Lieberman To Endorse McCain...

Democratic and Republican sources say that Sen. Joe Lieberman, the independent Democrat from Connecticut and fierce supporter of the war in Iraq, will formally endorse Sen. John McCain tomorrow in New Hampshire.

A McCain spokesperson declined to comment.

A source familiar with the endorsement said that the two will appear of NBC's Today Show tomorrow morning and at a town hall meeting in New Hampshire.

The endorsement could help McCain with independents in the state. Combine that with news that Rudy Giuliani is scaling back his advertising buy there, that the Boston Globe endorsed McCain, and that McCain's rivals are spending most of their time in Iowa.

The endorsement is further evidence of Lieberman's slow drift to the right in American politics and is bound to generate intense anger among Democrats who support him. But Lieberman and McCain have often walked in lockstep together on the prosecution of the war, have traveled to Iraq together, and have worked together on domestic issues like climate change.

The move will heighten speculation that McCain might ask Lieberman to join his ticket.

Comments

>The endorsement is further evidence of Lieberman's slow drift to the right in American politics and is bound to generate intense anger among Democrats who support him.

Phrases in which I understand all the component words and what they mean, but which make no sense within the context of this post:

1. "Slow drift to the right"

2. "Democrats who support him"

Lieberman has no Democratic support. McCain's constituency consists entirely of Beltway journalists. This is pretty much the definition of a non-event.

Posted by pdf | December 16, 2007 2:54 PM

This will help Hillary in New Hampshire. Obama needs every independent vote he can get his hands on. Lieberman's endorsement just adds to the growing sense that McCain's star is on the rise in the Granite State. And that in turn is going to increase independent voter participation in NH's Republican primary. If there's one person who is more respected by your typical New Hampshire independent than John McCain, it's Joe Lieberman.

All in all, a decent couple of days for HRC, after a couple of pretty dismal weeks.

Posted by Red Bowl | December 16, 2007 2:57 PM

Sensible voters everywhere can only hope that these constant endorsements for McCain translate into more voter support. Those who know McCain and what he stands for know that he's the right candidate for the GOP. Leiberman's endorsement is just the latest in a slew of politically savvy persons who are backing John McCain.

Posted by Jason | December 16, 2007 3:06 PM

Lieberman has no Democratic support. McCain's constituency consists entirely of Beltway journalists. This is pretty much the definition of a non-event.

In addition to the aforementioned ramifications for the Democratic race, Lieberman's imprimatur almost certainly is an "event" in the New Hampshire Republican primary. McCain is now pretty firmly entrenched in the number two slot in NH polls, and withing striking distance of Romney. A first place finish by McCain would dramatically alter the race. Even a very close second to Romney might cement for McCain a firm place in the GOP top three, given the increasing irrelevance of Thompson and Rudy.

Posted by Red Bowl | December 16, 2007 3:07 PM

The minority of Democrats who voted with the majority of Republicans and many independents to elect Liberman are getting exactly what they deserve. Liberman only called himself a Democrat because he had to in order to get elected the first time. Liberman is, was, and always will be a Republican no matter what party affiliation he wears.

Posted by Gregory Wonderwheel | December 16, 2007 3:09 PM

You could stack every vote Lieberman got in '04 on top of McCain's tally in '08 and still not get 25%. Being the Congressional architects of the Iraq War isn't exactly what voters are looking for this cycle. A trillion dollars and thousands of lives into this debacle Lieberman's sharp right turn into a ditch is more likely to repel independent voters into the Democratic primary than persuade anyone with a working brain. Joementum!

Posted by joejoejoe | December 16, 2007 3:17 PM

The endorsement is further evidence of Lieberman's slow drift to the right in American politics and is bound to generate intense anger among Democrats who support him.

Those Democrats will not be angered by this but use it as further proof of how "moonbatty" the other 97% of the Democrats are and how awesome they have been for supporting Joe. It's a phenomenon called cognitive dissonance.

Posted by jerry | December 16, 2007 3:37 PM

As if it makes any difference who the Republicans sacrifice this time around. it just seals Joe's doom as well, which is a good thing.

Posted by ronjazz | December 16, 2007 3:47 PM

Exactly why I still wish I was in CT so I could have voted for Ned Lamont instead of this a-hole... and I hate voting for either wing of the majority party!

Posted by GreenGuy | December 16, 2007 4:34 PM

This virtually assures St. McCain of a fifth pla--er, virtual tie for third in NH!

Posted by dr. bloor | December 16, 2007 4:40 PM

These two zombies should be put away like family skeltons that you don't talk about in front of the children.

Posted by Druthers | December 16, 2007 4:52 PM

Intense anger among Democrats? Because of Lieberman? Get serious!!

Posted by Sue | December 16, 2007 5:25 PM

The NH Republican primary grows more volatile by the day. Almost as intriguing as the Lieberman endorsement, is the fact that Rudy is reducing his ad buy in the state.

My view is that endorsements - whether they are from other officeholders, newspapers, etc. - are not of enormous direct value. It would seem likely, however, that they trigger positive free-media coverage - which is the key for a campaign's success. The torrent of free-media for Mike Huckabee has fueled his climb to the lead in the national GOP polling. If McCain can capitalize on the free-media momentum, it renders him more and more a significant factor in the primary - and hence the nomination process as a whole.

Posted by ElectionNightHQ.com Publisher | December 16, 2007 5:57 PM

What makes people think independents are in the Lieberman camp these days?

That view strikes me as very old conventional wisdom that's well beyond it's sell-by date. Today independents seem every bit as against the Iraq war and every bit as eager for change as Democrats.

Now maybe I'm misunderstanding NH independents, but then again, maybe I'm not.

Posted by Callimaco | December 16, 2007 6:07 PM

Huck's going to get beaten like a rented mule in NH. The Union Leader has been all over him on Wayne Dumond.

Posted by Ref | December 16, 2007 6:09 PM

When it actually comes time to vote, most Americans aren't going to vote for surrender on Iraq.

In 2006 - before the surge and all of the progress of the last year - there was exactly one race fought almost entirely upon Iraq. The Senate race in CT. We all know who won there.

Posted by Adam Yoshida | December 16, 2007 6:19 PM

I say good riddance to Lieberman once and for all! When the 111th(?) Congress reconvenes, The Democratic Leadership in the Senate will be able to yank his seniority and committe assignments away from him, no longer needing the one vote to remain the majority. He will officially be a back-bencher with all the power of a newly elected Senator. Take that you fools in Ct.!

Posted by Jimtoday | December 16, 2007 6:21 PM

Didn't he endorse some other guy in 2000 when McCain was also running? How thrilling it must be to know you've won his endorsement now that his former runningmate is busy saving the planet.

Posted by crazy | December 16, 2007 6:43 PM

"Slow drift to the right"?

Maybe somewhere back in the 1980s he drifted to the right, but he was a neo-con before the term came into popular usage. Why do you think so many progressives were unhappy with his choice as Al Gore's running mate in 2000?

Posted by darrelplant | December 16, 2007 6:52 PM

If there's one person who is more respected by your typical New Hampshire independent than John McCain, it's Joe Lieberman.
All in all, a decent couple of days for HRC, after a couple of pretty dismal weeks.
Posted by Red Bowl

Not really. Lieberman bombed when he ran in 2004 in New Hampshire. McCain is yesterday's hero, much like Mr 9/11.

The ones that psyche up the independents in NH are fellow Libertarian Ron Paul and Obama.
And independents there have seen Romney up close and appear to have concluded Mitt would be OK.

I think NH will show that Pastor Huckleberry has no legs outside the evangelical South. This is a guy who is a creationist, a high taxer, pro-illegal immigrant Open Borders, with a soft spot towards criminals who love Jesus more than those they victimize.

And not a decent couple of days for the inevitable Hillary! Very soon, the Clintons will be trapped by voters demanding they open the Clinton library records to scholars and journalists to see the minutes and memos that will confirm or didcredit Clinton claims she has true, vast executive experience and instead of being a wife of a powerful elected man - actually was a Co-Governor and Co-President.

Posted by Chris Ford | December 16, 2007 7:02 PM

The real question is this: who would the GOP have to nominate in order to prevent Holy Joe from being a keynoter at the RNC next summer? He'd probably show up and suck up if Saint Rudy of 9/11 got the nod, and possibly even Romney.

If Harry Reid had balls, he'd kick HoJoe from the caucus now. After all, since the Eternal Rule of Sixty Votes now applies (including the sub-section: Holds For Thee, But Not For Me) it's not as if it'll make any difference to the Senate's legislative efforts between now and 2009.

Posted by pseudonymous in nc | December 16, 2007 7:54 PM

Just a small correction is needed. There's no such thing as an "Independent Democrat." He was elected while running as the candidate of the "Connecticut for Lieberman" party.

Posted by Mike M. | December 16, 2007 8:37 PM

It's nice to see Hillary get shivved by Lieberman - serves her right for her tepid "support" of Lamont and her vote on the Lieberman/Kyl bill - but honestly, who cares? it's not like Lieberman carries any real weight.

Posted by Tom | December 16, 2007 9:16 PM

You're welcome, Barack.

Posted by Joe Lieberman | December 16, 2007 10:30 PM

This will not matter for independents, since independents (like practically everybody else) are against the Iraq War, which both McCain and Lieberman love.

This endorsement will matter for Republicans, and might actually change some of their minds. And y'know what? Good for Joe. Because if he can get the Republicans to nominate McCain instead of the chameleonic Romney, baby-fascist Giuliani, or anti-science dolt Huckleberry, then he has done a net good for Americans as a whole. John McCain would continue some of Bush's terrible policies, but undo many of them and would overall not be a terrible president.

Posted by TTT | December 16, 2007 10:38 PM

Slow drift to right?

Perhaps Lieberman is suffering from dementia.

Posted by Les | December 17, 2007 12:12 AM

"Benedict" Lieberman is just showing his true, rat-like nature, scuttling into the arms of McCain. May the Democrats now throw this treacherous vermin out of its caucus and out of his Homeland Security committee chairmanship and pelt him with foul, rotten fruit (which of course, he would scarf up like the political rodent he has turned out to be).

Posted by radlib1 | December 17, 2007 1:08 AM

It's amazing how people complain about the gridlock in Washington, and how nothing ever gets done because of the partisanship. And then something like this happens, where we have some cooperation between the members of each party, and still no one is satisfied. Personally, I'm tired of partisan politics, and look forward to seeing a guy like McCain in the White House, who is obviously someone who can work with both sides to get things done. The rest of you, who obviously want another polarizing president, can vote for one of the other idiots running--and then get what you deserve for the next 4 years.

Posted by Jason | December 17, 2007 9:14 AM

I think NH will show that Pastor Huckleberry has no legs outside the evangelical South.

Perhaps you've not noticed, but the evangelical South is the Republican base.

All the blue state Republicans from the Northeast think Southern Republicans are going to support a) a Mormon, b) a thrice-married adulterer who supports abortion and gun control, or c) John McCain, who many of them despise and who has called evangelicals "agents of intolerance". Boy, are they wrong.

Southern Baptists are not going to chose one of the above over a Baptist preacher and former Southern governor, no matter what the uppity Yankees at the National Review have to say.

Posted by Pug | December 17, 2007 9:34 AM

joo leiberman is for Isreal. His only concern

Posted by PETE | December 17, 2007 9:35 AM

I wonder if Sen. McCain would endorse Sen. Lieberman if it was Lieberman who needed the help to win a presidential race. Somehow I doubt that McCain would do that for him. McCain's a Republican first.

Posted by Tony | December 17, 2007 12:42 PM

The senator from Tel Aviv supports McCain?

Well, Ron Paul puts America first, second and third. Who are YOU going to support?

Posted by Kimmer | December 18, 2007 1:19 AM