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December 19, 2003/Kislev 24 5764, Vol. 56, No. 13
Lieberman tackles election issues
BARRY COHEN
Editor
Presidential hopeful Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) was the featured speaker of the inaugural "Newsmaker Series" press conference, sponsored by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and the American Jewish Press Association on Dec. 12.
Lieberman reacted to former Vice President Al Gore's endorsement of Howard Dean, and tackled such issues as immigration reform and Dean's stance toward Israel.
"The choice in the campaign has become more clear," said Lieberman, reacting to the news of Gore's endorsement.
He described Dean as representing only the left wing of the Democratic Party.
"I want to be the candidate of not just one wing of the Democratic Party. ... Just like a bird can't fly with one wing, the Democratic Party will not be successful with only one wing," he said.
Reacting to the question of how to maintain America as a promise for a better life while keeping borders secure and lessening the perils of illegal immigration, Lieber-man recalled his visit to Nogales earlier this year. That day, four human bodies were discovered - people who tried to cross into the United States from Mexico.
"Those people were trying to come to America for the same reason my grand-parents were - for a better life," he noted.
Lieberman then cited his proposals for immigration reform, including an earned right of legalization and a temporary visa worker permit.
Lieberman also reacted to Howard Dean's suggestion for the United States not to take sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"The danger that I worry about from the ... possibility that (Dean) may be nominated is that it sends a message of weakness and inexperience on foreign and defense policy," said Lieberman. "Some of the things that Howard Dean has said about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have been very troubling, inconsistent with more than a half-century of bi-partisan American foreign policy," explained Lieberman.
In the coming months, the "Newsmaker Series" press conferences will feature other Democratic presidential candidates.
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