Debateful

I was blown away by Joe Lieberman. Here's a longtime Democrat, even ran for VP with that guy that invented the internet and global warming, and he puts aside political affiliations and stands up for the man he knows is the best to lead this country.

I stand up and applaud you, Joe. You are a true man and American.

His speech was amazing.

Quote:President Bush addressed the crowd at the Xcel Energy Center via satellite from the White House. Fred Thompson painted a historical picture of Sen. John McCain's heroic five-year struggle in a Vietnamese prison camp. There was a video tribute to former President Ronald Reagan.

Yet it was a speech from an unlikely source that not only stole the spotlight, but also set the stage for an even bloodier political war down the road.

Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman said America needs a president that can be counted on in a time of war. For him, the candidate is Republican McCain.

Lieberman, a Democrat-turned-independent who was the blue side's candidate for vice president in 2000, said that while Sen. Barack Obama was voting to cut off funding for troops in Iraq, McCain took the unpopular position to support a surge in troops.

"Because of that, today, our troops are at last beginning to come home, not in failure, but in honor," Lieberman said.

Lieberman said that in times like these, country matters more than political parties.


"I'm here tonight because John McCain is the best choice to bring our country together and lead our country forward. I'm here because John McCain's whole life testifies to a great truth: being a Democrat or a Republican is important. But it is not more important than being an American," Lieberman said.

Charles Schumer, the senior Senator from New York, begs to differ. In fact, most Democrats are furious with Lieberman.

"I like Joe Lieberman, but that's a big mistake for him," Schumer said. "To be pro-war and to have his views on the issues, everyone respects that. But you don't go over to the other side."

Former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean praised Lieberman for breaking ranks despite the consequences he's likely to face.

"He's going to be punished by the Democratic Party and he knows it. But he wants to do it because he thinks he's the best candidate for president," Kean said.

Lieberman could lose his Homeland Security Committee chairmanship. Right now the Democrats need him to hold the majority, but if they pick up seats in the fall all bets are off.

It's most unusual for a Democrat to get the prime speaking spot at a Republican convention, but McCain's selection of Lieberman says a lot about how he wants America to view him, not only as a Republican but as an Independent, as a maverick.

"Joe Lieberman and John McCain speak in one voice and that appeal goes far beyond conservatives and Republicans and reaches into independents and Reagan Democrats," said Rep. Peter King, R-Nassau County.

Lieberman said he wasn't going to attack Obama on Tuesday night. McCain doesn't need him for that. There are plenty of Republicans to make the red meat political arguments, but Lieberman still managed to get some barbs in.

"Sen. Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who can do great things for our country in the years ahead," Lieberman said. "But eloquence is no substitute for a record -- not in these tough times."

In a clear appeal for backers of Obama's former rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Lieberman said, "Contrast that to John McCain's record, or the record of the last Democratic president, Bill Clinton, who stood up to some of those same Democratic interest groups and worked with Republicans to get important things done like welfare reform, free trade agreements, and a balanced budget."

Lieberman tried to use his experience with homeland security, his religion -- he is an orthodox Jew -- and his reputation for voting his conscience to swing disaffected Democrats to McCain.

"I think it's a very strong signal to Jewish Democrats that there's a comfort level they can have in the McCain presidency and Joe Lieberman's support adds a great deal of credibility to that argument," said former New York gubernatorial candidate John Faso, R-Kinderhook.

Republicans seemed generally pleased on Tuesday that Lieberman was crossing the aisle.

"I don't know much about Joe Lieberman, but if he wants to join us he's welcome, Jewish or non Jewish," Eleanor Friedman said.

"I believe he's going to swing a lot of people that may have some doubts," said Rockland County Republican Committee Chairman Vincent Reda. "I think he brings a lot to us as Republicans."

"They've always said the senator was a maverick and it does help bind the parties," Long Island delegate Peri Zausner said. "We do all have to work together when you get down to the bottom line."

http://wcbstv.com/campaign08/joe.lie....2.808783.html