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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    • Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, an Independent Democrat, addresses the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008.

      Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, an Independent Democrat, addresses the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008.  (AP)

    • President Bush addressed the Republican National Convention via satellite from the White House on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008.

      President Bush addressed the Republican National Convention via satellite from the White House on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008.  (AP)

    • Former Sen. Fred Thompson, of Tennessee, gestures as he speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008.

      Former Sen. Fred Thompson, of Tennessee, gestures as he speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008.  (AP)

    • 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.

      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.

  • Photos Convention Clicks

    Snapshots from the podium, the floor and host cities.

(CBS/AP)  Despite Thompson's remarks - and McCain's declaration that he was satisfied with the scrutiny his aides had given Palin before his selection - there were fresh disclosures.

Among them: that both as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, and as governor, she had sought earmarks for local projects. Her most recent round of requests totaled $300 for every Alaskan. McCain has frequently vowed to veto any earmark legislation, and has said she will be a force in his battle to wipe them out.

Additionally, the lawyer hired to defend Palin in an ethics investigation said he also is representing her personally and is permitted to bill the state up to $95,000 for work in the current case. The issue involves the dismissal of public safety commissioner Walt Monegan after he refused to fire a state trooper who had divorced the governor's sister.

Republicans handed Lieberman the prime spot in the evening lineup, and he was set to blend praise for McCain with criticism of Obama.

"When others wanted to retreat in defeat from the field of battle, when Barack Obama was voting to cut off funding for our troops on the ground, John McCain had the courage to stand against the tide of public opinion," the Connecticut Democratic-turned-independent senator said in excerpts released in advance of his speech.

The decision to place Lieberman out front on the convention's second night capped an unprecedented political migration. Only eight years ago, he stood before a cheering throng at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles and accepted the nomination as Al Gore's running mate.

In the years since, he lost badly in 2004 when he sought the Democratic presidential nomination, lost a Democratic nomination for a new term at home in Connecticut in 2006, then recovered quickly to win re-election as an independent.

Back in the Senate, his vote allows the Democrats to command a narrow majority, yet he has been one of the most outspoken supporters of the war in Iraq. He has traveled widely with McCain in recent months, and occasionally has angered Democrats with remarks critical of Obama.

Mr. Bush, with his approval ratings in the 30-percent range, was relegated to a relatively minor role at the convention of a party that has twice nominated him to the White House. The president scrapped a planned Monday night speech because of the threat Hurricane Gustav posed to New Orleans. With polls making it clear the nation is ready for a change, the McCain campaign indicated there was no reason for him to make the trip to St. Paul.

One day after a frightening Gulf Coast hurricane prompted a subdued opening to the McCain convention, political combat enjoyed a resurgence.

McCain's aides disputed a claim that vice presidential running mate Sarah Palin had once been a member of a third party and accused Obama's camp of spreading false information.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton said that as far as he'd seen, "the only person talking about her being in the Alaska Independence Party is the head of the Alaska Independence Party."

"Their gripe is with those folks," he said of the McCain campaign.

©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 1462 Comments
by kansas1946 September 4, 2008 3:43 AM EDT
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
******************************************

You might want to tone that down.

John McCains executive experience = Zero
Reply to this comment
by kansas1946 September 4, 2008 3:40 AM EDT
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
by obungler September 4, 2008 2:29 AM EDT
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
by obungler September 4, 2008 2:27 AM EDT
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
by georgeeeeeee September 4, 2008 1:19 AM EDT
%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
by jericho1337 September 4, 2008 1:00 AM EDT
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
by jericho1337 September 4, 2008 1:00 AM EDT
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
by obungler September 4, 2008 12:45 AM EDT
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
by techhere September 4, 2008 12:07 AM EDT
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
by gunplay3 September 3, 2008 11:45 PM EDT
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
by warmonger247 September 3, 2008 11:35 PM EDT
Sarah Palin having an affair with her husbands business partner?






Reply to this comment
by techhere September 3, 2008 11:06 PM EDT
"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
by jsilver2th September 3, 2008 10:56 PM EDT
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
by techhere September 3, 2008 10:31 PM EDT
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
by book54552134 September 3, 2008 10:21 PM EDT
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 obungler September 3, 2008 9:26 PM EDT
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
by obungler September 3, 2008 9:25 PM EDT
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
by cbsblogger September 3, 2008 9:23 PM EDT
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
by rosieod4prez September 3, 2008 9:20 PM EDT
"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
by obungler September 3, 2008 9:18 PM EDT
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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