Lieberman: Deal Was ‘A Big Lie’

Thursday’s deal on the principles of a bailout for Wall Street was a big lie, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) told MSNBC Friday afternoon.

“There never was a deal yesterday. That was a big lie,” said Lieberman, who defended John McCain from attacks that he set back negotiations on the deal by injecting presidential politics into the delicate talks.

Lieberman, the Democratic vice presidential candidate just eight years ago, said congressional leaders wouldn’t be negotiating together on a deal without McCain, the Republican presidential candidate.

He said McCain had helped “measurably” in getting the talks back on track by urging House Republicans, the main opponents to the Bush administration’s bailout, to come back to the negotiating table.

House and Senate leaders from both parties are negotiating over the package.

–Ian Swanson