Glenn Greenwald: Why do neoconservative extremists love Joe Lieberman?

[Ms. Clio]

Why do neoconservative extremists love Joe Lieberman?

(snip)

The most bizarre and frustrating aspect of listening to discussions by the national media of the Lieberman race is the expression of surprise and anger over the fact that Democrats would want to eject Lieberman from the Senate. Imagine if there were a prominent Republican Senator in a primary fight and Michael Moore, or Al Franken, or Molly Ivins, or whoever was the most hated liberal of the moment made it one of their priorities to work for that GOP Senator's re-election, and even touted that Senator for Defense Secretary in a Democratic administration or as a vice-presidential nominee alongside Russ Feingold or Hillary Clinton.

(snip)

And it isn't just Kristol. The most enthusiastic supporters of Lieberman are not "moderate" Democrats, but are instead the most extreme Bush "conservatives." It is the Sean Hannitys and Michelle Malkins and Rush Limbaughs and Ann Coulters and Fred Barnes who consider Lieberman their ideological soulmate and who are most supportive of his candidacy. Why is that? Isn't the obvious answer because the issues that are most important to the country are (a) the endless, limitless "Global War of Civilizations" and (b) the radically enhanced police powers which that "War" justifies at home? In those areas, Joe Lieberman is as pure and reliable ally as it gets for the most extreme elements on the neoconservative Right.

The idea that Lieberman is some sort of "centrist Democrat" and that the effort to defeat him is driven by radical leftists who hate bipartisanship is nothing short of inane. Why would Sean Hannity and Bill Kristol be so eager to keep a "centrist Democrat" in the Senate? Lincoln Chafee is a "centrist Republican." Are there any Democrats or liberals who care if Lincoln Chafee wins his primary? Do leftist ideologues run around praising and defending and working for the re-election of Olympia Snowe or Chris Shays or other Republican "centrists"? Do Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity love other Democratic "centrists," such as, say, Mary Landrieu or Joe Biden? The answer to all of those questions is plainly "no".

The love which right-wing extremists have for Joe Lieberman isn't based on the fact that he's a "centrist." If Lieberman were a "centrist," extremists would not care about him. They would not be vigorously urging his re-election, or praising his potential appointment as Bush Defense Secretary, or touting him as a Vice-Presidential running mate for George Allen. They do that because he is one of them -- a neoconservative extremist who is with them on virtually every major issue of the day.

[TrueFunkSoldier]

1. A very enthusiastic

AMEN to this commentary. Couldn't have stated it better...

[Ms. Clio]

5. he really nails it, doesn't he?

[Nickster]

2. Astute observations as always. n/t

[Ms. Clio]

16. Greenwald is always worth reading, but especially when he is so right

[Ganja Ninja]

3. Exactly he's one of their own.

Not only that but the right is trying to frame the democratic primary with an eye on the general election.
In the primary it's: Lieberman = centrist, Lamont = extremist.
And in the general it will be Lamont the radical left wing cut n' run extremist, vs the level headed thoughtful republican.

[Ms. Clio]

6. Before I changed the channel, I heard one of the local wingnut radio hosts

talking about how Lieberman had the "courage and decency to stand with the President."

Yes, that's like Cokie yammering on about how a Lamont win will "hurt" Democrats. They are just scared spitless of genuine democracy.

[GOPBasher]

4. That was a very good argument against Lieberman. eom

[Ms. Clio]

7. Yep, they don't call him "Glennzilla" for nothing! n/t

[warrens]

8. The neocons are right, in a way

The issue IS bipartisanship. I have no interest in being "bipartisan" with a pack of drooling nazis, and anyone in my party who relishes that prospect should go find another party. Perhaps the "appeasement to fascism" party or the Neville Chamberlain party. They can all go fuck themselves. They're pure evil, and collaborators should be dragged out and shot.

[Ms. Clio]

13. my sentiments exactly! n/t

[me b zola]

9. k&r

:thumbsup:

[Ms. Clio]

11. grazie!

it's a great read.

[Joe Chi Minh]

10. Nuff said that they do....!

A whole new take on, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree"?

[Ms. Clio]

12. I saw more neocon hysteria on Faux News earlier

along with an ad attacking Lamont.

Their concern for Joe is just so touching.

[spooky3]

14. Enablers think they're loved, but they're really being used

by the alcoholic or other dysfunctional party who is manipulating them.

[Ms. Clio]

15. Yep, Loserman was always just a tool n/t