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August 11, 2000/10 Av 5760, Vol. 52, No.48
Bold, shrewd choiceEditorialUpon hearing that soon-to-be-anointed Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore had hand-picked Sen. Joseph Lieberman as his running mate, Sen. John Breaux of Louisiana said: "People don't really care where someone goes to church on Sunday as long as he has the moral values and principles to lead this country."That from a friend, colleague and political bedfellow. Imagine what people will say when they find out that Lieberman does not go to church on Sunday. More importantly, imagine how those people who do go to church on Sunday will vote. Whatever the downside of Gore's groundbreaking choice of the Connecticut lawmaker, the selection demonstrates that it is possible to make a principled choice that is also politically correct. Lieberman is a moderate Democrat who is experienced, pragmatic and among the most respected persons in the Senate. Because he spoke out early and clearly about President Clinton's misadventures, Lieberman might be able to inoculate Gore against attacks that he lacks the integrity to be president. When Lieberman proclaimed two years ago his "disappointment and anger" at the president's conduct, he articulated what many Democrats who felt the same way lacked the moral courage to say. That is reason enough to have selected Lieberman. While undoubtedly there are those who would never vote for a Jew, most of those never would have voted for Gore in the first place. To be sure, Lieberman will cost the ticket some votes. However, if the political pundits are right, this election will be decided in Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Lieberman's selection will almost certainly energize Jewish and moderate voters in those electoral-vote rich states. Al Gore's choice of Joseph Lieberman was both bold and politically shrewd, the kind of choice that John F. Kennedy made when he asked Lyndon Johnson to be his running mate 40 years ago. Vice presidential candidates seldom make a difference in presidential races. Johnson did in 1960. Lieberman just might in 2000. |
