Thompson, Lieberman, Provide Two-Party Appeal at GOP Convention

Delegates cheer for Sen. Joe Lieberman at the 2008 Republican National Convention. (Maryland Newsline photo by James K. Sanborn)

Related Link: Special Report: Elections '08

By Jenn Bogdan
Maryland Newsline
Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman brought cross-party appeal to the Republican National Convention Tuesday and provided pizzazz to a previously somber convention under the cloud of Hurricane Gustav.

Sen. John McCain prompted the GOP to rearrange the convention while Gustav plied the Gulf Coast with wind and rain, but Tuesday, the schedule resumed with Thompson, a popular actor, and Lieberman, a former Democratic vice presidential candidate-come-McCain backer. They had a prime-time message for independent voters.

The program -- which also featured video messages from President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, as well as told McCain's compelling story of Navy service and war imprisonment -- energized the Maryland delegation.

"I'm here because John McCain's whole life testifies to a great truth: Being a Democrat or a Republican is important, but it is not more important than being an American," said Lieberman.

Lieberman, who became an independent after losing a Senate Democratic primary election in 2006, elicited many cheers from the Maryland delegation chanting "Country First!" the theme of the McCain campaign.

"It's an unprecedented move to bring a Democrat out here and have him speak glowingly about a Republican," said Maryland Alternate Delegate Erik Robey. "Lieberman truly transcends party lines and shows us what's best for this country."

Other Marylanders were more skeptical of Lieberman's motives for bringing excitement to the Republican Party.

"I think he is so angry at the Democrats for trying to rub him out that he is enjoying every minute of supporting McCain," said Carmen Amedori, McCain's Western Maryland regional director and former member of the Maryland General Assembly.

Thompson, who preceded Lieberman, told the bulk of McCain's rabble-rousing school and academy years and heroic service record.

"This is the kind of character that civilizations from the beginning of history have sought in their leaders. Strength. Courage. Humility. Wisdom. Duty. Honor. It's pretty clear there are two questions we will never have to ask ourselves, 'Who is this man?' and 'Can we trust this man with the presidency,' " said Thompson.

The speech by Thompson, who opposed McCain for the presidential nomination, brought the Maryland delegation to their feet many times.

"If he was this good eight months ago we (McCain supporters) would have been in trouble," said Don Murphy, chairman of the Maryland delegation.

Both the president and Lieberman had been scheduled to speak on Monday. However, Thompson's Tuesday appearance didn't change in the schedule shuffle caused by Gustav.

Maryland favorite son Michael Steele, however, was bumped again. The GOPAC chairman and former Maryland lieutenant governor is now on the slate for Wednesday.

Steele joined the Maryland delegation on the convention floor Tuesday. He said he was equally as excited about Thompson's remarks.

"He brought the right balance of meat and potatoes," said Steele. "It was exactly the kind of excitement the party needed to see."

Copyright © 2008 University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism

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