Joseph Lieberman in The Associated Press


On Principles & Values: Endorses Republican John McCain for President

Joe Lieberman, a Democrat who ran as an independent after losing his 2006 primary re-election, has endorsed GOP Sen. John McCain. According to a Lieberman aide, “Lieberman just thought McCain was clearly the most qualified candidate to be commander in chief from day one, so rather than just observe from the sidelines, the senator now hopes to actually influence the process.”

The aide said Lieberman was not courted by anyone else in the race. “I think McCain is the only one who asked for the senator’ endorsement,“ he added.

In a pre-emptive comment against the questions that will inevitably come around the senator since his own contentious 2006 re-election, when he was knocked out of the Democratic primary by a political neophyte because of his pro-Iraq position, Lieberman is not switching parties. ”This is in no way an endorsement of the (Republican) Party, just the man,“ the aide said, adding that McCain did not ask Lieberman to join his ticket in the vice presidential slot.

Source: Associated Press Dec 17, 2007

On Abortion: Day 1: Repeal the Bush restrictions on stem cell research

Q: After the inauguration, what would be your first action as president?

A: Not long ago, I met a man whose son has Canavan’s disease. He told me that stem cell research carried the promise of a cure -- but that the Bush administration was blocking that research from happening. These restrictions aren’t compassionate. They’re not fair. They’re cruel. On the first day I enter the Oval Office, I will repeal the Bush restrictions on stem cell research.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “DAY 1” Jan 25, 2004

On Civil Rights: Flag burning is abhorrent, but not a constitutional issue

Q: Should the Constitution be amended to prohibit burning the American flag?

A: I have consistently opposed a flag-burning amendment, and voted against its passage. Flag desecration is hateful and worthy of condemnation, and I would support any statutory means possible to curtail desecration of the flag. But I believe that the importance of the Bill of Rights -- our nation’s founding document -- requires us to establish a very high threshold for agreeing to change it. Does the amendment address some extreme threat to our country, or redress some outrageous wrong? In this case, abhorrent though flag desecration may be, it simply does not meet that test.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Flag Amendment” Jan 25, 2004

On Crime: Death penalty for egregious crimes, but applied fairly

Q: Do you support the death penalty?

A: I have long supported the death penalty for the most egregious crimes and terrorists, and I still do. I also believe that the death penalty must be applied fairly. That means we must ensure that people accused of capital crimes and subject to the death penalty have adequate legal protections, including the right to DNA testing and first-rate legal counsel.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Death Penalty” Jan 25, 2004

On Education: Supports vouchers that don’t take money from public schools

Q: Do you support allowing parents in areas that are poor or with bad schools to use tax money to help send their children to private schools?

A: I support private school voucher experiments that do not take away money from public schools, include full evaluations, and are targeted to help low-income students trapped in bad schools. It’s one way to help improve opportunities for low-income students immediately while we do the long, hard work of lifting up our public schools.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “School Vouchers” Jan 25, 2004

On Energy & Oil: Raise CAFE standard from 27.5 mpg to 40, including SUVs

Q: Would you increase the required automobile fleet average of 27.5 mpg; and SUVs and pickups averaging 20.7 mpg?

A: My ‘Declaration of Energy Independence’ calls for CAFE standards to be set at a level that will save 2 million barrels of oil per day by 2015. According to estimates provided during last year’s energy debate, this would require CAFE standards to be raised to 40 miles per gallon. In addition, the fuel efficiency standards should apply to SUVs as well as to passenger automobiles.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Fuel Efficiency” Jan 25, 2004

On Free Trade: Free AND fair trade, with labor and environmental standards

Q: Should the US seek more free or liberalized trade agreements?

A: As president, I’ll work to reverse the Bush manufacturing recession, break down trade barriers and open up new markets for American goods, and fight for free and fair trade. I will negotiate for fair labor and environmental standards in treaties. And when countries like China rip off our patents and products, exploit workers, and manipulate their currency, I will hold them accountable.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Trade” Jan 25, 2004

On Health Care: Universal benefit to all seniors-no $12B for HMOs

Q: How, if at all, would you change the new prescription drug benefit for the elderly?

A: We need to deliver a drug benefit -- but we need to do it right, by providing a universal benefit to all seniors. We should allow real importation of prescription drugs; eliminate premium support demonstration projects; allow Medicare to use its purchasing power to achieve savings in the cost of prescription drugs; and eliminate the $12 billion slush fund for HMOs.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Medicare” Jan 25, 2004

On Immigration: One-time earned legalization for undocumented immigrants

Q: Should it become easier for undocumented foreign workers in the US to gain legal immigration status?

A: As president, I will create a new one-time earned legalization status, improve family reunification laws, create a work visa program, and partner with the private sector to create a new ‘American Dream Fund’ to help all immigrants learn English. We’ve also got to face the fact that immigrants haven’t been treated fairly in America since September 11th -- and we can do something about it. When I am president, I will protect the civil rights of immigrants -- right to counsel, timely notification of charges, guaranteed bond hearings, humane conditions, and much more.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Immigration” Jan 25, 2004

On Jobs: Raise minimum wage to $7.00

Q: What increases, if any, do you favor in the $5.15 an hour federal minimum wage?

A: It simply isn’t possible to make ends meet at $5.15 an hour in most places in the country. Workers need to make enough to have a decent life. We should raise the minimum wage to $7.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Minimum Wage” Jan 25, 2004

On Tax Reform: New tax cuts to 95% of taxpayers

Q: Which of the tax cuts enacted in 2001 would you change, if any?

A: Here’s what I’ll do: Repeal the tax cuts for the wealthy; maintain the tax cuts for the middle class, including the increase in the child tax credit and elimination of the marriage penalty; cut taxes for 98 percent of taxpayers; restore the dividend tax that Bush repealed; reform the estate tax that Bush repealed; eliminate wasteful corporate loopholes and subsidies that Bush has protected.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Taxes” Jan 25, 2004

On Tax Reform: Fresh Start on tax cuts for 98% of all taxpayers

In a new 30-second TV ad, Lieberman says that the campaign should be about “expanded access to health care, tax cuts for 98% of taxpayers and deficit reduction to protect Social Security. That would be a fresh start,” Lieberman says.

The ad is the 3rd of his campaign. As in the others, Lieberman talks directly into the camera while sitting in a diner. Lieberman’s earlier ads touted his reputation for moral certitude, criticized Republicans’ tax proposals and assailed Bush’s postwar policies in Iraq.

Source: Liz Sidoti, Associated Press in Washington Post Nov 14, 2003

On Health Care: Patient Bill of Rights: access; choice; privacy; appeals

Source: Associated Press Aug 31, 2000

The above quotations are from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press.
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