9/01/00 7:55 a.m.
The Lieberman Ten-Strike
It's a double Sister Souljah — for extra points!

Robert A. George is an editorial page writer
for the New York Post------------------------------------RAGGEDmail@aol.com

n the world of fundraising, an "in-kind" contribution occurs when a supporter in lieu of a cash donation provides a service for a politician; for example, a restaurant owner allows the use of his establishment for a fundraiser and waives a rental fee.

Well, in that spirit, the Anti-Defamation League's criticisms of Joseph Lieberman for talking about religion should now be called an in-kind contribution. This couldn't be working better for the Democratic ticket if they had planned it — which they may very well have.

Lieberman is using what was seen as the most vulnerable part of his selection--his particular faith--and elevating the fact front-and-center. He's doing this first in the "only in America"/"let's make history" sense (which plays to Democratic ethnic politics). But, more ingeniously, he is also using it as a platform from which to talk about the centrality of faith and religion in American life. Now, the double standard that most in the media have adopted is transparent. It's no surprise, for example, that Rev. Jesse Jackson is an admired figure with his own CNN talk show (as of this writing), but Rev. Pat Robertson is the devil incarnate.

In that context, the ADL's recent attacks on Lieberman, saying that his infusion of religion and politics is "contrary to the American ideal" is a great gift to the Democratic vice-presidential nominee. A reliable "watchdog" group has stepped up to criticize a Democrat for injecting religion into politics. No! It can't be. And, oh, the group doing the criticism of the Jewish candidate is — Jewish!!

This turn of events suggests that the varied "cross-dressing" that went on at both conventions is favoring the Democratic ticket. In Philadelphia, the GOP tried to counter its "white guys" image by presenting itself as the party of minorities and preaching a message of "inclusion." At the same time the GOP seemed to be making a stab for the Democrats' base, it kept its own — religious conservatives — out of the way of the camera, fearful that they would terrify moderates and independents.

The Democrats only partly responded in kind. With so many black and female officeholders already in the party, they didn't have to counter the Republican inclusion game. They only had to show up. However, Gore's Lieberman pick threw a more pronounced curve. Yeah, they pushed the Kennedyesque "first time" angle, but more importantly they now had the opportunity to play the broader "faith card." Lieberman's acceptance speech tied the two together perfectly. Yes, the fact that Hadassah Lieberman is the daughter of Holocaust survivors was pushed. But the more telling anecdote was when he shared how his mother went to synagogue and was greeted with "Happy Sabbath Day" by her Christian neighbors. Lieberman painted a picture of an inclusive, tolerant, faith-loving America. In other words, this was not the usual Democratic "victim" speech.

Similarly, Lieberman is not the usual Democrat "faith-scared" candidate. Now, is this a political gambit? Well, of course. But Lieberman's conservative friend Bill Bennett observes, "The fact that it may be to their advantage politically to talk about these things doesn't mean it isn't a conviction of Joe Lieberman's." In other words, this is about more than just Monica Lewinsky now.

If the ADL is criticizing the Democrats for talking about the importance of faith, then most Americans would think he's on the right track. Similarly, if Hollywood writer Joe Eszterhas, author of such pro-family movies as Basic Instinct and Showgirls wants to go on Larry King Live to attack Lieberman for "threatening" the freedom of speech of creative individuals, perfect: This is just the enemy that the "Hollywood Democrats" need. In his own way, Lieberman has accomplished a double "Sister Souljah": He's stiff-armed both the "secular humanist" Left and the "godless Hollywood" Left simultaneously. When it comes to reflecting the values of middle America, this year's Democratic ticket are "their own men."

Which, in turn, makes one realize that Gore's "I'm my own man" statement in his speech may resonate far more deeply than first perceived. Nearly everyone saw it as his line defining himself as opposed to Bill Clinton. And that's an accurate interpretation. But it goes beyond that: Gore's VP pick is now squaring off against distinct liberal allies. If someone wants to ask Gore now if he plans on standing up to "powerful interests" on the Left, all he has to do is point to Lieberman's current squabbles with the ADL and Eszterhas.

The flip side is that Bush's pick is now getting hit from all sides. Thursday's New York Times compares the low-key Cheney to high-profile Lieberman. Even conservatives such as Robert Novak and NRO's own Washington Bulletin have raised concerns about Cheney's handling of his Halliburton stock. He was President Bush's defense secretary, but now seems more like candidate Bush's secretary of defensiveness. Gore's apparent willingness to allow Lieberman to share the spotlight now contrasts with the apparent "safeness" of the Cheney selection.

Gore can now appear to be "his own man" — in relation to both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.