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By Perfect, He Means Terrible

There is, however, somebody who would fill that bill and therefore be a near-perfect pick for McCain: Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman. ~Stuart Rothenburg When I was in Washington for CPAC, my colleagues were talking about the possibility of McCain-Lieberman, and I laughed at them.  I believe my exact words were, “That would be insane.”  So, […]

There is, however, somebody who would fill that bill and therefore be a near-perfect pick for McCain: Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman. ~Stuart Rothenburg

When I was in Washington for CPAC, my colleagues were talking about the possibility of McCain-Lieberman, and I laughed at them.  I believe my exact words were, “That would be insane.”  So, right away, you can see that it is something that McCain might actually do.  Even so, it is such a bizarre idea that I don’t know why it keeps being circulated.  Of course Weekly Standard folks are going to talk it up, as they have done before, since it would represent an ideal one-two punch of mindless jingoism (a.k.a., “centrism”), but who actually thinks that this would be a winning combination?  What reasons does Rothenburg give?  He writes:

Lieberman’s selection to McCain’s ticket would send a clear message about bipartisanship and about McCain’s desire to change the way things are done. While the Democratic nominee surely will talk about bringing people together and “change,” a truly bipartisan McCain-Lieberman ticket would trump any and all Democratic rhetoric.

The selection of Lieberman would have particular appeal to independent voters, who are likely to be a key swing group later this year.

But choosing Lieberman is as good a symbol as any that you don’t want to change how anything is done.  Lieberman and McCain both stand for continuity with the policies of the last eight years, at least as far as foreign affairs are concerned.  If selecting Rice would be politically crazy for demonstrating a close connection to the Bush administration, how is it any less crazy to choose someone who has been so supportive of the administration’s Iraq policy such that his own party no longer wants him?  Does Lieberman actually bring any more independents to McCain that McCain wouldn’t already get?  That is doubtful, and Rothenburg offers no evidence beyond the conventional assumption that Lieberman is a “centrist.”  I have already said what I think about that idea. 

Besides, the conventional wisdom, which happens to be right, is that McCain still needs to shore up conservative support.  Obama is losing Democrats left and right in general election match-ups, but McCain isn’t exactly unifying the right behind him, either.  To choose Lieberman would be the final straw for millions who are very grudgingly accepting McCain’s nomination.  It might not drive many people to vote third party, but it would depress turnout in swing state after swing state.  It would confirm every pro-life, conservative critique of McCain, it would validate every progressive attack on Lieberman as a sell-out, and it would drive home the message that the priority of the GOP is nothing but the war.  There are theoretically worse choices (Tommy Franks!), but few would have more negative political consequences than selecting Lieberman.  

What about the negative reaction to this selection?  According to Rothenburg, this is some kind of advantage:

Third, selecting Lieberman would anger both conservatives and Democrats. In other words, it’s a “two-fer” for McCain, who seems to relish those moments when he can stick it to people he doesn’t like. Just think how McCain would chuckle at the thought of annoying both ends of the political spectrum.

Yes, he would chuckle all the way to a ten point loss.  I can think of nothing that could better energise Democratic voters than the prospect of beating McCain and rejecting a turncoat.  This is the kind of thing that might even make me vote for the Democratic ticket just to punish the other side for being so remarkably stupid.

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