Whatever role Joe Lieberman plays in John McCain’s bid for the White House, conservatives and Republicans should be glad that he is on our side.

Some conservatives and Republicans were worried that John McCain would choose Joe Lieberman as his running mate. Now that McCain has chosen Sarah Palin, conservatives and Republicans should embrace Lieberman the same way they did Zell Miller four years ago.

If you recall, Miller was the Democrat Senator from Georgia who took John Kerry and the Democrat Party to the woodshed as the keynote speaker at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York.  His speech set liberals off in an absolute tizzy.  In fact, I predicted that Miller would rile the Left as much as President Bush. It must be remembered that Miller was the keynote speaker at the 1992 Democratic National Convention (also in New York) singing the praises of Bill Clinton.  Miller’s appearance at a Republican gathering set off cries of heresy in Democrat Party circles and beyond.

At present, Senator Lieberman is scheduled to address the 2008 Republican National Convention on its opening night on Monday, September 1st. Republican delegates should relish Lieberman’s presence on the podium with the knowledge that it will set off Democrats, liberals and the Left a thousand times more than Zell Miller ever could.

I am well aware there are significant differences between Miller and Lieberman. Although Miller is a lifelong Democrat, he is a product of the South and has conservative social values.  More importantly, Miller took his stand against the Democrat Party at the end of his political career.  Conversely, while Lieberman is a hawk when it comes to national security and defense, he is a product of New England and has liberal social values although he is religiously observant.  More importantly, Lieberman is at the height of his political power and isn’t going away anytime soon.  His presence in the Senate keeps Harry Reid and company on their toes. Should McCain ascend to the White House, Lieberman might be named a Cabinet Secretary, perhaps at Defense or State. Whatever role Joe Lieberman plays in John McCain’s bid for the White House, conservatives and Republicans should be glad that he is on our side.