Posted by
stevo on Thursday, November 09, 2006 4:39:40 PM
First, I apologize for the crass expression, but I find it fitting.
As I have made the case for before, there is a pattern in our government of principle being sacrificed on the altar of politics. Case in point--Joe Lieberman, a man of principle. While I don't agree with much of his political stances, he has always garnered the respect of many Republicans, including myself. He doesn't attack and attempt to personally humiliate opponents--he engages them in a way becoming of a Senator.
Yet, this Democratic giant who was a breath away from the White House a few years ago found himself tossed aside by his party because he had the audacity to part ways with them on one issue. Normally aligned with his party, he supported the Iraq war on principle. This earned him the betrayal of the party establishment.
Lieberman's reputation preceded him in Connecticut, however, and he just won reelection as an Indepedent. Although he will caucus with the Democratic Party, it brings me joy to know that his presence on Capitol Hill serves as a middle finger to those who would abandon principled politicians because of one area of departure.
Each party needs independent-minded politicians who will withstand political pressure in order to do what is right. It cost Santorum his job. It almost cost Lieberman his job. In both cases, what a shame.
I vigorously disagree with Sen. McCain on quite a few issues, but if he becomes the Republican candidate in '08, I will set aside my squabbles with him in order to support a man who will not buckle under public pressure. We need more politicians like these, as much as our pure ideology often bucks against this sentiment.