Whither Joe?

[Mediocrates]

Here's an interesting piece from the Economist on Joe Lieberman and his support of the Iraq war. For those of you not in the US he received a torrent of abuse about it. You will probably get routed to an ad first, before you see this piece.

http://www.economist.com/world/na/displaystory.cfm?story_id=E1_VPDVDGQ&no_na_tran=1



The cause of the latest round of thrashings is Mr Lieberman's renewed defence of the war in Iraq. On returning from his fourth visit to that country, he wrote a piece in the Wall Street Journal that took issue with the Democratic line that America is up a wadi without a paddle. In fact, he detected a plan that is beginning to work. A week later Mr Lieberman threw more petrol on the blaze by warning his colleagues not to play politics with Iraq. He quoted Arthur Vandenberg, a Michigan Republican who defied his party to support Harry Truman's policy of containment, to the effect that “politics must stop at the water's edge”. And he reminded his fellow Democrats that George Bush will be commander-in-chief for three more critical years: “In matters of war, we undermine presidential credibility at our nation's peril.”

[minusthejihad]

I respect him for his views. What's your opinion on his views Medio?

[genghis_tom]

“In matters of war, we undermine presidential credibility at our nation's peril.”

Finally... someone has enough guts to say something decent and true about the war. :)

[Mediocrates]

I respect him for his views. What's your opinion on his views Medio?

I respect that he has views he's willing to stand up for. His social agenda is for me a mixed bag - I don't see the need to get involved in censorship issues for example. But on other issues he's mainstream Democratic party such as taxation and balanced budgets and trade. Oh the pundits can complain he's just Republican lite but that's not even close to accurate. The left has lost is any notion that they need a big tent, a diversity of views.

[KettleWhistle]

He's no Republican lite. He's pro-big-government, pro-censorship, typical rhetorical Democrat. IMHO.

[Mediocrates]

Well I'd have to bring back Generalisso Franco to find someone right wing enough for you ;)

[KettleWhistle]

Why, I'm just fine with California's governator. But feel free to bring back JC Watts.

[varian]

Perhaps Joe sees the events in Iraq as something that helps Israel. If he does hold this view, then it would not be hard for him to differ with the Dems on this issue. Joe may be showing leadership and fortitude on this matter; and that is something that is "foreign" in the beltway.

[MGB8]

I really don't think Israel is the principle thing for Joe. Its probably in there, but I think, given his values, that he thinks that the war is the right thing for the US, Israel aside. After all, you can be pro-Iraq war and yet neutralish on Israel, or at least have no special tie outside the shared values and civilization.