- Daily Photo: Obama Jokes Around at G-20
- Blackwater gets replaced in Iraq
- Daily Photo: U.S. Marines Look Out for Taliban in Afghanistan
- Hillary Clinton the Tomboy and Her "Ah-Ha" Moment
- Obama Administration Sudan Envoy Headed to Region
- Daily Photo: Potential Flashpoint in Iraq
- Clinton Says New Afghanistan-Pakistan Plan Depends on Diplomacy
- Exclusive: Three Israeli Airstrikes Against Sudan
- Additional 4,000 Troops to Be Ordered to Afghanistan
- Daily Photo: Navy Submarine Trains in the Arctic
- Alarm Over North Korea Missile Prep
- Anti-Terror Stimulus? US Offers Rewards for Top Terrorists
- Daily Photo: Pakistani Women in Refugee Camp
- Condoleezza Rice Appears on "The Tonight Show"
- Diplomat and Aid Group Sound the Alarm on Darfur Camp Situation
- auto industry rescue
- Ballotwatch
- Biden, Joe
- Bush, George W.
- Clinton, Bill
- Clinton, Hillary
- Dodd, Chris
- Edwards, John
- Giuliani, Rudy
- Gravel, Mike
- Huckabee, Mike
- Hunter, Duncan
- Inauguration
- Iraq
- Kucinich, Dennis
- McCain, John
- Obama, Barack
- Palin, Sarah
- Paul, Ron
- Romney, Mitt
- Tancredo, Tom
- Thompson, Fred
- Veepstakes
- Vote 2008: Democrats
- Vote 2008: Republicans
- Washington
- White House
« Previous | Main | Next »
McCain-Lieberman 'Bro-mance' a Two-Way Street
June 12, 2008 12:00 PM
ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman Reports: It's no secret that the loyalties of self-described "Independent Democrat" Joe Lieberman run right to the presumptive Republican nominee in the 2008 presidential race, but on the Thursday morning airwaves the political bro-mance between the Senate colleagues was a two-way street.
McCain called in to a Connecticut morning radio show being hosted by Sen. Lieberman, Ind-Conn., from his Washington office and when asked if he'd "steal" Lieberman from his home state to serve in his administration, McCain responded "Joe Lieberman will lead this nation in many ways."
Continued McCain, "He can pretty much do whatever he wants. Always, my affection for him begins with my respect for him."
The admiration between the Senate colleagues seemed mutual and "love" blossomed bright.
"One of the reasons I love this guy and support him with my whole heart for president he has consistently on Iraq and everything else has done what's right for the country and not his own political self-interest," Lieberman said.
Lieberman, the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee, praised McCain for his consistency on Iraq, touting him as someone who "never hesitates to reach out across party lines."
"Joe is one of my dearest and closest [friends] and I love him very much," McCain said, adding that he was "grateful for Joe's friendship and he's also a lot of fun."
McCain hedged around any conversation surrounding the Republican veepstakes, describing his list as "fairly long" before he changed the subject.
As ABC News' Jake Tapper reported last week Lieberman's fealty to "Straight Talk" earned him some tough talk from Senate colleague and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
On June 4, two days after securing his party's nomination, Obama greeted Lieberman on the Senate floor, led him to the Democratic side where the two engaged in an intense, out-of-earshot conversation sources described as focusing around Lieberman's support of McCain and the tone of the presidential race.
Watch video of the encounter on the Senate floor HERE.
The next day in his weekly off-camera briefing, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.,described the conversations both he and Obama had with Lieberman as "fruitful" but said he wasn't "about to threaten anybody" about falling in to line.
Reid also noted that Lieberman's Independent vote is important for Democrats on just about every issue but the war in Iraq.
Without Lieberman's vote, the budget would not have passed. Without Lieberman, the budget would not have been written. So I think everybody should understand that Joe Lieberman has made a decision on issues relating to the war. And he's decided to back John McCain. But Joe Lieberman is an important vote for this caucus," Reid said.
June 12, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred, Veepstakes | Permalink | User Comments (83)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Joe Lieberman is as much a democrat as is Mitt Romney. Please, this guy is now and has been a republican for years. Frankly, he's more concerned about Israel than he is the US. Why do you think he's known as "Israel's Representative" by so many people?
Posted by: JR | Jun 12, 2008 12:15:08 PM
JOE LIBERMAN REPUBLICAN REPUBLICAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: angie | Jun 12, 2008 12:20:53 PM
I hope John McCain choses Joe Liberman as his VP. Two old clueless guys.
Posted by: Vanessa | Jun 12, 2008 12:23:28 PM
It's good to see the influence Joe Lieberman has on the Presidential race and even better that he is supporting John McCain. I laughed when Obammy pulled Liebermann aside to try and spin his rhetoric in hopes that he could get Lieberman's endorsement. Lieberman carries a lot of weight with the Republicans, Independents, Democrats, and don't forget the Jews. I think this is a HUGE endorsement for McCain....its going to be GREAT to see John McCain take the oath of office in January 09!
Posted by: david from texas | Jun 12, 2008 12:25:42 PM
Without Lieberman's vote, the budget would not have passed. Without Lieberman, the budget would not have been written. So I think everybody should understand that Joe Lieberman has made a decision on issues relating to the war. And he's decided to back John McCain. But Joe Lieberman is an important vote for this caucus," Reid said.
And once again, Leiberman's vote carries a lot of weight and his endorsement of McCain even more. Way to go, Joe! We want you on McCain's side!
McCain 08! NoBammy 08!
Posted by: david from texas | Jun 12, 2008 12:28:11 PM
Is anyone really clueless about why Lieberman is so much for was with all the middle east muslim countries? C'mon folks. Get a clue. He's Jewish. He'd endorse David Duke or anyone else that promised to torch the middle east. I'm a reoublican for Heaven's Sake and even I can admit that.
Posted by: CMSgt Preston | Jun 12, 2008 12:32:21 PM
It looks like the web editor who allowed the Gay looking Obama pictures is now working on McCain. I really am against McCain but show restraint on the images (the one on the politics page with the giggly looking McCain and Lieberman in close quarters--18 inches fellas!)
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | Jun 12, 2008 12:37:24 PM
DAVID FROM TEXAS KEEP DREAMING THERE IS NO WAY IN H--- MCCAIN WILL WIN NOBODY WANTS AN OLD WARMONGERING CONFUSED DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE ECONOMY MAN BEING PRESIDENT TAKE THAT TO THE BANK MY FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: angie | Jun 12, 2008 12:37:27 PM
I'm not saying I'm against homosexuals but somebody at ABC seems to use such imagery to slam candidates.
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | Jun 12, 2008 12:38:51 PM
Can you picrure these two on the ticket ,OMG...LIB is an aqq hole I can not stand this man he is a creep.
Posted by: me | Jun 12, 2008 12:43:35 PM
A guy who migrates from being Al Gore's VP choice to angling for a spot on McCain's ticket in the same decade is clearly a shameless political chameleon and solely focused on his own ambition.
It's been sad to see Joe sell his soul and his friends off just to further his career.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | Jun 12, 2008 12:51:59 PM
@ Angie.....my goodness, all CAPS....are you screaming? Looks like I hit a "raw nerve", one that says that McCain will most probably win in November because there is no way that Obama with his thin resume' and associations will be able to pander enough votes. BTW, I didn't yell at you, no caps, just facts. We welcome you, Angie, to the voters who support the winning candidate.....President John McCain!
Posted by: david from texas | Jun 12, 2008 12:53:03 PM
Lieberman's allegiance is to the occupation and expansion of the neo-CON Israeli empire. He will not be satisfied until Israel has pushed the Arabs into the Sea. The Palestinians have just as much right to live in the holy land as Israel. They are half brothers, they are family. The land belongs to both the Arabs and the Jews. Apartheid is NOT Peace! Occupation is NOT Peace! Israel has been known for years to stage events (shelling of USS Liberty) and been more than willing to sacrifice their own people (Golda Meir in Munich) to advance their militaristic agenda. And the whole country lives in a police state. (Our own police are being trained in these tactics IN Israel, from all 50 states) Lieberman has allegiance to that agenda, just as McCain, and the other politicans that give Israel a blank check to commit genocide against it's own family, the Palestininans. When are we going to wake up and realize that peace wil only come when we are a fair broker to both sides. Even Israelis are for the peace movement (Seeds of Peace) and don't support the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza anymore. Yet their government encourages ours to occupy Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and is goading us into invading IRAN. And why not, they're not big enough to do it themselves, so why not have us die for their agenda. This is madness, it needs to end. Their is nothing "anti-semitic", about PEACE for Jews and Palestinians, and the men, women and children in the Middle East. American soldiers should die defending America, and not the whims of the UN or Israel or Great Britan, or anyone else under the guise of illegial and undeclared wars.
Posted by: patriot | Jun 12, 2008 12:55:04 PM
DAVID FROM TEXAS DONT DARE WELCOME ME ONLY A FOOL WILL VOTE FOR MCCAIN HE IS A LYING WARMONGERING OLD DONT KNOW WHATS GOING ON IN THE WORLD MAN DONT EVER WELCOME ME TO YOUR LOSING RIDE AND YES IM SHOUTING SHOUTING LOUD NO MCAIN NOT NOW NOT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVERYBODY REPEAT OBAMA YES WE CAN YES WE WILL SHOUT IT SHOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: angie | Jun 12, 2008 1:13:13 PM
@ angie, you crack me up! I love it! I sincerely hope you don't get a coronary with your intensity! But anyway, the offer still stands, welcome to the winning side, President John McCain! BTW, it seems to me your boy, Obammy, is having trouble keeping "key" people in place in his campaign now. Could it be that they are realizing he's "an empty suit with no substance", a "fake", a "liar", or "just plain stupid?" It's ok, I'm sure Obammy will let you campaign for him when he runs for re-election in the senate!
Can you, Angie, say: "Welcome, President John McCain?"
Posted by: david from texas | Jun 12, 2008 1:21:28 PM
David first off you can have lie-berman...
second, what is this thin resume you talk about? Are you saying that obama doesnt have the credentials to be president or... what exactly are you saying?
Posted by: bhrandon | Jun 12, 2008 1:22:26 PM
and who are these key people that you say are leaving?
I saw about 8 people leaving mccains side for being lobbyists, and he hasnt even removed the biggest dirties lobbyists from his team yet...
you call obama a liar, and a fake,
have you even been paying attention to your candidate this week?
HOw many times has he been caught in a lie or made major gaffes on the thing that hes suppose to be his strong suit
i mean, cmon
Posted by: bhrandon | Jun 12, 2008 1:27:24 PM
@hbrandon.....no, Obammy doesn't have the credentials or intellect to be president. He would not be where he is without the DNC, who had him pegged since 2004, and the mainstreet media. Both of these venues cover up or try to cover up his weaknesses......and now, key players in his campaign are stepping down and he will be vetted to no end by the GOP. Why do you think Hillary Clinton only "suspended" her campaign, but kept her delegates? She's smart and knows the messianic brainwashing Obammy has had with his followers is about to dissolve. He's toast....he will never beat McCain.
Posted by: david from texas | Jun 12, 2008 1:27:40 PM
you know what dave from texas your probabaly one of those racisit rednecks down there and if you would pay attention and watch real news unlike fox news which is a joke!! you will see obama is leading mccain i am gonna campaign for mccain to make sure in my state nobody votes for him thats the kinda campaign im gonna run its going to be called LETS KEEP THE OLD MAN OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE campaign see your blogs in nov when obama takes mccain down and wins by a land slide so i can shout and laugh in your face!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: angie | Jun 12, 2008 1:29:22 PM
Lieberman is milking his power position right now for all it's worth.
Too bad for him, time's almost up. There's a downballot slaughter coming with the Nov. 2008 Obama victory. His caucusing with Dems won't be worth spit anymore, and they are going to promptly and fully pay him back for his actions such as his refusal to denounce as false the GOP-spread rumor that Obama is a muslim.
Posted by: ToastOnDayOne | Jun 12, 2008 1:32:58 PM
Post a comment



