U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman blasted the Democratic Party Sunday as protectionist, isolationist and hyperpartisan.
Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,†Lieberman, I-Conn., said it is not the same party that made him its vice presidential candidate in 2000.
“It’s not the Bill Clinton-Al Gore party, which was strong internationalists, strong on defense, pro-trade, pro-reform in our domestic government,†he said. “It’s been effectively taken over by a small group on the left of the party that is protectionist, isolationist and very, very hyperpartisan. So it pains me.â€
Lieberman, who won re-election to the Senate as an independent after losing the 2006 Connecticut Democratic primary anti-war candidate Ned Lamont, still caucuses with Democrats.
But he has endorsed Republican John McCain’s presidential bid, and said Sunday that among the three presidential candidates, McCain comes closest to reflecting the legacy of John F. Kennedy.
BY TOM TOMORROW