[What If] --- A McCain / Lieberman Ticket
Ken Hughes
March 25, 2008
The similarities between these two senators is astounding, neither seems to subscribe to less than the fundamental beliefs of their political parties. They´re neither truly liberal nor conservative regardless of what they say on a campaign trail. This is a combination that would give fits to both Obama and Clinton, depending on who the nominee is. It´s also a combination that would satisfy most of the general public as an alternative to the extreme progressive liberalism of both Obama and Clinton.
Originally I was opposed to McCain as the Republican nominee having supported both Fred Thomson and Mitt Romney separately one at a time.
As a Goldwater / Reagan conservative I couldn´t see McCain as a candidate I wasn´t sure who would represent me in the coming election. After some serious reflection I realized the election wasn´t just about me it was also about 300 million [plus or minus] other Americans. If we are to follow the constitution then the majority must rule, in this case the majority of Republicans chose John McCain as their candidate for president. It´s my duty as a Republican to go along like it or not.
What is there about Joe Lieberman a Democrat I believe is a potential running mate for John McCain a Republican? This country hasn´t seen a split ticket since Abraham Lincoln a Republican and Andrew Johnson a Democrat ran together in 1864 when President Lincoln´s first Vice President Hannibal Hamlin was dropped from the ticket after Lincoln´s first term he chose a running mate from the other party because they meshed. We can only assume President Lincoln felt it necessary to find the most compactable running mate regardless of political party.
Both John McCain and Joe Lieberman have been considered party mavericks their entire political careers. They come closer to being Independents than party regulars. These men have been more than close friends they´ve been working partners in running the country for a quarter of a century. This could be a ticket that could transcend politics and actually work for the benefit of all the citizenry of America.
One thing is very clear neither man is willing to sacrifice their principles for party favors. Both men have been willing to alter their stand on curtail issues when it became obvious the public disagreed with them. In politics this is called flip flopping, in the real world its called reasonable behavior. A person who can be convinced they´re wrong is a person worth paying attention to, worthy of trust.
It´s obvious by the votes cast in the primaries the public is moving toward the center of the political spectrum. That being the case it would be impossible to find two men more centrist than John McCain and Joe Lieberman for a ticket for the presidency of the United States,
America is evolving the values of our grandparents and parents aren´t the same as today´s young people´s values. For better or worse people are less intense less motivated to succeed than they were 50 or 100 years ago. It seems the public is more inclined to allow the government to make decisions for them, That being the case it would be better two seasoned Centrists have control of the tiller rather than allowing the winds of politics send the ship in any direction the wind chooses.
I would have preferred a president who would put this nation back on a sound financial footing. That doesn´t seem to be what the voters are concerned with. It´s obvious neither the public nor our politicians understand market economies and the effect on public interest. Otherwise they would demand financial responsibility from congress.
Many of the Goldwater / Reagan Conservative Republicans are being drug into the 21st Century kicking and screaming. It´s difficult to give up something that worked so well. It´s also difficult to admit the future is getting away from them. Republicans are a step ahead of Democrats who refuse to even enter through the door leading to the 21st century.
In a perfect world each party would put up a candidate with impeccable credentials. The most popular would become president and second choice would be vice president. This isn´t a perfect world and we don´t have the choice of perfect candidates we´re destined to accept the system we have.
Is it perfect, no? Is there a better system, no? Has it worked for 220 years, YES?
To date there´s no indication McCain and Lieberman are having any discussions regarding a co-campaign for the presidency, my views are purely pundit speculation with high hopes
Originally I was opposed to McCain as the Republican nominee having supported both Fred Thomson and Mitt Romney separately one at a time.
As a Goldwater / Reagan conservative I couldn´t see McCain as a candidate I wasn´t sure who would represent me in the coming election. After some serious reflection I realized the election wasn´t just about me it was also about 300 million [plus or minus] other Americans. If we are to follow the constitution then the majority must rule, in this case the majority of Republicans chose John McCain as their candidate for president. It´s my duty as a Republican to go along like it or not.
What is there about Joe Lieberman a Democrat I believe is a potential running mate for John McCain a Republican? This country hasn´t seen a split ticket since Abraham Lincoln a Republican and Andrew Johnson a Democrat ran together in 1864 when President Lincoln´s first Vice President Hannibal Hamlin was dropped from the ticket after Lincoln´s first term he chose a running mate from the other party because they meshed. We can only assume President Lincoln felt it necessary to find the most compactable running mate regardless of political party.
Both John McCain and Joe Lieberman have been considered party mavericks their entire political careers. They come closer to being Independents than party regulars. These men have been more than close friends they´ve been working partners in running the country for a quarter of a century. This could be a ticket that could transcend politics and actually work for the benefit of all the citizenry of America.
One thing is very clear neither man is willing to sacrifice their principles for party favors. Both men have been willing to alter their stand on curtail issues when it became obvious the public disagreed with them. In politics this is called flip flopping, in the real world its called reasonable behavior. A person who can be convinced they´re wrong is a person worth paying attention to, worthy of trust.
It´s obvious by the votes cast in the primaries the public is moving toward the center of the political spectrum. That being the case it would be impossible to find two men more centrist than John McCain and Joe Lieberman for a ticket for the presidency of the United States,
America is evolving the values of our grandparents and parents aren´t the same as today´s young people´s values. For better or worse people are less intense less motivated to succeed than they were 50 or 100 years ago. It seems the public is more inclined to allow the government to make decisions for them, That being the case it would be better two seasoned Centrists have control of the tiller rather than allowing the winds of politics send the ship in any direction the wind chooses.
I would have preferred a president who would put this nation back on a sound financial footing. That doesn´t seem to be what the voters are concerned with. It´s obvious neither the public nor our politicians understand market economies and the effect on public interest. Otherwise they would demand financial responsibility from congress.
Many of the Goldwater / Reagan Conservative Republicans are being drug into the 21st Century kicking and screaming. It´s difficult to give up something that worked so well. It´s also difficult to admit the future is getting away from them. Republicans are a step ahead of Democrats who refuse to even enter through the door leading to the 21st century.
In a perfect world each party would put up a candidate with impeccable credentials. The most popular would become president and second choice would be vice president. This isn´t a perfect world and we don´t have the choice of perfect candidates we´re destined to accept the system we have.
Is it perfect, no? Is there a better system, no? Has it worked for 220 years, YES?
To date there´s no indication McCain and Lieberman are having any discussions regarding a co-campaign for the presidency, my views are purely pundit speculation with high hopes
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