WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2008

Lieberman To Speak At GOP Convention

Democrat Turned Independent Is Considered A Contender To Be McCain's Running Mate

  • Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., share a laugh while speaking to reporters during a news conference Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008, in Birmingham, Mich. Photo

    Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., share a laugh while speaking to reporters during a news conference Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008, in Birmingham, Mich.  (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

(CBS/AP)  Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democratic Party's vice presidential candidate in 2000 and now an independent who is one of John McCain's strongest supporters, will speak at the Republican National Convention, an official said.

Lieberman will deliver a speech when Republicans gather in St. Paul, Minn., to nominate McCain for president, a party official told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The official requested anonymity because a formal announcement had yet to be made.

CBS News reports that Lieberman is scheduled to speak on Monday, Sept. 1, which is the first night of the convention. President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are also slated to speak that night.

Lieberman's office declined to comment.

Lieberman, 66, caucuses with Senate Democrats. The four-term senator has angered many Democrats with his strong support for the Iraq war and for backing McCain's bid for the White House. He is considered a potential McCain running mate.

Four years ago, former Sen. Zell Miller, a Georgia Democrat, praised President Bush and mocked the Democratic ticket as weak on defense in a speech at the GOP's national convention.

As Al Gore's running mate in 2000, Lieberman became the first Jewish vice presidential nominee. His campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 failed.

After a surprising loss to Ned Lamont in Connecticut's 2006 Senate primary, Lieberman defied Democratic leaders and ran as an independent in the general election. Top Democrats backed Lamont, a political newcomer, and Lieberman won support from the GOP, including his friend McCain.

Lieberman tends to vote with Democrats on most issues and is a longtime supporter of abortion rights, a stance that would rankle conservatives if he were McCain's running mate.

Not only has Lieberman campaigned for McCain, he has criticized Democratic candidate Barack Obama. Senate Democrats have been tolerant of his political straddling because he holds their slim political majority in his hands.

Lieberman departed Tuesday for a trip to the Republic of Georgia, Poland and the Ukraine. He is expected to return to Washington on Thursday night.


©MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Add a Comment See all 109 Comments
by deacon20081 August 20, 2008 10:52 AM PDT
McSame and Liberman......talk about scraping the bottom of the Oi Barrel.....
Reply to this comment
by blkpresident August 20, 2008 10:54 AM PDT
Imagine that, a possible Republican ticket featuring old man McCain and feeble *** Lieberman. When the Obama Shuffle is done with these clowns they will feel like they have been steamrolled. Couple old and feeble *** weenies. Bring it on beeootches! Punk *** old men.
Reply to this comment
by andor3 August 20, 2008 11:05 AM PDT
so does this mean the GOP is throwing in the towel?
Reply to this comment
by Gary Kempf August 20, 2008 11:11 AM PDT
Lieberman To Speak At GOP Convention

Since it was reported that most of the Republican incumbents and lobbyist are not going to the Republican convention will Lieberman be speaking to himself?
Reply to this comment
by aldon61 August 20, 2008 11:12 AM PDT
Lieberman is an excellent choice; the religious right will have fits with it though and will either stay home, or vote for a true conservative, Bob Barr! Bob Barr "08"!
Reply to this comment
by dagrandma August 20, 2008 11:16 AM PDT
Geez, there was a time I felt that the Democratic Party treated Joe Lieberman badly. Not anymore.
Reply to this comment
by August 20, 2008 11:16 AM PDT
Thank goodness. For a while I thought John would be all alone with no one there to help him read the prompter.
Reply to this comment
by talkingham August 20, 2008 11:18 AM PDT
Yeah Liberman is a real independent. Why doesn''t he just stop lying and admit he''s a republican. What a crock. Better yet, why doesn''t admit that his real commitment is only to Israel and not to the US.
Reply to this comment
by jackmayoff2 August 20, 2008 11:24 AM PDT
THIS ******* NEED TO BE KICK OUT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY!
Reply to this comment
by jerr11 August 20, 2008 11:24 AM PDT
Lieberman is not an independent or a republican or a democrat.

He''s an Israeli plant and his only allegiance is to Israel.

He''s part of the Neocon-Israeli Coalition that''s bringing the country to economic ruin with endless wars against Israel''s enemies.

Cloaked under the cover of a "war on terror."

Reply to this comment
by bobmarisol August 20, 2008 11:30 AM PDT
Yeah Liberman is a real independent. Why doesn''t he just stop lying and admit he''s a republican.

-----------

First of all, it is ''Lieberman'' not ''Liberman.'' Secondly, he is far from being Republican. His ideas are much closer to the liberal Democratic party than the conservative views of the Republican party.

Furthermore, Lieberman is not an ''independent'' by choice. He wanted to remain a Democrat, but the left-wing loonies in the Dem party voted him out just because he happens to be smart on foreign policy and he is tough on terrorism.

Remember, the Democratic party wants to surrender Iraq to Al Queda and wants to negotiate with terrorist dictators like Ahmedenijhad. Lieberman and the conservative Republicans agree that we should pursue and defeat terrorists, not invite them to dinner so we can ''negotiate.''
Reply to this comment
by jackmayoff2 August 20, 2008 11:31 AM PDT
I HOPE MCCAIN PICKS HIM FOR VP, EASY WIN FOR THE DEMS!!
Reply to this comment
by gwagener August 20, 2008 11:34 AM PDT
This should end speculation that Lieberman will be the VP pick becuase the VP pick automatically gets a speech.
Lieberman would have been a vey poor choice as VP for McCain. Lieberman is very hawkish on middle-east issues, but not because he is defending oil industry interests like McCain/Bush. He wants to spend as much of the US blood and treasure as he can to defend Israel. In all other respects, Lieberman is a very liberal Democrat.
It would be an ironic choice for McCain while accusing Obama of not being American enough to choose a VP who values the interests of a foreighn country, Israel, over the interests of the USA.
Reply to this comment
by haoli25 August 20, 2008 11:34 AM PDT
I guess that means that the Republicans couldn''t sign Toby Keith to perform. ''Bring out the clown to check out the sound''.
Reply to this comment
by dnsallday August 20, 2008 11:40 AM PDT
Of course, Mr. McGoo will have his personal nursemaid (Lieberman), with him at all times. Who else will he get to wipe his hiney for him.

(as long as they get Karl Roves permission first)
Reply to this comment
by broadwayphi August 20, 2008 11:41 AM PDT
Don''t you mean at the NEO-CONvention?

Destroying our nation.

One war at a time.

Reply to this comment
by nolalou August 20, 2008 11:41 AM PDT
I guess that means that the Republicans couldn''t sign Toby Keith to perform. ''''Bring out the clown to check out the sound''''.
Posted by haoli25

Well, I can see why not, today in the news Toby Keith has endorsed Obama!
Reply to this comment
by gangesdak August 20, 2008 11:42 AM PDT
Democrats should kick Liberman out today.
Reply to this comment
by dnsallday August 20, 2008 11:42 AM PDT
I can''''t watch or listen to Joe Lieberman without picturing Elmer Fudd --- he''''s a real-life version of him. It''''s going to be like watching a cartoon every time he speaks!! Weeeeeee!
osted by raflin1 *****************************************

And his side kick is Mr. McGoo
Reply to this comment
by broadwayphi August 20, 2008 11:42 AM PDT
McCain lies:

www.factcheck.org

Reply to this comment
by dante805 August 20, 2008 11:44 AM PDT
cactus John and Joe Lieberman a good POL couple. Lieberman is the maverick on the DEM side. He''s actually a IND and votes that way. Obama should learn alot from them.
Reply to this comment
by bigwhtpony August 20, 2008 11:44 AM PDT
You go, Mr. Lieberman! You''re one of the few who actually do what they claim.....''work with the other side''. All Ubama has in the regard is LIP SERVICE. You and McCain have actually done it.
Reply to this comment
by dnsallday August 20, 2008 11:44 AM PDT
Of course, Mr. McGoo will have his personal nursemaid (Lieberman/Elmer Fudd), with him at all times. Who else will he get to wipe his hiney for him.

(as long as the two submissive tools get Karl Roves permission first)

Reply to this comment
by dnsallday August 20, 2008 11:47 AM PDT
You rarely see Johnny M. and Lieberman apart these days.
I hope it is only so Lieberman can correct McCain when he flubs his canned, memorized lines and that neither of them are developing that right wing ''wide stance'' problem.
Reply to this comment
by jerr11 August 20, 2008 11:47 AM PDT
Toby Keith endorsing Obama.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080819/ap_on_en_mu/people_keith_obama


Reply to this comment
by haoli25 August 20, 2008 11:48 AM PDT
You do know that Toby Keith is a Democrat, right?
Posted by rafterman1


What planet are you living on? Keith still thinks Bush is a smart guy! But then again, he''s from Oklahoma.
Reply to this comment
by dnsallday August 20, 2008 11:48 AM PDT
Lieberman is an independent, so he can''''t be kicked out of anything. Besides, Democrats want to be an inclusive party, not like the robots of the Republicans. We shouldn''''t kick out conservative Democrats.

posted by rafterman1
*******************************************************
He isn''t a conservative Democrat, he is a right wing Isreali spy.
Reply to this comment
by nevadapundit August 20, 2008 11:49 AM PDT
Ah there is nothing that the DNC hates more than to have an American stand up for themselves and not blindly and mindlessly follow their lead.
Reply to this comment
by blkpresident August 20, 2008 11:50 AM PDT
The Republicans have thrown in the white-towel...bunch of weenies.
Reply to this comment
by dnsallday August 20, 2008 11:51 AM PDT
What planet are you living on? Keith still thinks Bush is a smart guy! But then again, he''''s from Oklahoma.

Posted by haoli25


Tobey Keith continues, "So as far as leadership and patriotism goes, I think it''s really important that those things have to take place. And I think Obama''s the best Democratic candidate we''ve had since Bill Clinton. And that''s coming from a Democrat."
Reply to this comment
by broadwayphi August 20, 2008 11:54 AM PDT
Ah there is nothing that the DNC hates more than to have an American stand up for themselves and not blindly and mindlessly follow their lead.

Posted by NevadaPundit at 11:49 AM :

REALLY?

Whose lead would you have us follow?

The lead of Long Gone John and Joe Lieber-Con?

Don''t make me laugh.
Reply to this comment
by armydog2 August 20, 2008 11:54 AM PDT
lieberman is a is a backstabbing traitor.Go ahead and pick him as your vp john, you will surely LOOSE.
Reply to this comment
by labrat9999 August 20, 2008 11:56 AM PDT
The best thing that ever happened to the Democrats is when Lieberman crawled out from his rock and moved closer to the Republicans. So for the GOPer convention you can now call it the "Convention of Dumb and Dumber"...or perhaps "Victory At Sea a Convention only your Grandparents Would Understand".
Reply to this comment
by labrat9999 August 20, 2008 11:58 AM PDT
Seriously you have to admit seeing these two side-by-side scares the "you know what" out of ya! Can you just imagine these two old foggies sitting around at 1am in the morning cause they can''t sleep drinking warm milk and eating cookies wondering where next to start a war? Yikes!!
Reply to this comment
by jackmayoff2 August 20, 2008 11:59 AM PDT
LIEBERRMAN IS A LOSER LIKE MCCAIN, THEY BOTH LOST TO BUSH!!
Reply to this comment
by sleepyric August 20, 2008 11:59 AM PDT
Joe "Jowly" Slobberman......what a slime ball...barely made the last election...hope he has plans in 4.5 years......not gonna make it again...he''s like a lamprey on McCain''s @ss...
Reply to this comment
by canyoutellme-2009 August 20, 2008 12:04 PM PDT
The lead of Long Gone John and Joe Lieber-Con?

Don''''''''t make me laugh.

Posted by broadwayphi at 11:54 AM : Aug 20, 2008

This is no laughing matter...it''''s a crying shame! I''''m sure I speak for the majority of my fellow NUTMEGGERs (residents of Connecticut) we are so embarassed by Joe LOSERMAN...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by ozilot at 11:56 AM : Aug 20, 2008
+ report abuse

Then why did your fellow neighbors vote for him? LIEberman obviously is pi$$ed at the democrats because he lost the Senate race being a democrat... then he suddenly became an independant? Riiiiiight... and then he suddenly sided with almost everything Bush and McCain said?? Come on... the guy is a JOKE. He has sour grapes and doesn''t care who he takes down just to stick a knife in the democrats'' collective back.

LIEberman is a JOKE... and this is coming from a guy who is a JEW who is FOR OBAMA.
Reply to this comment
by bobmarisol August 20, 2008 12:05 PM PDT
Yeah Liberman is a real independent. Why doesn''t he just stop lying and admit he''s a republican.

-----------

First of all, it is ''Lieberman'' not ''Liberman.'' Secondly, he is far from being Republican. His ideas are much closer to the liberal Democratic party than the conservative views of the Republican party.

Furthermore, Lieberman is not an ''independent'' by choice. He wanted to remain a Democrat, but the left-wing loonies in the Dem party voted him out just because he happens to be smart on foreign policy and he is tough on terrorism.

Remember, the Democratic party wants to surrender Iraq to Al Queda and wants to negotiate with terrorist dictators like Ahmedenijhad. Lieberman and the conservative Republicans agree that we should pursue and defeat terrorists, not invite them to dinner so we can ''negotiate.''
Reply to this comment
by broadwayphi August 20, 2008 12:07 PM PDT
Bewtween Big Oil, the neo-con uber-Zionists and the "Christian Soldier" zealots, it ought be a great NEO-CONvention.

My friend.
Reply to this comment
by briannorwood August 20, 2008 12:09 PM PDT
Lieberman is a whiney little prik. He''d better hope that McCain wins (which he probably won''t) because life in the Senate is going to be pretty miserable for him once his 1-vote majority status is erased in November.

As for re-election in Connecticut, never gonna happen again. I am from PA, and will personally travel to Connecticut to work against him if he ever tries to run again.
Reply to this comment
by broadwayphi August 20, 2008 12:10 PM PDT
Hey, bobmarisol,

You are correct. It''s LIEberman.

Surrender to Al Qaeda?

Before we invaded Iraq, there WAS no Al Qaeda there.

There is now. And because of geniuses like LIEberman, they are resurgent in Afghanistan.

REAL smart on foreign policy.

Israeli foriegn policy, that is.

Reply to this comment
by briannorwood August 20, 2008 12:11 PM PDT
nikosk1:

I think you are wrong on that one. Connecticut does not have a recall provision in its State Constitution.
Reply to this comment
by foxmulder33 August 20, 2008 12:11 PM PDT
Yee Haw! Lieberman is slotted to follow Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker performing "Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast".
Reply to this comment
by broadwayphi August 20, 2008 12:12 PM PDT
LIEberman is an ardent patriot -- of Israel.

His policies have been great -- for Israel.

As for the USA, he has managed to help kill thousands of our young people -- for Israel.

And for McBush oil.

Go to the NEO-CONvention, Joe. Stay there.
Reply to this comment
by davide73-2009 August 20, 2008 12:14 PM PDT
It''s unlikely that Lieberman will become the running mate. McCain needs the evangelical Christians. There is only one to get them, and his name is spelled Mike Huckabee. McCain and Huckabee in 2008!
Reply to this comment
by broadwayphi August 20, 2008 12:14 PM PDT
Joe McLIEberman.

Reply to this comment
by whyafghan August 20, 2008 12:15 PM PDT
How little broadwayphi knows about the fight against Terrorism? What a shame
Reply to this comment
by pvperson August 20, 2008 12:15 PM PDT
People keep saying that Lieberman votes with the democrats most of the time, but I don''t hear them saying he votes democratic when it''s IMPORTANT. The man wants to keep his seat on the committees, so he acts democrat SOMETIMES and then republican when it counts. Dump him, his occasional vote isn''t worth keeping him.
Reply to this comment
by broadwayphi August 20, 2008 12:16 PM PDT
McCain and Huckabee in 2008!

Posted by DavidE73 at 12:14 PM :

Works for me.

My friend.

Because that ought to wrap it up for OBAMA 08.
Reply to this comment
by broadwayphi August 20, 2008 12:17 PM PDT
How little broadwayphi knows about the fight against Terrorism? What a shame


-----

Posted by WhyAfghan at 12:15 PM

Enlighten us. Wise one.

Explain how starving our fightiung forces in Afghanistan (by invading the WRONG COUNTRY) is going to beat the Taliban.

Explain that. Genius.

My friend.
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