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http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/lieberman_mccain/2008/01/29/68440.html
Lieberman Rules Out Running With McCain
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who nearly won the vice presidency as a
Democrat in 2000, says there's no way he'll be Republican Sen. John McCain's
running mate should McCain become the party's presidential nominee.
"No, I'd tell him, 'Thanks, John, I've been there, I've done that. You can
find much better,'" Lieberman told The Associated Press during an interview
Tuesday in his Senate office. "I'm not seeking anything else."
The Connecticut senator said he was unequivocally ruling out sharing the GOP
ticket with McCain.
Lieberman's endorsement of McCain in December and the campaigning he since
has done in states such as New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina and
Florida have stoked speculation that the Arizona senator might choose
Lieberman as his running mate.
Lieberman planned to be back on the road for McCain as the Feb. 5 Super
Tuesday contests near.
Lieberman's flirtations with Republicans worry Democrats. His defection to
the GOP could tip the balance of power in the narrowly divided Senate away
from Democrats, who need Lieberman's vote to maintain their fragile 51-49
Senate majority.
Lieberman, in his fourth term, said his decision to endorse a Republican
should not be seen as a step toward him jumping to the GOP.
"I don't have any intention of leaving the Democratic Party," he said. "I
want to be a senator."
But Lieberman did say that if McCain wins the nomination, he'd likely attend
the Republican convention.
"I'd probably be more welcome there," he said.
Lieberman said he endorsed his longtime Senate colleague because of his
leadership on national security issues and his bipartisan approach. Both men
are strong supporters of the Iraq war.
Lieberman was Democrat Al Gore's running mate in 2000. In 2004, he mounted
an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.
After losing the 2006 Democratic Senate primary in Connecticut to Ned
Lamont, Lieberman defied party leaders and ran as an independent in the
general election to keep his seat.
Top Democrats abandoned him after the primary defeat and backed Lamont.
Lieberman enjoyed support from the GOP, including praise from the White
House and fundraising help from prominent Republicans such as New York Mayor
Michael Bloomberg.
Lieberman Rules Out Running With McCain
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who nearly won the vice presidency as a
Democrat in 2000, says there's no way he'll be Republican Sen. John McCain's
running mate should McCain become the party's presidential nominee.
"No, I'd tell him, 'Thanks, John, I've been there, I've done that. You can
find much better,'" Lieberman told The Associated Press during an interview
Tuesday in his Senate office. "I'm not seeking anything else."
The Connecticut senator said he was unequivocally ruling out sharing the GOP
ticket with McCain.
Lieberman's endorsement of McCain in December and the campaigning he since
has done in states such as New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina and
Florida have stoked speculation that the Arizona senator might choose
Lieberman as his running mate.
Lieberman planned to be back on the road for McCain as the Feb. 5 Super
Tuesday contests near.
Lieberman's flirtations with Republicans worry Democrats. His defection to
the GOP could tip the balance of power in the narrowly divided Senate away
from Democrats, who need Lieberman's vote to maintain their fragile 51-49
Senate majority.
Lieberman, in his fourth term, said his decision to endorse a Republican
should not be seen as a step toward him jumping to the GOP.
"I don't have any intention of leaving the Democratic Party," he said. "I
want to be a senator."
But Lieberman did say that if McCain wins the nomination, he'd likely attend
the Republican convention.
"I'd probably be more welcome there," he said.
Lieberman said he endorsed his longtime Senate colleague because of his
leadership on national security issues and his bipartisan approach. Both men
are strong supporters of the Iraq war.
Lieberman was Democrat Al Gore's running mate in 2000. In 2004, he mounted
an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.
After losing the 2006 Democratic Senate primary in Connecticut to Ned
Lamont, Lieberman defied party leaders and ran as an independent in the
general election to keep his seat.
Top Democrats abandoned him after the primary defeat and backed Lamont.
Lieberman enjoyed support from the GOP, including praise from the White
House and fundraising help from prominent Republicans such as New York Mayor
Michael Bloomberg.
