We believe that the best interests of America have for too long been sacrificed to the agendas of those who represent the far-right and the far-left of our nation’s politics.
We believe that the flames of this national division, between progressives and conservatives have been fanned and fueled by those whose personal agendas benefit from keeping Americans as divided and as angry as each other as possible.
We believe that this way of doing politics is not in our best interests either as a nation or as individual citizens with a common stake in our common future.
While the two of us differ on many issues we find that we are agreed on those issues that are most important to us all.
Together we affirm the need for our nation to be safe and secure.
Together we affirm the need for our nation to be economically strong.
Together we affirm the need for our federal government to be fiscally responsible.
Together we affirm the need for our nation to be more selfless in its response to the needs of our weakest and most vulnerable citizens.
Together we affirm the need for our nation to rediscover and to reaffirm that we are indeed, “One people, under God, indivisible.” That the high ideals of "freedom and justice for all" transcend any one political party and that it vital that we find common ground and unshakable unity in our support and affirmation of these central truths that lie behind the goodness of our national character.
Together we will try to bridge the vast political chasm that has opened up, effectively separating us as individuals and as elected representatives serving in Washington on your behalf.
Together we pledge to speak openly and honestly and respectfully with each other concerning the issues that confront us all.
Together we pledge to affirm and articulate our common ground on these matters as well as to publicly share our debate on those issues on which we differ.
Together we pledge to work with the members of the United States Congress in discovering ways that we can begin to speak with one another across political and party lines.
Together we hope to bring our national leaders together in common cause to find solutions to our pressing needs for national security, fiscal responsibility, economic stability and the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable among us.
Together we hope to re-instill a common faith in our national virtues of goodness, self-sacrifice, respect and tolerance.
Article comments
1 - RJ Elliott
Great post.
I believe that McCain's numbers in the polls will continue to tumble. He will soon come to the realization that he has no shot at the GOP nomination. Once he realizes this, I'd put the odds at about 50-50 of him running as an Independent. And if he does, Joe Lieberman is the obvious choice for VP.
As for how they'd do, I think they'd get 25% or so of the vote. Their support would obviously come from moderate Republicans, conservative Democrats, and Independents. But overall I think their candidacy would mostly harm the GOP's nominee, and therefore benefit the Democrat nominee. After all, the GOP nominee would presumably be pro-war, as would McCain-Lieberman. So the Democrat nominee would be the sole anti-war candidate, and would win with about 40% of the vote, but in an Electoral College landslide.
Anyway, that's how I see this shaping up. Again, great post.
2 - Dave Nalle
I don't see Lieberman taking the 2nd spot to McCain, but if your scenario did play out, good riddance. The faster those two fascists can plunge into third party obscurity the better.
Dave
3 - Lee Richards
Dave,
I don't care for either of these ego-driven & opportunistic guys, but I'm wondering: what does fascism have to do with them in your mind?
4 - AustinTexasBevo
McCain/Lieberman will never happen... You can't get clobbered in the primaries and run effectively as an independent (see John Anderson)... but on lighter note, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez did an interview with the LA Times wearing only pants and a black bra.
5 - Jared Wright
Uh, Bevo, did you or did you not watch Lieberman win his senate seat after getting smacked around in the Democratic primary? C'mon now...
Not that I think such a ticket would win. People seem to want fruitful discussion from opposing sides before the election, then a solid, consistent vision from whoever wins. Having the top two execs of the U.S. government approaching from contrary viewpoints and having any measure of success is too Utopian for reality. The idea of the top two not being firmly aligned with one of the two parties is an intriguing idea indeed, but such an independent platform couldn't be founded on two people each offering something from one of the two parties, which is what this basically boils down to. No matter what they label themselves as, we all think of McCain as republican and Lieberman as a democrat.
6 - Vicki McCollum
I'd like to see them run together, not as independents, but as Republicans. I think they'd have a good chance. Leiberman would be a calming influence on McCain.
7 - Dave Nalle
I'd like to see them run together too - at high speed and head first.
Dave
8 - MCH
And I'd like to see you go on a hunting trip with Dick Cheney...when he's NOT wearing his glasses.
9 - Michael J. West
Nice post - but fat chance.
10 - dbw
The responses to this post illustrate why there are only two parties and they are diametrically opposed to eachother. What ever happen to the idea of individual liberty/responsibility coexisting with promoting the common good? Rational discussion is dead, our republic will follow sooner or later.