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Lieberman: I Always Liked Obama

Once a McCain ally, Lieberman now praises the president

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 9, 2009 9:20 AM CDT

(Newser) – He endorsed John McCain in the election and called Barack Obama "a talker," but now Joe Lieberman is singing "Hail to the Chief." The Democratic-turned-independent senator has been showering the president with praise, saying Obama has "shown real leadership" and "is off to a very good start." But as the AP reports, Lieberman bridles when asked if he has embraced Obama for political expediency.

"I haven't changed," Lieberman insisted, blaming his seeming turnabout on his own failure to speak clearly during the campaign. Lieberman nearly lost his committee chairmanship before Obama interceded, which the senator called "very gracious." But voters in Connecticut may not show such forgiveness; a hypothetical match-up between Lieberman and a Democratic challenger shows the incumbent getting trounced by 28 points.

In this Monday, Jan. 29, 2007 picture, Barack Obama and Joe Lieberman take a bus tour through the Lower 9th Ward after a Senate Homeland Security Committee on Katrina and Rita recovery in New Orleans.
In this Monday, Jan. 29, 2007 picture, Barack Obama and Joe Lieberman take a bus tour through the Lower 9th Ward after a Senate Homeland Security Committee on Katrina and Rita recovery in New Orleans.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn, talks about the agreement on the $789 billion economic stimulus measure at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009.
Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn, talks about the agreement on the $789 billion economic stimulus measure at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
After campaigning across the country for Republican John McCain in 2008 and attacking Obama as naive, Lieberman now showers praise on the popular Democratic president.
After campaigning across the country for Republican John McCain in 2008 and attacking Obama as naive, Lieberman now showers praise on the popular Democratic president.   (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)
In this Sunday Feb. 3, 2008 picture, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., presidential hopeful stands next to Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., during a rally at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn.
In this Sunday Feb. 3, 2008 picture, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., presidential hopeful stands next to Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., during a rally at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn.   (AP Photo/Douglas Healey)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Shannonals
Mar 11, 2009 3:38 AM CDT
Don't you dislike flip flop politics
oldgoat
Mar 10, 2009 3:23 AM CDT
I can respect independent thinking, but when you campaign with McCain and Palin and then turn around and reverse yourself on Obama later independent isn't the word that comes to mind.
woodyTX
Mar 9, 2009 10:20 PM CDT
Independent thought is one thing. Principles is another. Joe's independent thinking seems to keep undecutting his principles. Therein lies the problem. How can you stand on a stage with Palin and McCain calling Obama a socialist, terrorist sympathizer, un-american etc then kiss his ass two months later ? Even with a straight face you can only get away with it so many times.

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