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

[chaos4700]

You know, I'm actually sort of glad McCain didn't get to take on Lieberman as his VP. If he had, Joe's career would be going down in flames in real time just like Sarah Palin's. With things the way they are, we get to watch his career wither away into dust over the first few months of a full-on Democratic government instead of going up in one bright brilliant flash with those of his Republican "friends."

Sometimes, just a tiny bit of schadenfreude can be good for the soul.

[txgal44]

Good point. But Joe's career is going to go down in flames. It's just going to be a longer movie.

[HowSwedeItIs]

Joe's just mad that he's not the VP pick. SAY IT AINT SO JOE!! You hate Palin?!?!
-HSII

[tony2007]

OK how many more Joe's are going to come out of the McCain camp? Now we have Joe the shuffler doing the two step shuffle and back slide.

[Give Peace A Chance]

Joe, the traitor.

[TopDog]

All the hoopla about Palin not being qualified to be POTUS is just a smoke screen to mask the fact that McCain is equally non-qualified by his temperament and poor judgment.

[txgal44]

Yep. She's the scape goat.

[NicasioKid]

Seeing nearly certain defeat for his wrongly chosen candidate, Lieberman is already trying to wriggle his way back toward the Dems - ewww!!!

[txgal44]

I hope the Obama people are keeping a list.

[BEHM777]

Too late, Joe the Turncoat Senator. There is a curb on North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC, with your name on it.

BEHusseinM777

[Johnmac371]

As a CT DEM, I tried to warn people about the consequences of re-electing Lieberman. Nobody seemed to think it would be significant. He pulled the "bait 'n switch" on us, bigtime.

[darthdarcy]

Thank God she's not you, you "F-ing" spy traitor..!

[DoTheMath]

I didn't know Lieberman could predict the future. It's nice to be optimistic, but our Constitution specifies that a VP needs to be able to take over for the President. I don't remember anything in there about a grace period.

[DFL]

ZELL LIEBERMAN!

[scottowego]

What bothers me is all the talk about prepping and educating candidates for office. What the heck? They're out there making all kinds of promises. A lot of them we already know won't be possible because of the deficit and bac economy (but both the Democrats AND the Republicans) are still making the same pitch.... I digresss.... sorry. My point is how can we be electing people who need to be "taught the ropes" and brought up to snuff on the issues? Sarah Palin really makes this point for me. But it seems to apply to all of our candidates. It makes me very wary. Especially after seeing PBS's show last night on big corporate influence on our elected officials. The name of the show was "Heat". Catch it if you can. I might still vote for NADER. He really is above all that stuff. Very honorable.

[Oonagh]

Nader ... who?

[bkgrizz80]

Sarah Palin found out what the GOP is really all about. They used her, they prostituted her for $150,000. Now they are talking about making her the fall guy for their failed campaign. They should have never taken her from her comforts of home to try to win an election. Although, I don't agree with your views, I still feel they did you wrong. You were the most popular governor in the country until you met John McCain. Now your family and everything about you is out there for the world to see. You have my blessings. I wish you and your family nothing but the best. I also look forward to seeing you in 2012.

[Jandie]

Yeah, we also found out what a corrupt Governor she really is. Troopergate, Travelgate, charging for der diems while still at home - a real winner of a Governor. Would love to know how Alaskans will feel about her when she goes back on November 5th.

Don't feel sorry for her, remember she didn't even blinked when asked and put herself before her family to take a job she was not qualified to do. Yes, McCain did set her up for failure, but it was she who allowed it.

[msjimmied]

They did not take her. She bought it all, hook, line and 200k of makeover. Whatever on earth made her feel she was even remotely qualified? It's a great gig if you can get it. I do not look forward to seeing her ever.

[txgal44]

Whatever! No one knew anything about this woman. The people of Alaska knew what a snake she was but no one was listening to them. She herself made the decision to put herself out their like that! They used her but she used them too! So no, I have no sympathy for this woman. She got drunk buy the promise of power. She got a taste of the big crowds, and celebrity of it! So don't feel too sorry for her. Women like her always manage.

[Oonagh]

If you stand back and look at the candidates that ran in the Republican race you would have to believe that maybe they did not want to win this one. The next four years are going to be very tough for the country so when they lose they can sit back, rebuild the party's and blame the Democrats.

[irvingbr]

A lousy turncoat is what he is.

[irvingbr]

Poor Joe. He can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth. Sound familiar? Who needs a turncoat.