Lieberman needs to clean up his act

[alvarezadams]

In how many public forums and platforms can this man be associated with the likes of Pearle, Wolfowitz, Kirkpatrick and the like - and still be considered a Dem?

A handful of token liberal stances does not a liberal make - no matter how the "analysis" of his voting record is painted. When the chips are down - that is to say, in the all important areas of the economy and foreign policy - his stances tend to mirror those of the radical wing of the GOP.

And this is not an empty assertion, it can be corroborated by any number of politically-aware posters here or anywhere else in the blogosphere.

Here's an example of "what's wrong with Joe-memtum":

http://www.irc-online.org/content/3297

It isn't in vain that whenever one looks at some of the funding behind the DLC and its thinktank, the PPI - one finds the same rw ideologues such as the Olins, Bradleys, etc.- plus a myriad of links to AEI, PNAC, et al.

How many of you agree that the term "liberal hawk" is oxymoron?

[robinlynne]

1. He is no longer considered a dem.

hasn't been for a while.

[Erika]

2. Most of us are awaiting his party change

Gore didn't even offer an endorsement.

[SnoopDog]

3. Liberal Hawk....?

Yes, these are Americans (me included) who are Dem/Liberal who will fight to our death to defend America should it be required - provided it is a valid reason and warranted. Otherwise, there is ALWAYS a better, peaceful, smarter, diplomatic means to solve a problem.

[alvarezadams]

6. That's not a hawk

that's common sense.

Defense is a given. NOBODY will stand aside if the country is attacked. Yet by definition a hawk is one that takes the most extreme view of defense, taking it to the point of offense.

I stand by Smedley Smith on this one. The role of our military can only be to defend our national borders... or, in concert with the rest of the world, to uphold international law.

How many wars have we fought to "defend national interests"? How many of these "national interests" have been, in fact, commercial interests of large corporations?

Ike was right with his military/industrial farewell speech. And on a personal note, I will NEVER support a hawk, no matter what his voting record is.

Nuremburg put it out pretty clearly:

"Principle VI
The crimes hereinafter set out are punishable as crimes under international law:

(a) Crimes against peace:
(i) Planning, preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances;
(ii) Participation in a common plan or conspiracy for the accomplishment of any of the acts mentioned under (i). "

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_Principles

[SnoopDog]

11. I am with you on this...

And, as my previous post states - there is always a better, smarter, peaceful, and elegant solutions to the problems that face our tiny Earth.

It is nice to know that there are civil people through out the world.

[Hippo_Tron]

4. Nah, he can keep associating with those people all he wants...

And come 12:00 PM on January 3rd, Senator Lamont will be taking over for Lieberman.

[Danieljay]

5. Hello? Anyone home? He's and effing DINO. Democrat In Name Only. n/t

[AtomicKitten]

7. No, he's not.

He's a Bush butt-kissing Democrat, but a Democrat nonetheless. A Democrat that may change parties because he's afraid of losing to Lamont. That would make him a not particularly loyal Democrat if he did, and then he would be an Independent.

But the phrase "DINO" is too often thrown about here capriciously and erroneously. It would be applicably applied to Zell Miller or some DU'ers who have declared they will vote third party if this or that candidate wins the Democratic nod in 2008.

[alvarezadams]

17. It seems

that the "D" label is more important to you than anything else. Yet you apply "DINO" to Zell - when he's doing practically the same thing as Lieberman.

"DINO" = Democrat in Name Only. That is to say, one who keeps the "D" while not supporting Democratic principles.

While it can be argued that the DNC has produced many hawks and cons in the past, the polarization in American politics has erased the liberal wing of the GOP from existence. There is no such thing as a "Rockefeller Republican" anymore... yet the DNC does not appear savvy enough to purge ITself of those who do not represent its ideals. Or not savvy enough to identify and stick to ideals.

The putative attempt at capturing the "center" has resulted in the DNC being a "hic haec hoc" party. The likes of a Lieberman is more likely to drive progressives to abstention than to capture "centrists". We've seen what the DLC's electoral success rate has been.

IT'S TIME TO DRAW THE LINE. NOW.

[Name removed]

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[alvarezadams]

19. Not quite

"But you are disregarding his otherwise very liberal voting record."

I have repeatedly noted that a "liberal" voting record based on token votes matters next to nothing when put in perspective. Where it COUNTS (economy, foreign policy), the man is as conservative as the most radical neocon GOPer.

"It is not something you can just conveniently kick to the curb and ignore because it doesn't fit in with the picture you want to paint."

I don't conveniently kick to the curb and ignore it - I just realize it for what it is.

"95% of the people here including me don't support them, but I think some of you enjoy wailing on the subject regardless. "

It is a key subject. The DNC machine appears to be in their hands, the last potus candidates all come from the DLC. Ignore them at your own risk, I say.

"If we don't exude X amount of venom, we are tagged DLC/HRC apologists or shills. It's such bullshit nonsense. I'm not interested....But when push comes to shove and I don't get what I want ... I will still vote Democratic."

No need to exaggerate. If you want to take politics as a team sport, goferit.

[LincolnMcGrath]

8. Rest assured.

The dlcentrists will not tolerate this dissent.

[alvarezadams]

9. Ever hear of...

the Adolf Hitler Spende?

[LincolnMcGrath]

10. Yes

[alvarezadams]

14. So you have any thoughts on...

the Olin's, Scaife's, Bradley's, et al?

Rhetorical question, but feel free to vent if you want to. I do so at every opportunity.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[AusGail]

15. Lieberman needs to make it official

and admit that he is paid up member of the Republican Party. How an honest to goodness Democrat can vote for him in any way is beyond me.

[oasis]

16. When Lieberman pushes Rove's phony WMD story, we'll know what's up then.

;-)