FATEFUL FRIENDS? Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman (right).
President-elect Barack Obama’s honeymoon with conservatives may not last until Thanksgiving Day if partisan Democrats serve up the head of Conn. Sen. Joe Lieberman on a platter.
Sen. Lieberman, who’s a so-called independent Democrat and serves as a Homeland Security committee chairman in the Senate, may be living on borrowed time not only for sticking his finger in the eyes of fellow Democrats and Obama himself, but also for his support for the war in Iraq, during the election season.
Of course, now that the election is over, Sen. Lieberman is sorta saying, “Never mind…” Here’s what he had to say at a post-election press statement:
“Now that the election is over, it is time to put partisan considerations aside and come together as a nation to solve the difficult challenges we face and make our blessed land stronger and safer… I pledge to work with President-elect Obama and his incoming administration in their efforts to reinvigorate our economy and keep our nation secure and free.”
Sen. Lieberman met this week with Senate Majority Leader Reid. So far, so good. Reid seems willing to at least publicly take a wait and see stance about Lieberman’s position in the Democratic caucus and leadership role.
Why should evangelicals care? The fate of Lieberman provides a political test for the incoming, fist-bumping Team Obama. If Lieberman takes it in the neck, that will mean either Obama lost an early power struggle with fellow Democrats or tacitly approved.
Lieberman’s legislative record is very mixed. He’s extremely pro-choice, but, of course, a strong supporter of Israel and the war in Iraq.
Watch Lieberman’s fate as an early indicator of what will happen in the new Congress and new administration.
If you wish to explore all the ties with conservatives, be sure to see the Wikipedia entry on Lieberman (click here), and you can form your own opinion about “The Bush Kiss.”
