Lieberman: I agree with GOP on Gitmo

Independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.) said Wednesday that he agreed with Republicans on the issue of the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, saying that Democrats bowed to the common-sense idea of withholding money for closing the prison until the Obama administration develops a plan.

“It’s possible they were right, and that’s why the money’s out. In other words, I think they were right in this case,” Lieberman said.

“It gives the administration more time to come up with a plan…It could be that they’re right on this one. Every once in a while, they’re right.”

Lieberman was clear, however, that he agreed with Democrats that the prison should close.

“It’s probably best in terms of world opinion, although it’s operating effectively now,” he said. “It’s become a symbol and that’s unfortunate, but it’s a symbol that it’s difficult to get rid of.”

Lieberman, who caucuses with Senate Democrats, campaigned for Obama’s opponent in last year’s presidential race, GOP Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), and was allowed to keep his chairmanship of the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee this year after scrutiny within the party.

– J. Taylor Rushing