
Andrew
jprice vincenz,
It is quite funny isn’t it. Hypocracy has oozed for so long from that crowd that I don’t even notice it anymore. It is now just SOP.
Libby Spencer
Lieberman has always been a co-dependent GOP in sheep’s clothing and would step on out his own mother to get another gram of power.
I seem to remember him making kissy face with Louis Farrakhan… ah, here it is. It might be interesting to figure out if they had something to say about that.
Andrew
Libby,
Something like that should show up in a campaign ad.
Rusty Shackleford
But 9/11 changed everything.
Warren Terra
Andrew,
The main reason I’ve seen cited for the Lieberveep nod in 2000 was that Gore was being told, especially by the Beltway pundits, that he must distance himself from the despised Clenis. For this reason, Gore didn’t campaign with Clinton and he chose a running mate famous for his rebuke to Clinton’s peccadillos and for his high moral tone (read: sanctimoniousness).
Terrible advice, as Clinton was popular and was bequeathing a good economy and a solid administration, while the Clenis-haters weren’t about to forget whose veep Gore was; but there you are.
The Other Steve
I think it’s a wonderful idea.
But it should be made clear that he’d be a better VP candidate if he were to resign from the Senate to devote his entire time to this campaign.
Incertus (Brian)
I have often half-wondered the same thing. How did that come about anyway? Gore did not need the NE, he had it.
Warren Terra got part of it, but the other answer is Florida. There was a hope–a misguided, ludicrous hope–that Lieberman, who is tight with the Cuban community in Miami, would deflate some of the post-Elian Gonzales rabid hatred of Gore. They didn’t count on Jeb! and Katherine Harris having purged the voter rolls.
Andrew
Thanks Warren, now that your remind me I recall the rational. He was made a VP because of his backstabbing roots. Nothing has changed.
p mac
Rusty beat me to it. There is a critical logical flaw in your argument John. As he says, 9/11 changed everything.
ATS
The Weekly Standard still opposes most of what Joe champions–except Israel. But Israel’s interests come first at the Weekly Standard. That is neither a surprise nor is it newsworthy.
Z
Lieberman is a democrat because of his domestic policies (gun control, environmental issues, etc). On foreign policy, he is and has always been a pro-Israel hawk. He is totally on board with the grand neo-con schemes to reshape the Middle-East. That is why Kristol has been such a fan and why he wouldn’t be a bad running mate for crazy Guiliani. They are all foreign policy soul mates. Other than promising to be the next war-mongering Il Duce, what else does Guiliani offer the right? He is Bush + competence – fundamentalist Christianity.
jake
I started to laugh when I read this. I mean, who thinks Lieberman is really an Independent? But then I remembered we’re discussing Republican Statergerists and realized this is exactly something they would think was the most brilliantest idea evA.
“Hey, he’s an Independent, those filthy commie Libigurls like the idea of being independent. And he’s from the eastern elitist state of Connecticut. It’ll be a cake walk!”
I hate the idea of a single party government. I’m not crazy about a two party system. But since the GOP has started the self-destruct sequence, all we can do is hope for a really fantastic explosion.
John S.
Spoken like a true Floridian.
Man did I hate those stupid signs when he was running for governor.
Cinderella Ferret
If you are into watching two old men make out, it was a great debate. I don’t care what people do in the privacy of their own home, but these kind of public displays of affection are creepy. (Unless, of course, its Natalie Portman and Kiera Knightly! That would be a different story … and one I would gladly pay to watch) But, I digress. Lieberman is a necon so why is it a great surprise that the Kristol likes him? Neocons are just big government social conservatives who believe in projecting US military power to “spread democracy.” Sound familiar?
t. jasper parnel
Red State Follies
Andrew
Farret,
Sorry I lost my train of thought about half way through your post.
PaulW
The reason for all the lovefest for Lieberman as a GOP Veep is that these are political commentators, who have devolved into the most slavering asskissers in the history of the world. Never mind it doesn’t make sense for Rudy to bring Holy Joe on board: if Lieberman accepts a GOP veep offer there is no way the Senate Dems will let him keep his cushy chairman seats, and the Bushies need him in those seats for political cover. If Lieberman does go GOP, all it will do is put the Republicans back in control of the Senate, which they have gridlocked anyways making the Dems look bad: if the Republicans regain the Senate then THEY look bad and the Dems will look like underdogs again. It’s pretty complex. So I doubt the GOP will ever play the way Kristol thinks, he’s just tossing it out there as a way of stroking Lieberman’s ego…
Libby Spencer
You would think.
Warren Terra
If Lieberman does go GOP, all it will do is put the Republicans back in control of the Senate – PaulW
Actually, I don’t think this is the case. It was discussed a great deal after the election, and what I recall learning is that (1) the rules under which the Senate operates are revised for each new Congress and (2) the rules for this Congress dictate that leadership (and thus committee proportions, chairmanships, and control of the agenda) will not change if Lieberman switches to being an R officially.
Jeffords switching did have just such an effect, but that’s because the possibility was written into the rules establishing that 50/50 Senate. This time, I’m given to understand, is different.
Your reasoning for why the R’s wouldn’t much want leadership is compelling, but I’m not entirely convinced. Reid has been a disappointing parliamentarian, but a talented leader can, with their control of the agenda, set up a lot of situations where the other guy has to vote against the cuteness of puppies, and conversely can help their own side to avoid such votes.
Peter Johnson
I would seriously consider voting Democrat if they ran a Biden-Lieberman ticket. Especially if the Republicans put up Huckabee or Romney.
And I haven’t voted Democrat at the presidential level since Clinton in 96.
JWW
Is it really so bad for a true Democrat to be a Democrat. Lieberman is and stands for the Democratic party. If he is not liberal enough for you, you are not a Democrat, you are a liberal. Re-start your own party. The libeal party fails on day one, they will continue too fail. You are liars, gold seekers, weak, and care for not but yourself. The real Democratic party allowed you too infiltrate, kind of like a slow killing disease. Cancer comes to mind.
Peter Johnson
I don’t think Lieberman stands for the “real Democratic party.” That’s why I’d vote for him.
Warren Terra
Gee, Peter, why not hold out for an Easter Bunny-Dracula ticket?
McCain in 2004 was a reasonable choice for a Dem running mate in some ways – much more so than Lieberman in 2008, in any case. Biden has no constituency (other than the Sunday morning talk shows), no chance of the nomination, and little in common with Lieberman on the important issues of the day.
But as long as we’re playing, I’d consider voting for a Chuck Hagel-Patrick Fitzgerald Republican ticket. Wouldn’t actually do it, but I’d consider it; they are about the only R’s I respect.
D-Chance.
So the best thing for the Republicans if they go with a non-conservative Northeasterner, and a New Yorker, to boot (Rudy)… is for him to name another non-conservative Northeasterner (JoeLie) as a running mate.
Yeah, someone get Kristol off the meth.
Salty Party Snax
Loserman, Part Deux.
Or, “How The Nebbish From The Nutmeg State Managed To Lose The Bucket Of Spit Contest Twice – And In Both Parties.”
I like it!
Peter Johnson
Short sighted and simplistic. Lieberman and Giuliani are just about the only ones running who are serious about fighting Islamofascism.
Barry Freed
Never mind it doesn’t make sense for Rudy to bring Holy Joe on board: if Lieberman accepts a GOP veep offer there is no way the Senate Dems will let him keep his cushy chairman seats, and the Bushies need him in those seats for political cover.
Who are these “Senate Dems” you speak of?
TR
Well, it’s hard to be serious about a term that sounds like it was coined in a Michael Bay movie aimed at 12-year-olds.
You can be serious about “Islamofascism” and piss your pants in fear all you want. The rest of us understand that this country beat down the Nazis, the Japanese Empire, and the Soviet Union and isn’t about to be toppled by a bunch of cave-dwelling nutjobs who got in one lucky punch.
We have faith in this country. Too bad you’re too scared to have the same.
Incertus (Brian)
Only in a world where that equation begins with Bush can Giuliani be considered competent enough for it to be a plus. Compared to actually competent people, Giuliani is wanting.
Davis X. Machina
Lieberman and Giuliani are just about the only ones running who are serious about fighting Islamofascism.
And unicorns. Nasty sharp horns they have….
The Easter Bunny
Hold on there, cowboy. If I were going to run (and no, I’m not announcing anything at this time), it sure as shit wouldn’t be with ol’ Vlad. That dude has some serious skeletons in his closet. Literally. Actual skeletons. Quite a few of ’em, too. (Including Vince Foster’s, incidentally, but you didn’t hear it from me.)
And speaking of closets and hiding things in them . . . well, you’ve seen the way he dresses. Let’s just say Drac puts the trans in Transylvania, and leave it at that.
Face it, the guy would be a huge drag on the ticket. The only serious qualification he has for Veep is the ability to transform into a giant bat at will. That’s cool and all, but it hasn’t stopped the press from constantly smearing Cheney, has it?
Aside from all of that, have you seen his healthcare proposal? I know you stupid pinkos here probably love the idea, but there’s never going to be socialized blood banks on every street corner in my administration.
Peeps in ’08, bitches!
The Other Steve
I would vote for the David Broder/Howie Kurtz Centrist ticket in a heartbeat!
Enlightened Layperson
Well, look on the bright side. At least it means that at least some Republicans are moving away from the Rovian “rally the base” approach. Now if only they’d give up preventive war and torture . . .
Enlightened Layperson
Are you sure Vlad isn’t already in the Vice President’s office?
teh
Imperialism heals all wounds.
Warren Terra
Are you sure Vlad isn’t already in the Vice President’s office?
It’s that kind of anti-undead prejudice that gives liberals a bad name. You’d be the first to jump on a Republican who said all asians/blacks/gays/identical twins look alike, but you claim that you can’t tell the difference between one animated corpse that strews death and despair in its wake and another? Documentary evidence, I will remind you, clearly exists of Cheney in the sunlight.
heywood jablomy
Bill Clinton endorsed Lieberman against Ned Lamont and stayed with him when Tailgunner Joe won as an indepedent. Let’s see — a Clinton endorsee on the GOP ticket. … That should also go over well. As I’ve said before:
1) Bwaaahaaahaaaahaaaa!
2) Bill Kristol is driking absinthe.
Peter Johnson
I would argue that reports of Bush’s incompetence and commitment to fundamentalism have been greatly exaggerated.
jake
[Rim shot]
Slippytoad
Let’s imagine Kristol has to stand trial along with the rest of PNAC for war crimes. Do you think he’ll be able to use that as an excuse?
‘Cause, buddy, I’d like to see his ass swing with the last words out of his mouth a strangled i didn’t mean it!
Slippytoad
Uh, we aren’t talking about reports when we speak of incompetence. We’re talking about the actual results of Bush’s policies, which are at the very best completely catastrophic, and to all appearances intentionally so.
What are you smoking?
Peter Johnson
History will judge that, not bloggers.
Dracula
I’m not interested in runnin with the Bunny. He’s a pompous ass, who’d better be talking about trans-fat. And WTF is wrong with going bat on occasion? Bitch, echolocation is fo shizzle.
Andrew
That Andrew is not this Andrew. He talks funny.
Jim
Frankly, every mention of Lieberman makes me want to forget about politics entirely, and yes, once again The Onion captures my feelings entirely.
lang
When will the Male Strippers out willie kristol.
bago
Peter Johnson is obviously smoking a John Thomas of Dubious proportions.
John S.
Better trolls, please.
TR
Yeah, I’m sure when all the secrets that this administration is desperately trying to keep under wraps finally come out — as they always do, in memoirs, FOIA document releases, federal archives, congressional subpoenas and the like — they’re going to look better and not worse. Sure they will.
I guess they’ve been frantically trying to suppress all this good information about what they do and who they are so that we’ll all be pleasantly surprised in a decade or so when the new information comes to light, right?
Seriously — better trolls, please.
Easter Bunny
Yo, bat boy. I just got around to reading this because I was out making like bunnies normally do and saw you talking trash.
You better watch yourself I’ve already smacked around the fat old man S. Claus and you do NOT want to mess with me.
Dracula
Don’t blame me. Somebody up north suggested we’d make a good Pres (me)/Vice (you, of course) running crew. But I don’t do mammals. I’d rather pick someone more sanguine. Someone who will really stick their neck out for me when needed. Someone not afraid to get some blood on their hands….and shirt…shoes…
LITBMueller
Yeah, don’t expect to find anything out of the NeoCons, John. Remember: NeoCons were once liberals who long ago decided that blowing up other countries is more important than taking care of the people at home.
Jen
Lieberman, ugh. I can go watch reruns of Droopy Dog anytime I start missing Lieberman.
I am reminded of hearing Pat Buchanan on a Sun. morning talk show a year or so ago saying (AFTER he got trounced for re-election) that Rick Santorum would make an excellent R presidential candidate — the Democrats just don’t have that kind of luck. A Santorum/Lieberman ticket, something we D’s can only dream of….
Zifnab
There’s always 2012. I’ve got my fingers crossed.
The Easter Bunny
I’m sure it would come in very handy if you needed to home in on some toe-tapping, but quit pretending. Fruit bats don’t use echolocation.
By the way, those beards – I mean “brides” – of yours? For the last time, tell those skanks I’m not interested. I’ve got my paws full with the widow Claus. Send ’em over to the Great Pumpkin’s house. That loser hasn’t got anything better to do.
Bitches are spoofing me now?
PK
Peter Johnson
“History will judge that, not bloggers”.
No actually anyone who is not brain dead can judge that Bush is incompetent! As for the term “Islamofasicism”, it was created for two bit pissipants like you! Guliani and Lieberman will save you from the islamofascists-OH MY DEAR GOD!
Jon H
“Unless, of course, its Natalie Portman and Kiera Knightly!”
That’d be like watching a sexy girl roll around on a trash bag full of wire hangers.
ATS
LitBMueller: “Remember: NeoCons were once liberals who long ago decided that blowing up other countries is more important than taking care of the people at home.”
Unless “the people at home” are those burning down oilve groves in and around Nablus.
Z
Brian- yes… that equation had to start with Bush
Peter- I know the sand feels mighty good, but please get your head out of it.
As for Dracula, he is too much of a moonbat to run with anyone but Kucinich.
Pug
“Unless, of course, its Natalie Portman and Kiera Knightly!”
That’d be like watching a sexy girl roll around on a trash bag full of wire hangers.
I’d watch that.