Secure the endorsement of an Orthodox Jew…
That’s kind of, sort of what James (Jamie) Kirchick implied in a recent oped piece in the New York Daily News about Democratic Senator Joseph Lieberman’s endorsement of Republican Presidential candidate John McCain:
The Connecticut senator – who, besides his hawkish stance on foreign policy, continues to caucus with Democrats – has for several years now been a regular fixture on conservative talk radio. In 1998, he became a hero to the right wing for openly denouncing Bill Clinton’s misconduct. Just as Lieberman’s obvious comfort talking about religious faith irritates many on the left, it endears him to evangelical Christians, as does his campaign against violence and sex in movies and video games.
Why is this distinction – Lieberman’s appeal to conservatives more than independents – so important now? Because McCain has a famously rocky relationship with the Christian right. If he doesn’t start smoothing it out now, he cannot win the nomination. If, on the other hand, he does start to repair the rift, he can string together a broad Republican coalition and continue his improbable comeback.
Lieberman’s endorsement was meant to help McCain get more votes from independents, but in the long run, an improved stature with religious conservatives is going to be more productive. Frankly, the likelihood of a Republican being the next President seems very low to me. The whole Giuliani/McCain/Romney/Huckabee thing strikes me as uninteresting because none of them have a snowflake’s chance in hell of getting elected. But what is instructive is how this can be applied more broadly.
I’m just thinking out loud here… religious conservatives, Second Amendment, Orthodox Jews… Penelope! Get me Colt Firearms on line 1 and Matisyahu‘s people on line 2. I have an idea…
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“the likelihood of a Republican being the next President seems very low to me”
How about even-money?
What the scoop on Obama being buddies with Shmuely Boteach? He’s got Oprah and a Pop Star Rabbi! I think we are looking at the first Black President, and I’ve been a Republican for way too long.
On a highly tangential note, that image reminds me of this episode of John Safran Vs. God. If you haven’t seen the series, you must, it’s totally excellent. Rabbi Mermelstein’s logic is both morbid and hilarious. Or perhaps I’m just really warped. Just watch it. ๐
Adam’s right. Don’t bury the Republicans yet. As for Lieberman, he and McCain are buds from way back. They’re both foreign policy and defense wonks, too, and Lieberman’s endorsement helps McCain make the case he’s better qualified than Giuliani on national security issues.
Meanwhile, I voted for him for governor, but I’m OK with Mitt going down in flames to Huckabee tonight in Iowa. Money can’t buy you love.