Connecticut Local Politics

You can see a partial transcript here, and many other places. You can read the Courant article on the speech, as well. A quote:

Especially at a time of war, we need a president we can count on to fight for what’s right for our country – not only when it is easy, but when it is hard. When others were silent, John McCain had the judgment to sound the alarm about the mistakes we were making in Iraq. When others wanted to retreat in defeat from the field of battle, when Barack Obama was voting to cut off funding for our troops on the ground, John McCain had the courage to stand against the tide of public opinion and support the surge and because of that, today, our troops are at last beginning to come home, not in failure, but in honor!

Lieberman’s speech, and the whole reason why he’s with McCain, revolves around Iraq. Which would be powerful… if this election happened to be about Iraq. It isn’t, unfortunately. Like Bill Schneider at CNN said about President Bush’s speech, it was a good speech for 2004. It’s not 2004 now.

What is there to say that hasn’t been said? It’s the speech we expect. Putting “country first.” Iraq. McCain as the hero, the real uniter, Obama as the wrong choice.

And, of course, reaching “across party lines,” whatever that means when applied to Lieberman these days. What bipartisanship? Joe is part of John’s party, and John is part of Joe’s.

Lieberman has crossed the Rubicon with this speech. It’s a significant moment for him. How can he go back, after standing up at the RNC and badmouthing the Democratic nominee? But can he really go forward? If he does, will he wind up as a Republican who disagrees with his party on so many fundamental issues outside of Iraq? What happens when Iraq comes to an end, and our troops largely pull out (which, if the agreement we have with Iraq is any indication, will happen before 2012)? Where does that leave Joe Lieberman?

I get the sense that, no matter what, this is just another stop on Lieberman’s journey. He still has a ways to go before he reaches whatever his final destination may be.

Update – The full speech is here.