ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 2, 2008
Lieberman Praises McCain, Knocks Obama
Democrat-Turned-Independent Says "Eloquence Is No Substitute For A Record"; Bush Makes Brief RNC Appearance Via Satellite
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Play CBS Video Video Lieberman Lauds GOP Ticket Joe Lieberman described John McCain and Sarah Palin as two mavericks intent on reform. Lieberman, a Democrat, implored Americans to vote for who they believe to be the best leader.
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Video Bush Says McCain's Ready President Bush addressed the RNC to show his support of John McCain's nomination, saying that the U.S. needs a president who understands the world after 9/11.
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Video Fred Thompson Slams Media, Obama Republican Fred Thompson spoke at the RNC and defended John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as his running-mate.
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Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, an Independent Democrat, addresses the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008. (AP)
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President Bush addressed the Republican National Convention via satellite from the White House on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008. (AP)
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Former Sen. Fred Thompson, of Tennessee, gestures as he speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008. (AP)
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Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., waves as he tours the podium at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008. Lieberman is scheduled to speak Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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In-Depth GOP Convention Center Latest news and video from the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
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Photos Convention Clicks Snapshots from the podium, the floor and host cities.
"Sen. Barack Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who I think can do great things for our country in the years ahead," Lieberman said. "But my friends, eloquence is no substitute for a record - not in these tough times."
(Read the text and watch the video of Lieberman's speech)
The convention hall resounded with boos when Lieberman said the Democratic presidential candidate voted to cut off funding "for our troops on the ground" in Iraq last year.
Playing his former party's spoiler, the Democrat-turned-Independent called McCain - not Democratic nominee Obama - the best choice to lead the country forward.
"What, after all, is a Democrat like me doing at a Republican convention like this?" Lieberman asked the cheering crowd. "Well, I'll tell you what, I'm here to support John McCain because country matters more than party.
"John McCain is the best choice to bring our country together and lead America forward," Lieberman added.
Appearing from the White House via satellite earlier in the night, President Bush hailed McCain as a man "ready to lead this nation," a courageous candidate who risked his White House ambitions to support an unpopular Iraq war.
Mr. Bush reprised the national security themes that propelled him to a second term as he spoke. "We need a president who understands the lessons of Sept. 11, 2001," he said. "That to protect America, we must stay on the offense, stop attacks before they happen and not wait to be hit again. The man we need is John McCain."
(Read the text and watch the video of Mr. Bush's speech)
"No matter what the issue, this man is honest and speaks straight from the heart," Mr. Bush said.
"The message of the day was designed to be about defining and re-introducing the candidate but the attention was focused on who was not in St. Paul - or at least not very visibly," said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "Since being unveiled as perhaps the biggest political surprise in recent history last Friday, Republicans - especially the party activists gathered here at the Xcel Center - have been chattering about Sarah Palin and little else. And the news media is not far behind in the curiosity category."
CBS News reports that Palin and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani will speak at the convention on Wednesday night during the 10-11 p.m. EDT hour.
Inside the convention hall, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson delivered a strong defense of Palin.
Thompson said the Alaska governor, was "from a small town, with small town values, but apparently that's not good enough for some of the folks who are out there now attacking her and her family."
(Read the text of Thompson's speech and watch a video excerpt)
He said McCain's decision to place her on the ticket "has the other side and their friends in the media in a state of panic."
Thompson also took aim at the Democratic nominee Obama.
"Democrats present a history-making nominee for president. History making in that he is the most liberal, most inexperienced nominee ever to run for president," Thompson said as delegates roared their agreement.
Thompson jabbed at Obama on abortion, as well.
"We need a president who doesn't think that the protection of the unborn or a newly born baby is above his pay grade," he said in prepared remarks, referring to a recent episode in which McCain's White House rival said it was "above my pay grade" to decide the point at which an unborn child is entitled to rights.
Other Republicans - delegates and luminaries alike - defended Palin, who disclosed on Monday that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter is pregnant. In addition, a lawyer has been hired to represent the governorin an ethics-related controversy back home in Alaska.
"I haven't seen anything that comes out about her that in any way troubles me or shakes my confidence in her," said former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the party's presidential nomination this year.
"All it has done for me is say she is a human person with a real family," Huckabee said.
And Ron Nehring, chairman of the California state party, said video footage of Palin on a firing range was helping her cause.
"The reports I'm getting back is that every time they show that footage we get 1,000 precinct walkers from the NRA," he told members of his state's delegation, to laughter. "She cuts taxes and shoots moose. That's Gov. Palin," Nehring said.
©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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- Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
------Posted by firstdummy
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You might want to tone that down.
John McCains executive experience = Zero - Reply to this comment
- Keep it up. Whatever you are doing Republicans, it is working, so keep it up...
************************************* Polls Today..
*Pollster Obama McCain Leader
ARG 49% 43% Obama +6%
CBS 48% 40% Obama 8%
Gallup 50% 43% Obama 7%
Gallup tracking 50% 42% Obama 8%
Hotline 48% 39% Obama 9%
Rasmussen tracking 48% 43% Obama 5%
*********************************** - Reply to this comment
- Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
------Posted by jericho1337
THE TRUTH HURTS DOESN''''T IT! ROFL!
Neither Joe Biden nor Barak Obama have been in charge of anything other than their campaign toilets! - Reply to this comment
- Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
------Posted by jericho1337
THE TRUTH HURTS DOESN''T IT! ROFL! - Reply to this comment
- %u201CHi ya%u2019ll, G. W. here! Me and Laura just got back from another vacation at the ranch, I wanted to stay a lot longer so I could clear up some of that dang brush and ride round on that two-wheel thingy but D!ck said it%u2019d look bad if I wasn%u2019t in that Louis place down yonder. I dunno, something bout one of them swirly things maken a fuss again. Heck, last time I sent Browny down there and D!ck let me stay on the ranch so me and Barney could wrestle. He did a heckuva job, so I dunno, maybe I culd just call and rustle him outa bed and send him on down there again so I don%u2019t have to cut short my putting in the basement. Just a crying shame ain%u2019t it? Well D!ck told me I gotta get up in front of the camera here in my west-wing and tell ya%u2019ll bout my good friend John McCain and that lovely slice he plucked from up in that frozen place. Heck, what can I say McCainiac, I luv ya brother, now I know ya told me to quit callin you that but you know how I am ole%u2019 buddy, if you ain%u2019t got a nickname, it just ain%u2019t the same now is it? hehehe. I wanted to tell you how proud I am of u McCainiac, that%u2019s just some real fine strategery there in your V.P. pick. I mean come on now, a gun-toting, god fearin cowgirl who is bff%u2019s with our pals over at Exxon. To tell you truth it kinda brings a tear to my eye she reminds me of myself so much. Well, I%u2019ll catch ya%u2019ll later. Hook em Horns!%u201D
- Reply to this comment
- Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O - Reply to this comment
- Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O
Obama`s executive experience = Z E R O - Reply to this comment
- Hahahahahah! Sarah Palin got more votes running for Mayor of Wasilia than Joe Biden did running for president!
ROFL!!!! I love it! - Reply to this comment
- Hi, Joe,
Would you like to change back to the winning side if Obama wins this election in November?
Becauce you are always a WINNER!
Go ahead! Don''t be scared! I will welcome you back!
And if you don''t change back this year, you may lose your future chance to change back to DEM!
What a surprising campaign!
Oop! John McCain promised he will make a lot of fun in his Campaign.
Thanks! - Reply to this comment
- Do away with gun control! Big brother has no right to take our guns. I carry a gun all the time; I have to where I live. Yeah, Palin, a proud hunter and NRA member.
- Reply to this comment
- Sarah Palin having an affair with her husbands business partner?
- Reply to this comment
- "John McCain is the best choice to bring our country together and lead America forward," Lieberman added.
May you please tell me what direction does John McCain''s "forward" mean?
He said he will lead the country to win the Iraqi war, but he never let us know what does his "win" mean. I can only guess he may plan to send a governor there.
He said he will drill, drill, and drill, but he never tell us what he win by his "drill". I can only guess he may only mean DRILL.
He said, and you said he''d rather lose a campaign than lose a war. But I don''t know what he was talking about. We''re talking about the country, only he is always talking about "campaign, win, Iraq". I was wondering did he mean we can not move forward if we leave Iraq?
"But my friends, eloquence is no substitute for a record - not in these tough times."
Yes, you are right!
Do you really mean "in this tough time"? But, do you think if John McCain would ever agree with you at this point?
I don''t think so.
Yes, "eloquence is no substitute for a record".
John McCain talked very little about his tough policy. Do you think he is only unable to speak it out?
But I think he just didn''t get it. - Reply to this comment
- Early text of Palin nominating speech by Woodsy Wierdo:
I am proud to come before you tonight to nominate a hot gun toting redneck from the Great Welfare State of Alaska and the cute little town of Built on Earmarks who has foreign policy experience chasing Russian Walrus and Polar Bears through the frozen tundra, who commands an Army smaller than the San Francisco Police Department, who waffles on the Bridge to Nowhere, who has executive experience firing state officials that refuse to fire her brother-in-law, a good Christian Mom that gives her teenage daughter a shot-gun wedding for political spin and shows off her cleavage for Vogue Magazine.
We know since Lincoln the GOP stood for the Union but times have changed- we have a honest to gosh state''s rights separtist here that wants to take Alaska out of the Union and this is why she''ll maka a great Vice-President of the fomerly United States. And on health care- worry not- President Palin will send you a Bible and heal you devinely with some hocus pocus heebie geebie. And here she is- I''m sure she will tell you what she told the Alaska Independence Party eariler this year: "God bless you and keep up the good work."
Sorry, we could nominate the Jewish Senator McCain really wanted but he''s not like us...
HA HA- what an embarassment to the USA. - Reply to this comment
- Yes! Sure!
You know, I''m expecting a pregnant president, vice or not. How interesting it could be? And the baby could be named President if born within the term. - Reply to this comment
- Why, in heaven''s name, does the Senate Majority leader allow Lieberman to caucus with the Democrats?
Allowing him to do so only allows him increased political power. Democrats need to do the opposite in regard to him.
It''s high time Democrats cut Lieberman loose to let him sink or swim on his own. See how he does with no major Party to caucus with. - Reply to this comment
- By the way she showed better judgement than McCain did supporting her. Ron Paul is 10 times the man McShame ever will be.
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Posted by vetforobama at 05:54 PM : Sep 03, 2008
Well, then, that should just make you proud that he chose Palin then.
Go Sarahhhhhhhhhhh! - Reply to this comment
- The truth is Lieberman lost the democratic primary for re-election, declared himself an independent and was elected in the general election by republicans. He is as much a republican as George Bush, and he cares nothing for America... his country is Israel.
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Posted by im4honesty at 06:00 PM : Sep 03, 2008
Smart political move by Mr. Lieberman....where there''s a will, there''s a way. - Reply to this comment
- Will someone please send Lieberman back to Israel where he belongs? He certainly doesn''t belong in the US Senate when his loyalties lie with Israel.
Always remember Israel is a country for only Jews, not Americans. If you think not, then attempt to emigrate there and obtain Israeli citizenship. It is simply not do able unless you hold proof that you are Jewish. You can show them your US income tax receipts proving that you''ve helped fund many billions of aid to Israel but it means nothing unless you are Jewish.
This isn''t anti-Semite as some Zionists like to claim. We should be saying the same thing if we had Muslim or Buddhist elected officials that twisted our USA govt. policies to their whims and had the same "special relationship" with country''s that excluded Americans. - Reply to this comment
- "Profiles in Courage is a 1956 Pulitzer Prize-winning book by John F. Kennedy, describing acts of bravery and integrity by eight United States Senators from throughout the Senate''s history. The profiled senators crossed party lines and/or defied the public opinion of their constituents to do what they felt was right and suffered severe criticism and losses in popularity because of their actions.
I believe Joe Lieberman is a living "Profile in Courage"!!!
Yeah Joe - way to speak your mind and tell the Dems to shove it!!!!
Country first, party second - like John McCain!!
McCain for Prez!!!!!
Dems woulda done better if they''da nominated... - Reply to this comment
- Lieberman also lied when he said Obama did not reach out to Republicans to work with them on bipartisan legislation at any time as senator.
As a man of deep religious convictions, he puts himself in the company of some well-known people who wear their religion on their sleeve but lie with natural ease. What is it about religion that makes people feel they are exempt from adhering to the truth? Do their god encourage them to lie in service of a greater cause?
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Posted by jon2012 at 05:03 PM : Sep 03, 2008
You''re absolutely right, Obama voted right along with BUSH on Dickey Cheney''s secret room energy bill, when McCain wouldn''t even vote for it! AND right along with BUSH on the FISA bill when ALL the democraps were fighting not to get it passed, he even voted against cloture and killed debate on it!
Yeah, you''re right Obama crossed right over and boted with BUSH on two of the most important pieces of legislation he''s voted on! - Reply to this comment
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