If Lieberman endorses McCain, with which demographic niche in the Repub primary does that not hurt?

[Stop Cornyn]

If you've ever been to freerepub or any similar half-baked-thought emporium, you know that the Repub party faithful greatly mistrust McCain.

Doesn't a Lieberman endorsement (especially during the primary) greatly reinforce and fuel that mistrust?

What voting block which participates in the Repub caucuses and primaries is persuaded by Lieberman's endorsement?

Imagine a Repub counterpart to Lieberman (some ex-RINO who was disliked in both parties and who became an "independent" only after losing his party's primary). Now imagine in this ex-RINO endorsed a Democrat in the primary.

Would that endorsement make me MORE inclined to vote for the ex-RINO-endorsed candidate?

Hell no! Just the opposite.

If some jackass ex-RINO endorsed a candidate who was polling in the single digits in Iowa, I'd think "I knew there was a reason I didn't like that rat bastard!"

I suppose with enough time and effort I could invent some scenario where Lieberman's endorsement might conceivably help McCain in the general election, but I can't even imagine a scenario where Lieberman's endorsement does anything but hurt McCain in the primary.

The only real question is whether the Giuliani or Romney campaign will be the first to issue a statement ridiculing McCain for being endorsed by an ex-Democrat.

[TwilightGardener]

1. The only person I can think of who fits your description of an ex-RINO

is Lincoln Chaffee, and I'd be perfectly happy if he endorsed Obama. I don't think Holy Joe's endorsement hurts McCain, but the only help it gives him is a little publicity, because Joe has absolutely no influence or following.

[PhD]

2. Lieberman has at least one follower

Me! It's refreshing to see a politician who casts ideology and partisan affiliations aside for a change. I am FED UP with the vast majority of political figures who do nothing but pander to a lunatic fringe, saying and doing absolutely anything while selling out any principles they might have once believed in to win a handful of votes.

[JohnLocke]

3. Tell me you're not serious.

[ingac70]

4. Joe Lieberman is a whore.

Glad he helped put another nail in McCain's political coffin, though.

[Stop Cornyn]

17. Agreed!

[MrSlayer]

5. But Lieberman IS pandering to a lunatic fringe.

Have you not been paying attention? He's on record as actively encouraging an Iran invasion. Not bombing strategically, which would be bad enough, but a full on invasion. He's been fully on board with the Iraq fiasco throughout and continues to extol its virtues like some kind of frothing Baghdad Bob on acid. The pro-war, profiteering, criminal neo-cons are the fucking lunatic fringe and that's who he's pandering to. It's one thing to stand proudly and boldly apart from your party for an honorable principle and quite another to stand apart to support something dishonorable and felonious.

Is "Yay for taking a side and staying with it no matter what it is" really all it takes to secure your admiration?

[Stop Cornyn]

11. But do you think there are any lunatics who were not voting for McCain who are now voting for him

because of the Lieberman endorsement?

I say there are no such individuals.

[MrSlayer]

12. I agree with you on that.

Joe isn't drumming up any real support for McCain.

[Czolgosz]

10. But Chaffee didn't declare himself to be an "independent" after losing a Republican primary so he's

got that last shred of dignity that Lieberman lacks.

Still, if there was a Democrat who was suffering in the primary from a perception that the candidate lacks party loyalty, an endorsement from someone who caucuses with the other party would hurt more than help.

The Lieberman endorsement will cost McCain votes.

[izzie]

6. I think Joe likes the spot light and will do any thing to stay in it.

He has sort of lost his footing since 2000 for sure.

[Shrek]

7. Maybe it's not meant to influence Republicans

This could be the early stages of the McCain/Lieberman (I) ticket, to be launched after McCain's likely collapse in the primaries.

In that case, this could be an early attempt to establish their bipartisan bona fides with swing voters.

[riona]

8. OK, even the naysayers must get it now

Do everyone a favor, Joe, and officially change your Party affiliation.

[MethuenProgressive]

9. That blows Obama's dream of an Obama/Lieberman ticket.

But McCain/Obama still's an option.


edit: added an n.

[Tejanocrat]

13. Lieberman hurts McCain. Anyone checked out the response at freeperville? Bet they're apoplectic!

[Stop Cornyn]

14. I'm also curious about the freeper response, but I hate to patronize that website with a visit.

[ingac70]

18. I've been over there...

One post says "An ex-Democrat endorsing a wannabe Democrat".

That is pretty much the consensus over there... does no favors for McCain, may actually hurt him.

[Rowdyboy]

15. It could possibly draw in all 10 pro-war independents in New Hampshire.....

In other words, Lieberman's endorsement ain't worth shit in votes.

[Stop Cornyn]

16. Aside from not drawing in any votes, I'm sure it cost McCain some support.