sbp
06-03-2003, 04:33 AM
ALBANY, N.Y. (http://www.newhavenregister.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1281&dept_id=31007&newsid=8198726&PAG=461&rfi=9) — U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, on his way to an Albany fund-raiser for his presidential campaign, said Monday he is "the only Democrat who can beat George Bush" in the 2004 election.
"The American people are not going to elect a candidate for president in 2004 who doesn’t have a proven record in supporting a strong defense and in knowing how to keep America secure at home," the party’s 2000 vice presidential candidate said in a radio interview.
The Connecticut Democrat’s comments came in the wake of criticism in Lake Placid on Saturday from one of his rivals for the nomination, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, about the "voicelessness of 2002" during the mid-term congressional elections.
"Never again can the Democratic Party fail to stand up and turn away from its accomplishments of the last 50 years ... We don’t need a Democratic Party that says to the Republicans, ‘Yes, but a little bit slower,’ or, ‘Yes, but a little bit less.’ The one thing this country doesn’t need is a second Republican Party," Kerry had told New York Democrats at a forum on rural issues.
Lieberman is generally viewed as the most conservative of the Democrats seeking the nomination and Kerry’s complaints appeared directed at the Connecticut senator.
A Kerry campaign spokesman said Monday that Kerry’s comments were not directed at Lieberman.
"The line is obviously intended to encourage Democrats to action," said Robert Gibbs. "It’s certainly not a critique of any individuals and certainly not a critique of Joe Lieberman, a friend and colleague."
Lieberman said if the criticism was directed at him, it was "really ridiculous."
"Democrats like me are the kinds of Democrats who can get elected ... I am a center-out Democrat in the tradition of Bill Clinton," Lieberman told Albany WROW-AM radio.
"I’m the one Democrat who can stand toe-to-toe with George Bush where he’s supposed to be strong, on defense and values, and beat him where we know he’s weak, on the failed economic policies and the terrible right-wing social agenda," Lieberman said.
There was no immediate comment Monday from the Kerry campaign.
Lieberman was visiting Albany to attend a $1,000-a-person fund-raising reception being hosted by one of his key New York supporters, state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Lieberman also planned meetings with other top Democrats in the Legislature and state Comptroller Alan Hevesi.
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Don't you feel the love? :winkie:
Lieberman does bring up valid points-a liberal nominee who is weak on vital issues, will lose.
Lieberman won't be the nominee. The guy is kind of boring. Most of all the primaries are full of liberal activists that have disproportionate influence.
Kerry is correct in saying the Dems shouldn't be a second Republican Party {they tried that last election and look what happened}. Problem is the Dems don't stand for anything good. Hey, how about something of substance for once? And looking backwards to run on 50 years of fail er "accomplishments" isn't such a swell idea either.
Oh well, the sooner the Democrats choose their candidate to lose, the better. :kawaii:
"The American people are not going to elect a candidate for president in 2004 who doesn’t have a proven record in supporting a strong defense and in knowing how to keep America secure at home," the party’s 2000 vice presidential candidate said in a radio interview.
The Connecticut Democrat’s comments came in the wake of criticism in Lake Placid on Saturday from one of his rivals for the nomination, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, about the "voicelessness of 2002" during the mid-term congressional elections.
"Never again can the Democratic Party fail to stand up and turn away from its accomplishments of the last 50 years ... We don’t need a Democratic Party that says to the Republicans, ‘Yes, but a little bit slower,’ or, ‘Yes, but a little bit less.’ The one thing this country doesn’t need is a second Republican Party," Kerry had told New York Democrats at a forum on rural issues.
Lieberman is generally viewed as the most conservative of the Democrats seeking the nomination and Kerry’s complaints appeared directed at the Connecticut senator.
A Kerry campaign spokesman said Monday that Kerry’s comments were not directed at Lieberman.
"The line is obviously intended to encourage Democrats to action," said Robert Gibbs. "It’s certainly not a critique of any individuals and certainly not a critique of Joe Lieberman, a friend and colleague."
Lieberman said if the criticism was directed at him, it was "really ridiculous."
"Democrats like me are the kinds of Democrats who can get elected ... I am a center-out Democrat in the tradition of Bill Clinton," Lieberman told Albany WROW-AM radio.
"I’m the one Democrat who can stand toe-to-toe with George Bush where he’s supposed to be strong, on defense and values, and beat him where we know he’s weak, on the failed economic policies and the terrible right-wing social agenda," Lieberman said.
There was no immediate comment Monday from the Kerry campaign.
Lieberman was visiting Albany to attend a $1,000-a-person fund-raising reception being hosted by one of his key New York supporters, state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Lieberman also planned meetings with other top Democrats in the Legislature and state Comptroller Alan Hevesi.
----------------
Don't you feel the love? :winkie:
Lieberman does bring up valid points-a liberal nominee who is weak on vital issues, will lose.
Lieberman won't be the nominee. The guy is kind of boring. Most of all the primaries are full of liberal activists that have disproportionate influence.
Kerry is correct in saying the Dems shouldn't be a second Republican Party {they tried that last election and look what happened}. Problem is the Dems don't stand for anything good. Hey, how about something of substance for once? And looking backwards to run on 50 years of fail er "accomplishments" isn't such a swell idea either.
Oh well, the sooner the Democrats choose their candidate to lose, the better. :kawaii: