Lieberman Rules Out Running With McCain

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who nearly won the vice presidency as a Democrat in 2000, says there's no way he'll be Republican Sen. John McCain's running mate should McCain become the party's presidential nominee.

"No, I'd tell him, 'Thanks, John, I've been there, I've done that. You can find much better,'" Lieberman told The Associated Press during an interview Tuesday in his Senate office. "I'm not seeking anything else."

The Connecticut senator said he was unequivocally ruling out sharing the GOP ticket with McCain.

Lieberman's endorsement of McCain in December and the campaigning he since has done in states such as New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina and Florida have stoked speculation that the Arizona senator might choose Lieberman as his running mate.

Lieberman planned to be back on the road for McCain as the Feb. 5 Super Tuesday contests near.

Lieberman's flirtations with Republicans worry Democrats. His defection to the GOP could tip the balance of power in the narrowly divided Senate away from Democrats, who need Lieberman's vote to maintain their fragile 51-49 Senate majority.

Lieberman, in his fourth term, said his decision to endorse a Republican should not be seen as a step toward him jumping to the GOP.

"I don't have any intention of leaving the Democratic Party," he said. "I want to be a senator."

But Lieberman did say that if McCain wins the nomination, he'd likely attend the Republican convention.

"I'd probably be more welcome there," he said.

Lieberman said he endorsed his longtime Senate colleague because of his leadership on national security issues and his bipartisan approach. Both men are strong supporters of the Iraq war.

Lieberman was Democrat Al Gore's running mate in 2000. In 2004, he mounted an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

After losing the 2006 Democratic Senate primary in Connecticut to Ned Lamont, Lieberman defied party leaders and ran as an independent in the general election to keep his seat.

Top Democrats abandoned him after the primary defeat and backed Lamont. Lieberman enjoyed support from the GOP, including praise from the White House and fundraising help from prominent Republicans such as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Comments

[ProudLiberalDan]

Joe Lieberman holds the balance of power of the U.S. Senate in his hands, which is the worst case scenario for those of us who wanted firmer action to stand up to Bush on the war and a sincere fight to defund it.

I don't understand why the Democrats in the Senate won't play hardball like the Republicans. Why weren't the Republicans forced to sleep on cots for night after night to filibuster to keep Bush's blank check for the war going?

The only thing that makes sense to me is that the Democrats are frightened that if they really pushed to end the war or even stood up to Bush too forcefully that Lieberman would caucus with the Republicans and allow them to retake the majority.

I just wish we had 41 Democrats willing to filibuster all blank checks for Bush as the Republicans are willing to filibuster all legislation the neocons don't like.

I don't want the Republicans to gain the majority, but I wish the Dems would be as willing to play hardball as the Reps.

I am really tired of one-way bipartisanship, and I wish the Democrats would stand up for themselves with as much determination as the Republicans do.

If the Dems can even gain one seat in the U.S. Senate, it will at least neuter Lieberman. Then he can feel free to endorse conservatives to his heart's content.

[MetalCanuck]

Here is the AIPAC candidate folks, but so is the Dem Candidates­...oh well I guess war is coming no matter what.

[Gary47]

Gee it's not like Lieberman would ever change his mind about anything important, just so he could get his way. No, that's never happened.

[ajax2]

Lieberman Rules Out Running With McCain But Not With Huckabee On A Rapture Ticket.

[aznurse]

So, in repub speak, this means he will be McCains running mate.

[isisdawnra]

thank God!
Leiberman has been "chomping at the bit" to press the button ....and blow up Iran.

The farther away he is the better.
dis-honest war-monging creep.

[factotem]

I'd do a little dance over not seeing this sour, shrivelled goon as VP, if I didn't think he had a secret pact with Bush to be appointed second-in-command under Marshall law.

[progressivepam]

It was rumored on NPR tonight that McCain is considering Huckabee as a running mate. My guess is, if there's a democratic sweep in the senate, and (god forbid) a republican president, Lieberman would jump at the opportunity to leave the senate and be appreciated.

[pbfishtaco]

Oh, Darn! I guess there'll be no Joementum, like in the Lamont Race. I wonder where all the Lieberman for CT party members will go? It could help put the old guy over the top!!

[ultomatt]

And I like to refer to him as Froggy Joe. I'm just waiting for the video showing him flicking out his tongue and catching a fly...that­'ll be cool!

[ultomatt]

Oh, too bad. He'd have given Mad Dog some real Joementum!

Lieberman (Loverman?) is one of the psychopaths in silk suits (P.I.S.S.) who's doing the best he can every single day for his good friends in the military-c­ongression­al-industr­ial-fascis­t complex. Gotta wonder how much money he's got in his Swiss bank account. I would think, considering how much head he's given Bush, that the sum would be considerable.

[ergoth]

he should rule out continuing to breathe

[nellie]

He's been known to say one thing and do another.

[forpeace]

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LOOserman and McCain.

2 Freaking Warmongers.

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[white mende man]

awe shucks! say it ain't so Joe? please Joe run, run Joe run, see Joe run... Lieberman YOU ARE THE MOST DUMBEST PERSON IN AMERICA HANDS DOWN!