Long Shot Bipartisan Tickets

There's been some serious discussion of bipartisan tickets from both parties with Chuck Hegel's name being mentioned as part of an Obama ticket and Joe Lieberman teaming with John McCain. Let's admit right from the start that a McCain/Lieberman ticket wouldn't really be considered a bipartisan ticket since Lieberman is republican in everything but name. Nonetheless, let's take a look at these possible candidates.

Chuck Hegel is the senior Senator from the state of Nebraska. He was first elected in 1996 and re-elected in 2002. After considering running in the 2008 presidential election, Hagel announced on September 10, 2007 that he will retire from the Senate at the end of his present term and will not seek the presidency. Hagel co-founded Vanguard Cellular, a mobile phone manufacturer that made him a millionaire several times over. During his business career, Hegel resided in Virginia and was actually encouraged to run for Governor of the Old Dominion. Instead, he chose to return to his home state of Nebraska where he defeated Ben Nelson, who was the sitting governor of Nebraska for a senate seat. At the time of his election he stated he wouldn't serve past 2008 and he seems to be holding true to his word. Since his election to the Senate in 1996, Hagel has served as deputy whip for the Republican Caucus. He has been chair of both the Senate Global Climate Change Observer Group and the Senate Oversight Task Force. He serves as co-chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. He also serves on the NATO Observer Group. Hagel is a member of four Senate committees: Foreign Relations; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Rules and Administration. In October 2002, Hagel voted in favor of authorizing the use of military force against Iraq. He has since become a vocal critic of the war. Hegel accompanied Obama on his recent trip abroad, fueling speculation that he could become the vice-presidential pick. However, the Obama/Hegel love affair begins and ends at their agreement about the Iraq war. They have little else in common, certainly not enough to suggest that Obama would pick him as VP. Hegel is anti-abortion, against gay rights, in favor of privatizing Social Security, supports school vouchers and pro gun ownership. He is a Republican and a conservative Republican at that. Honestly, what do Obama and Hegel have in common other than their opposition to the Iraq war? Hegel will be a no show in the vice-presidential race!

Joe Lieberman is the United States Senator from Connecticut. Lieberman was first elected to the United States Senate in 1988, and was elected to his fourth term on November 7, 2006. In the 2000 U.S. presidential election, Lieberman was the Democratic candidate for Vice President, running with presidential nominee Al Gore, becoming the first Jewish candidate on a major American political party presidential ticket. Gore/Lieberman lost while winning the popular vote by a slim margin. Lieberman ran for re-election to the U.S. Senate while he was also Gore's running-mate, and he was re-elected by the voters of Connecticut. He attempted to become the Democratic nominee in the 2004 Presidential election, but was unsuccessful. During his re-election bid in 2006, he lost the Democratic Party primary election, but won re-election in the general election as a third party candidate under the party label "Connecticut for Lieberman." Lieberman is now officially listed in Senate records for the 110th Congress as an "Independent Democrat", and sits as part of the Democratic Senate caucus in the 110th Congress. McCain and Lieberman share many characteristics and would definitely compliment each other. Both are regarded as mavericks with a penchant for taking unpopular positions. However, his voting record isn’t really pleasing to either party. He has been shunned by the Democratic Party for supporting the Iraq war - voting for the war and continued funding as well as voting no against bills that set timetables. However, Lieberman has alienated many Republicans as well because of his pro-choice stances and votes for bills that increase taxes on corportions. In addition, he voted against drilling in the artic wildlife refuge and no for a constitional ban on gay marriage, so he’s not exactly leaning conservative either. It would be novel to have a Republican running with a registered Democrat, however Lieberman doesn't really bring too many positives to the table and would probably alienate the people McCain is already having problems with....the religious right. Lieberman didn't really help Gore in 2000 and barely got re-elected in 2006.

At the end of the day, both Obama and McCain will pick someone from their own party, but don't be surprised to see Lieberman getting some TV time at the Republican convention!