Kristol’s VP picks: Clarence Thomas, Joe Lieberman.
By on Mar 10th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Kristol’s VP picks: Clarence Thomas, Joe Lieberman.
In his New York Times column today, Bill Kristol suggests some vice presidential choices to help Sen. John McCain “upend the normal dynamics of this year’s election“:
He could pick a hawkish and principled Democrat like Joe Lieberman. He could reach beyond the usual bevy of elected officials by tapping either David Petraeus or Raymond Odierno — the two generals who together, in an amazing demonstration of leadership and competence, turned the war in Iraq around last year. He could persuade the most impressive conservative in American public life, Clarence Thomas, to join the ticket.
Kristol also recently stated, “Mitt Romney would be good,” echoing the choice of the Bush family.
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Me’tink’s Kristol knows his days as a “paid pundit” are coming to an end (t’ankfully!) ‘n he’s gittin’ ready fer his next **cough** “career”… stand up comic. Or perhaps circus clown… or perhaps circus geek…
March 10th, 2008 at 10:53 am“the most impressive conservative in america” is a man who hasn’t opened his mouth to do anything but fellate himself and his fellow supremes in years! How do I get some of what Bill is smoking?
March 10th, 2008 at 10:53 amI would love to see either of those choices as VP hopeful. It would further isolate the republicans as the party of no ideas.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:57 am“He could pick a hawkish and principled Democrat like Joe Lieberman.”
Too bad Loserman’s “principle” concern is Israel and not the US , William the Forever Erroneous
March 10th, 2008 at 10:58 amas the party of no ideas.
Comment by hellinabucket — March 10, 2008 @ 10:57 am
The party of clueless buffoons?
Wasn’t it Hugh Hewitt who suggested Li’l Ricky Santorum for SCOTUS?
March 10th, 2008 at 10:59 amClarence Thomas? He’s my first choice.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:59 amThat’s exactly what the GOP needs.
A guy who clearly hates his current job, never asks questions during Supreme Court debate, and has a history of inappropriate conduct with women.
With him on the ticket, there is no way McCain could win, and it would get Thomas off the bench (to be replaced with someone who actually cares about the Court).
Absolutely perfect.
“tapping either David Petraeus or Raymond Odierno — the two generals who together, in an amazing demonstration of leadership and competence, turned the war in Iraq around last year.”
Yeah
It went from majority-FUBAR to complete FUBAR ; way to create that “change” there , fellas………….
March 10th, 2008 at 10:59 amKeep pretending your reign of terror has any chance of continuing in ‘09, Kristol. Next year, it looks like it’s back to buying your Kool-Aid at the grocery store like the rest of America!
March 10th, 2008 at 11:00 amHmmm…
So if McCain nominates Thomas, would Thomas have to give up his seat on the Supreme Court, leaving a vacancy that would have to be filled by a Democratic presidency and Congress?
March 10th, 2008 at 11:00 am“He could persuade the most impressive conservative in American public life, Clarence Thomas, to join the ticket.”
And who is it in America who finds Thomas “impressive” ?
The entire porn industry ?
March 10th, 2008 at 11:01 amAnybody know what Petraeus’ next post will be? Did he get the NATO job?
March 10th, 2008 at 11:01 amthe most impressive conservative in america
(my apologies to George Carlin)
March 10th, 2008 at 11:01 amImpressive conservative is like saying “Jumbo shrimp”. It just don’t make no sense!
Just let him keep writing and talking. Someone in his family will ask for commitment proceedings to begin soon.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:02 amJust a thought; can you imagine Clarence Thomas in a V.P. debate. Two minutes of silence per question followed up by 30 seconds of silence for rebuttal.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:02 amAnybody know what Petraeus’ next post will be? Did he get the NATO job?
Comment by McWars — March 10, 2008 @ 11:01 am
Nah
He’s holding out for Head of Paraguayan Homeland Securitry
March 10th, 2008 at 11:03 amComment by toasterhead — March 10, 2008 @ 11:00 am
Clarence for VP? There’s no money in that!
March 10th, 2008 at 11:03 amNah
He’s holding out for Head of Paraguayan Homeland Securitry
Comment by MCMetal — March 10, 2008 @ 11:03 am
That, or they could place him as head of CentCom if/when they push Fallon into retirement.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:05 amLieberman is supposedly an Independent, not a Democrat. Hawkish..yes. Principled? NO!! Generals David Petraeus or Raymond Odierno would have to resign their commissions, which is highly unlikely. Clarence Thomas as VP? “The most Impressive Conservative in public life?” Kristol is easily impressed, I guess. As usual, he proves himself a complete doofus.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:06 amThis man has taken leave of his senses. Lieberman is not a Democrat, he went independent to defeat the Democrat who won the nomination against him. He was actively supported by the Republican party against their own candidate.
Thomas on the ticket. Wow, I always thought we promoted the Supreme Court as apolitical. Now we can see the Republicans turn it into another political venue.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:09 amno love for steve king…?
March 10th, 2008 at 11:09 am“He could persuade the most impressive conservative in American public life, Clarence Thomas, to join the ticket.”
Krystal should most definitely have his drinking water checked for pharmaceutical contaminants…
March 10th, 2008 at 11:13 amit’s gonna be romney…
that was evident when he “suspended” his campaign…
March 10th, 2008 at 11:17 amClarence Thomas for Vice President? Whoop-de-damn-do!!
March 10th, 2008 at 11:18 amIs it conservatives in general who believe that Clarence Thomas is “the most impressive conservative in American public life”? Or was Kristol merely stating his own opinion as fact?
I don’t consider Thomas to be all that impressive. On the other hand, the bar IS kind of low for this category.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:19 amI pray that McCain picks Thomas. That will ensure an Obama or Clinton win in ‘08. He might pick up a few conservatives, but moderates can’t stand him.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:19 amA Thomas run might revive the Anita Hill controversy, LOL. I doubt McCain wants his image as an all-American hero tarnished with that one.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:20 amInteresting. Would Ol’ Clarence have to resign to run? That would be worth the price of admission.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:21 amHe hates his job anyway, and after a thorough trouncing in the Novemeber election, he could be replaced by a thoughtful, intellingent jurist.
“intelligent” !! Just showin off my intellingents!
March 10th, 2008 at 11:21 amWaitaminnit — Kristol apparently needs a token black to run against Obama. Just like what the Illinois GOP did when they got Alan Keyes to carpetbag himself to Illinois to run against Obama for the Senate.
Um…don’t the Republicans remember how well that worked out?
March 10th, 2008 at 11:22 amHas a supreme court justice EVER run on a presidential ticket?
It doesnt sit well with me.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:23 amOn the other hand, the bar IS kind of low for this category.
Comment by missmolly — March 10, 2008 @ 11:19 am
“… the bar IS kind of low for this category.” Kind of low?
By that measure, it’s safe to say Genghis Kahn is kind of dead or the Marianas Trench is kind of deep.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:25 amHe’ll pick Scum-ber-man.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:27 amThey wouldn’t stand a chance against anyone, based on their ugliness alone.
Would Ol’ Clarence have to resign to run?
Comment by RUCerious — March 10, 2008 @ 11:21 am
I couldn’t find anything in the constitution that requires it. However, because the SCOTUS is supposedly apolitical (even these days, when we ALL know that ain’t true), it would be extremely difficult for one person to both campaign for a party ideology AND maintain political objectivity in another role at the same time.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:28 amWould Ol’ Clarence have to resign to run? That would be worth the price of admission.
Comment by RUCerious — March 10, 2008 @ 11:21 am
careful what you wish for…
March 10th, 2008 at 11:29 amhe would have to be replaced meantime… worrisome…
careful what you wish for…
he would have to be replaced meantime… worrisome…
Comment by katy HUSSEIN katy
That choice could be strung along long enough to get an adult into the whitehouse.
BobHusseinwurst
March 10th, 2008 at 11:32 amBest VP choice would be Huckabee- who attracts social cons, but doesn’t turn off mainstream voters as much as guys like Santorum or Brownback do. Huck has proven he can attract votes without much money.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:32 amJesus H. Christ!!!! That’s horrible – both of ‘em. *shudder*
March 10th, 2008 at 11:33 amThe trial balloons have gone up regarding a McCain/Kindaskeezer ticket, to get the token black thing going for the GOP.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:34 amHe’s a war monger and she’s been ineffectual promoting peace. Watta combo. The recent revelations in Vanity Fair have shown that, like her bosses, she’s not an honest broker in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
but doesn’t turn off mainstream voters…
Comment by kritter — March 10, 2008 @ 11:32 am
Until he starts talkin’ ’bout what good eattin’ squirrel is…
March 10th, 2008 at 11:36 amMark Sanford should get some consideration.
Comment by good_golly — March 10, 2008 @ 11:28 am
So the GOP can show off one of the biggest racists and imbeciles within their garbage party ?
March 10th, 2008 at 11:37 amClarence Thomas? The only prominent conservative possibly dumber and more incurious than George W. Bush?
You sure this was Bill Kristol and not Billy Crystal suggesting this?
March 10th, 2008 at 11:37 amMark Sanford should get some consideration.
Comment by good_golly
Who’s going to run the junkyard?
March 10th, 2008 at 11:37 amBest VP choice would be Huckabee- who attracts social cons, but doesn’t turn off mainstream voters as much as guys like Santorum or Brownback do. Huck has proven he can attract votes without much money.
Comment by kritter — March 10, 2008 @ 11:32 am
“Mainstream voters” don’t back a Bible-thumping jackass who wants to re-word the Constitution to adhere to his moronic personal religious beliefs……………..
March 10th, 2008 at 11:38 amMcMetal-
Except that he never said he wanted to reword the Constitution.
I didn’t say I’d vote for him, but he did very well against candidates with big pockets like Romney and Rudy. He had strong appearances in the debates. He’s likeable, but I personally would want to vote for someone who believes in evolution. I’m looking at it from the viewpoint of who would provide a win—it certainly wouldn’t be Clarence Uncle Thomas!
March 10th, 2008 at 11:44 am“Mainstream voters†don’t back a Bible-thumping jackass who wants to re-word the Constitution to adhere to his moronic personal religious beliefs……………..
Comment by MCMetal
Those would be the downstream voters.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:45 amDownstream from the landfill, the feedlot, the coal burning power plants, the paper mills, and the pharmaceutical factories..
Kristol and PNAC are going the way of the Dodo.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:02 pmHey Tucker Carlson suddenly has a lot of free time on his hands, LOL- McCain/Carlson for ‘08!
March 10th, 2008 at 12:09 pmMcMetal-
Except that he never said he wanted to reword the Constitution.
I didn’t say I’d vote for him, but he did very well against candidates with big pockets like Romney and Rudy. He had strong appearances in the debates. He’s likeable, but I personally would want to vote for someone who believes in evolution. I’m looking at it from the viewpoint of who would provide a win—it certainly wouldn’t be Clarence Uncle Thomas!
Comment by kritter — March 10, 2008 @ 11:44 am
Really ?
You need to explain this EXACT QUOTE FROM GOMER PYLE , THEN :
“I have opponents in this race who do not want to change the Constitution. But I believe it’s a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God. And thats what we need to do is amend the Constitution so it’s in God’s standards rather than trying to change God’s standards so it lines up with some contemporary view of how we treat each other and how we treat the family.â€
March 10th, 2008 at 12:15 pmBilly’s Krisco’s opinions are like McCain’s age; old, tired, & recycled.
Billy’s still working on his ‘Cheney sneer’, but his ideas are as backasswards as his ethics.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:16 pmWilliam is proposing to “upend the normal dynamicsâ€. This is a sign of desperation. He’s at a loss and doesn’t know what else to do. William has bottomed out. He gives us Clarence Thomas? Jesus Hussein Christ. What a frigging imbecile. This makes it official. William now has ZERO credibility.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:31 pmHas a supreme court justice EVER run on a presidential ticket?
Comment by deebaser — March 10, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Charles Evans Hughes resigned from the Supreme Court in 1916 to be the Republican candidate for President that year. Hughes was defeated by Woodrow Wilson in a close election.
To my memory, that is the closest historical precedent.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:37 pmI’m sorry I joined this thread so late. Lots of people already made the point that William the Bloody is totally delusional. I mean, come on — who but a weaselly racism-sensitive wingnut apologist considers Clarence Thomas “the most impressive conservative in American public life”?
And conservatives were supposed to be against tokens and quotas, I thought.
yet one must give Kristol-meth credit for the unwitting honesty of describing the performance of Petreaus and Odierno as “an amazing demonstration of leadership and competence”.
For most people in positions of authority, competence is expected. When you’re dealing with Republicans, however, it IS amazing when one demonstrates it.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:41 pmHas a supreme court justice EVER run on a presidential ticket?
Comment by deebaser — March 10, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Charles Evans Hughes resigned from the Supreme Court in 1916 to be the Republican candidate for President that year. Hughes was defeated by Woodrow Wilson in a close election.
To my memory, that is the closest historical precedent.
Comment by Exley — March 10, 2008 @ 12:37 pm
Too bad Ulpie Roberts and Assholito didn’t pair up to run together ; those 2 pieces of dreck need to be removed , pronto………..
March 10th, 2008 at 12:43 pmHey Tucker Carlson suddenly has a lot of free time on his hands, LOL- McCain/Carlson for ‘08!
Comment by kritter — March 10, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
Did Tucker Carlson get fired at MSNBC?
March 10th, 2008 at 12:54 pmClarence Thomas?! Oh, please, yes, run, Clarence, run. I would almost vote for McCain if he picked ol’ Clarence. Almost.
Then when they lose, could we boot C.T. off the SCOTUS?
Dang, just dreaming about it makes me happy.
Double dang, Bill Kristol is dumber than a stump.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:55 pm…’Hawkish and princilped Democrat…’ describing Lieberman
March 10th, 2008 at 12:58 pmHawkish may be,
but principled Democrat, that’s tough sell.
Truly bizarre picks for VP.
The neocons are obviously looking for dups that can be controlled.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:58 pmPundits like Kristol and his ilk are also phucking with the heads of mainstream and reactionary media.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:06 pmAs well as anyone who listens to them.
The braindead followers who believe what they say get all confused and compliant, while the uproar of the opposition over what is clearly a non-sensical nomination distracts from the true manipulation of the candidates.
Please pick someone from the current administration, McSame, please! Then get Bush to campaign with you all the way to November. Vote for President Bush’s third term – Elect John McCain!
March 10th, 2008 at 1:06 pmShane- His show got cancelled, but they are keeping him on as a commentator, at least until after the election.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:08 pmMcMetal – Yeah and he has about 0% chance of getting anything resembling that through.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:10 pmHas a supreme court justice EVER run on a presidential ticket?
Comment by deebaser — March 10, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Charles Evans Hughes resigned from the Supreme Court in 1916 to be the Republican candidate for President that year. Hughes was defeated by Woodrow Wilson in a close election.
To my memory, that is the closest historical precedent.
Comment by Exley — March 10, 2008 @ 12:37 pm
—-
Thanks. I learn something new every day.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:12 pmExley and deebaser — it gets even better. Hughes went on to become Secretary of State under Harding and then went BACK to the Court as Chief Justice.
In terms of Kristol’s recommendations, I’m surprised by how mild they are. Why not John Bolton (”fear the ’stache!”) or maybe even George W. Bush! Golly-gee whillikers, why not exhume Ronald Reagan?
March 10th, 2008 at 1:17 pmdescribing Lieberman
Hawkish may be,
but principled Democrat, that’s tough sell.
Comment by tarazan — March 10, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
same as calling Clarence Thomas “the most impressive conservative in American public life”. Unless William the Bloody is privy to some private side of Justice Thomas that most of us don’t see…
March 10th, 2008 at 1:18 pmWith regard to the “top rated”:
Although I do like my own comment (#6), this one made me laugh so hard I nearly fell off my chair. Congrats on a great comment:
“Just a thought; can you imagine Clarence Thomas in a V.P. debate. Two minutes of silence per question followed up by 30 seconds of silence for rebuttal.
Comment by Eric The Blue — March 10, 2008 @ 11:02 am”
March 10th, 2008 at 1:28 pmOnly a man whose chosen profession is “being wrong about everything” can make those picks. Kristol is truly a national anti-treasure. Anti-oracle if you will.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:34 pmAttention Kristol: LIEBERMAN IS NOT A DEMOCRAT!! He left the party. He’s not one of us. McCain may well pick him, but it won’t garner any votes from the Democratic side of things.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:37 pmLieberman was elected by Republicans, who knew their own candidate sucked bigtime. Bush offered him Rove’s help. In return, Lieberman backed off his campaign promise to investigate Bush’s activities before, during and immediately after Katrina when he was made Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.
After that, he will never qualify as a Democrat again, no matter how he votes on social issues.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:45 pmLosing as Veep nominee on both major party tickets would be a fitting coda for Lieberman’s political career.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:56 pm70 – Wuh? No comprendo, senor.
Are you beaming us messages from another time, like 1970, or something?
March 10th, 2008 at 1:58 pmjackball- Lamont reflected the Democratic voters, but that’s not who voted for Lieberman. He was put in office by the GOP so that Chimpy could have bipartisan photo ops for his legacy.
March 10th, 2008 at 2:31 pmso THAT’s how they are planning on getting Thomas to resign?!!?! Honestly, I’ve been wondering for years whether or not his nomination and confirmation was a charade gone wrong. That man is an embarassment to my field and I doubt there has ever been a more disgraceful judge.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:52 pmjackball- Um, in ‘06 only 34% still supported the war- most of them Republicans, so the far left must have really grown in numbers, lol. Iraq was also the key issue of the election, so if Lieberman disagreed with the Dems on it it was a big deal. He not only disagreed with them, he chastised them publicly and was photographed kissing Bush. That is the kiss of death- he deserved to have the party drop him.
Also, accepting the president’s help in ‘06 along with the RNC’s just solidified his breach with the Democrats. If the Democrats should have remembered he was their VP candidate for 2000, Lieberman should have remembered that he would have been VP in 2000 if it were not for the Bush teams shenanigans in Florida.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:09 pmFox Clown Network:”Vampire Kristol’s VP picks: Clarence Thomas, Joe Lieberman.”
Ha Ha! Next Kristol will pick Homey the Clown as the Veep. Pass the popcorn please…
March 10th, 2008 at 4:10 pmComment #4: You hit it exactly right on Lieberman, he’s a ahole who only cares about Israel. As long as that multi-billion dollar welfare check reackes Israel, then he’s happy. Actually he’s like to be giving Israel that 12 billion a month we are spending in Iraq right now.
I have nothing against either of the generals this idiot mentioned except, being a general doesn’t make a good President. I know how some generals are and they don’t make good leaders in every case. Just look at General Casey, this guy is the military version of Bush. He’s basically an idiot with stars. I also know that Gen. Tommy Franks is an idiot. This guy was basically a ass kisser who got promoted because of kissing up, not being a great general.
Finally, as far as Clarence (Uncle Tom) Thomas is concerned, he’s a total moron. He still thinks that the black man must subordinate himself to whites and he plays that role great. Justus Thomas played the “race card” to get on the Supreme Court and then turn against black faster than a crack head runnin from the cops. It is apparent that Bill Krystal is like his old boss Dan Quale, dumb, period. Think about it, he still thinks Quale was a “great Vice President”, so that will tell you how smart this guy is.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:46 pmand get this – if CT were to RUN for VP, he’d be forced to resign…you can’t hold both (so if you lose you still keep your job)….so by all means….RUN!
March 10th, 2008 at 5:57 pm