He's No Howard Dean: Thank G-d

By Kale Bongers | Wednesday, January 14, 2004

Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, the most moderate Democrat in the race, made difficult his audience's job of pinning down his politics, revealing a curious conglomeration of right, left, and center positions in his December 3rd speech at the Hinman Forum.

Lieberman joined the rest of the Democratic field by demonizing the Bush tax cuts and calling them the "Bush Unfairness Plan," ignoring when taxes on the upper class are raised, the percentage of wealth controlled by the middle class decreases. He also supported United States involvement in the International Criminal Court, arms-control treaties, and the Kyoto Accords, saying he wanted to put the U.S. in "a position of genuine leadership" and make it a "moral superpower." Lieberman also expressed his uncompromising support for the environment; in several of his campaign handouts, he proudly trumpeted his perfect marks from the League of Conservation Voters, a rating he has achieved nine times. Finally, in the usual Democratic fashion, Lieberman proceeded to partake in some Bush-bashing, mentioning how he would "return integrity to the White House."

Lieberman, however, did not entirely alienate the conservatives in his audience. He reminded the audience that he had co-sponsored the bipartisan resolution authorizing the use of force in Iraq and promised to continue to work to marshal the "resources of the free world in our common struggle against terrorists and tyrants." Lieberman even admitted that the United Nations "isn't perfect." Lieberman also expressed his support for the No Child Left Behind Act—though disagreed with Bush on its implementation—took a strong pro-Israel stance, and voiced support for medical malpractice reform.

The evening concluded with a post-meeting reception at Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, where the event organizers set out shrimp for Lieberman, who is a kosher-keeping Jew. This was soon forgotten, however, when he asked the dancing crowd, "You don't want me to do the moonwalk, do you?" Thanks, but no thanks, Joe.

He's No Howard Dean: Thank G-d

Article Tools

Related Articles