Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Lieberman campaigns for McCain in Summerlin

Sen. Joe Lieberman

Leila Navidi

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) arrives to campaign for John McCain at Temple Beth Sholom in Summerlin on Monday.

Sen. Joe Lieberman in Summerlin

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) campaigns for John McCain at Temple Beth Sholom in Summerlin in September 2008. Launch slideshow »

Temple Beth Sholom was buzzing this morning as more than 500 people attended a public appearance by Sen. Joseph Lieberman, who was visiting Las Vegas to endorse Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign.

Summerlin resident Joe Gelman, a member of the congregation at Temple Beth Sholom, was holding a small video camera and anxiously trying to find the best angle to see the senator.

"This event is important because people in this congregation aren't set in stone when it comes to their political views," Gelman said. "There are a lot of undecided voters in our congregation."

After touching down in Las Vegas at approximately 11:40 a.m., the Connecticut senator -- and former Democratic vice presidential candidate in 2000 -- was driven straight to the synagogue for his appearance.

Lieberman sought the Democratic Party's re-nomination for U.S. Senate from Connecticut in August 2006, but he lost the primary election to Ned Lamont. He then ran as an "Independent Democrat" in the 2006 November election, which he won with 50 percent of the vote.

Although he still describes himself as a loyal Democrat, Lieberman has come under fire in recent months for his support of the McCain campaign -- especially after delivering a speech at the Republican National Convention.

He said that he is supporting the best candidate for the country regardless of party affiliation.

"McCain is ready to be commander-in-chief from day one, and he's also more ready to deal with the big problem in Washington that we have to solve before we can do anything else, and that is partisanship," Lieberman said.

"McCain has a unique record of working across party lines to get things done."

He also took a thinly veiled swipe at the Obama campaign.

"Change and reform in Washington requires more than just eloquence," Lieberman said. "You have to stand up against those who are in your way."

Regarding foreign policy, Lieberman backed McCain's steadfast support of Israel against potential threats like Iran.

"He is a president who our allies will love and our enemies will fear," he said. "That's the kind of president we need."

A 20-year veteran of the Senate, Lieberman urged the audience to get involved and cast vote in November's presidential election.

"I don't think there's been a more important election in my adult life," he said.

Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or [email protected].

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy