- Patrick Ruffini commented on a "Zionist America":
Now that Joe Lieberman is running for President in his own right, his Judaism seems to be the elephant in the room for only one group: Jewish Americans. Anecdotally, the evidence is everywhere that a significant number of Jewish Democrats are reluctant to support Lieberman for fear that his doing too well would stir anti-Semitic resentment, or worse, that his defeat in a general election would be blamed on his religion. Now, I generally don't share the Senator's views or think much of his chances, for reasons far-removed from his faith. Nonetheless, this reluctance to stir the pot with a Lieberman candidacy seems altogether unbecoming — and unwarranted. This defeatist sentiment is an insult to the millions of Americans whose support or opposition to Lieberman is based exclusively on his political philosophy.
The appropriate reaction in the face of doubts surrounding Lieberman's religion and criticism of Israel is best encapsulated by two words spoken by Daniel Patrick Moynihan as U.N. ambassador when conferring with the Israelis about the U.N. delegations pushing the resolution equating Zionism with racism: "F-ck 'em." - JB Armstrong looks at the prospects for Lieberman based on polling data: "...Lieberman is going to be leading in the polls (mostly due to Gore residue), but isn't likely to win any of the first primaries-- at least from how the date of events looks now (which isn't firm at all)..."
- Jeff Jarvis worries about Joe being holier than thou: "I hope (and pray) that we are beyond the day in America when being Jewish could hinder an American from running for the White House. If Joe Lieberman has religious problems in his race, they may not be with his faith but with his orthodoxy. We are not an orthodox nation; we don't understand orthodxy; we don't trust it."
- Charles Edward is not going to vote for Lieberman because his campaign is cramming spam down his throat: "Hey Joe: I don't shop from spammers, I don't contribute to spammers and I don't vote for spammers. Go away."
- Joseph Duemer has, um, choice words for Joe: "Joe Lieberman, who announced today that he will seek the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, said during his press conference that he is "a different kind of Democrat." Yeah, the Republican kind. Who needs this sanctimonious prig?"
- Green party supporter Peter Merholz concurs: "That odious fundamentalist toad pretty much shows up everything misbegotten about the Democratic party.)"
- Erik Botsford questions Joe Lieberman's sanity: "Thinking that Americans are hungry for a croaky, faux-Republican, warmongering, proselytizing Orthodox Jew in the White House, Joe Lieberman has thrown his hat into the ring."
- Jack O'Toole marvels at Liebmerman's fundraising potential: "Since 1984, the candidate who has raised the most money during the primary process has ended up being his party's standard-bearer every single time. Three things make it likely that Lieberman will be that man in this cycle: (1) His recent VP campaign; (2) his proven ability to bring in "new money" from Jewish voters; and (3) his leadership position in the DLC, which is (among other things) a corporate fundraising machine. That scenario, as the record shows, would not only make Joe Lieberman a credible candidate for his party's nomination -- it would make him the Democrat to beat in 2004."
- John Tole (of Balloon Juice) thinks Joe is a nice guy:
I am listening to the Imus interview with Joe Lieberman, and the one thing that stands out about the man is that you just get the feeling he is a fundamentally decent person. A good guy- someone you would trust with your kids, someone you would want on your jury were you accused of something, someone you would like to live next door to you. I dump on Lieberman for being so preachy (I really have little or no taste for people constantly professing their faith- live by your beliefs and quit talking about them), but you can't help but think he is a good man. He kinda reminds me of an old friend of the family who recently passed on. This man was built like Lieberman, and he was a wonderful person- but physically, he was very awkward. Manual labor was not his specialty. Despite all that, every time there was a town clean-up, or everytime the Boy Scouts needed someone to lead a camping trip, this man was there. I just get the feeling that Joe Lieberman is the same way- a good man.
In other words, the Democrats will never vote for him. - Andrew Olmsted thinks character is king: "I think it's unfortunate to see yet another man who was once regarded as a moral exemplar having to choose between his principles and his desire for power."
- Dima worries about a different kind of affirmative action: "How can one choose a Head of State based on anything less than the candidate's ability to run a country? As a CITIZEN, one has only ONE obligation-to choose the best person for the job! There shouldn't be any "affirmative action" on the White House!"
- Matt P. worries about being bored to death: "I must have missed the groundswell of grassroots excitement for a tedious, moralizing Neo-Republican, stupor-inducing bore, and campaign-trail deadweight to enter the race... Seriously, can you imagine much worse than a debate between Dick Gephardt and Joe Lieberman? I think I'd rather chew off my own right hand than endure 90 minutes of these tedious dolts droning back and forth. I'd vote for a cardboard cut-out of FDR before I voted for Lieberman. Hell, I'd vote for an inanimate carbon rod before I voted for Lieberman. Al Gore is Jim Carrey compared to that stiff... I guess now we know how depressing it must have been for GOP voters in 1996, forced to choose between racist Pat Buchanan, boring Bob Dole, creepy Gary Bauer, dorky Steve Forbes, and crazy Alan Keyes to run against Bill Clinton... Is it really too much to ask for a candidate who is unapologetically liberal, articulate, exciting, and likable? Apparently so..."
- Michael Allen Smith sees a Lieberman candidacy as a "Jar Jar" strategy:
He doesn't have a clue. He thinks he is electable. The only reason he got the VP nomination in 2000 was because Gore needed someone so dull and effeminate that even he would appear interesting. Al's plan backfired and he lost the election.
... I'm reminded of Star Wars - The Phantom Menace. All in all it was a good movie, but it was plagued by this whiney annoying character known as Jar Jar Binks. Joe Lieberman was the Jar Jar Binks of the 2000 election. However, George Lucas is smarter than the Democratic Party. He pushed Jar Jar in the corner, kept writing the Star Wars saga, and returned to make a superior film. Come 2004 the Democrats will ignore the wisdom of The Force and instead send Jar Jar Lieberman forth to be their next leader. - Matt Mardle is concerned about Joe Lieberman's dark side:
Joe Lieberman is Darth Sidious (Emperor Paltpatine).
Palpatine was an unassuming yet ambitious Senator in the Galactic Republic.
Liebermann an unassuming yet ambtious Senator in the United States Government.
Palpatine promised to reunite the disaffected, and bring order and justice to the government.
Liebermann promised to reunite the disaffected, and bring order and justice to the government.
Palpatine voted leader of the Republic
Liebermann, will he be voted president of USA? (he recently announced that he's running for prez in 2004) - And Hencio asks if Joe Lieberman led a double life as Willie Tanner in the 80's sitcom Alf?
Update:
- Barry Molefsky reports on a Lieberman appearance at the 92 Street Y in New York. The Q&A format of the event seems to have resulted in some interesting insights into Joe's positions. Check it out.
- Adam Felber has written the holy Book of Lieberman, volumes 1-15...
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