Lieberman On Palin: "Thank God She's Not Gonna Have To Be President From Day One"

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Lieberman on Friday skirted a question on whether vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is ready from day one to be president, saying "thank God" she won't have to be.

Lieberman, I-Conn., who has helped prep the Alaska governor on foreign policy issues, said his pal and GOP presidential nominee, John McCain, is in good health.

"Thank God, she's not gonna have to be president from day one, because McCain's going to be alive and well," Lieberman said in a conference call with reporters.

Lieberman said he was confident that Palin, whose foreign policy background has been questioned by Democrats, could step in and handle the chief executive's job.

"If, God forbid, an accident occurs or something of that kind, she'll be ready," Lieberman said. "She's had executive experience. She's smart and she will have had on-the-job training."

Lieberman added that if Democrat Barack Obama wins the White House, he would support his presidency.

"I hope and pray, and I am working my heart out for McCain to be elected our next president, but if for whatever the reason he is not, I am going to do everything I can to be part of bringing people together across party lines to support the new president so he can succeed," Lieberman said. "What's at stake for our country is just too serious."

Lieberman was the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2000 and was re-elected to the Senate in 2006 as an independent.

Comments

[Paul Peete - Huffpost Blogger]

When I come here and read the responses to the crazy news I am constantly bombarded with, I realize that many people fell like I do, it is refreshing to say the least.

[mherrera]

Über Reichführer Lieberman (he DID write the Patriot Act, folks) is still trying to remain relevant and is still pitching for the VP job this late in the campaign. I actually thought that Palin was a Trojan Moose designed to be tossed after the convention and replaced by LIEberman, whom McCain has said publicly that he wanted on the ticket. He's still clinging to the faint hope of Palin being tossed a few days ahead of the election and with the campaign in disarray, they might even try that.

[Truthmeter]

Dems can't complain about the Patriot Act...not when they go into a simple American citizen's records to dig up dirt just because he asked a question...that my friend is a PUTIN< CASTRO regime.

[LardGreystoke]

Are we talking about "Joe" (his name isn't Joe) "the plumber" (he's not really a plumber)? The "simple American citizen" who just "happens" to be a John (Birch) McCainer who just "happened" to bait Obama while he just "happened" to be on camera? Who's given more interviews in a day than Queen Sarah has all campaign? Hey, if you don't want the media to "dig up dirt" (=truth) don't put your ugly phizz on every camera in sight.

The hypocricy behind support for the "Patriot Act" is breathtaking. Any good citizen with "nothing to hide" shouldn't mind the government going through his underwear (and I thought we were against Big Government). But the minute a right-wing loonie has his laundry exposed the tough guys start to cry real tears.

[goldbry]

Nobody listened to Joe Plumber's phone calls without his permission or knowledge. Nobody held him without charges or a lawyer for six years.

[rhan]

Joe -- your instincts to favor Israel at the cost of US' interests has blinded your decision-making capability. Otherwise, how would you explain your support for a senator such as John McCain with such a long tenure having limited expertise in any field. He admitted to lack of expertise in economics. His understanding of foreign policy is no where near that of Sen Biden - he made public blunders such as AlQeida training in Iran. So, what is the use of the experience if you have nothing to show for it. Quantity and long tenure is not a substitute for interllectual horsepower and leadership. Just as in the Navy, Sen McCain was and is at the bottom 5% of intellectual hierarchy in the Senate.

And if Sen McCain was at the bottom of the intellectual hierarchy, there is no scale for Gov Palin. How can you, as a social moderate, support the selection of Gov Sarah Palin? You have been a social liberal all along and she is an ultra social conservative to the core and, like John McCain, has very limited competency or 'executive' experience in the economic field or even an understanding of our beloved constitution.

In Europe, someone with that kind of social conservatism would be called bordering on fascism -- some thing that should offend you. You should have walked out when the Governor was selected as a VP. Now, it is too little too late.

[Okieborn]

Lieberman should do America a "BIG" favor and LEAVE !!!!

[MrBluebird]

My friends, imagine the day when Lieberman and McCain have to return to the Senate. One a turncoat and the other a fool. I so hope the rest of the members sit on their hands, or perhaps turn their backs, or better yet just get up and leave.

[Snoop2]

Liebermann please shut the f up and go away, you are as inconsequential as Palin!

[1Smartchik]

I can't wait until they kick him out of his position, I hate this man.

[RTIII]

Yes, the Dems really need 61 to do that! AND, they just might get it.
.

[NPA]

So what does this say about McCain's judgment senator Liberman?!

[fearandloathing1]

Palin Revealed: Unreflective, Impulsive and "Going Rogue"
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/10/field-dressed.html

[rixter1965]

Given his past performances, beliefs, etc., I could ALMOST have forgiven Joe Lieberman for feeling a little betrayed by losing the Democratic nomination to Ned Lamont and pursuing another path. I could ALMOST have excused his support for the war if he felt this principles demanded its continuation. I could ALMOST have overlooked his supporting his friend John McCain -- out of loyalty and common beliefs and, perhaps, because he had doubts about Senator Obama. And I COULD understand why Democrats would hold their nose, keep him in the Democratic Caucus, and let him retain his chairmanship. BUT....

Any one of these things might have been OK and even demonstrated a little diversity within the Democratic Party. But all of them together and, during this campaign, his constant bashing of his former party/current caucus, his slurs against Obama, his unmitigated praise of Sarah Palin, etc. should make him an outcast unless the Democrats need him to reach a filibuster-proof majority (and even then they should make him Chairman of Senate Christmas Parties).

If all this because Lieberman thinks the Iraq War is vital to Israel, that is truly sad. But I can't come up with another explanation.

[urbanscorpio88]

Please, time to call a spade a spade. Joe is covering his behind now to make sure either way he still wins.

[mergina]

Lieberman, do US ALL A FAVOUR AND JUST SHUT UP AND GO AWAY.

[Donald-Iowa]

Little too late to be sucking up to the Dems now Joe. You threw in with the wrong crowd now it's time to pay the piper. The Dems aren't going to need your vote in the Senate anymore so you can rejoin your beloved Republicans like the turncoat you are.

The only satisfying thing is to watch you gag everytime you are ask about Sarah Palin being qualified. You came so close to being the VP nominee and they tossed you under the bus in favor of this bimbo. Got to hurt Joe and now to have to mount that platform, grit those pearly whites and say nice things about her, has got to hurt a whole lot more.

You betrayed us Joe and now you must realize how it feels. Even Joe The Plumber gets more press than you do these days.

[norkas]

Dear,

Huffington Post, please expose the story this morning about a Mc Cain campaign suppoter e - mailing Jewish voters that if they vote for Obama there will be another Holocaust.

Mc Cains advisers fired him but for me thise is not ok and they are playing good guy bad guy.

Lieberman supporters also use scare tactics when promoting Mc Cain Palin and draw them to the extreme religious right.

Obama has many Jewish supporters but the very consertive are being drawn in by fear, race, and hatred and these e- mails are despicable and this is where Lieberman supporters think and support. I am serious perhaps not all of them but many that are ignorant like the extreme right.

[Paul Peete - Huffpost Blogger]

So True! We are going to enjoy seeing joe the liar slither into obscurity!

[happylittlevegemite]

Really?!?! Why does the phrase "No s**t, Sherlock" come to mind???

[alembic54]

Thank God she's not gonna hafta be VICE PRESIDENT from day one either. Nice try Deputy dawg!

Joey you are the new Zell Miller. Do yourself and the rest of America a favor. Move to a kibbutz in israel and DON"T COME BACK! You are a traitorous pice of GARBAGE.

[Heavy]

Now that's a ringing endorsement.

[norkas]

ask Lieberman ifhe approved the e - mail that went to Jewish voters that said isf Obama gets in there will be another Holicoust. These are the right wing that supports Lieberman and it is sicking and the same people have big time race issues as well. The Mc Cain camoaign fired the person that worked for them after the e - mails went out.

I do not nelieve a word of this crap Mc Cain by selecting selecting Sarah Palin brought the extreme right of all religions and they are dangerous to world stability.

There will be a peaceful revolution soon that will move the world concerning religious leaders but in the meantime think of the wars, discourse, hatred, that has been caused by some of them. Now look at the extreme right adn see what they say. You will see they promote hate , anger, ignorance.

It is a wonderful new age taking place now and people are changing and tring to change to the better Mc Cain Palin does not draw this type of person.

Love Compassion Peace