Lieberman ignores concerns, cozies up to radical evangelist
By Steve Benen Tuesday Jul 22, 2008 8:05pmWhen Joe Lieberman agreed to headline John Hagee’s Christians United For Israel Washington Summit, it was some months ago, before the political controversy over Hagee’s radical worldview, and before even John McCain decided Hagee is a little too nutty to be associated with. I thought it was at least possible that Lieberman, citing his loyalty to McCain, would back out of the event.
Mr. Lieberman was greeted by a boisterous standing ovation in a room decked out with United States and Israeli flags. “I am your brother Joseph,” he said.
Asserting that Mr. Hagee had worked hard to fight anti-Semitism, Mr. Lieberman said: “I don’t agree with everything Pastor Hagee has said, and I can safely say that the pastor doesn’t agree with everything that I’ve said. But there’s so much more than that that we agree on.”
Mr. Lieberman added, “I will tell you tonight the bond that I feel with Pastor Hagee and each and every one of you is much stronger than that and I am proud to stand with you tonight.”
I argued a while back that Lieberman either a) has no idea what Hagee believes, but stands by him anyway; or b) knows what Hagee believes, but doesn’t care. Given Lieberman’s speech last night, it’s clearly the latter.
Indeed, Lieberman acknowledged the controversy surrounding Hagee, and proceeded to compare the radical evangelical to Moses. Seriously.
A friend of mine alerted me to this transcript of Lieberman’s remarks:
“The political controversy that has swirled around Pastor Hagee reminds me of one of the unique lessons in the Bible about leadership. In Greek mythology, the leaders were flawless and virtual demi-gods. It was impossible for mere mortals to try to emulate them. The heroes of the Bible, however, are humans, great humans, but with human failings.
“Even Moses fell short of God’s expectations. He made a mistake and hit the rock rather than speaking to it as God commanded. His sister, the prophetess Miriam, sinned too when she spoke badly about Moses. But this didn’t make Moses and Miriam bad people or failed leaders. Their shortcomings were only part of the larger fabric of their remarkable lives of faith and service. And that’s the way the Bible and those who read it view them.
“And that’s why I would say Moses and Miriam were fortunate that they did not live in the merciless attack-counterattack political culture of our time which would undoubtedly have stressed their shortcomings and ignored their great deeds. I can only imagine what the bloggers of their day would have had to say about Moses and Miriam.”
Keep in mind, Lieberman thinks liberal bloggers are foul-mouthed, and political leaders shouldn’t be associated with groups like MoveOn.org, but John Hagee is respectable because of his life work fighting anti-Semitism and building bridges between Christians and Jews.
I see. So, Lieberman is fine with the fact that Hagee’s support for Israel is “rooted in the belief that the Jewish state will — soon — be the site of Armageddon,” and his “brand of Christian Zionism closely links support for Israel to the end of the world and the conversion of the Jews to Christianity.”
And Lieberman is fine with the fact that Hagee believes Jews have been persecuted over the centuries, but it’s their own fault.
And Lieberman is fine with the fact that Hagee’s “support” for Israel is rooted in the notion that Hagee welcomes Israel’s destruction.
It’s not that Hagee loves Israel, so much as he foresees a blood-soaked war in the Middle East that leads to Jesus’ return, at which point the Jews who survive will become Christians. This is the man Lieberman wants to be associated with — and publicly compares to Moses.
For that matter, I’m emphasizing Jewish concerns, but let’s not forget that Hagee has also levied jaw-dropping attacks against Catholics, African Americans, women, Muslims, and gays.
The NYT reported, “Over 40,000 signatures were delivered to Mr. Lieberman’s office encouraging him not to speak at the event.” For the sake of what’s left of his reputation, he really should have listened.
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Holy Joe ain't so Holy
my fellow brothers in moses need to note this and realize that holy joe is a self hating jew, who will sell out his people for power
he is no better than the capos from the camps
stone him
The key to this little incident is that the conservatives are shifting gears. They are never more at home than when they are victims, and Liebermann and Hagee are preparing to become the long-suffering, martyred victims of the failed neoconservative movement. The next four years will feature howls of persecution from the corporate Right, even as they wallow in accumulated wealth and power. They will exploit the suffering that they caused among the masses to direct that pain and anger at their foes. They will call for "brotherhood among victims" from the very victims of their own policies. They will turn on a dime and assault their political foes for the very suffering they caused.
The conservative is NEVER more at home than when playing the victim. The next four (or eight) years are going to smell a lot like the Nineties under Gingrich.
hagee...right wing extremists.....fits well with NEOCON philosophy....religous fervor
Truly, Lieberman is Wanker of the Century (20th).
These two will compromise anything to get what they need from the other. Lieberman wants money and Hagee wants political influence. They'd sell out their own mothers rather than tell the other to take a hike.
But is Sen. Lieberman, Rapture Ready(TM)?
He has no reputation left, and he's certainly demonstrated time and again that he listens to no one but himself.
Once again, thank you head-in-the-sand CT Dems who voted for this piece of shit. Had you ALL voted for Lamont -the DEMOCRAT in the race - we'd be rid of this asshole for good.
I get the feeling, McCain explained to Hagee he had to distance himself from him, do to the grossly unfair picture being painted of him by the radical liberal press. But, he would allow his lapdog, Joe, act as a proxy on his behalf.
There is a third or fourth explanation--dementia. The man has to be bat crap nuts to do this and it is past time for the DNC and the leadership to tell him to go away. There is no sane explanation for his positions or his statements. Dangerous, stupid, and deluded are no way way to go through life, son.
or c) as a consummate politician will say or do just about anything to get elected.
It is simple.
These Yahoos place Israel's welfare above America's for religious reasons.
And Lieberman is the U.S. Senator from the State of Israel.
All united to promote Israel over America.
Joe is not just a lap dog. He is the dog who humps Hagee's leg while pissing on the rest of us.
Liarman is just another sleazy political prostitute sucking up to his pimp, Hagee. He is the posterboy of situational opportunism and pandering---a malignant cancer on our politics that needs to be removed immediately.
I wouldn't compare Hagee to Moses so much as I would compare him to a whale.
Lieberman would suck a snake's tonsils if it served his purposes.
Ain't that right, Lucifer?
Jo @ 14:
Shit, dude, thanks a lot for the imagery! :)
Jo @ 14:
Woof.
Hagee isnt a radical , hes a screaming neo-nazi.
"Hitler was good for the Jews" and "Jews dont have human souls"
these are Hagee's words and views he published in one of his books.
This is Joe's new money bags BBF, sad aint it.
Come November this sleazy opportunist should be history.
Oh boy!
The Zionist, Rapturist connection.
My favorite.
Johnny2BadObamaCaved @ 19:
Awwwwwwwwww. Ain't he cunnin'.
I used to see lie-berman as just another sleazy politician. The truth is he's completely off the rail and probably in need of a psychiatric consultation and some anti-psychotics.
It's almost certain the democrats will have a solid majority in the senate following the November election and their first move should be to throw this prick under the bus! If Reid hasn't got the balls to do it, replace him with someone who does!
Uncle Joe Mccarthy @ 2:
And to make things worse, Joe's wife is from a holocaust survivor family,
she had assorted close relatives butchered by people with Hagee's mindset.
Matt in Texas @ 18:
Sorry, and it's dudette btw.
the republicans can have him.
can we get congress to pass a law that lieberman be barred from claiming that he is a democrat?
Jo @ 27:
I stand corrected. (But with a lingering gross picture in my mind.)
Matt in Texas @ 29:
...and you must know that in that picture, the leg-humping dog is "Droopy" of cartoon fame.
Matt in Texas @ 29:
Bad doggie! No bone for you, and no more chairmanships come 2009. (one hopes)
Steve Hussein @ 21:
Hate to tell you, but US Senators serve for 6 years. Liebermen is not up for reelection again until 2012. Please see: http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/class.htm which explains the 3 classes of senators and their terms.
Thanks to the Democratic leadership, they allowed holy joe to worm his way back into office because they did not support Lamont. Clinton supported him, also Schumer. They've made their beds and now they have to deal with this monster. He could have been gone and none of this would have happened. That would have been too simple and obvious. There were debts to pay, and they had to let it happen. That is why I could never be a politician--I'd tell them all to go to hell and nobody would owe me anything.
Jo @ 31:
Stop it, I beg you! The imagery BUURRRRRRNNNNNSSSSS!!!!
"No bone(r) for you...."
enough @ 32:
fine get him out of those committees.....i wish he would get the v.p. node.....two pandering fools
Its winning at all costs and its the same thing McNuts claimed Obama pursues to the point of "losing the war" for his political benefit. Its that ol' psychological projection at work and it works well for the dumbed-down minions. Smoke and mirrors. Hagee is prostituting his entire flock for the benefit of the real elitists and quite literally too stupid to understand he is also being used. Lieberman is the manifestation of evil and a Republican.
enough, what I meant to say was lieberman should lose his influential role as tie breaker.
"I am your brother Joseph." brings to mind the bible story of the coat of many colors. When his brothers come to get food from the Pharoh they do not recognize him humping the leg of Pharoh. Or something like that.
Lieberman- (I) ASSHOLE
This is like watching an ice sculpture melt. Inevitable and boring.
What a horrific end to a political career, and it's all his own doing.
Talk about manchurian candidates.
I can't even imagine the damage he would have done to Gore if the supremes hadn't given little georgie the keys to the white house.
Hagee and his followers are some of the most batshit crazy lunatics in the country and here we have politicians in the very highest of offices entertaining them ... this is just surreal ... is this shit truly becoming mainstream? Holy Fuck
Today's Haaretz: "Sen. Joe Lieberman praises pastor who said Holocaust was God's work "
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1004845.html
and comment from Jerusalem Post: "Israel has no reason to fear Obama"
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331060943&pagename=JPost%...
Moses executed a man for picking up sticks on the Sabbath and led a genocide of an indigenous group, along with executing people who dared question his leadership. If John Hagee is that sort of man, Lieberman had better be very wary around him.
I think maybe LIEberman is maybe just one of those closeted "Jews for Jesus." I remember they were around back in the 70's...
Or, it could just be the Joe prefers to be close to the money: I'm sure Hagee has a nice littel stash, and the Zionists who bankrolled the founding and continuing existence of Israel are the same folks who own the Fed banks and control most of the rest of the wealth of the world.
Forget the Christian, Jew or whatever label. Sociopaths enjoy each others' company. Who should be surprised?
Amitola @ 42:
Aw, great, you mean the "Jews control the world" theories didn't die with Hitler, now we on the Left get that lovely bag of shit on fire on our doorstep?
G-ddamit.holy joe knows his political career's almost over.
he's like a guy who's realized his condition is terminal, so he decides he's gonna bang every nasty ho he can find before the lights go out.
If Joey thinks so highly of Pastor Hagee, then why doesn’t he accept Jesus Christ as his personal savior? Please don’t tell me they’re just using each other for personal gain!!!!
Yes: Snark off\
You forgot option c.) Neither man actually believes any of his own words, and they both know it.
They could both be lying through their teeth, for thier own reasons. I wouldn't believe a word that came out of Hagee's mouth - good OR bad.
why even flatter this putz by recognizing that he is alive. Nothing he says or does should be noted. He's less than. ..
After November, Judas, I mean Joe Lieberman will be spending the rest of his miserable life un-fucking himself !
My yiddish isn't that good but I'm pretty sure Lieberman is what's called a putz.
Sounds like Joe Lieberman's "come to Jesus" moment.
The Religious Right is fanatically devoted to Israel. It is an amazing paradoxical alliance, especially since Christian doctrine teaches that Jews who reject the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and Deity of Christ are doomed to eternal damnation.
REID told everyone to leave LIE-berman alone. So how are you going to get him relieved as a Committee Head when those in charge are LIE-bermans sock-puppets. I believe LIE-berman will run again. He has the backing of all the DEMOCRATIC leader ship. We will see in two thousand and twleve.
Steve Hussein @ 21:
Better be!! I also think he has dementia!
This will be a picture-perfect moment. When McCain chooses his running mate, and it's not Lieberman. All of that brownnosing for nothing!
Gary @ 25:
Yes! Like, oh... maybe Russ Feingold?!? In the House, Pelosi should be out too, and not replaced with another political sleazebag like Rahm, but with a true progressive voice. Dennis Kucinich maybe? At least that would give the media another excuse to show pics of his hot wife, right?
Ugh... Lieberman would sell his own children into an Al Quaeda chapter of NAMBLA if it would score him some political points. Thanks again CT. We all get to suffer for your gullible, stupid vote.
"Even Moses fell short of God’s expectations."
That statment throws open a window with an interesting view into Lieberquisling's mind. By comparing Hagee to Moses and then referring to Moses' falling short of God's expectations while making that reference in the context of Hagee falling short of Lieberquisling's expectations, Sanctimonious Joe is comparing himself to God. Holding himeslf co-equal. That's a pretty fair feat of self-promotion. Then, he goes on to say some drivel about attack/counter-attack culture, implying that he is himself a victim, who - somehow - manages to always martial on. He gets to be God's co-equal and partner and, he also gets to be a long-suffering martyr.
Two for the price of one: It's a desert topping and a floor wax!
It has been clear for some long time now that Lieberquisling is a self-dedicated egotist and relentless opportunist, but this performance kinda makes those traits stand out in stark relief.
Whattadouchbag.
Why should Holy Joe care what Hagee believes so long as that man has a vacuum sealed lip lock on AIPAC's Likudnik ass.
Joe will soon represent the 60th vote in the Senate.
Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer know that Joey will become the key to cloture after November 4th. so, once again, they may need him.
but he'll lose his chairmanship of committees.
Of course, we could convert another moderate to become independent.... then, Joe's influence is toast.
Holy Joe's just appealing to his "other" constituency: AIPAC and the good citizens of Tel Aviv.
woody, tokin librul @ 60:
Don't be a schmuck. Do you think AIPAC and the people of Israel like Hagee?
So let me get this right...in the world according to Joe, anti-Semitic bigots = bad; anti-Catholic bigots = good.
What a flaming dick.
Dr Acula @ 61:
Probably not, doc...but maybe they like his influence over his flock. Politics makes for strange bedfellows.
Dr Acula @ 61:
Israel likes Hagee's money, and his lobbying for their land grabs. They don't care for him but they do like what he brings them. He's like the crazy rich uncle - always embarrassing you at dinner and totally nuts, but rich as hell and generous around holiday time.
HAGEE FIGHTS ANTI-SEMITISM..... i guess if you consider getting rid of jews does the trick ?
is there any chance we can have Liarman declared "not a jew", he is embarassing the rest of us... a woody allen of the 2000's...
i know we are the chosen people-----> but wouldn't it be fair for god to choose someone else this time around
WE ALL LOVE A LITTLE BUSH @ 65:
Lieberman is as big an embarrassment for the Jews as Hagee is for the Christians. Now that is a marriage made in hell, no? Together they stand to humiliate most of the US simply through religious affiliation.
Its time to tax religions when religious leaders are acting as political action groups. They should not be tax exempt when they are political lobbyists. LIE-berman depends on the ignorance of the people for his existence. This will all end in November when the democrats achieve a real majority, and Harry Reid wont have to "whore" for LIE-berman.
yoda @ 67:
This is exactly right. When religious groups begin endorsing candidates and conducting political rallies from the pulpit THEY have breached the separation of church and state. They have chosen the political over the religious and they need to lose their tax exempt status. http://www.au.org/site/PageServer Americans United for a Separation of Church and State.
As I see these repeated specimens of abominable behavior on the part of Lieberman, and as a Jew who has had the opportunity to live and work in Israel, I repeatedly find myself attempting to make the point that this malicious nonsense does not represent the views of either the Israeli people or of their government.
The average Israeli Jew that I encountered is far more ready to confront the part Israel has played in creating the present situation than Americans are to look at the reality they have generated in Iraq. Believe me, they have virtually no understanding of the insane apocalyptic myths of right wing Christianity. Their lives have taught them to be pragmatic, and they would have no interest in furthering this arrant nonsense.
This is important because the conflation of people like Lieberman with Israeli interests just serves to place the blame for their conduct on other countries. Lieberman is a home-grown phenomenon and the answer to people like him must be found here, not eleven thousand miles away.
Just read the book on Hagee's church. It's a cult and a very interesting one. It's the home of the "low information" voter, which is one of McCain's target groups.
(What exactly does that say about his entire candidacy?)
If Lieberman is cozying up to these poor brainwashed folks, it says more about Lieberman and the desperation of the McCain campaign than about anything else.
It's not hard to deceive those who wish to be deceived. Good luck to them all.
ferrofluid (Obama 08) @ 26:
And Lieberman's stepson is a rabbi who supports Obama. Love to be at one of those Friday night Seders.
Gretchen @ 64:
Fantastic observation. He does work in Israel's behalf, sort of a Christian/Israel lobby that they don't have to pay for. They just bankroll Lieberman and keep him happy...he does the rest.
ferrofluid (Obama 08) @ 20:
What kinda nut job is Hagee? "Hitler was good for the Jews" - HOW? "Jews dont have human souls". What an ass Hagee is. What an ass Lieberman is.
The real irony is that the religious right wants to protect Israel just long enough for it to be destroyed in the "end times."
Bollox Ref @ 5:
God that was funny. The line was true but the humor
is what we need & you provided it. Thanks. :-))
Matt in Texas @ 9:
Ain't that the truth!
What's up with this knucklehead? He's Jewish! How can he fall in locktep with the religio-fascist idiot who feels that persecution of the Jewish People was their own fault? And, what's up with Connecticut Democratic voters? Surely, Lamont wasn't that bad! Come on, Connecticut! This twisted oaf shouldn't even have been an option. He wasn't even a Democrat this last election cycle.
I am so tired of people criticizing Joe Lieberman.
As Barack Obama said,
"Joe Lieberman's a man with a good heart, with a keen intellect..."
"I am absolutely certain Connecticut is going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the U.S. Senate so he can continue to serve on our behalf."
Well said.
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