“Lieberman Calls Liberal Democratic Base ‘Paranoid'” is the headline on a lengthy item in The New York Times’ “The Caucus” blog site today.
A few “highlights”:
In remarks yesterday, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman criticized the Democratic presidential candidates for their adherence to the views of the “politically paranoid, hyper-partisan” liberal base of the Democratic party, saying that allegiance could harm the eventual nominee’s chances of gaining entry to the White House.
In the speech, Senator Lieberman referred to his primary loss, and denounced the anti-war base of the Democratic party that worked hard to defeat him last year. Despite the fact that he overcame that opposition and won re-election, leading Democrats and many of the presidential candidates, consider the 2006 election results – which gave Democrats majorities in the House and Senate – a mandate against the Iraq war.
“No Democratic presidential primary candidate today speaks of America’s moral or strategic responsibility to stand with the Iraqi people against the totalitarian forces of radical Islam, or of the consequences of handing a victory in Iraq to Al Qaeda and Iran. And if they did, their campaign would be as unsuccessful as mine was in 2006.”
Mr. Lieberman called opposition to the [Kyl-Lieberman] amendment, “a case study in the distrust and partisan polarization that now poisons our body politic on even the most sensitive issues of national security.” He then assessed how Democratic officials have been swayed by anti-war forces within the party:
“First, several left-wing blogs seized upon the Kyl-Lieberman amendment, offering wild conspiracy theories about how it could be used to authorize the use of military force against Iran.
“These were absurd arguments. The text of our amendment contained nothing-nothing-that could be construed as a green light for an attack on Iran. To claim that it did was an act of delusion or deception.”
And I’ll conclude with this gem:
“There is likewise something profoundly wrong when we see candidates who are willing to pander to this politically paranoid, hyper-partisan sentiment in the Democratic base-even if it sends a message of weakness and division to the Iranian regime.”
Here’s the linky to the full story:
I can honestly say that, had I known in 2000 as much about Lieberman as I have learened in the past seven years, I would not have voted for Gore-Lieberman.
Would have had to sit that one out.
3 comments
Author
Of his vast array of annoying characteristics, his penchant for the use of alliteration when describing political divides crawls right up my ass.
Allow me to respond in kind.
Joe, your political paranoia that you project onto people proclaims what a putrid putz you are.