In a discussion with journalists from his home state of Connecticut, Senator Joseph Lieberman, Democrat-turned-independent but staunchly in the Republican presidential nominee’s camp, offered a somewhat ambiguous assessment today of Gov. Sarah Palin’s readiness to be president.

Asked by the Stamford Advocate whether Ms. Palin was prepared to be commander in chief, Mr. Lieberman said: “Thank God, she’s not going to have to be president from Day One. McCain’s going to be alive and well.”

Later, he went on to say: “Let’s hope she never has to be ready because we hope McCain is elected and lives out his term. But if, God forbid, an accident occurs or something of that kind, she’ll be ready. She’s had executive experience. She’s smart. And she will have had on-the-job training.”



The Connecticut senator clearly was emphasizing the fact that he believes Senator John McCain, at age 72, is healthy and will continue to be. (Mr. McCain has had extensive surgery for melanoma, but has had no recent recurrence of the cancer.) Still, many Republicans, pundits and leaders alike, have expressed concern in recent weeks about Ms. Palin’s credentials and preparedness, sometimes coupling their worries with a mention of the age of the G.O.P.’s presidential nominee. (The heartbeat-away factor, no matter the cliche.)

And even as Mr. Lieberman reiterated his belief that Mr. McCain was better prepared to be president than Senator Barack Obama, he seemed to give a nod of approval to the Democratic nominee’s qualifications for the job, indicating he might vote for him in the future.

In addition, Mr. Lieberman added that while he was “working his heart out” to ensure Mr. McCain’s election, were Mr. Obama to win this year, he said: “I’m going to do everything I can to be bringing people together across party lines to support the new president so he can succeed. What’s at stake for our country is just too serious.”

While that may be his intent, Mr. Lieberman’s full-throated endorsement of Mr. McCain, his criticisms of the Democratic leadership on the war in Iraq and his extraordinary speech at the Republican National Convention have all but guaranteed that he may be frozen out of a walk-across-the-aisle kinda thing in the next session. Especially since the aisle seems to be tipped more favorably toward a heavier lineup of Democratic desks in the chamber.