Rove Versus Lieberman: Rove Tried To Kill Lieberman As VP Pick

Politico reports that Karl Rove tried to pressure Joe Lieberman into withdrawing his name from consideration as John McCain's running mate:

Republican strategist Karl Rove called Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) late last week and urged him to contact Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to withdraw his name from vice presidential consideration, according to three sources familiar with the conversation.

Lieberman dismissed the request, these sources agreed.

Lieberman "laughed at the suggestion and certainly did not call [McCain] on it," said one source familiar with the details.

"Rove called Lieberman," recounted a second source. "Lieberman told him he would not make that call."

The New York Times reports that McCain has decided who his running mate will be and will announce the decision on Friday.

Comments

[Cramus]

I wonder if Rove is a bit scared. If there is a shift in power in Washington, will he end up having to be accountable and suffer some legal consequences. Perhaps a few of the Bushies should br running a bit scared. I would like some of them to be held accountable during their time on earth. I'm sure their God will be putting them on the burning bench in hell right next to Sadam and his like. However, Ii would be nice to see that they didn't get away with their deeds while they were here on earth.

[TheSecularist]

Rove is not scared. Don't be surprised if Bush pardons all his accomplices on January 19 of any and all crimes, known and unknown, committed during his administration. He may pardon GHW Bush for unknown crimes (just in case those papers come unsealed before GHW kicks the bucket). He'll probably pardon himself, claiming there's nothing in the constitution to prevent it. Then those partisan, good-for-nothing conservatives on the supreme court will fabricate an excuse to uphold Bush's self-pardon. 8-)

[Chad53916]

Is there really such a thing as this "preemptive pardon" ability that you suggest? That would suck. I was hoping they were actually holding off investigations on this administration until their plug was pulled. Otherwise, it would never get anywhere due to "executive privilege".

[dadw5boys]

Murdouch owns FOX and the Republican Party didn't you know that ?

[CSE]

It would be no surprise to many if Lieberman were McCain's pick - even though this would place a man with questionable allegiances a heartbeat away from the presidency. Lieberman already sold McCain to his friends in the Middle East on their whirlwind tour together back in March 2008.

Lieberman departs from the new Democratic ideals as regards support for continued military presence in the Middle East in order to continue to conduct the "War on Terror".

Lieberman has been one of the Senate's strongest advocates for continued prosecution of the war in Iraq. He is also a consistent supporter of Israel. Lieberman sponsored S.J. Res.46, the Senate version of H.J. Res. 114, that is, the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002...[wiki]

In 2002, Lieberman sponsored a pro-Israel U.S. Senate Resolution (S. Res. 247) regarding the Middle East Conflict, "expressing solidarity with Israel in its constant efforts to fight against terror".

The question every one should investigate is whether Joe Lieberman's views are more aligned with the Likkud Party than the growing current movements in Israel to end the Arab-Israeli and Palestinian-Israel conflicts peacefully with effective multilateral diplomacy, including in Iran.

Just a heartbeat away.

[dadw5boys]

Mc Cain / Rove 2008

[HazelPethigFan]

Rove / Rove 2000
Rove / Rove 2004

[Kassandra]

I'm only surprised Rove didn't just try to kill Lieberman and get it over with. People have a way of disappearing around that man (Rove)

[BlueOnBlue]

Why would Karl Rove ask Lieberman to do something which was not good for Joe Lieberman? Lieberman has never shown such an inclination before. I thought Karl was a genius. No?

[TheIndependenceParty]

Seems to me if McCain can't pick Liebermann as he would like, that it simply proves that Rove and the Reich are still running things. I think Grandpappy had better speak out quickly, before he loses his chance to make the decision of his lifetime!

[gifu]

My biggest hope for an Obama/Biden term is to just finally turn the page on Rove. The guy should be burned at the stake. He has done so many so wrong and all he can do is smirk and give us (and congressional investigators) the finger in so many ways to this very minute. 144 days and counting..........

[Bluedog12]

It won't be Lieberman. My odds are Romney 60% and Condi Rice 40%. Think of the former POW with today's poor economy and a two front war standing on the convention stage with Mitt and his five priveliged sons none of whom served their country. Go Mitt!

[dadw5boys]

John Mc Cain / Condi Rice 2008

Rice is 5 times smarter than Mc Cain.

Rice would be Mc Cains Cheny lol

[nabrum]

Rice is going to vote for Obama.

[Kaccey]

Curious he is announcing his VP pick on the anniversary of Katrina. Way to go insensitive Republican

[MsYellowDog]

Insensitve?When have they(the Rethuglicans)ever cared what happened to the "common folks?"

[Heavenhelpusall]

Yeah, I'm hoping the McMaverick wins out over McCandidate. He needs to do something to restore his fading image.

[bayside]

Rove is going to find that MCCain does what he wants to do like a spoiled little child. He needs lieberman to keep his thoughts straight ..This will be interesting..

[confuseddemocrat]

November 5, 2008: A great historical day: Obama and democrats win and Lieberman and Rove are escorted to the great Abyss of ALso-Rans

[scooperss]

rove wants to be VP. Who knows, maybe dumarse will pick him.

[OleSmartee]

After reading the polls -- through the Biden pick, and now through the first three days of the Convention -- Rove is seeing real weaknesses, and feels strongly enough to try to alter the GOP landscape to take advantage of those weaknesses. It seems to be designed to ignite the Republican base, which apparently lags behind in McCain's numbers. Should he suddenly add that base to his percentages, he's liable to leap out with an 8 or 9 point advantage. I'm keeping a concerned eye on McCain's veep selection.