Lieberman Takes on Front-Runner Dean

[Khephra]

September 9, 2003, 10:39 PM EDT


BALTIMORE -- Sen. Joe Lieberman has finally found his voice, and he's raising it against Howard Dean.

Lieberman, the party's 2000 vice presidential candidate, reached up from the second tier of a nine-candidate Democratic field and criticized the front-runner's policies on Iraq and the Middle East during the Tuesday night debate.

He was almost alone in attacking Dean. While the others still fear backlash from negative tactics, Lieberman is embracing the bash-Dean strategy to distinguish himself from the crowded field.

"I think in many respects he's helping himself," said Michael Coleman, Democratic mayor of Columbus, Ohio. "He came across as a man who believes what he's saying and doesn't mind who he takes on to say it."

But several other Democrats said Lieberman's performance illustrates why his rivals shied away from attacking Dean, even at the risk of allowing Dean to build on his momentum.

"It basically sounded shrill to me," said Joe Shanahan, veteran Democratic activist in Iowa. "Lieberman didn't make his point well, and Dean responded strongly."

One thing Democrats agreed upon: Dean smoothly fielded Lieberman's blows and faced few others, thus he left the debate as he arrived -- unscathed and still the front-runner.

more......................

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-debate-analysis,0,1514689.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[sujan]

1. next

[He loved Big Brother]

5. ::Laughing::

My thought exactly.

[Khephra]

2. Lieberman's favorite song pick was actually apt

"And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain."

We can only hope...we can only hope. Time to take a bow and get off the stage, GI Joe.

[Merlin]

11. LOL! Good observation. n/t

.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

3. I'm more concerned of course

with Dean's response than Lieberman's attack, which was weak.

And Dean's response was just right. I think he wanted to kick Joe's ass when he interrupted him, but I'm glad he kept his cool. He is the frontrunner, and needs to respond clearly and calmly. As he did.

[janx]

13. I missed the debate last night. How did he respond?

And is there a transcript of this anywhere? Will it be re-broadcast?

[Born Free]

4. Lieberman acts more like a republican candidate every day

They tried the negative attacks on Rendall in Pennsylvania, it didn't work and it won't work on Dean if Dean can stay focused on the issues. I was hoping for Al Gore to return, along with Clarke or Dean as VP, but Dean is slowly winning my vote.

[CWebster]

6. Lieberman has nothing to lose,

but what a smacked ass.

[dbt]

7. In Blanche Lincoln (DINO-AR) and Joe Lieberman

the Repukes have a couple of very good soldiers. Pity nobody seems to want to out them!

:freak:
dbt

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

8. It was kismet

that it was Lieberman who got most of the interruptions from the protesters since he was attacking Dean and then trying to interrupt Dean. What goes around comes around...

[Robb]

9. GO LIEBERMAN!!

Woo-hoo! Lieberman in 2004!! Woo! Woo!!

I'm kidding, of course. What a maroon. I'm looking forward to the day I hear, "I'll take Leiberman to block..."

game show reference that makes me seem older than I am

[malachi]

10. Would someone please

find out what Lieberman and his staff is moking. I'd like to purchase a pound or two for myself. What a feckin' idgyt!

[Oreegone]

12. Lieberman turns into Limbaugh

Lieberbaugh?
Limbergerbaugh?
Liebaughman?

Whatever you call him, he ain't no dang Democrat I ever layed eyes on
Maynard....creepy icky little man he is....