MyDD :: Tim Kaine endorsed Joe Lieberman for President in 2004

Tim Kaine endorsed Joe Lieberman for President in 2004

by rayj, Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 12:49:47 PM EST

According to ABC News:

But before everyone gets ready to anoint Tim Kaine as Obama's VP, consider this startling fact, which has some of the liberal blogs up in arms: Tim Kaine endorsed Joe Lieberman for president in 2004--over both John Edwards and John Kerry.

Here's what Kaine said then, according to a story in the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

"Joe's record as a state official and senator shows he has the qualities necessary to lead our nation, strengthen our economy and promote a safer world," Kaine said. "Joe is the right person to revive the Harry Truman wing of the Democratic Party, which has traditionally been strong for national defense, strong for the economy and strong for equal opportunity."

The story goes on to say that Kaine had applauded Lieberman's nomination as Al Gore's vice president because "he clearly personified the party's commitment to faith, family and a values-based approach to public life."
Of course, Independent Democrat Joe Lieberman is now one of McCain's closest advisers and most dedicated campaigners--and on McCain's own shortlist for VP.

It's entirely unclear whether or not Lieberman will be John McCain's VP--the prospect is on the table, but it's obviously an enormously risky move that could inflame the Republican base.

But even if he's not the pick, it's easy to see how much fun the McCain folks would have pointing out that VP nominee Kaine thought so highly of Lieberman he endorsed for him for President just four years before.

And if Lieberman and Kaine were the actual VP nominees? Imagine the potential for a Bensten-Quayle moment in the VP debate.

Lieberman could point out Kaine's position two years ago that it would "send a horrible message to cut and run from Iraq." And then he could have this kicker: "you even endorsed me in 2004!"

So what say you all? Is this a big deal or no? I don't really think so since Barack Obama himself endorsed Lieberman over Ned Lamont in 2006.

Tags: Tim Kaine, Joe Lieberman, Barack Obama (all tags)

Permalink :: 22 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Tim Kaine endorsed Joe Lieberman... (2.00 / 2)

Keep in mind that Lieberman was running to unseat George Bush...indeed, a noble effort...and that it was big news when Al Gore did NOT endorse him.

Since then, Lieberman has betrayed most of his values to one...hawkishness. I wouldn't blame Kaine for his endorsement, because Lieberman hadn't yet gone off the deep end.

No way. No how. No McCain.

by freedom78 on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 12:52:58 PM EST

It was obvious in 2004... (2.00 / 2)

...that Joe had wandered over the edge. There were much better choices for Kaine to pick from...and he picked JoMentum!

John McCain: Country Club First!

by demwords on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 02:11:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It was obvious in 2004... (none / 0)

It was obvious that he was a pro-war Democrat. That he would abandon all else to support Republicans was still a ways off, considering that he was running to defeat one.

No way. No how. No McCain.

by freedom78 on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 02:45:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It was obvious in 2004... (none / 0)

To be truthful, and I'm not going to defend JoMentum, but he still votes with dems on most domestic and social issues. But he keeps sliding in the darker side.

John McCain: Country Club First!

by demwords on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 03:06:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It was obvious in 2004... (none / 0)

Unfortunately, any good he does with his vote is overwhelmed by a former Democratic candidate for President endorsing and on the campaign trail with the Republican candidate for President.

No way. No how. No McCain.

by freedom78 on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 03:40:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It was obvious in 2004... (none / 0)

His endorsement doesn't help McSame at all. Joe has no pull at all. The convention appearance and dem victory in the senate will make him irrelevant.

John McCain: Country Club First!

by demwords on Sat Aug 02, 2008 at 02:50:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Shit happens (2.00 / 1)

No biggie.

by Reaper0Bot0 on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 12:53:54 PM EST

Al Gore picked Lieberman for his VP (2.00 / 1)

I say we throw them all out of the party.

Consider that everything which happens, happens justly, and if thou observest carefully, thou wilt find it to be so. -Marcus Aurelius

by Blue Neponset on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 12:53:59 PM EST

Re: Tim Kaine endorsed Joe Lieberman (none / 0)

Well, as not as if he didn't endorse the nominee. He did that, of course!

We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.

by politicsmatters on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 12:58:00 PM EST

Well... (none / 0)

It certainly doesn't help.

by HSTruman on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 01:19:11 PM EST

NO progressive is on the supposed short list (2.00 / 1)

(stress on supposed).
Haven't you noticed that before?

John McCain says he would stay in Iraq for 100 years? That's crazy talk!

by kosnomore on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 01:21:10 PM EST

Re: NO progressive (none / 0)

So what does that make Joe Biden, then?

by Reaper0Bot0 on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 01:27:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

If This is an endorsement of Joe Biden... (2.00 / 1)

...on your part, I'm with you.

I think there is a natural affinity between Joe & Obama.
He has said he wanted someone who could help him govern.
And Joe has been the most vocal at going after Bush in the past few years. That, combined with being working class catholic, would make Joe a strong asset.

John McCain: Country Club First!

by demwords on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 02:08:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: NO progressive (none / 0)

The best of a relatively centrist bunch? JMO though.

"There are two kinds of statistics: the kind you look up and the kind you make up" --Rex Stout

by LIsoundview on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 02:31:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tim Kaine endorsed Joe Lieberman for President (none / 0)

yeah, this is bad judgment. my only big problem with kaine thus far.

by Lolis on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 01:27:31 PM EST

Re: Tim Kaine endorsed Joe Lieberman for President (2.00 / 1)

Lolis,

But isn't Obama's endorsement of Lieberman in 2006 even that much more worse? At least, Lieberman in 2004 was running against Bush, in 2006 he was running as one of the most hawkish Senators against an actual progressive. And yet, Obama backed him anyway.

by rayj on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 01:37:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Well Folks.... (none / 0)

If Saint Barack picks this schlub over Hillary (just for strategic reasons--geepers, I thought Obama was "above" political considerations) I will change my mind and VOTE for McCain. Can you imagine picking this 2 bit nobody just because he's from Virginia. His eyebrows alone are a reason to reject him. That's what they were talking about (and laughing about) on Imus when he was chosen to respond to the SOTU address.

by handsomegent on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 01:39:14 PM EST

Re: Well Folks.... (none / 0)

Well shit, after reading this persuasive analysis I guess Obama has no choice but to pick your VP choice so he doesn't lose your vote. He'll definitely need rock-solid Dems who make their voting choices based on . . . eyebrows.

You really summed up all the arguments against Kaine with that cogent comment. Nice job.

What is The October Protocol?

by Koan on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 02:14:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Not a big deal at all...... (2.00 / 1)

First, I don't care, and neither should anyone else, who Kaine endorsed in 2003. I care only for whom Kaine actually voted in November 2004. Unless there's credible information that Kaine failed to vote for Kerry against Dubya, I don't care, and no one should care, who he supported in the primaries.

Second, I think probably quite a few of Lieberman's 2004 cycle supporters regretted it later. I disliked him back then for backing Dubya on Iraq, but he was only a fraction as bad as he's become since then. What everyone knows today is not an appropriate basis for judging someone's opinion of Lieberman 4-5 years ago.

Remember that it was only in December 2005, and not sooner, when Lieberman penned his Zell Miller screed on the war in the NY Times. That op-ed was really what pushed most activist Democrats over the edge.

by DCCyclone on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 01:55:29 PM EST

eeek! (none / 0)

Another good reason to not choose him.

If you're going for Virginia, Jim Webb is the only one who makes sense.

Kaine would have bought him nothing.

John McCain: Country Club First!

by demwords on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 02:04:23 PM EST

umm (none / 0)

So what?

by hocuspocus on Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 04:08:13 PM EST

Yeah (none / 0)

and in 1964 Hillary Clinton endorsed Barry Goldwater...In 1980, Stephanie Miller voted for Ronald Reagan... what's your point?