December 08, 2005

Is Lieberman Pentagon-Bound?

The NY Daily News is pushing rumors that Rumsfeld is ready to retire early next year. It would make logical sense for him to leave shortly after next week's Parliamentary elections in Iraq, if he were to leave at all. And the idea that Sen. Joseph Lieberman would be his replacement is whipping it's way through Washington circles.

Rumors that Lieberman could replace Rumsfeld started flying early this week, and Bush and Vice President Cheney fanned the flames by quoting the former Democratic veep candidate's pro-war statements.

The mention of Lieberman's name prompted some Democrats to whisper that he is lobbying for the job.

"Lieberman seems to be coordinating his statements on the war with the White House," a Senate Democratic source said.

The source pointed to a news conference this week where Lieberman urged his party not to undermine Bush. The timing of Lieberman's pitch, also this week, to form a bipartisan "war cabinet" to aid Bush was cited as well.

But Lieberman and Team Bush dismissed the rumors.

I'd say such a possibility is 50/50. I certainly wouldn't blame him for wanting the job, he's certainly no longer welcome within his own caucus. If this pans out, here's how it affects 2006: Republican Governor Jodi Rell will appoint GOP Congresswoman Nancy Johnson to fill the Senate vacancy. The seat itself is up for grabs in 2006, so she will have to go immediately into campaign mode. A special election will be called for the House seat and the 5th Congressional District gets a new Representative in Congress.

But this makes it interesting for Democrats. They've already geared up to challenge Lieberman for the nomination. Now they would have to front a candidate out of nowhere with no one paying attention to the primary fight. And Nancy Johnson, even though she is a Republican, is popular in Connecticut and a known quantity (and mostly Liberal, to boot). Beating Johnson with her already occupying the seat would be an uphill battle even in a state as Blue as Connecticut.

Should be interesting. Stay tuned.

h/t: Memeorandum

Posted by: Gary at 10:00 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 350 words, total size 2 kb.

1 ARGH. Couldn't we get someone more in line with the military ... like Dr Strangelove?

Posted by: mdmhvonpa at December 08, 2005 12:34 PM (6x1mQ)

2 I highly doubt he will even get the primary based on his flip flop lies. I am a constituent of this "life-er" politician here in Ct and I can say he has done nothing to better this state or helps its residences when in need. We are the highest gas tax in the union. He helps big money fat cats here in Ct. His staff has something to be desired as well. I had an encounter with them last summer when my American wife, 3 American children and myself traveled to Israel where Joe Liberman is a citzen of. All 3 of my children became very ill after 1 week and the Israelis would not give my wife a permit to go home because they racistly discriminate Americans based on where they were born(she was born in the West bank 30 years ago). I contacted my state's senators office and congressman's office while at gunpoint by an Israeli gunman at an Israeli guntower settlement with my 10 month old baby in my arms in 100 degrees with no shade.Why did I have my baby and 2 other boys with me? They did not beleive my children were sick so they demanded I bring the kids and doctors note. It was very scary when I was told to abandon, my American wife, the mother of my 3 children, possibly her being killed by an Israeli gunman or palestinian suicide bomber, and to go home by Joe libermans office. It was not until after we contacted the YMCA which helped get the permit which we had to obtain at midnight back at the israeli settler guntower who point guns at the Taxpayers who give them the guns, meaning Americans. Lieberman supports this sick racism because he did nothing to influence our so-called "ally" in which he is a citzen of, to allow an american family to pass without delay or racistly segragate an American which is even stated on every Americans passport. By the way, Lieberman's staff were informed of these racist demands and was met with excuses and confusion, obviously not prepared for emergencies. Even though Christopher Shays office did nothing either, they atleast assigned a staff member to stay in contact with my family. Liberman's office could have cared less if Americans were killed by Israeli settler gunman, ironicly with the guns Joe Liberman helps get there! Very sick scary story people but ever so true! i could not make up this kind of stuff if I tried and Lieberman nor his staff has ever contacted me to state what will be done to our assistance to this region who receives so much support from Liberman.

Posted by: james at July 12, 2006 11:07 AM (Gfa+n)

3 As a life-long resident of CT, I respectfully disagree about Lieberman's service to the State. Perhaps you don't fully understand the way our political system works, but the State gas tax is a function of our State's General Assembly. Lieberman - a U.S. Senator who represents CT in Washington D.C. - doesn't have anything to do with that. As far as your international incident, that's unfortunate. But to blame a U.S. Senator and his staff for your troubles overseas is like blaming your State Senator because you were unjustly detained by the local police. You should have called the U.S. Consulate in Israel for assistance. Your rambling story is hard to follow and leaves out a great many details. Something tells me there's more to it than what you describe. Israel is a lone democracy surrounded by hostile nations who wish to destroy it. And it has to deal with the real threat of terrorism within its borders on a day to day basis. Somehow I think they have better things to do than needlessly detain a man and his family just because his wife was born in the West Bank. Supporting our ally Israel doesn't make Joe Lieberman a racist. That's your own conclusion. And it isn't one that is shared by a majority of his constituents.

Posted by: Gary at July 12, 2006 03:30 PM (PLHs9)

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