Tommy Ates Online©: Lieberman Against the World

In the past few weeks, Liebermans been fighting on all fronts (and going nowhere fast). As a result, Democratic presidential candidate Senator Joseph Lieberman has roared into the nomination race and headlines (not for his increasing support) but his pro-war, anti-Hollywood" views that have left him at an increasing distance from primary voters. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out the Senator has developed an image problem. Apparently, Liebermans race to become the anti-Dean" candidate has worked too well. Hes almost not considered a Democrat" at all.

(PRWEB) December 29, 2003 --In the past few weeks, Liebermans been fighting on all fronts (and going nowhere fast).

As a result, Democratic presidential candidate Senator Joseph Lieberman has roared into the nomination race and headlines (not for his increasing support) but his pro-war, anti-Hollywood" views that have left him at an increasing distance from primary voters.

It doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out the Senator has developed an image problem.

Apparently, Liebermans race to become the anti-Dean" candidate has worked too well. Hes almost not considered a Democrat" at all.

The candidates troubles first began with his stance on the Iraq War. Among the first Democratic senators to break away from the Democratic opposition with his endorsement, it was clear the future nomination contender (along with Gephardt) was trying to lay the groundwork for a presidential campaign. But, the future candidate did not notice that the Democratic primary electorate was increasing against the war, or he heed the repeated warnings from the Democratic establishment and military brass regarding the potential geopolitical pitfalls such venture could generate.

Instead, Joseph Lieberman chose to stick to his guns, rationalizing the policy of pre-emptive war by citing the continuing violations of Iraq in regards to United Nations resolutions on WMD, Middle East stability, and if necessary, (in front of his Jewish constituency) the protection of Israel. This Democratic candidate, along with the Republican incumbent, decided to stake their political fortunes on the success of the Iraq War. But, the Senator made a crucial mistake, to think you could run on the same foreign policy as the incumbent and win as the Democratic nominee (when President Bush remade his presidency into a foreign policy-headed" White House after September 11th).

For Bush administration, whether the Iraq War and the defeat of Saddam Hussein generated the desired effects of stability and safer Eastern front for Israel remains to seen. In light of the messy post-war period for the Lieberman campaign, the idea of the cloaking themselves of the banner of strong defense" and strong economic policy," simply could not get off the ground. The newspaper headlines regarding the growing number of U.S. and coalition casualties fueled fire and resentment from anti-Bush activists who, in the apparent absence of a Ralph Nader, attached themselves to former Vermont Governor Howard Dean as the reigning anti-Bush" out of the Democratic presidential field. Lieberman criticism of the post-war handling of war but not the decision itself so far has fallen flat with potential voters.

For 2004, primary voters seem to want a liberal maverick, not a centrist cum religious conservative.

Even worse (than John Kerry), all of Joe Liebermans issues were taken by other candidates.
Liebermans positions on abortion (hes flip-flopped) and sex and violence in movies dont help matters with the liberal elites who have found their pet candidates du jour in Howard Dean, and the emerging military anti-Dean," former General Wesley Clark. His religious views are outperformed by Al Sharpton. The military platform overshadowed by John Kerry and former General Wesley Clark. His stance with Hollywood, though popular with soccer moms and conservatives, a fundraising turn-off with an activist, secular base which, in the Democratic Party, has connections with the artistic community.

That, of course, leaves candidates like Joe Lieberman, who have been campaigning for the nomination since 2000, out in the cold.

However, perhaps the biggest defeat of Senator Liebermans campaign was not at his own doing. The endorsement of the former 2000 Democratic candidate Al Gore was the ultimate humiliation, especially when Lieberman first found out through the newspapers. The former conscious of the Party, the Connecticut Senator (big on manners) holds on the launch his campaign, to see if Gore would run again. Then, the favor of the endorsement not only unreturned, but Gore sighting Howard Dean as the only candidate to generate any excitement.

In Gores eyes, Lieberman must have been putting voters to sleep. So much for any supposed friendship."

Like John Kerry, all of these incidents and Liebermans harsh rhetoric towards Dean after the Gore nomination has place a time clock on the once energetic senators campaign.

The only state Lieberman has a hope of doing well is in South Carolina, where religion and conservative politics matter. As the Confederate Flag flies stubbornly over its capital in Columbia, Liebermans last stand better focus on the needs of loyal democrats. Beyond the quick antidotes and catch phrases, Joe has to win the voters over with his charm and sincerity of belief. If he doesnt, hes finished and the Dean machine reigns supreme.

But it doesn't have to be for his political career.

In the end, it could be a win/ win" situation, if he loses and exits the race, theres always the Senate, and the knowledge that (among loyal democrats), he will always be known as an honest Joe." Reelection assured.

But thats not the goal. Perhaps more than anyone else in the field, Lieberman wants to be President.

With a solid, social agenda and centrist message, this nice guy may still finish first.      
Maybe.

Tommy Ates loves the left because the left is always right! Tommy Ates has appeared in several publications, such as The Houston Chronicle, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, The Wichita Eagle, The Macon Telegraph, and Global Black News, among others. Please consult contact information on column release dates and/ or pricing.