September 1, 2008
AP Wire
In a stunning announcement, Senator Joseph Lieberman admitted after days of speculation that his endorsement of Senator John McCain was based on race. At a specially convened press conference, Lieberman stated that his statements regarding McCain's ability to "reach across the aisle" and foreign policy experience were simply designed to conceal the fact that his "racial kinship" with McCain was the true reason for his stunning cross-party endorsement.
Senator Lieberman's admission was likely precipitated by intense criticism from Keith Olberman, Rachel Maddow, and Whoopi Goldberg. Within hours of Lieberman's August announcement that he would be speaking at the Republican convention, Olberman stated bluntly: "If you don't think that Lieberman's endorsement was based on race, then go show me the last time that Lieberman endorsed a black, neo-conservative hawk that called John Roberts and Samuel Alito his favorite Supreme Court justices. I'll be waiting for you to get back to me."
Conservatives responded vigorously to Olberman's comment, urging MSNBC to remove Olberman from the air.
"This is classic race baiting," said noted conservative Ann Coulter. "Why is it that any Democrat who happens to believe John McCain is the right man for the job of the presidency is automatically a racist?"
MSNBC has declined to respond to the calls for Olberman's removal, but anonymous sources said yesterday that Olberman's termination is imminent, with Maddow likely to follow.
But Lieberman's stunning announcement today that his endorsement of McCain was simply an act of racial bias might change all of that. "Olberman was proven right," said Goldberg. "It's amazing that anyone even considered for a single second that Lieberman's endorsement of McCain was based on anything but race. I mean, come on Joe, we all know that whites like to stick together."
Lieberman's announcement also comes amidst speculation that General Colin Powell is leaning towards endorsing Barack Obama. If that speculation proves true, it is unclear how conservatives who had originally criticized Olberman for his statements regarding Lieberman might respond. Talk show host Rush Limbaugh offered a clue, however: "Look, when white Democrats cross the aisle, clearly they're thinking rationally and making an informed judgment based on policy. When black Republicans cross the aisle, they're just supporting their 'brother.'"