(Former Gov. Lowell) Weicker targets Bush, Lieberman and Iraq war

[sabra]

http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--weickercriticism1205dec05,0,3028571.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut

Weicker targets Bush, Lieberman and Iraq war

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Former Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. said Monday that Sen. Joe Lieberman deserves a stiff challenge in next year's re-election campaign, though he said he would not take up a grudge match against the Democrat who ousted him from the U.S. Senate in 1988.
...

"I have seen this country propagandized into war," Weicker said. "It's now a second wave of propagandizing, with the president taking the stump, joined by persons like Senator Joe Lieberman."

...

Weicker said U.S. troops should be removed from Iraq in six months to a year.
"I support the troops. I do not support the commander in chief," he said.

Of Lieberman, he said: "I disagree 100 percent with the position he has taken on this war. The nation does not need a Democrat to second the president's policy."

[mazzarro]

1. Honestly - I will not mind Weicker replacing Liebermann .... eom

[MrBenchley]

10. Did you miss that HE'S NOT RUNNING?

(sigh)

[J-Hen]

11. That's too bad

This is the same man you kept calling an "asswipe" the other day. Lowell Weicker is a progressive fighting on our side when it comes to issues such as trade, health care, and the war.

[MrBenchley]

13. And he's not a Democrat

so he can go fuck himself, as far as I'm concerned...

[IndianaGreen]

15. Neither is your hero Lieberman!

Weicker is honest and independent, Holy Joe is neither!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

35. [r hero Lieberman]

*delete*

[MrBenchley]

40. Says you....

Of course, the Connecticut Democratic party begs to differ....

http://dems.info/index2.php

[TankLV]

68. Yeah - this repuke in dino clothing scolds all of us who dare criticize

the AWOL pResident or his policies - AGAIN!

Some democrat!

I'd rather have a progressive to replace this conservative asswipe.

[ihelpu2see]

16. I have listened to him quite often and would support him any day

over Lieberman!! Do you remember he helped bring down nixon in watergate???

Weiker puts country first not ideology... and he is an independent!!

[MrBenchley]

41. Whoop-dee-fucking-doo.

[salin]

21. He left the republican party years ago - he is an independent.

wonder who, were he to run (which he isn't) and win, he would caucus with...

[MrBenchley]

42. And he's not a Democrat and he's not running

[JerseygirlCT]

22. He's no longer a Republican, either

Although even when he was he was almost always on the side of right.

Don't be so quick to dismiss the man. He's a tough son of a gun, but not afraid to say the things most people won't say. Or do them.

He's an independent, and I'd happily vote for him again.

[MrBenchley]

43. He's not running either....

[JerseygirlCT]

52. Well, paper this morning now says

that he's considering it if someone else doesn't jump in.

I was pretty surprised at that.

The article also said that Weicker had been approached by some known Dems. about running themselves, but he didn't name names.

[IndianaGreen]

59. I am sure that MoveOn and other progressive groups

will rally around Weicker were he to challenge Lieberman.

[bpilgrim]

29. not gonna win many middle-of-the-roaders over with that attitude

:evilgrin:

peace

[MrBenchley]

39. Don't need to--they're already there

I'll remind you Lieberman has 69% approval ratings in Connecticut.

[salin]

20. He is the ONLY republican senator I ever supported over a dem

back in 1988. I wish he would run!

[NewJeffCT]

25. He said he would not rule out running

if no viable alternative to Lieberman came about. And, none have, and the Republicans will not have any viable options, either.

No link on that, but he was on local radio today (WTIC AM 1080)

[salin]

27. Please let it be... !

I can not imagine that he would, as an independent and maverick, caucus with the republicans... likely to be like Jeffords. Thus a slightly more liberal senator from Connecticut than Lieberman, with no net loss of voting power in the senate.

[J-Hen]

36. NYT: Weicker May Run against Lieberman

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/06/nyregion/metrocampaigns/06weicker.html?adxnnl=1&oref=login&adxnnlx=1133848689-OOc2F+OZ1cm8cqIGHe3Lgg

HARTFORD, Dec. 5 - Former Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. on Monday criticized Senator Joseph I. Lieberman's continued support of the war in Iraq and said that if no candidate challenged the senator on the issue in the 2006 election, he would consider running.

[wordpix]

57. I'd consider voting for Weicker on basis of his get out of Iraq stand

BUT---I'd like to know what else he stands for. He's right, though, that Iraq will be the Big Issue in next election.

[J-Hen]

37. Looks like you may still have to deal with him

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/06/nyregion/metrocampaigns/06weicker.html?adxnnl=1&oref=login&adxnnlx=1133848689-OOc2F+OZ1cm8cqIGHe3Lgg

[napi21]

2. Weicker is a Pub, isn't he?

I've been reading that he might challenge Leiberman in 06, but what's the deal with slamming Shrub?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

6. he was - but I thought he went independent. Conn is true blue -

69% hate Bush, so I can't believe we can't get a super progressive. Weicker would be good if we can not. Much better than Joe-Mo

[wordpix]

55. Weicker is unaffiliated---formed A Connecticut Party after loss to JoeMo

"Weicker, who acquired a reputation as a maverick even before leaving the GOP two years after his stunning loss to Lieberman to form A Connecticut Party and win the governor's office, said more candidates who are unaffiliated with either major party should seek public office. "

[wordpix]

56. CT not true blue--Repuke Gov. John the Con Rowland and now his deputy

Repuke, Jodi Rell, are running the state. And we have to contend with JoeMo, too, who is lately BushCo's No. 1 man in the Senate.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

58. but her approval rating is sky high

[J-Hen]

9. No he is no longer a Republican

He endorsed Bill Bradley in the 2000 election and Dean in 2004. Though even as a Republican he was more liberal than Lieberman.

[IndianaGreen]

14. Weicker is an independent

Lieberman is the one that is a repuke!

[burythehatchet]

3. Fantastic

This kind of stuff can definitely hurt Loserman, and possibly hurt him enough to get a challenger into the race. I suspect that may be Weicker's intent.

[AX10]

4. My Parents voted for Weicker.

1976:
President: Carter (D)
Senate: Weicker (R)

1982:
Governor: O'Neill (D)
Senate: Weicker (R)

1988:
President: Dukaukis (D)
Senate: Weicker (R)

[JerseygirlCT]

23. I moved here in time for the 88 race and happily

voted for him then.

I voted for him for Gov. as well. I also happily supported Eunice Groark (his Lt. Gov.) when she made her run for governor.

Sometimes the person is more important than the party. See Joe Lieberman if you want proof!

[lovuian]

5. Liberman is scum... kissed by Bush!!! and we all know why!!!

theres no getting around it he sold out his country!!!

[Cha]

17. Hopefully it was the "kiss"

of death(politically speaking) for joe-ho!

[zara]

7. Move On needs to challenge Smokin Joe

[IChing]

8. His record is outstanding see below.

http://scs.student.virginia.edu/~decweb/issue/1997/04/17/word/political.html
Lowell P. Weicker, graduate of Yale University and Virginia Law, was a United States Congressman and Senator from Connecticut.
He first gained national recognition for berating members of his own Republican party while serving on the Congressional investigation of Watergate
. After losing his seat in 1988, he successfully ran for Governor of Connecticut as an independent.
He has been the recipient of the Wayne Morse Political Integrity Award (1988)
and the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award (1992).

A major opponent of prayer in schools, Weicker has always had a reverential attitude for the founding fathers of the Constitution and their stance on the separation of church and state. He pointed out, "All you have to do is look at Bosnia and Northern Ireland -- and that's what happens when you mix religion and politics."

In many articles over the years, he has pointed out that if the founding fathers had not acted against their own self interest, we would still live in a nation ruled by twenty tobacco planters and five New England merchants. "It's sad how few people nowadays you can find who are willing to act against their own self interest. That's what we need right now."

He currently resides in Alexandria,Va. and teaches two classes here at U.Va.: a Constitutional Law class at the Law School and a University Seminar called, "Politics: a High or Low Calling." Weicker's class is designed to encourage students that they can make a career in government and still hold on to their integrity.

[connecticut yankee]

12. Lowell was a "Maverick"

The Repukes hated him. He always voted his conscience.

He angered many of the conservatives with his outspoken comments, and he was on the panel that indicted Nixon.

When Lieberman ran against him in 1988, William F. Buckley formed "Buckpac" and raised money to help Joe win. Buckley's often said that Lieberman is his favorite Democrat.

That really shows the kind of Democrat Lieberman is. The Dems in lower Fairfield County can't stand him.

Weicker got back at them by forming his own "A Connecticut Party" and won the Governor's race in 1990. He didn't run for a second term.

The Repukes never put up a strong candidate against Lieberman. They didn't have to.

[Cha]

18. So back in '88 william

freakin' buckley wanted joe lieman to be the dem senator from Connecticut? Hmm..what does that tell me about ol' kissy up to bush joe?

[ihelpu2see]

19. Weiker for Gov. was my first chance to vote, I was 20 and proud to vote

for an independant.... As I have gotten older (now 35) I have always been interested in his opion, as I have become more and more progressive....

[kskiska]

26. Weicker never ran for a 2nd term because he never would have won

(snip)

When did it really start going downhill? Pretty clearly, it was when former GOP Senator Lowell Weicker was elected governor of Connecticut in 1990. Prior to Weicker’s reign, Connecticut was one of the few last holdouts with no state income tax (or at least, earned income tax). Weicker ran for governor as an independent, on a clear campaign of opposing an income tax. Once elected, of course, he abandoned this pledge and became an income-tax crusader. He got the tax enacted; then, after massive protests, the legislature repealed it, but Weicker vetoed the repeal. Among other things, we can thank governor Weicker for the fact that Connecticut was the only state in the union to actually lose population between the censuses of 1990 and 2000.

http://www.claremont.org/weblog/002888.html

[salin]

28. wonder how their bottom dollar

(state deficits) compare to those of non-income state taxes; wonder how the services compare. In the climate of 1994, I can fully understand the backlash... (14 years of reaganistic randian propoganda)... have to wonder what the sentiment would be today...

[kskiska]

30. I'm not an economist

but I'm of the impression that they've spent their way into oblivion with all the new revenue.

I left there just before Weicker came in, but I don't know any Dems there who were happy about that income tax, and they're still bitter about it. No one minded the jai alai, the Indian casino, the dog track, or the lottery.

[PassingFair]

67. Wow, you forgot the 2 beginning paragraphs and the TITLE!

(sans snip!)

Civil Unions and the Demise of a Once-Decent State

It has almost become embarrassing to admit that I’m a native of Connecticut. The latest blow to this once-decent place to live is the impending passage by the state legislature of a law allowing same-sex civil unions – which would make it the second state to do so, although the first to do so without a court order.

While many red-staters simply consider Connecticut to be indistinguishable from Massachusetts, its neighbor to the north, it wasn’t always so. True, Connecticut has for a long time been a blue-collar Democratic state; but growing up there, we used to make fun of the liberalism in Massachusetts, and especially of its liberal tax policies, for which it was dubbed “Tax-achusetts.” And, even in 1988, Connecticut voted for Bush over neighboring Massachusets governor Dukakis.

When did it really start going downhill? Pretty clearly, it was when former GOP Senator Lowell Weicker was elected governor of Connecticut in 1990. Prior to Weicker’s reign, Connecticut was one of the few last holdouts with no state income tax (or at least, earned income tax)....

I'm off to google the claremont people....

ON EDIT!!!

Fine resources you're using there!

http://www.lewrockwell.com/dilorenzo/dilorenzo38.html

"If there was ever any doubt over whether the Claremont Institute was anything but a propaganda shill for the Republican Party, Ken Masugi erased it with his recent fawning and swooning over President Bush’s state of the union address. In a January 29 article on the Institute’s web site he gushes over Bush’s speech like a school girl smitten by puppy love...."

[NewJeffCT]

24. Weicker got elected as an anti-Vietnam war Republican in 1968!

He ran against a pro war Democrat in running for US Congress.

When Lieberman ran for Senate in 1988, Lieberman ran to Weicker's right.

[Freddie Stubbs]

54. And Lieberman won that election

CT is a blue state, but it is a moderate state also.

[donheld]

31. Good for Mr Weicker

Some real Democrat needs to take Loserman's seat away.

[goforit]

32. Weicker has my vote!!!....I use to live there. I wish I did now!!!

Kick Joe permanently out of office....
whether elected or appointed!!!

NO MORE NON-USA SPIES!!!!!

[depakid]

33. "...though he did not slam the door entirely "

"You're not going to tell somebody in politics for 32 years you have no interest at all," he said. "I would hope, however, that the Democratic party exercises some choices."

Others in the Democratic Party who are considering a race have called him seeking his support, he said after his 15-minute talk. Weicker did not identify them.

The war in Iraq will be the primary issue, he said. "It's the war. Make no mistake about it."

He derided Democrats as "a bunch of wimps" who are as bad as Bush.

"It's a one-party deal. That's what we've come to," Weicker said.

[hezekkia]

34. I'd support Weicker

but only if he caucuses with the Dems!

:kick:

[wiley]

38. He should join the Democratic Party already

[MrBenchley]

44. Exactly....

Otherwise he can go screw....

[WhollyHeretic]

66. So Lieberman is wonderful because he calls himself a Dem and Weicker

is evil incarnate because he's an independent? Sorry but I care about issues, I'm not into blind obedience.

[NewJeffCT]

45. Weicker: Anti-War Candidate? (may challenge Lieberman)

Weicker: Anti-War Candidate?
He Lost His U.S. Senate Seat To Joe Lieberman. At 74, He May Try To Win It Back
December 6, 2005
By MARK PAZNIOKAS, Courant Staff Writer

Lowell P. Weicker Jr. is 74 and walks with a cane these days, but he may have one more run left in him - as an anti-war candidate against the Democrat who took away his Senate seat in 1988, Joseph I. Lieberman.

In the blogosphere and on talk radio, the left has been casting about for months for someone to oppose Lieberman's re-election in 2006 over his support of President Bush and the war in Iraq.

Weicker told reporters Monday after a speaking engagement before the Hartford Rotary Club that he reluctantly would consider taking on that role, but only if no other credible anti-war candidate stepped forward.

"I have a very settled life at this stage of the game," said Weicker, who is retired and living in Essex with his wife, Claudia. "I am not at all anxious to jump back into the arena of politics."

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-weicker1206.artdec06,0,6569786.story?coll=hc-headlines-local

[the other one]

46. I am an ABC person

That is: Anybody But Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman

[NewJeffCT]

47. The only thing that scares me is...

when Rowland got elected in 1994, he basically won on a split vote between Independents & Democrats in a 3 way race.

The article implies one of the top Republicans in the state may get into the race if Weicker also gets in... so, we'd have the liberal Weicker, moderate Lieberman splitting the 65% of the vote and a conservative Republican maybe winning with like 35%.

[Dover]

48. A loss wouldn't necessarily put Lieberman on the sidelines

If a DLC-type candidate won the presidential election, then they would probably employ him in some capacity. Remember Ashcroft....

So vote him out if you can Conn., but don't assume that will be the end of it.

[still_one]

49. maybe, but in my view liberman in the last six years

has voted mostly with the republicans anyway so what does it matter?

He voted for the bankrupcy law, the IWR, the Patriot act.

Could you educate me and tell me in the last six years what progressive issues he has voted on?

[NewJeffCT]

65. Here is Lieberman on the issues

He is rated 100% by NARAL, meaning strongly pro-choice (the guy many on DU orgasm over - Chuck Hagel - was rated 0% by NARAL)

Voted NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
Voted NO on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
Voted NO on disallowing overseas military abortions. (May 1999)
Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003)
Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)

He is rated 0% by the Christian Coalition. Again, the guy that DU orgasms over - Chuck Hagel - is rated 100% by the Christian Coalition.

Rated 100% regarding votes on public health issues.
Rated 100% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-labor voting record.

Said "flag burning is abhorrent, but not a constitutional issue", which puts him to the left of Hillary. He also voted against drilling in ANWR.

While I hate his stance on Iraq, he has done okay on a lot of other issues.

http://www.issues2000.org/Joseph_Lieberman.htm

[TankLV]

69. And TODAY he just kissed bunkerboy's ass AGAIN while at the same time

slamming the rest of the democratic party for DARING to criticize this AWOL CRIMNAL pResident!

[connecticut yankee]

50. Yes, but

Weicker ran for Governor as "A Connecticut Party" candidate in 1990 and won, taking votes from both Democrats and Republicans.

When Rowland ran in 1994, it was against Weicker's Lieutenant Governor, Eunice Groark. She ran a distant third.

[Peace Patriot]

51. "74 and walking with a cane." All the old guys--the fighters, the

antiwar activists, the anti-Nixonites--are coming forth to save us. Jimmy Carter, in his 80s--his new anti-Bush book about American values is huge (sold out all over UTAH, I just heard--of all places!). And I just heard 84 year old Fr. Dan Berrigan (burner of Draft records in the '60s, fugitive on "ten most wanted list," Jesuit priest--still) on the Alan Colmbs show a couple of days ago, planning to get arrested over the Iraq war (he wouldn't say where/when).

Weicker was a better Democrat than many Democrats. He very much opposed the Vietnam War. (i don't think he'll let the vote get split. He wants a good Dem to run.)

What's happened to Connecticut? It used to be a great liberal state. Now it has two bad, bad Dems, might as well be Repubs--Dodd (of the Bilderberg Group and the Diebold/ES&S electronic voting scam) and Lieberman.

[Freddie Stubbs]

63. What is wrond with the Bilderberg Group?

Many Democrats (including John Edwards) have attended Bilderberg meetings.

[Freddie Stubbs]

53. Lieberman beat him once before by running as a centrist

opposing the liberal Weicker. My guess is that that Weicker knows better and won't run.

[IndianaGreen]

61. Lieberman fooled a lot of people back then

We now know the sort of scumbag that Lieberman is.

[Freddie Stubbs]

62. He ran as a centrist

and delivered.

[IndianaGreen]

64. He delivered the war in Iraq, PATRIOT, and torture

He was kissed by Bush on both cheeks. He went to Iraq and came back with a glowing report that outdid Rumsfeld's drug-induced optimistic pronouncements.

Holy Joe delivered alright!

[TankLV]

70. And he continues to CRITICIZE OTHER DEMOCRATS

while kissing bunkerboy's sticky slimy brown ass!

[Freddie Stubbs]

71. Most of the Democrats in Congress supported the PATRIOT Act

Including paul Wellstone. Were were the calls for his head?

[Walt Starr]

60. RUN LOWELL RUN!!!!

I'd donate!