McCain's Unlikely Standard-Bearer

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Lieberman Pushes For Independent Voters

Sen. Joe Lieberman, a former Democrat who is now an Independent, spoke at the Republican National Convention. He criticized his former party's nominee as an untested candidate unwilling to challenge powerful interest groups.

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Republicans, of course, see the story of Lieberman quite differently. They love tweaking Democrats about Lieberman. Here's a guy who, campaigning as a Democrat in 2000, came within one state of becoming the first Jewish American vice president. Here's a guy who pursued the Democratic presidential nomination four years later. Now, look at him. He's no longer your guy, he's our guy.

"He's become a pariah of his party," said commentator Tony Blankley, a former top aide to Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich. "But he's a tremendously valuable asset for McCain." That said, Blankey added: "I'm relieved that he didn't get the vice presidential nomination. It would have blown up the convention. You can't put that kind of broadly liberal person on the ticket."

The chatter on the convention floor and in the corridors all day Tuesday was what would become of Lieberman and what his appearance at this partisan gathering meant. Graham, who had dinner with Lieberman on Monday evening, said he believed that his friend understood how precarious his standing was with Democrats, that a big Democratic victory would likely seal his fate. "He's at peace with himself," Graham said.

Norman Ornstein, a political analyst at the American Enterprise Institute who was attending the convention, said he did not see in Lieberman a man at peace. "He's just got to be churning inside about Palin," said Ornstein, adding that being passed over for someone so inexperienced on the national security issues he cares about must rankle. "Lieberman has said this is all about the transcendental threat of Islamic fundamentalist, transatlantic terrorism. And here's this pick who is not ready on Day One, Two or 100."

Ken Blackwell, the former Ohio secretary of state and a conservative, said giving Lieberman a prominent speaking role at the convention made good political sense for McCain. "He's got the base so juiced up, he can now do a little bit of prospecting for independents and disaffected Democrats. Lieberman's appearance aids and abets that."

West Virginia delegate Steve Harrison said he was happy to hear Lieberman's speech because it's a challenge in his state "to get people to look at the candidates instead of voting party because the state is so heavily Democratic in registration."

As the convention hall cleared, Gingrich proclaimed the evening a success and Lieberman a hit. "His single biggest statement is being here."