Is Ted Kulongoski The Next Joe Lieberman?

When John McBush McCain came to Oregon this week advancing his platform of extending the Bush presidency another four years he was welcomed by none other than HRC super delegate and Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski.

Yes, Senator McCain came to talk about the environment and how he differs on this issue from his allies in the Bush White House. But the symbolism of Governor Kulongoski putting his office behind the senator is a little too much.

Steve Duin wrote today in The Oregonian:

Before we ask what John McCain would do on wind energy, maybe it's time to ask what Barack Obama ever did to Gov. Ted Kulongoski.

It would have been embarrassingly difficult for McCain to find a prominent Oregon Republican to introduce him at the Vestas training facility in Northeast Portland on Monday, and the GOP's presumptive presidential nominee didn't need to. Kulongoski, a Democrat and a Hillary Clinton fan, was happy to do the honors, wrapping his figurative arms around McCain before the Arizona senator delivered a policy speech on climate change…

Global warming is the rare issue in which Kulongoski has a little gravitas, so the governor could make the argument that some policy matters rise above partisanship.

But that is McCain's mantra, particularly while campaigning in blue heavens like Oregon. If he returns during the fall campaign to remind us he regularly crosses the aisle when conscience demands, McCain will have Monday's photo op with Kulongoski to prove it.

Championing Clinton in the primary wasn't enough for you, Ted? You're now looking to stick it to Obama in the general?

Sticking it to Senator Obama seems the way of the Clinton folk. They’ve lost the nomination but seem happy to do anything in their power to damage Senator Obama’s fall chances. We’ll just have to work a little harder to make sure they don’t succeed.