Former Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman, (I), who ran as Al Gore's Vice-presidential candidate in 2000, is describing United Democratic Party opposition to President Donald Trump as "thoughtless." Lieberman, who ran as a Democrat when he was Gore's running mate, became an Independent shortly after the 2000 Presidential campaign, that he and Gore lost to George W Bush and Dick Cheney. Lieberman voted "not guilty" on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in the impeachment trial of Bill Clinton.
Lieberman and Affirmative Action
As a senator, Lieberman called for changes in Affirmative Action laws primarily because of "the argument that some make that some groups are genetically less able than others," (Wikipedia, 2/17/2017).
Lieberman also stated that Affirmative Action programs are "inconsistent with the law and basic American values of equal treatment and opportunity," (Wikipedia, 2/17/17).
A 'different kind of approach.'
Lieberman founded a group called, "No Labels," which is a political organization that is dedicated to attaining compromise on political matters. The former senator described America as "more divided than ever," (ABC News, 3/1/17), after the first 40 days of the presidency of Donald Trump, who signed a bill allowing mentally ill people to purchase guns on Tuesday just hours before his address to Congress. Lieberman described the United Democratic Party affront against Trump as "reflective resistance," and stated that he hopes that "the Democrats will get over that soon," (ABC News, 3/1/17).
Lieberman, referring to the cleavages between Democrats and Republicans, evoked the well-known saying, "It takes two to tango," (ABC News, 3/1/17). The one-time vice-presidential hopeful advised President Trump to "reach out" to two leading Democrats in both houses of Congress, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, (CA), and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, (N.Y.).
Lieberman is hopeful that by reaching out to Pelosi and Schumer, that Trump will be able to broker a compromise on immigration, tax reform, health care and other issues, such as education and the environment.
Lieberman stated that after seeing Trump's speech to Congress, that he hopes "it is the inauguration of a new kind of approach," (ABC News, 2/17/17).
Although he admitted that "only time will tell," Lieberman did not hesitate to denote that "there is a little hope there last night."
No "nerd dinner" for 'the Donald.'
Meanwhile, Trump announced last week that he would not attend the White House Correspondents Dinner in late April. The dinner has been attended at least once by every president since Calvin Coolidge in 1924. Although there is much mockery of the President at the dinner, it is good-natured and in the spirit of celebration of the media and the free press. However, currently, there are several media outlets that are seeking to be re-admitted to White House briefings after having been banned, including the New York Times. Trump has had his differences with several arms of the press and media since the beginning of his presidential campaign in June of 2015.
