Lieberman On Obama, Post-Campaign Politics

CBS News Exclusive: Independent Who Backed McCain, Offending Allies, Gives First Post-Election Interview

(CBS)  He was a ubiquitous presence on the campaign trail. Sen. Joe Lieberman, the former Democratic vice presidential candidate, stumped for his close friend, Republican Sen. John McCain.

Even speaking at the Republican party's convention in St. Paul, Minn., he said: "Sen. Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man. But, my friends, eloquence is no substitute for a record." Lieberman became an Independent in 2006 after a painful primary defeat by Ned Lamont, who, unlike Lieberman, was staunchly anti-war.

On Tuesday, Senate Democrats, who had threatened to strip Lieberman of his chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee decided he could keep it, though he was asked to step down as chairman of another sub-committee. Lieberman spoke with CBS News anchor Katie Couric Tuesday morning.

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Lieberman: I think what the Democratic caucus did yesterday in response to the appeal from president-elect Obama was to say "it's time for us to reconcile, to close ranks. Yes we didn't like some of the things Joe Lieberman said during the campaign, but he's one of us."

Couric: Do you feel as if you owe President-Elect Obama one?

Lieberman: Well, look, no more than what I've said from the day after the election two weeks ago, which is: I congratulate Barack Obama on becoming our president. I offer him my full-hearted commitment to help in any way I can to make him the president we need at this urgently critical time in mesh history.

Couric: I know you want to look forward, Sen. Lieberman, but I feel I would remiss if I didn't mention a couple things that enraged Democrats.

Lieberman: Why did I know you were gonna do that?

Couric: You said on whether Sen. Obama is a Marxist, you said "it's a good question to ask." Are you sorry you said that?

Lieberman: That's one of those things I wish I said more clearly. Obviously Barack Obama is not a Marxist.

Couric: You said it's a good question to ask.

Lieberman: But then I answered it and said, "no he's not Marxist." I said at the time that he's somewhat to the left of me on some issues.

Couric: What really irritated even enraged some Democrats was your speech at the Republican National Convention.

Lieberman: Yeah.

Couric: Did you understand at the time how nervy that might seem to some Democrats? How inappropriate?

Lieberman: I understood that I was doing something different as an Independent Democrat supporting a Republican candidate. But I did it not only because I felt so strongly on behalf of my friend John McCain, but because there is so much partisanship in our politics today that really stops us from getting things done for the American people. And in a speech that I would guess went 15 or 20 minutes, I spoke three sentences, which I believe were respectful, about Sen. Obama.

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Web Exclusive: Watch an extended clip of Katie Couric's interview.

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Couric: It was no secret, Sen. Lieberman, that in his heart of hearts, John McCain really wanted you.

Lieberman: Well, I don't know that that's true. I must tell you, when Rick Davis, the McCain campaign manager, called me and said that John wanted to put me on the so-called short list for vice president for vetting, I really said, Katie "are you kidding?" Because though we're very close friends, John McCain and I thought, now how's he gonna get the Republican Convention to confirm a Democratic vice presidential nominee? Somebody during that time told me that that hadn't been done since Abraham Lincoln.

Couric: Sen. Clinton is a key contender, it seems, for secretary of state. What do you think of that?

Lieberman: Well, I'm a big Hillary Clinton fan. I think if he decided he wanted her and she decided she wanted to do it, she would be a great secretary of state.

Couric: I have covered a lot of elections in my career, and it seems to me, senator, that every time a new president comes into office we hear the same thing. "We're going to work together. We're going to work for the American people. There's going to be a new spirit of bipartisanship." And, while frankly, it dissolves pretty quickly into bitter partisanship and the same-old-same old.

Lieberman: We have had here in our government in Washington for too long now a permanent campaign. There are times here, Katie, when I see the partisan squabbling going on in Congress and with the White House over the last several years I feel like we're firefighters who have stepped outside a house that's burning and are spending all our time arguing with each other instead of putting out the fire in the house.

Couric: Arguing about which hose to use?

Lieberman: Arguing about which hose to use. And I think it's so clear now that America's house is being threatened by fire that all of just got together and help to put out that fire and rebuild the house.

[letjoestay]

To say I am happy right now would be a great understatement. Sens. Reid, Dodd and others ignored the few, but loud, angry voices calling for retribution against Senator Lieberman and instead decided no to punish Joe for endorsing and supporting his friend, John McCain. We, the netroots community in support of Joe, congratulate him on his recent victory. Way to go, Joe!

http://letjoestay.blogspot.com/

[whatithink10]

A bigger man is one who can forgive.
It is not easy and you may never forget.
But to forgive makes you somebody special.

[whatithink10]

MegamanX1,

Janitors are a very noble people. Don''t forget.

[whatithink10]

william5420,

Just at some point trying to get revenge ends up hurting everybody. At some point, one has to stop.

[cdfoxtrot5]

The UN principle of Appeasement doesn''''t work. It even has the opposite effect, inspiring and enabling radicalism. Whats next? Having murderers in charge of Capital Punishment?

Posted by william5420

There''s no such thing as the "UN principal of appeasement". It was the United States that played the major role in creating the UN and it did so, in part, to enable it to project power and influence global events. The UN has authorized military force many times and it has authorized other kinds of actions, including boycotts, to further the international agenda. Americans have a poor understanding of the UN and what it is about -- too bad for America.

[whatithink10]

william5420,

What does 9/11 have to do with anything? Where does one stop? The Native Americans have issues bigger than 9/11. So do black people. At some point, all of us have been hurt. How many people have to die before someone feels enough revenge?

[megamanx1-2009]

MegamanX1,

Janitors are a very noble people. Don''''t forget.


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Posted by whatithink10 at 07:51 PM : Nov 19, 2008

True. He''s not good enough for that job then.

[whatithink10]

"''''Just at some point trying to get revenge ends up hurting everybody. At some point, one has to stop.''''

When the money runs out? Or the will?


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Posted by william5420 at 07:55 PM : Nov 19, 2008"


No. The need for revenge.

[cdfoxtrot5]

Joe Looserman would be gloating and unrepentant if McBush had won. He''s a total jerk and I hope the electorate boot him out at the next opportunity. And why he still holds his chairmanship at the Senate is beyond me. He doesn''t provide Democrats with the magical 60th vote that might beat the Republican firewall, so what does he offer? And Reid''s argument that he is owed something for his support in past years is nonsense. He has his chairmanship because he provided Democrats with the majority vote they needed to run the Senate. That period is over and so should Looserman''s chairmanship.

[jerr11]

Lieberman owes allegiance only to Israel.

He''ll bankrupt this nation to protect his beloved Israel.

[whatithink10]

"Where do we begin?


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Posted by william5420 at 07:57 PM : Nov 19, 2008"



I don''t understand what 9/11 has to do with this. You are sounding like Rudi Guiliani. Explain.

[whatithink10]

"Well, its quite simple: You up and decide you''''re going to do something. And ya do it. Ya don''''t disagree, ya don''''t philosophize. Ya don''''t theorize... ya do it.


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Posted by william5420 at 08:01 PM : Nov 19, 2008"


And if what ya doing is wrong, what then?

[clovisbuford]

Lieberman should be out , but oh well I would be amazed if he wins another election ,in fact whoever the democratic candidate is is gonna get so much support he should be able to match this weasel dollar for dollar ..I think the next 4 yrs is a good bye tour for Mr lieberman .

[whatithink10]

After 9/11, I heard many people say "We had to do something." They didn''t say we had to do the right thing, but we had to do something. Shouldn''t we focus on doing the right thing and not just anything?

[whatithink10]

"''''And if what ya doing is wrong, what then?''''

Its only wrong because you''''re doing it.


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Posted by william5420 at 08:06 PM : Nov 19, 2008"


Yes.

That''s the point.

Why should we have invaded Iraq after 9/11, for example?

[whatithink10]

"''''Why should we have invaded Iraq after 9/11, for example?''''

Because the UN said so, 15-0.


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Posted by william5420 at 08:09 PM : Nov 19, 2008"


When do many Americans care what the UN thinks?
And, I don''t remember this vote. I think what we did was against the UN.

What we did was wrong, regardless of who on earth said we can do it.

Would you authorize someone invading us to get revenge against somebody else?

[nearl4511]

I know this is a recent news topic, but do we really have to focus on this guy.


I''m sick of seeing his ugly mug.

[wardoglrs]

In 2003, while serving in the Illinois State Legislature, Barack Obama voted in favor of a bill in the Judiciary Committee that would have made it illegal to %u201Cknowingly manufacture, deliver or possess%u201D so-called %u201Csemi-automatic assault weapons,%u201D reports Chris Cox, chief lobbyist for the National Rifle Association. %u201CUnder this bill, a firearm did not actually have to be semi-automatic to be banned. According to definitions in the bill, all single-shot and double-barreled shotguns 28-gauge or larger, and many semi-automatic shotguns of the same size, would be banned as %u2018assault weapons.%u2019

%u201CAny Illinois resident who possessed one of these commonly used guns 90 days after the effective date would have had to %u2018destroy the weapon or device, render it permanently inoperable, relinquish it to a law enforcement agency, or remove it from the state.%u2019 Anyone who still possessed a banned gun would have been subject to a felony sentence.%u201D

[jamshied]

I WOULD NOT HAVE CRITIZIED LIEBERMAN IF , SAY, HE HIMSELF WAS RUNNING AGAINST OBAMA. IN POLITIC SAYING SUCH THINGS ARE ACCEPTABLE. BUT IT WAS TOTALLY INAPROPRIATE FOR HIM TO CRITICIZE OBAMA, A DEMOCRAT, IN FAVOR OF MACCAIN, A REPUBLICAN. i AM SURE, BEING A SEASONED POLITICIAN, HE WAS AWARE OF THE COSEQUENCES BUT HE GAMBLED ON IT ANYWAY. DEMOCRATS HAD A RIGHT TO KICK HIM OUT OF CHAIMANSHIP.HE COULD NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT IT. BUT OBAMA HAS A DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHY AND VISION. HE WANTS AS MANY FRIENDS AND ALLIES HE CAN GET. HE DOES NOT WANT ENEMIES. KEEPING LIEBERMAN WAS A SYMBOLIC GOOD GESTURE TO SHOW A GREATNESS AND SPIRIT OF UNITY.
I THINK THAT KEEPING LIEBERMAN WITH DEMOCRATS WILL HAVE GOOD DIVIDENDS FOR OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

[crhatfield]

ya know, I don''t care that he was backing his friend, Thats all find and dandy and I can respect that. Although I wish he had better choice of words against Barack, but even that is forgivable if Barack says it is, That''s Baracks choice and not ours.

I think It''s the fact that he campaigned for down-ballots that he should have been judged for. I mean that''s not attacking Barack Obama, thats attacking the whole Democrat party and is an unforgivable crime against the party IMHO.

Why was there no mention of him attacking the whole Democratic party in this manor?? I''m all for forgiveness but this is ridiculous.

[lemonskink]

Leiberman will always be the weasel in the henhouse.

[notfooled]

Hey CBS, why aren''t you running the story on Cheney being indicted in Texas?

It''s on the AP wire.

[leemetford]

If I did my job as poorly as Katie Couric, I''d be living on the streets right now.

When did journalist become propaganists? When was the last time Katie Couric demonstrated even a shred of objectivity? I can''t remember.

No wonder the rating for news programs are plummeting. CBS News has been foisting an inferior product on viewers for far to long.

[leemetford]

If I did my job as poorly as Katie Couric, I''d be living on the streets right now.

When did journalist become propaganists? When was the last time Katie Couric demonstrated even a shred of objectivity? I can''t remember.

No wonder the rating for news programs are plummeting. CBS News has been foisting an inferior product on viewers for far to long.

[nwa10000]

In deference to alsdailynews'' comments about all racist antisemtes being republicans, there are plenty of racist antisemites in the Democratic party, starting with Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and quite a few academics as well.
Stick to what you know.

[chen777-2009]

Well, why did nobody criticize Colin Powell when he supported Obama.
BTW, did anyone hear anything about Obama%u2019s grandmother%u2019s funeral? Is there going to be one? Is he going to pay his final tribute to his dear white grandmother? In the 60 Minutes interview, he didn%u2019t mention about his grandmother but his mother-in-law.

[nwa10000]

In deference to alsdailynews''commentsthat all racist antisemites supprted McCain/Palin there are plenty of racist antisemites in the Democratic party, starting with Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and quite a few academics as well.
Stick to what you know.

[lucyblue-2009]

As usual, the Dems are a bunch of wimps - I would''ve hung this guy out to dry.

[dakotaclark]

Hmmm...

Senator Lieberman spent a lot of time lurking in the background at Senator McCain''s campaign appearances.

Often, Senator Lieberman had to lean forward and whisper something into McCain''s ear, to remind him or correct him; and, to help him stay on track. That is quite an undertaking, to help someone who wanted so desperately to become POTUS.

Just helping an old friend, I suppose.

On the other hand, one could conclude that by saying so many negative things about Senator Obama, Senator Lieberman is a man without any ethics and integrity.

People got the chance to see the real Joe Lieberman. Now that he made his bed, he must sleep in it.

Yeppp, it will be very interesting to see how all of this settles during the remainder of Senator Lieberman%u2019s term.

As far as his political future is concerned, I do believe that Senator Lieberman is a lame turkey.

[yeswedid]

As usual, the Dems are a bunch of wimps - I would''''ve hung this guy out to dry.

Posted by lucyblue at 09:23 PM : Nov 19, 2008
-----------------------------------------------
Wimps compared to who? McCain the "Maverick" or Bush the "Cowboy"? LOL

[fourgoldens]

chen777 seems to be sticking the old nose in to family matters. Tell me chen777 how about I dig into how you deal with your family issues?

How this family chooses to deal with the death of a love one is not up to you to decide.

How this President decides to deal with the economy and the after effects is a different matter.

I suggest you worry less about how this family mourns a loved one and more about your own family

[mtminds]

Lieberman was given his Godfather''s kiss of death.

[Michael Arnold]

So LIEberman was a "STOOGE"...a "MOLE" for the dems?

Gotta love it.

[cbsblogger]

The only logical explanation that makes any sense is that Joe Lieberman has AIPAC''s backing (and it''s not because he is Gentile or Muslim) and that''s the only reason the Democratic wimps have shoved aside loyal members of their own party to retain him as Chairman.

He should have been booted out but Democrats like Reid are afraid of AIPAC.

[trishab56]

If I were LIE_berman, I''d leave my seat in the US Senate and sit in Jerusalem Knesset, Israeli Senate, or I''d retire for good. I mean there is a limit an honor can take when the populace sees me as a traitor, a flipflop, a panderer or a turncoat to the sole benefit of Israel...

-Joe LIE_berman needs to consult with a carreer orientation specialist, if he wants to stay in the US active life. McLame could offer him a post of Beer deliveryman helper at his wife''s beer distribution company. Then McLame needs to double check everything LIE_berman tells him to do! LOL!

[tibu987]

Lieberman represents just what is wrong with the pols in Washington. Arrogant, changes spots as needed, continues feeding at the public trough.

Both parties should dump him. He does not deserve respect from either side.

[briannorwood]

I can''t help thinking of the movie "The Godfather" wherein Vito Corleone says "I will do you this favor. And one day, I will ask you for a favor. For this you will not refuse."

Probably what Obama is thinking! Smart guy!

[wardoglrs]

This *** hole''s wife is a lobbyist for the military industrial complex, Good pick Obama you speak with a forked tong.

In fact his Administration in one way or the other are corrupt lobbyist.

It is surely time for men to think for themselves, and to throw off the authority of names so artificially magnified.
-- Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Short, August 4, 1820 (see Positive Atheism''s Historical section)

[ktovar3]

I am disgusted at Lieberman in reference to the comment about the Firefighters arguing outside a house analogy!!!!!!!! Poor Poor taste Lieberman...shame on you!!! I am a wife of a firefighter who is, as I sit and listen to your foolish comment and write this he is busting his butt at the Triangle Complex Fire and has been there for the last five days!!! along with thousands of other firefighters doing their best to save each and every home they can. GOD HELP YOU LIEBERMAN if your house ever catches fire!!!!!! What ever with the firefighters do after that comment. Bad time to voice such a statement!!!!!!!!!!

[trishab56]

Magdalena was not liked by the Israelites. Jesus pardoned her and he kept all the ''prostittutes'' under his mercy. That resulted in less ''prostitution'' in the community. So did Obama!

[itdfactsu]

There are two-faced folks, back stabbers, double agents, undercover agents, and traitors and then there is Joe Lieberman

[nolalou]

Well, why did nobody criticize Colin Powell when he supported Obama.
BTW, did anyone hear anything about Obama%u2019s grandmother%u2019s funeral? Is there going to be one? Is he going to pay his final tribute to his dear white grandmother? In the 60 Minutes interview, he didn%u2019t mention about his grandmother but his mother-in-law.

Posted by chen777

First, Colin Powell was criticized by some republicans, but since he doesn''t hold any elective or appointed office, there isn''t much they can do to ''punish'' him.
As for Obama''s grandmother, the family issued a statement that a private memorial service will be held at a later date.
So are those two issues what you consider most important right now? Don''t you think Obama has much bigger things to worry about?

[tiredofthebs]

Senator Lieberman is a fine statesman. I salute him for the courage it took to stand behind a decision that was unpopular. Obama stocking his administration with ''old school'' is PROOF POSITIVE that he was right when he stated there is no substitue for experience.

[tiredofthebs]

oops .... ''substitute''

[shurch4truth]

...bottom line, Joe''s vote is more important than pay back.

[shurch4truth]

Joe was kept in the fold but he will be ignored in the socail circles and that really hurts

[robert2237]

When do many Americans care what the UN thinks?
And, I don''''t remember this vote. I think what we did was against the UN.

You think what we did was against the UN. Why are you even speaking if you have no ideal. It was not against the UN and most of congress voted for it. But as usual the dems change their mind when to polls go the wrong way.

[waltculver]

Look, Lieberman went way over the line as defined for someone in a leadership position in the Democratic Party. But he''s only a Democrat by history and caucus now. The Party was disloyal to HIM when we was excluded as a candidate for his own seat, so there''s lots of finger-pointing to go around. I agree with Obama, independent of the filibuster issue -- forget the party-centric squabbling. Let''s get on with governing.

[rickstas]

Lieberman is a zionist operative and it was the zionist lobby that demands he remain where he can continue to manipulate and spy for his country (i.e. Isreal).

[lmartink]

But who could really trust Lieberman? He could say one thing and do another. He''s a Hermaphrodite.