Lieberman: ‘It’s Possible’ I Could Be ‘A Good Old-Fashioned New England Moderate Republican’
Lieberman: ‘It’s Possible’ I Could Be ‘A Good Old-Fashioned New England Moderate Republican’
During the 2008 presidential campaign, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) supported Republican John McCain and attacked then-candidate Obama while speaking at the Republican National Committee. Though he currently caucuses with Democrats in the Senate, Lieberman has repeatedly stated that he views running for re-election in 2012 as an option.
In an interview on Connecticut’s Face The State program this weekend, Lieberman once again said that it was “possible” he could run for re-election as a Republican. Noting that “it would be harder, to be honest, to get the nomination in the Democratic party,” Lieberman said that while he is “most likely” to remain an independent, he could see himself as a Republican:
HOST: Could you see yourself being a Republican or is that…
LIEBERMAN: It’s possible.
HOST:…far-fetched.
LIEBERMAN: Yeah, yeah. No, it’s possible. A good old-fashioned New England moderate Republican.
Watch it:
Lieberman has also suggested that he would “support some Republican candidates for Congress or Senate in the elections in 2010.” In a separate part of the interview, Lieberman suggested that he was open to endorsing Republican Linda McMahon in a Senate race against Democratic Attorney General Richard Blumenthal if she wins her primary with former Rep. Rob Simmons (R-CT).
It’s not clear, however, how helpful Lieberman’s support would be for any candidate in the Senate race. A recent Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey found that Lieberman had “a 25 percent approval rating with 67 percent of his constituents giving him bad marks.” To demonstrate how disliked Lieberman is by CT Democrats, PPP notes that “Barack Obama’s approval rating with Connecticut Republicans is higher than Lieberman’s with the state’s Democrats.”
Transcript:
HOST: Should you run again, there are three routes you could take. You could be an independent again.LIEBERMAN: Yeah.
HOST: You could be a Democrat or even a Republican.
LIEBERMAN: Yeah.
HOST: Let’s talk about these three possibilities.
LIEBERMAN: Right.
HOST: Where do you see yourself going? Is there a way back to become a full-fledged Democrat or is that a bridge burned.
LIEBERMAN: No, I don’t think it’s burned. You know, I’ve been a Democrat all my life. I mean there is a way in which — look, at the beginning of the ‘06 campaign, it was really at the end of ‘05, people working my campaign, interestingly said to me in a private meeting after some polling, you should think about running as an independent. Because it’s going to be real hard in the Democratic primary based on the position I was taking on the Iraq war, which I know it was an unpopular position in the Democratic party, but I felt, it was what I felt was right for our country. So I said, no, you know, I’ve been a Democrat all my life. The party on this issue really doesn’t agree with me, but I’m going to put my confidence in the people and the party and I’m not going to leave, walk away from the party. If they want to kick me out, that’s there decision. That’s obviously what happened. At least they decided not to nominate me again. So, and let me come back to you question. I’d say, I haven’t really focused on it, but I’d say from the get go, anyone of these…it’s good, to paraphrase Mel Brooks, it’s good to be an independent. It gives me latitude. I could run possibly on any of the three. Probably it would be harder, to be honest, to get the nomination in the Democratic party. Not impossible, it’d be harder. But I must tell you that at this moment in our political life, which is so partisan and almost tribal, you know. And it’s not good for the country, not good for our state. I like being an independent, so if you ask me, I’d say that’s probably the most likely of the choices.
HOST: Could you see yourself being a Republican or is that…
LIEBERMAN: It’s possible.
HOST:…far-fetched.
LIEBERMAN: Yeah, yeah. No, it’s possible. A good old-fashioned New England moderate Republican.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
Lieberman: ‘It’s Possible’ I Could Be ‘A Good Old-Fashioned New England Moderate Republican’
Or a snake, who will call himself whatever it takes to get re-elected…
January 25th, 2010 at 4:40 pmHe wants to be a Republican? Let him try to join. He’ll spend millions in a primary, only to get his ass handed to him in the general by a good old-fashioned New England progressive Democrat.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:40 pmLieberman: ‘It’s Possible’ I Could Be ‘A Good Old-Fashioned, bought and paid for corporate whore, evil, Anti American, traitorous son of a b*tch.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:43 pmRemember when Joe the Lieberman was sure that he was going to be John McCain’s VP pick?
How’d that work out for you, Joe? Oh, he picked a mentally retarded woman, instead? Well, I bet this time the Republicans will let you join their country club!
January 25th, 2010 at 4:44 pmLieberman: ‘It’s Possible’ I Could Be ‘A Good Old-Fashioned New England Moderate Republican’
And it’s even more possible that you could be a smarmy, smug, disingenuous hack who will be unemployed the next time you come up for re-election.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:46 pmJoe LIEberman(I-CT). I thought the (I) after Joe’s name stood for Insurance Companies?
January 25th, 2010 at 4:46 pmAhh, but how does Joe rate with Connecticut’s Republicans? I’ll bet he outshines Obama in that category.
Does anybody recall a time when Joe supported a moderate Republican proposal or candidate? From what I recall, he has touted the hard right line ever since becoming “independent.”
January 25th, 2010 at 4:47 pmIt’s probable he already is.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:47 pmRemind me again why the democrats still allow this evil little curmudgeon to have hold the chairmanship of the homeland security committee? Never mind. I know why. The good old boys club of the senate always protects their own. It’s the same thing they are doing with Arlen Specter.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:47 pmBecause it’s going to be real hard in the Democratic primary based on the position I was taking on the Iraq war, which I know it was an unpopular position in the Democratic party, but I felt, it was what I felt was right for our country.
This is a lie, Senator Lieberman. We all know which country’s interests you had in mind, and it wasn’t “our country.”
January 25th, 2010 at 4:47 pmWhat a tool. Republicans in Conneticut really don’t like Lieberman. That guy is toast no matter what.
Thank the Flying Spaghetti Monster for that!
January 25th, 2010 at 4:47 pmHey Joe, ask Linc Chaffee how that’s working out for him.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:48 pmThe man is nothing more then a carpetbagging whore. He’d make a great Republican.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:51 pmI do not really see Lieberman sliming out of this one.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:51 pmActually it is more possible Lieberman is an a$$hole. A person wouldn’t lose any money on that bet.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:51 pmkindness says:
What a tool. Republicans in Conneticut really don’t like Lieberman. That guy is toast no matter what.
Thank the Flying Spaghetti Monster for that!
————————————————————-
Oh I don’t know about that. It doesn’t matter whether they like Joe or not, what matters is if it helps their party bring down the Obama administration.
You have to remember, the Massachusetts republicans and teabaggers voted for Scott Brown who not only is against banking regulation and charging fees to banks but was also pro-choice.
These idiots would support Satan himself if they thought it would help their party’s cause.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:52 pmEvery time TP posts a thread about Lieberman, my blood pressure goes up. This man is one of the worst criminals in our Senate. Not only should he not have any chairmanships, he should not be caucusing with the Democrats, and he should be under investigation for taking bribery money from the insurance industry.
America is dying because our politicians are taking bribe money from corporations. If we fail to prosecute this criminality, we remain a lawless nation.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:52 pm‘A Good Old-Fashioned New England Moderate Republican’
Aka. unemployed.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:52 pmLieberman: ‘It’s Possible’ I Could Be ‘A Good Old-Fashioned New England Moderate Republican’
– - Yo, Aetna Joe, moderates are being purged from the GOP. You’re a man without a party.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:53 pmIt’s more possible that you’ll continue being a despised nobody. We will not forget or forgive you and I am part of a larger whole that cannot stand you. My efforts and actions will be allied against anything that you ever try to do.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:53 pmThere’s nothing moderate about Joe. It’s his way or the highway.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:54 pmWell joe you should be a man and resign your chairmanship and become a repug,,,,
but you do set the example for all theses here dumbsh!t trolls,
January 25th, 2010 at 4:54 pmlol you know you just might be the leader that the right needs.
Wayne A. Schneider says:
Because it’s going to be real hard in the Democratic primary based on the position I was taking on the Iraq war, which I know it was an unpopular position in the Democratic party, but I felt, it was what I felt was right for our country.
This is a lie, Senator Lieberman. We all know which country’s interests you had in mind, and it wasn’t “our country.”
———————————————————-
To be far to Israeli Joe, his real interests were in the US corporations taking over the Iraqi economy. Has anyone ever read the orders issue by L Paul Bremer? Check out this link to learn all about what we are doing in Iraq and how our corporations are going to own that country.
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/9276
January 25th, 2010 at 4:56 pmPersonally, I would like to see the democrats take the gloves off with the obstructionists in Congress. This includes Smokin’ Joe. Time for them to strip him of his chairmanship and kick him out of the caucus. Let him find another home for his sorry arse.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:56 pmJust another example of the impotent sackless dem leadership that lets this a$$hat have any chairmanship or caucus with them. One question Harry: How’s that working out for you?
January 25th, 2010 at 4:57 pmNah, it’s an abbreviation. The actual designation is “Joe Lieberman (Me, Myself & I – CT)”
January 25th, 2010 at 4:58 pmHere is a little sample of what is going on in Iraq regarding US corporate control of their economy:
Embedding U.S. Corporations in the Iraq Economy:
Bremer had the power to create laws by issuing “binding instructions or directives.” Bremer issued 100 Orders, Juhasz in 2005 interview describes some of the key orders:
“Order No. 39 allows for: (1) privatization of Iraq’s 200 state-owned enterprises; (2) 100% foreign ownership of Iraqi businesses; (3) “national treatment” ? which means no preferences for local over foreign businesses; (4) unrestricted, tax-free remittance of all profits and other funds; and (5) 40-year ownership licenses.
“Thus, it forbids Iraqis from receiving preference in the reconstruction while allowing foreign corporations ? Halliburton and Bechtel, for example ? to buy up Iraqi businesses, do all of the work and send all of their money home. They cannot be required to hire Iraqis or to reinvest their money in the Iraqi economy. They can take out their investments at any time and in any amount.
“Orders No. 57 and No. 77 ensure the implementation of the orders by placing U.S.-appointed auditors and inspector generals in every government ministry, with five-year terms and with sweeping authority over contracts, programs, employees and regulations.
“Order No. 17 grants foreign contractors, including private security firms, full immunity from Iraq’s laws. Even if they, say, kill someone or cause an environmental disaster, the injured party cannot turn to the Iraqi legal system. Rather, the charges must be brought to U.S. courts.
“Order No. 40 allows foreign banks to purchase up to 50% of Iraqi banks.
“Order No. 49 drops the tax rate on corporations from a high of 40% to a flat 15%. The income tax rate is also capped at 15%.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:58 pmOr, more properly, “in the private sector”.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:59 pmI dont care if he tries to run for anything, all I want to hear is that he is stripped of all chair positions, NOW.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:59 pmMr Obam, you need a whipping boy? Posterboy LIARMAN would do nicely, show us some change and strip joe and put him out so we the people can take care of his @ss..
It’s possible — he could be an even bigger schmuck!
January 25th, 2010 at 5:00 pmPerhaps Joe supported the Iraqi illegal invasion because it would bring universal health care to all Iraqi citizens?????
January 25th, 2010 at 5:02 pmNot what my constituents want, but what I want. Man, I’m sick of America held hostage by a few dozen senators that take it upon themselves to decide what’s right and not representing the voters who put them there. This is not an exclusively Republican characteristic, but has infected a whole spectrum of reps and senators. Term limits, ban on all lobbying and corporate donations, and public financing. Yeah, since that won’t happen, you can see where this is leading. Representative democracy is DEAD in this country. It was a nice experiment, but now one that can be deemed a failure.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:05 pmLieberman: An Old Fashioned Quisling.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:08 pmScrew you joe. Like he gives a shit about anything but himself.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:18 pmNow that the Dems don’t need him for his precious 60th vote, they need to boot him from the caucus.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:19 pmPossible?
No, it’s certain: Joe Lieberman is a dying political breed.
All that’s left is to see when he finally dies.
Smart money says 2012 when he’s up again.
Good luck riding that Obama re-election wave out, Joe.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:24 pmThe only reason Joe got the seat as an (I) is Republican backing. The only reason he got Republican backing is because there was not Republican that could legitimately challenge the Democrat. Times have changed. The Teabag Community of Dupes will have someone that can beat Joe, and the Progressives will have someone to beat the Dupe.
Oh, wait, I forgot, corporations are going to be financing this next election… Jowls might retain his seat.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:24 pmawesome knack for saying anything and doing nothing there, joe…way to “work hard” for that paycheck.
he’d stab somebody in the back, if his sliminess didn’t prevent him from gripping a knife handle.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:26 pmLieberman will shake hand with the Devil to get his Senate seat back.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:26 pmI can’t see how either party can tust him. !!!
Lieberman will only care for Lieberman ,in addition to his own Likud party.
What does he mean “COULD be”? I thought he was already?
January 25th, 2010 at 5:26 pmI don’t need Obama to tell me what the state of our union is. We are not even governed by the rule of law anymore. We have a fascist political party obstructing our government. We have threats of secession, blatant racism, rampant poverty and crippling personal debt. We have propaganda channels that call themselves news, corporations that are devestating the planetary environment and bribing our leaders.
The only hope is that Democrats will grow a spine and restore the rule of law. Without justice for the war criminals Bush43 and Cheeney, there can be no justice for any American.
Prosecute them all!
January 25th, 2010 at 5:32 pmSure. LIEberman is a businessman, not a people’s man! LIEberman will make the rich even richer, and you know the rich will be voting with 100% turnout.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:33 pmDear Joe Lieberman, F**K YOU for putting the love of money and the game of politics over the needs of the people. You should be ashamed of yourself. You embarrass the nation and you are an embarrassment to the entire human race. It’s pathetic.
Couple questions for you Joe:
*Are any of your homes in danger of being foreclosed?
*Do you when you are doing your household budget ever have to decide between things like having medicine or food? Paying the mortgage or the insurance bill? Paying the electric bill or buying new tires for your car?
*When you get sick do you debate on whether or not to go to the doctor/hospital because you can’t afford it?
*Do you have a single iota of compassion, sympathy or human kindness in you?
*Why are you such a coward?
Grow up and pretend to be a man you f***ing coward.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:34 pmJoe’s not a Republican already?
January 25th, 2010 at 5:35 pmWhy would CT want a man of the People when they can have a man of the corporation like LIEberman?
January 25th, 2010 at 5:35 pmLIEberman let his stature go to his head.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:37 pmJoe claims that he’ll support Republican candidates.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:44 pmGive me a break, Joe…!
If I were a candidate,from either party, you’ll be the last person that I will be contact for support.
Of course he “wants” to be a republican. That’s why he IS one!
January 25th, 2010 at 5:52 pmLIEBERMAN (Sponsored By The Hartford): Yeah, yeah. No, it’s possible. A good old-fashioned New England moderate Republican.
Like you are now.
RIP
January 25th, 2010 at 5:53 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
And this surprise WHO?
Lieberman is a shill. The Republicans will never accept him for his Democratic caucusing, and voters from both sides will despise him.
Still, if he does get re-elected, I’m sure the Republicans would love to have his vote, even if they rebuff him publicly.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:53 pmLIEBERMAN: Yeah, yeah. No, it’s possible. A good old-fashioned New England moderate Republican.
Anything is possible, Joe — especially if it suits your purposes.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:55 pmLieberman has always been a Republican. All through the nineties I wondered why the Democrats would shoot themselves in the foot every time they started to make some headway. Lieberman would always be involved somehow. Whenever the Republicans needed a wishy washy Democrat to point to, Lieberman would always be there with a suitably weak response. I would like to see a comparison of his public appearances in the nineties to his appearances after he started his bromance with Bush. I remember his a being a very weak fighter for Democratic causes, but he sure has some fire in him when he fights against them. All of these so called centrists on both sides are only there lead the Democrats away from any meaningful legislation. And now were supposed to trust Specter. Call pest control, we got mole problems.
January 25th, 2010 at 6:01 pmReally Joe. The only 2 good old-fashioned New England Moderate Republicans left both voted against the Senate HCR bill. They both got reamed for voting for the Economic Stimulus Bill that Joe also voted for. Can’t imagine many GOPs seeking Joe’s endorsement. Ya see this is one of the few upsides of Brown’s victory last week. It kinda leaves Lieberman twisting in the wind.
January 25th, 2010 at 6:04 pmLIEBERMAN: Yeah, yeah. No, it’s possible. A good old-fashioned New England moderate Republican.
You’ll have to move a long way to the Left to qualify, Joe.
January 25th, 2010 at 6:07 pmLefty Liberal,
January 25th, 2010 at 6:09 pmOkay I’ll have to think about it further. I guess my other post was just showing my distaste for Joe. I really dislike him for so many reasons and not just health-care…like when Lieberman actes ;ole a royal d!ck a calls for military strikes against Iran. Or he turns a blind eye to illegal wiretapping and he refuses to hold Bush accountable for Katrina. He only focuses on himself…he has the Republican attitude that just screams, “f**k the people, I’ve got mine.” In the GOP’s world only people who think like them are even human…in Joe’s world, he’s the only one who actually exists.
Just like he’s already a “Good ole fashioned New England DIRT BAG”… It’s real important that Lieberwocky be voted OUT OF OFFICE and put out to pasture as soon as physically possible… He is a crime against nature….
January 25th, 2010 at 6:18 pm…I really, really hate this guy.
January 25th, 2010 at 6:20 pmLefty Liberal,
January 25th, 2010 at 6:21 pmI didn’t take your criticism wrong. I just thought I would expand upon my earlier post. I’m sorry…if I offended anyone.
Shorter LIEberman -
I’m not finished helping destroy America.
January 25th, 2010 at 6:22 pmFor the “Clueless Restating the Obvious” Award for January, we have an ironclad candidate:
In other news, it’s actually quite possible that blue finches are birds.
Cheers,
January 25th, 2010 at 6:25 pmJoe likes to play the ‘leverage game’ that he thinks he got,by playing two parties in the same time and playing also the Independent one.
January 25th, 2010 at 6:26 pmThat’s why he is claiming that he can support Republicans candidates,just like when he fooled Senator Reid by playing the ‘Filibuster’ leverage.
Joe is saying here: “I got Leverage”.
But what leverage does he really have for any candidate with his 20% popularity standing? !!!
It will be a certain loss for that candidate.
Yeah, Joe?
Good luck with that, you whiny assclown.
January 25th, 2010 at 6:31 pmI hate that Joe has pretty much thinks that he’s “success” at his job…his early career will probably be forgotten…the new Joe is defined by months of ignoring the people he represents, scheming to destroy his coworkers’ contributions, resulting in a product that is almost so watered down it is rendered ineffective, if it results in a product at all.
January 25th, 2010 at 6:40 pmTwo words to LIEbermann:
FCUk you!
January 25th, 2010 at 6:53 pmhad enough
my sentiments, exactly!
January 25th, 2010 at 6:55 pmSoapBox says @61:
…I really, really hate this guy.
wish I could vote you up a thousand times.
January 25th, 2010 at 6:56 pmLefty Liberal,
Yup…I’ve watched Joe’s interviews and read news stories and he always seemed like the kind of guy who would sell his soul for money. I hope he gains a conscious soon…maybe some one should have him walk through a random hospital…even through the critical care area and force Joe to talk to the patients about their health and the quality of their health insurance and more.
Of course he’d probably lie to them.
January 25th, 2010 at 7:11 pmhey joe, as one of my senators here in connecticut “it’s possible” the majority of your constituents think you’re a turncoat, slimy piece of shit
January 25th, 2010 at 7:13 pmJoe you are a republican. So what else is new?
January 25th, 2010 at 7:44 pmLefty Liberal,
January 25th, 2010 at 7:44 pmThere are plenty of reasons to hate Joe but I think his arrogance and his selfishness are the two things that really piss me off. And Joe is the kind of guy who will lie straight to your face and then smile and pat you on the head. What a slime bag.
Lefty Liberal says:
What I can’t stand about droopy dog, is his “Israel First” attitude. He is a US Senator, not an Israeli Senator.
I can agree with that…but he’s not the only one. And Joe just seems more like he fights for himself and his money first…nobody really gains anything when they side with Joe.
January 25th, 2010 at 8:24 pmI will continue to contribute just to see this guy go down and quit living off the government tit. What a totally worthless human being in my opinion. I hope he becomes a republican, he already acts like one and it will make it easier for me to hate him. Talk about the need to reform immigration laws.
January 25th, 2010 at 8:26 pmNo shit Sherlock!
January 25th, 2010 at 8:46 pmYou are arrogant toast……
January 25th, 2010 at 9:30 pmSomeone on Joe’s staff must have tipped him off that his poll numbers were sitting at the bottom of the Connecticut River and it made him drag his ass back to CT because I see that he found his way to Channel 3 in Hartford for this sitdown.
This ass hasn’t been seen or heard from in over a year back home and he is about to get the drubbing of his life by Dick Blumenthal……..Lieberman won’t know what hit him.
If Reed would only grow a pair and tell him to just get out of the caucus once and for all…and strip him of his chairmanship. He is a complete shit.
January 25th, 2010 at 9:48 pmLowell Weicker was the last actual moderate republican from Connecticut and he became so disgusted by the party he ran for governor as an independent 20 years ago.
Go become a republican Joe, but a moderate you are not, a tea bagging asshat you are.
January 25th, 2010 at 10:17 pmTanglewood:
January 25th, 2010 at 10:21 pmWhile true, with Dodd retiring Blumenthal is going to run for Dodd’s seat this year (and keep it a democratic seat). Lieberman, unfortunately, is not up until 2012. I don’t live in CT anymore, but I was born there and grew up there and there has to be someone who will beat him in 2 years
From Matt’s post:
HOST: Could you see yourself being a Republican or is that…
LIEBERMAN: It’s possible.
HOST:…far-fetched.
LIEBERMAN: Yeah, yeah. No, it’s possible. A good old-fashioned New England moderate Republican.
Or it might just be that Joe is a treacherous little shit and a fracking weasel, to boot.
January 26th, 2010 at 1:35 amThree options.
1. Lieberman runs as a Democrat. HAA HA HA HAAAH!
January 26th, 2010 at 2:02 am2. Lieberman runs as an Independent. Nobody votes for him
1. Lieberman runs as a Republican. The Republicans don’t vote for him (who wants a traitor on their side?) and nobody does either.
Lefty Liberal says:
I remember Crazy Shelly talking about starting up an investigation into who in Congress are unamerican…
God that woman is insane…I thought Palin was bad…Michele Bachmann is ten times as annoying. And how did she expect to get every un-American individual? Was she going to illegally search them? Because that’s pretty un-American right there.
January 26th, 2010 at 3:21 amhttp://digg.com/politics/Lieberman_It_s_Possible_I_Could_Be_A_Good_Old_Fashioned
January 26th, 2010 at 4:36 am