Reply #25: Because Gore was a centrist

[liberalpragmatist]

People have this bizarre idea that Al Gore was always some fire-breathing populist out to slay the DLC and the Establishment. I have to wonder, were they paying attention? Or have they at least read some recent political history?

Gore was on the right-end flank of Senate Democrats. Although I don't know whether he or Lieberman were particularly close in the Senate, ideologically, they were very similar. Both were among the few Democrats to vote for the first Gulf War. Gore was known as being one of the most hawkish Democrats in Congress and among the most Conservative, with close relationships with several Republicans. Both had spoken out about "traditional family values" and taken on the music and entertainment industries. Gore was known for his championing of tobacco farmers and the tobacco industry. He was (and still is) an ardent free-trader and one of the founders of the DLC. Gore was actually MORE conservative than Lieberman on many social issues, including abortion and gay rights. And despite their conservative stands on several issues, BOTH Gore and Lieberman were and are strongly pro-environment.

Gore did move more towards the left during his Vice Presidency, but he still remained a Centrist. And remember, that for all his populist-talk during the '00 campaign, his actual campaign positions were pretty much Centrist.

It's ridiculous to claim that somehow the DLC forced Gore to accept Lieberman. Gore CHOSE Lieberman because he was ideologically close to him, and because Lieberman had been highly critical of Clinton during the impeachment fracas (something of which I approve). Also, Gore probably believed that Lieberman's Jewish background would play well, and it's important to remember that it did initially. The pick garnered a lot of positive press and greatly boosted the campaign at the time. Now, whether Lieberman ultimately underperformed, that can be argued, as his debate performance with Cheney was terrible and his backing for the Florida recount was somewhat half-hearted.

Now, since then, Gore has moved more firmly left, although in many ways he remains quite Centrist. Ideologically, the two aren't that close anymore, although it does have to be remembered that Lieberman is still basically a mainstream Democrat in his voting record - it's his overall voting record. It's mainly rhetorical that he leaves the ranch. I also think DU'ers and the blogosphere gave Lieberman WAY too much attention. He's a lone senator who speaks for himself. Every large party - even successful ones - have their lone nuts who stray off the ranch. Big deal. He gets some attention but he's largely irrelevant on the war debate (which is where most liberals have problems with him). He's our side's Chuck Hagel at this point.