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January 15, 2004
Lieberman Looking Better
I see Wes, who sadly has no comments, is also warming to Lieberman. Lieberman's got a fairly liberal record on some important issues (taxes, environment) and a fairly conservative record on others (trade, regulation of the mutual fund industry) that's only natural considering he comes from our richest state. His position on the war is probably what a majority of general election voters favor, even though I don't believe a President Lieberman (or Gore) would have gone to war in Iraq, even though he favored the President's plan.
The biggest problem with Lieberman is his Zell Miller-lite style. He could score big points in the debates if he only highlighted his differences with Dean in a different manner. Instead of coming off as the better choice he comes off as the valedictorian (or alter boy) that would rather see things ruined if he doesn't get his way. Additionally, his principled Clintonian stance on free trade is a real loser in the rural South. It's often overlooked that Clinton lost a lot of the South for Democrats in part because of his vigorous support for NAFTA.
In a different era, Lieberman would probably make a good Senate majority leader. He'd probably make a good President too, but his campaign themes are disastrous for the '04 primary. I also suspect that if he won the primary he'd wage a campaign of good faith against Bush even though I don't think that Rove has any intention of eschewing dirty tricks even if the Democrat isn't engaging in any.
Finally, someone with Lieberman's God-fearing bonafides could really bring back religion as a force in liberal politics. But he's long since pissed that away by waging war on Hollywood and junk food. Ultimately, it looks like Joe will be resigned to the same fate as his idol, Scoop Jackson: great potential as a Senator but for whatever reason never ready for prime time.
Posted by Chris at January 15, 2004 10:35 PM
Comments
I don't care about his stances. I just think that a Jewish POTUS would be the catalyst the world needs to "get everything on the table" so to speak, w/rt the major threats facing civilization.
Posted by: zachary d smith at January 16, 2004 09:56 AM
Oh, my point is that I support him as a result. :) Lieberman/Edwards would be nice. Or even Edwards/Lieberman. They seem to complement each other nicely.
Posted by: zachary d smith at January 16, 2004 09:57 AM
Oh, I've got comments, they're just down.
I'm not a Lieberman guy or anything, I just don't get this thing that liberals have with him, you know- "anyone but Bush (or Lieberman)"
Posted by: Wes at January 16, 2004 09:22 PM
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