Lieberman Praises Obama For Bucking His Own Party

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), a member of the Armed Services Committee, praised President Obama today for disagreeing with Democrats over Afghanistan war strategy.

"In making this decision, President Obama has respectfully disagreed with the majority of the members of his own political party," Lieberman said during a hearing on the strategy with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Michael Mullen. "Therefore, I think it's fair to say our President has, quite literally, put our national security ahead of partisan political interests.

Lieberman, a hawkish Independent who caucuses with Democrats, has himself bucked Democratic senators by supporting the war in Iraq and the major troop increase in Afghanistan. He's also upset Democrats by opposing the public option and other elements of health care reform.

"I hope that [Obama's decision] will inspire and encourage a majority of members from both political parties to do the same and to thereby show that America's political leadership is still capable of suspending partisanship at the water's edge, when our security and our troops our on the line," Lieberman added.