Vile Joe Lieberman

It's a little hard to remember that Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman was thought of as a man of integrity when he was selected by Al Gore in 2000 to be the latter's running mate.

Some integrity. On today's Meet The Press, Lieberman and Massachusetts Senator John Kerry argued about Iraq and specifically, the "surge." Here is the majority, and the relevant part (pp. 2-3 of transcript), of the repartee:

But let me come back to Iraq. On the surge, Joe and John McCain have both alleged that the surge created the "Anbar awakening." It did not. The Anbar awakening began in 2005 and 2006. One of the local leaders in a tribe in Anbar province, a fellow named Abdul Sattar al-Rishawi put together some 32 sheiks who came together. They organized what was called the Anbar Salvation Council. They then went out and took on al-Qaeda, and our military personnel adjusted with that at the time. The fact is that the Ramadi construction conference took place, and the administration didn't get a troop in there till after they'd made the political decision to become involved with the Americans. The surge added to that. If you add American troops to the equation, American troops can always provide some measure of security.

MR. BROKAW: Many people believe it wouldn't have been possible for it to be as successful as it was without the surge, however.

SEN. KERRY: I, I, I, I...

SEN. LIEBERMAN: It, it would not have been. It simply would not have been. I mean...

SEN. KERRY: But, but what's the precondition...

SEN. LIEBERMAN: John, in saying this...

SEN. KERRY: Joe, let me finish.

SEN. LIEBERMAN: I know you don't intend this...

SEN. KERRY: Let me just finish. Let me just finish.

SEN. LIEBERMAN: ...but in saying this, you're showing disrespect for the contribution and service and sacrifice...

SEN. KERRY: No, I just--excuse me.

SEN. LIEBERMAN: ...of the American soldiers because the...

SEN. KERRY: No, you just cut me off when I was saying our soldiers did an extraordinary job.

SEN. LIEBERMAN: Well please, answer to that, because the awakening would not have gone forward without the strength and support that Colonel McFarland...

SEN. KERRY: Which I was just saying.

SEN. LIEBERMAN: ...the Army, the Marines gave them.

SEN. KERRY: Which I was in the middle of saying when you interrupted me.

To summarize: Kerry argued that the surge only contributed to an improved situation in Iraq, to which Lieberman responded: "But in saying this, you're showing disrepect for the contribution and service and sacrifice...." (i.e., of the American soldiers).

How can you recognize a Democrat who is opposed to Bush's policy on Iraq? If he/she begins by praising the troops, pushes for greater benefits for returning and retired soldiers, and wants to begin an orderly, phased withdrawal, shielding American soldiers from unnecessary risk. And Joe Lieberman, as he has before, will again accuse Democrats of hating the servicemen and servicewomen and infer treason to war opponents.