Sen. Barack Obama is naïve and “not ready for prime time” in the midst of “the most serious economic crisis we’ve faced since the Great Depression,” Sen. Joseph Lieberman told Newsmax in an exclusive interview Tuesday morning.
“John McCain is so much more ready to lead America in these tough times than Barack Obama,” Lieberman said. “Barack Obama is gifted, he’s eloquent, but he’s just not ready in my opinion to take over the command of this great country of ours in these difficult times. We need a proven leader like John McCain.”
The independent Democrat’s comments followed a campaign rally in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he urged voters: “This is too important an election to decide based on what party you happen to belong to.”
Lieberman has spent the past several months traveling the campaign trail on McCain’s behalf. On Monday night, he introduced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to a Boca Raton audience at an event that raised more than $1 million.
McCain’s recent drop in the polls, McCain said, stems from voter reaction to the subprime meltdown. “The economy has had such a crisis the past couple of weeks, that for reasons that I don’t think are fair or rational, Sen. McCain seems to be losing as a result, and Sen. Obama seems to be gaining. It’s the only thing that’s really changed,” he said.
McCain needs a two-pronged strategy to overtake Obama, the Connecticut senator said. First, McCain must translate voter confidence in his ability to handle national security into confidence that he can respond to economic issues as well. Secondly, McCain must persuade voters that his plan to cut taxes will boost the economy and alleviate the credit crunch.
Lieberman also told Newsmax that McCain’s plans to achieve U.S. energy independence will create “hundreds of thousands, I think millions of new jobs.” But the most important difference between the two candidates, Lieberman maintained, is their readiness to serve as commander in chief.
Lieberman painted Obama as out of touch with international realities.
“I believe he’s naïve to think that people like Ahmadinejad and Tehran will somehow become America’s friends by talking to them — a warm embrace and a cup of tea. It’s not going to work that way,” he said.
Lieberman said McCain must persuade Americans, “based on his record, that he really is the one who will change Washington, and Washington truly needs to be changed.”
He added, “Frankly, he has to convince the American people that Barack Obama is not ready for prime time, that he’s not ready to be president of the United States. Particularly not now, when we’re in two wars abroad and facing the most serious economic crisis we’ve faced since the Great Depression.”
The former Democratic vice presidential candidate defended Palin’s recent criticism of Obama’s ties to former Weather Underground bomber William Ayers. “I think these are very fair questions and it’s now up to Senator Obama to answer them,” he said.
Lieberman also was asked whether he would consider caucusing with Senate Republicans next year.
“I’m frankly sick of the partisanship, and I’ve enjoyed being an independent,” he replied. “I hope I can continue to do that, and build some bridges to make our government work again for the American people.”
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