Lieberman won't rule out running as a Republican

[Awsi Dooger]

Just saw this on MyDD and Kos. There's a new thread in GD but it certainly belongs here also.

Mulling the question of running as a Republican? This is pure traitor and remarkably masochistic. It can't survive any amount of attempted spin. If Lieberman doesn't rebuke the press secretary's comment and soon, he plunges.

http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2006/jul/19/ct_sen_will_lieberman_rule_out_accepting_gop_line

"Yesterday we brought you word that some Republicans in Connecticut think it would be a good idea to offer their line to Joe Lieberman if he loses the Dem primary to Ned Lamont and if current GOP candidate Alan Schlesinger can be given the push.

This is of course a pretty far-fetched scenario. But then again, everything about this race has been far-fetched.

So today Election Central has just posed a simple question to the Lieberman campaign:

Will Lieberman or will he not rule out running on the GOP line if he loses to Lamont in August and it's offered to him?

This is fairly straightforward: Yes, or no? Which is it?

The question has been posed to Lieberman campaign deputy press secretary Noah Kores, and the campaign is mulling it."

[DinahMoeHum]

1. "Precious! Precious! My precious Senate seat! Precious!"

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

The comments on the site are funny as hell:

"Joe puts the "Bi" in "bi-partisan"

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Straight Shooter]

2. I don't know if the campaign is "mulling" the issue or the response.

They need to be very careful how they word this. I have great qualms about Lieberman, but except for the war he has had a fairly decent progressive record. Edit to add, also except for his shortsightedness vis-a-vis availability of the morning after pill.

As for the race being far-fetched, what's so hard to believe about Lieberman being challenged by a worthy opponent? :shrug:

[Awsi Dooger]

5. You might be right, but another example of woefully unprepared

A press secretary or deputy press secretary or anyone with PR responsibility should have been briefed on that question and been ready with a specific response. Mulling it over is incomparably weak.

Again, it's not like this question should have been unexpected, just like the upsurgent candidacy as a whole. Lieberman cruised to two simple re-elections and thought this would be another.

I despise incompetent handicapping, which puts me against Lieberman more than his stance on Iraq. We need sharp people who can anticipate.

[sendero]

9. And while we're at it..

... let's not forget his efforts to get Alito and Roberts confirmed. That's really good for the environment and civil rights and reproductive rights, NOT.

[Pithy Cherub]

11. Hillarious one liner from dailykos:

"If I offered you a drink that was 90% pure water and 10% toxic waste, would you still drink it?" That sums up those voting stats quite nicely. :rofl:

[crim son]

15. I don't believe that his "decent" record as a progressive would

preclude the notion of his running as a repuke. He may think that he will get the moderate conservative vote (or the angry conservative vote, as the case may be) and a fair portion of the liberal vote as well.

Talk about flip-flopping. Dem, Indep. or Repuke? Whatever works, I guess.

[skipos]

3. Oh Lieberman defenders.... where are you?

I'd like to hear what you have to say about this.

[CTyankee]

6. Don't hold your breath, Skip

If Joe does run as a pub, you won't see those guys doing much of anything on DU.

[Crunchy Frog]

16. You just hate Democrats, don't you.

You closet Green far lefty, you. (lame attempt at doing a Lieberman supporter impersonation.)

[TankLV]

20. Paging "mr" whatshisname. Paging "mr" whatshisname.

You're wanted on the repuke line!

[Fovea]

4. And why not?

He's one of the more ardent ** supporters in congress.

We now see what direction joementum is vectored toward.

[LowerManhattanite]

7. B-but-but...

"...he said he'll caucus with the Democrats, which would make it all okay! :)

[fearthem]

8. A man without a party; stage exit!

[ChipsAhoy]

10. It sure as hell figures. n/t

[INdemo]

12. What Connecticut needs

Is a law like most states have nicknamed "the sore looser law"
Which means if a candidate loses in the primary running on a particular party ticket that candidate is prevented from running on another partie's lineup...

[Pale Blue Dot]

13. Has anyone considered that maybe the signature gathering

...for his "independent" run isn't going so well?

Perhaps this is his only remaining option.

[Awsi Dooger]

14. The Lieberman campaign insists he will not run as a Republican

Frankly, this looks like it was a story without any substance and I'm a bit embarrassed I posted a thread here. Although it was being reported at MyDD, DailyKos and here on GD. As I posted early in this thread, it might be a case of the campaign simply not being prepared, as has been the case throughout. Even a deputy press secretary should have been ready with an immediate response to a question like this.

From the same blog as the original paragrahps atop this thread:

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/

"As I wrote below, Election Central posed a question this morning to the Lieberman campaign: Would he or would he not rule out a run on the GOP line if he lost the Dem primary and the line were offered to him?

Well, now campaign spokesperson Marion Steinfels has gotten back to me, and the answer is: He rules it out. Completely.

Steinfels said that Lieberman would "absolutely not" run on the GOP line. She added: "He has said he's always been a Democrat, and he'll always be a Democrat."

Asked if he'd rule out accepting the line, Steinfels said: "Joe Lieberman will never run as a Republican. Never."

[MarkDevin]

17. That makes sense.

I have my problems with Lieberman, but that man is not stupid. Running as a Republican would have been political suicide for Lieberman. He must know it, too.

[Bonobo]

23. What's the big difference between him saying he would run as a Indie and

him running as a Repub. I see no difference. Either is a betrayal to the Democratic party and to the will of the Democrats of Connecticut.

[ticapnews]

28. Except that he would run as an Independent, or in his own party...

so the line about "He has said he's always been a Democrat, and he'll always be a Democrat" is a bunch of bunk.

[Czolgosz]

18. Is he trying to lose?

[leesa]

19. I think he should run in Israel, it's where his loyalties lie.

[LincolnMcGrath]

21. Don't forget the Guckert-Gannon link to Joementum

[saracat]

22. ooooooh! Is that supposed to scare us into voting for you Joe?

What a contemptable think to even imply! And I don't care if they only used the term "mulling it over". It is digusting that in these times,no matter WHAT the situation,an elected Dem would even consider turning coat. Joe is a pig.

[zulchzulu]

24. You may as well take off the mask, Joe...

I can't wait until he fades out of the limelight.

[lvx35]

25. I wish he would!

I have heard freepers sigh and wonder when he is going to come over. If he love's Bush's policies so much, why not do it?

[LibertyorDeath]

26. No Shit

Surprised--Not

[BrightKnight]

27. .

[GreenTea]

29. No traitor here, just showing his true ideology.

But we know this!!

[cmkramer]

30. it was a bullshit story

with absolutely no basis in fact whatsoever.

Kos and everyone else who ran with this is a fucking liar.