(Note: I debated whether to refer to Lieberman as Lieberscum, considering the fact that I find ad hominim attacks in political blogs to be counterproductive, but I really find Lieberman's accusation against Obama beyond the pale. I really feel he's brought such labels upon himself.)
Thisis really disgusting:
"In my opinion, the choice could not be more clear: between one candidate, John McCain, who’s had experience, been tested in war and tried in peace, another candidate who has not,’’ Mr. Lieberman said. "Between one candidate, John McCain, who has always put the country first, worked across party lines to get things done, and one candidate who has not. Between one candidate who’s a talker, and the other candidate who’s the leader America needs as our next candidate.’’
Obviously Lieberman's auditioning for V.P. on the Republican side. His accusation that Barack has not always put his country first echoes McCain's line that Obama would prefer to lose the war rather than lose a campaign. You really have to wonder how Al Gore ever thought this guy had a moral compass. I can't help but think that, after Connecticut Democrats voted against him and fellow Senators endorsed Lamont, Lieberman is intent on settling scores. Nevertheless, whatever his motivation, it's not a pretty sight to witness.
Update [2008-8-12 17:14:9 by John Campanelli]: Since we're talking about patriotism, I thought I'd mention Barack's defense of Michele's patriotism and bashes Fox News and conservative media in general in an interview with Marie Claire:
MC: Do you think [Michele's] misunderstood?
BO: Not by people who've been paying attention. I think that if you've been watching Fox News then probably she's misunderstood, because I do think there's been a fairly systematic attempt by the conservative press to paint her in a completely false way. They latched onto the one gaffe or statement she made about being proud of her country for the first time, which, as Laura Bush acknowledged, was not something that Michelle had meant — that she had not been proud of her country before. And her very legitimate criticisms of how families are being treated and the difficulty for so many women of balancing family and work was painted as her being this caricature of an angry person. Anybody who knows her well knows she's got the best sense of humor of anyone you'd ever want to meet. She's the most quintessentially American person I know.
MC: How so?
BO: She grew up in an Ozzie and Harriet household, with mom, dad, brother, dog — I don't know about the dog, but . . . [laughs]. Her dad worked all his life, despite having multiple sclerosis. Mom stayed at home. They loved each other and spent their time talking and supporting each other. Michelle went to public schools; her favorite show is The Dick Van Dyke Show; her favorite food is french fries; she shops at Target. She's just a wonderfully normal, levelheaded person. Any American woman who meets her would immediately identify her as a fellow traveler.
And while it doesn't touch on patriotism, Obama also says the following in the same Marie Claire interview:
MC: Discussing the importance of reading to kids, you said in the town meeting that you've read the Harry Potter books to your daughters. Who's your favorite character?
BO: All the characters were wonderful . . . Dumbledore's a very cool guy.
MC: Well, he's gay, apparently.
BO: [laughs] No comment on that.
Pretty cool, and funny.