Lieberman: I Never Meant To Say Obama Doesn’t Put Country First

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Joe Lieberman is now doing something that might have seemed odd last summer: Singing the praises of Barack Obama.

In an interview with the Associated Press, examining how he has worked to repair his breach with Democratic Party, Lieberman said that Obama has shown “great leadership”: “Bottom line: I think Barack Obama, president of the United States, is off to a very good start.”

Lieberman still stands on principle about his support for John McCain, and his constant attacks against Obama and the Dems. “When I said those things not only did I believe them, but I believe looking at the records of the two people then, they were right,” Lieberman said.

On the other hand, he says he never meant to suggest that Barack Obama doesn’t put his country first — but he does say his remarks were “too subject” to that interpretation and he wishes he’d said it differently.

So what might explain Lieberman’s turnaround? It probably has a lot to do with the White House’s help in him keeping his chairmanship. “President Obama played a very important role, he was very gracious,” said Lieberman. “That obviously sealed the deal and I appreciated it a lot.”

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