BREAKING: Senate Dems cave to Joe Lieberman's threats
By David Neiwert Tuesday Nov 18, 2008 9:38am
Word from the bloggers present at this morning's press conference is that Joe Lieberman, despite his utter betrayal of Democrats during the just-finished election season, as well as his misfeasance as chair of the Homeland Security Committee, is going to keep that seat, confirming yesterday's reports that a "compromise" had been worked out.
A quote from Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Jellyfish:
"Joe Lieberman is a Democrat and a member of this caucus."
Hm. Last I checked, Lieberman was officially registered as an "Independent Democrat". Last I checked, he was elected not as a member of the Democratic Party but of the [Connectictut for] Lieberman Party.
Jane has it exactly right: Suck it up, peasants. She also has more details from the presser.
UPDATE: I notice in the video that one of the Democrats standing behind Lieberman is Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois. Funny thing: Just this summer at the Big Tent at the DNC, he couldn't name a single critical vote that Democrats had passed because of Lieberman's support. And then got nasty about it.
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I'M SO SURPRISED....
NOT!
Nobody could believe me when I said they wouldn't take the Chairmanship away from him.
This is all about the power of Israel/AIPAC over our Congress.
Now check THIS out:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.a...
Can you imagine Bush having the chutzpah to PARDON JONATHAN POLLARD???? If he does this, please, none of you should ever try to say Israel isn't calling the shots.
Please...you know why Congress' approval rating is so much lower than Dubya's? because they wont punish him for all the illegal activities his administration has committed.
You know why the Dem Congress is going to continued to be looked on as weak limp fish? because they wont punish lieberman for stabbing them in the back.
Its like a kid getting bullied on the schoolyard going home to parents who say 'well, at least someones paying attention to you'
You could tell when Reid was saying how much he disapproved of Lieberman's behavior. In politics you don't criticize someone you're going to hammer. If you're going to let them slide, its ok to criticize them to offset how spineless you are when you let them slide. Had the Dems actually planned to hammer Lieberman, they would have been talking about Lieberman's history of good works.
Also Israel isn't calling the shots. They just occupy such a strategic position that our govt's willingness to do what they want/need makes it appear so.
These Dem leaders are a bunch of sissies …
I guess we regular folk now have to do the job for them ( as always ) by kicking that mutt out of office come next election …
Why should they pay attention to the electorate, the election is over.
It is Government by the corporations, for the corporations… and their buddies.
All power is in the hands of the corporations.
Especially the corporately controlled media.
Believe me, Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann, possibly Tweetie will be the only ones to complain about this travesty.
Nothing has changed. We've all been duped again by the Demopubicans.
I'm starting to feel ashamed that I voted for Obama. The United States needs to show the world we care about justice. Instead Obama is back-slapping Bush, chatting it up with McCain and encouraging the Democrats to kiss Joe Lieberman's ass.
I don't know how we all continue to care anymore. Truly.
"I'm starting to feel ashamed that I voted for Obama". Bullshit! Like Hannity, Rush, and the other anti-American asshats, you were just at the starting blocks waiting for any excuse to be a turncoat....just like Lieberman!
I'd like to see the Democratic Party do one f'ing thing that is righteous doesn't make me a "turncoat like Lieberman".
I'm not the only Democrat who is ashamed of what the party has done over the past eight years.
I suppose you think Rachel Maddow's an asshat too, right? How about Glenn Greenwald and thousands of others who are deeply disappointed by the Democratic Party's spineless actions?
Why is it you think that my hoping to see some justice done in the Halls of Congress within the rank and file of the Democratic Party somehow represents me as an "anti-American asshat turncoat"?
I'll be perfectly honest here. I really do not like seeing Obama back-slapping a war criminal like George Bush then saying, "We're just going to move on and look to the future."
Sorry, but this latest slap in the face to the people who worked hard to get Obama elected who were expecting "CHANGE WE COULD BELIEVE IN" are instead, merely feeling back-stabbed.
Same ol' same ol.
Abbybwood has it right. If the Democrats can't even stand up for themselves, how are they going to stand up to Al-Qaida? And Wall Street? And our own terrorist war criminals? If they embrace one who tried to destroy them, how can we trust them not to destroy themselves? If they knuckle under and give up everytime a Republican says fillibuster, how can they do anything good for the country?
Obama was not my first choice, but I supported him because of the chance of change. So far he has yet to do anything I can applaud, and he's done a number of things starting with his vote on telecom immunity that have given me regrets.
leftandLeft,
An EXCUSE to be a...turncoat? Vintage Rush Limbaugh!
1) Why did Obama said he didn't want Lieberman out? Is the guy THAT important? He's not the only Israel supporter in the Senate, right?
2)Why did the Senate Leadership even TRIED to compromise with a guy that no one could distinguish from a republiscum operative during the campaign? Can anyone imagine the Republicans tolerate 1% of a guy like Lieberman in their ranks?
3) What kind of IMPRESSION will this affair leave on the voters mind? How about the militant Democrats?
4) Do the Democrats in the Senate truly believe that Joe Lieberman will help them reaching an EFFECTIVE 60 seats majority? The guy is already on his way to get to the far right of Hannity when it comes to national security and foreigh affairs.
I'm still waiting for a plausible explanation of this whole clusterfuck.
A turncoat...Give me a break!
I'm getting that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that has lasted for the last seven years. I thought the Democrats understood that America voted for change, and that change that we voted for was a move back to honor, strength, and decency in government.
It started for me this go-round when Obama voted for telecom immunity before he was elected. Then Rahm Emmanuel. Next, Hillary Clinton. Obama's statement that he would not prosecute the Bush administration for its illegal torture of detainees. And now Joe Lieberman -- he'd be gone if Obama had said the word.
Sorry, folks, I wish I could be more enthusiastic about Obama's agenda, but there are some things that can't be undone once they've been set into motion.
I HATE this fucking decision too! I can't stand the sight of Lieberman. There's too much at stake to allow a single issue(which is really about revenge) to make me begin to talk like a fucking Republican and completely bolt on the guy while he's in Chicago trying to assemble a team.
Obama probably exercised his ONE vote on this matter.
Obama didn't vote. He's already resigned. If he wanted Lieberman out he just could have said so.
Obama didn't vote on this one. He resigned his seat two days ago. But yes, he could have had Lieberman out on his ass with just a word.
Yes, Obama could have had Lieberman's scalp. I wouldn't blame him, since Obama is one of the main Dems who has Turncoat Joe's knife sticking out of his back. With a possible 60 seat filibuster-proof majority still (barely) in sight, I guess he exercised some of the pragmatism that I know many of us will find hard to swallow from time to time. I think Lieberman is a liar and the Democrats are almost certainly foolish to trust him. But...
if we hit 60 seats with Lieberman's inclusion, and if he has finally learned not to stray too far off the reservation and if he sustains a solid Democratic front against a GOP filibuster on future important progressive legislation, I'll admit that there was some wisdom in not kicking Lieberman's sorry ass to the curb. In the mean time, I'll just have to swallow my anger because the decision has been made and nothing short of a full scale revolt is going to make Reid or Obama back off of this decision.
There's nowhere to bolt TO. Just like before, in 2006, we are trapped with what we chose, even if we chose on the basis of promises not intended to be honored. All we can do is protest, even if it accomplishes nothing -- it's all we have, apparently.
Obama had one Senate vote, yes, but he is now the de facto leader of the Democratic party. He made it clear before the vote that he'd support Lieberman's remaining in the position.
And no, no one rational will allow a single issue to sway them. It's just that things get pretty shaky when there are increasing numbers of them.
I to had hopes for Obamas "change" ideas. Sure it's all about compromise, but so far we are the ones who have lost out. Obama's a lawyer, he knew all to well that the bankruptcy bills he signed were screwing the people, but for the sake of "compromise" he signed it. He knew full well that the public did not want the tel-coms to be given a get out of jail free card, yet ignoring public will,in the name of "compromise", he signed. He knew full well that the bailout was a scam and that the public did not want to pay for their criminal acts, yet in the name of compromise, he signed it. Just when do we get what we want! Then he appoints a zionist,war monger to be chief of staff and fills his cabinet post with all the people who have been fucking us for years in some form or another. We are not going to see these criminals pay for their crimes in the name "of compromise", we are not going to get healthcare, restored rights or anything that is not watered down bullshit. And today we have, compromise, in the name of getting along, poor joe. Say one thing,do another? WTF! Actions speak louder than words, and I do not like these actions one bit, I have a bad feeling in my stomach as well, that obama may be blacker on the inside that outside, and that does not have a damn thing to do with skin color. It has to do with right or wrong and the will of the American people. Compromise is not a reason or excuse, in fact no excuse will excuse you from not doing what is right and the will of the people. Until I am proven wrong( and I hope I am wrong) I now believe Obama is a fucking paid corp stooge hired to effect "no change" in the country. *note, could mccain and gop have done anything more to push americans to vote Obama? perhaps backing skinhead groups or owl-kater? We have been fucked and not kissed first.-CEO,citizens,eyes,open.
in the international banking/financial cabal and, of course, Israel.
The good people of CT need to vote him out of office. That way he can't threaten his own party. What is wrong with the people of CT anyway?
Punishing this traitor would have been just....everyone would have understood. Obama's going to have more turncoats in the future because he didn't make an example out of this lying backstabber.
Boy, this is weak.
new boss, same as the old boss :(
SPINELESS.
COWARDS.
for the Jewish lobby.
don´t lump jews in with lieberman or rahm e... zionist/APAIC is tho the Jews what the KKK is to the Christians...
Don't these people have some kind of battered spouse syndrome? Joe Lieberman kicks them around, so they have to apologize and try harder to please him next time.
Terrible decision. I'm angry and disappointed. What's the point of trying to get 60 votes if the Party leaders talk about having to "move to the center" and be "bipartisan" to get anything done?
It's a contradiction.
you USE that power to push your OWN legislation. You only kowtow (sic?) to the right and center-right if you have a slim margin. We fucking OWN congress right now, and yet we won't even try to use it to accomplish our party platforms...
It's a fucking shame!
Edited to add: and it's a shame because the people WANT the Democratic congress to do what we put them in there to do. The congressional approval rating is at an all time low not because they are "too far left" but rather because they aren't FAR ENOUGH!!! Pelosi and Reid were given power in '06 to do several things, namely stop the war and hold Bush accountable. They have done neither, so their approval rating continues to plummet. If the current government continues to push the rights agenda despite being elected to do the opposite, they will see their approval ratings drop even more...
When will the DNC do what we send them to DC for and boot turncoats like LIEberman? I'm with Rachel Maddow on this one--marginalize Lieberman's sorry ass--let him become a Rethug if he so desires and show his true colors.
Disappointing news, but not wholly unexpected. Our new Blue leadership must be buying into that "America is a center right country" bullshit.
Fabulous take on this "bipartisan" attitude...
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/1...
This should be required reading for every Dem.
that trying to be friends with people who do not want to be friendly is dangerous. When he came to office he promised not to continue investigations into a slew of real scandals left in the wake of Reagan and Bush I (e.g. Iran Contra, illegal weapons dealings, S&L, etc.) in exchange for the "bipartisanship" that he would need to push his agenda.
What did it buy him? Constant demonization via Rush Limbaugh and the AM radio dial, Newt gingrich and the "Contract with America", whitewater and paula jones non-scandals, and eventually impeachment for lying about recieving a blowjob from an intern.
In short, the right will try to make a scandal out of ANYTHING, and the Democratic party won't even make a scandal when the president clearly and boldly breaks 100's of real laws...
Bipartisanship indeed, it sounds more like a one-way street to me...
Perhaps ObamaCo are planning to dismantle Homeland Security, pull its teeth? Leave Weasel-Joe in charge of nothing?
I wish.
No doubt in my mind that Lieberman will pay Obama back the same way he paid him back before. When Lieberman was in trouble in CT Obama went and campaigned for him in the primary. Lieberman stabbed him in the back and good. Now, Obama lets him keep his chairmanship, so he can start investigations into the Obama administration. No Hope for the Senate Democrats. One thing for sure, I will not be making any contributions to the DSCC.
But we need to do more. they won't miss a few or the contributions of a few but should that number grow to a hundred thousand we can make an impact. Pussies.
I am disgusted!!! Do the Dems have NO backbone? How they heck can they run the country when they can't even bring themselves to discipline a traitorous bastard like Lieberman?
I mean, this is the US Senate we're talking about here.
And Jaffa Joe, with his three constituencies (Connecticut, CorpoRat, and Tel Aviv)...
Nothing was EVAR gonna happen to him, though at minimum, the Dims should: cancel his office budget, fire his staff, remove him from all the Dim IT, and put his desk in a latrine in the Senate Parking Garage...
They kept Holy Joe in the caucus because he threatened to either quit or join the GOP caucus. So, he was going to throw his career away immediately or let it suffer a slow, agonizing death. Does anyone outside of the media and Harry Reid's office consider this guy to be part of the Democratic caucus? Do they think when it comes down to a filibuster over Guantanamo, torture, Iraq, or any other number of important things, he'll stand with the Dem caucus? They didn't just let him keep his chair, they gave him carte blanche to do anything and everything he wants. Congrats!
PS, this is why I keep registered as a Green.
We have to unite on this one. we need to let those in charge of the democratic party that should they allow this slithering backstabber back into the fold they will have many in their party quit. Whom do we write for the greatest impact. Because this is not right.
I'd contribute a hundred bucks right this moment to a movement to oust Lieberman from this post!
Let me know where to sign up.
I'm so pissed about this I hate to admit it, but I'm actually in tears right now over all this.
I'll contribute what I can...
This bullshit is gonna end.
but it's too late. The deed is done, and there's no way the Democrats can oust him if he betrays them again without causing a horrible ruckus with the rightwingers. If the Dems had kicked him off the chairmanship now, there would be some bitching and moaning, but right after elections is when the chairs are changed if they're going to be changed.
Everybody's stuck with him.
Considering the past behavior of Sen. Lieberman in regard to his relationship to the Democrats I still wonder what the Democrats will gain in allowing him such liberties...
He must be of some great value considering the future potential implications of this particular vote. This all could be held as a precedence regarding prospective adverse and damaging agendas Democrats with GOP affiliations may consider because the ultimate fallout has proven to be not that unpleasant.
I find it troubling too that this was a secret vote because it implies that the public would not be privy to the Senators who voted for Lieberman keeping his major chairmanship. What was the purpose and why was it allowed?
That a campaign should be started NOW to oust every single one of them the next time they're up for re-election. And that includes Hillary Fucking Clinton.
If you catch a burglar breaking into your home and you let him go free, don't be shocked the next time you go on vacation all your vauables are gone once you return. Choronic criminals don't acknowledge or give a shit about forgiveness.
Complain all you want but Obama had it right -- be bigger than the politics and work together to progress the nation.
I predict Lieberman will become a huge asset to moving Obama's policies through Congress particularly when it comes to economic programs. This was the right move and hopefully will point the way toward less partisanship in Washington.
Read this:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/1...
bwah, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Lieberman will continue to do what he is always done. Undermine the Democratic caucus from within. Now not only does he have Republicans calling him a "rational Democrat" he's got Harry Reid calling him a Democrat too. Now he can really sabotage the party from within. The Republicans must be thrilled.
Considering future implications regarding the questionable alliances Democrats may consider with GOP affiliations and it's ultimate fallout I don't think in the long run this will benefit the Democrats regarding loyalty within the party...
That in itself will harm the unity of the Democratic party not enhance it....
not to be rude but whatever you are using to see this in that way, i want some. have you not seen what Lieberman was saying the past 8 months? Have you not witnessed his speech at the repubic hatefest they called a convention? the man questioned Obama's policies and experience but to question patriotism and if he was a socialist or not...all i can say is that if you witnessed all that and stil think he will be an asset you have been under the influence of some wicked good stuff.
I find most people here are speaking from a perspective of brainwashed, patterned thinking partisanship -- but why not? Most here chose to align themselves with the Democratic party so the thinking becomes 'us' and 'them' -- Joe Lieberman betrayed us!!!!
That's old thinking folks. Lieberman was playing politics just like everybody else because his number one issue is Israel. I don't agree w/him on this but so what. Obama (who built his entire reputation on ending partisan gridlock) has the upper hand. He's going to give Lieberman his dignity back and then use him to pass legislation to help our country -- or at least that's his goal.
Obama's only real appeal to me is that he might somehow begin to dismantle the two party system by using his clout in the Democratic party to show we can be greater than blue and red.
I'm an Independent -- liberal, radical, etc. but I would sit down with Lieberman, McCain, and all the rest inviting them into the process -- not cowering under their chairs like they did when Bush was rushing to war -- but truly solving problems that can be done in a new manner which we haven't ever tried in my lifetime.
I'm for Obama and I'm for Lieberman and I'm for anyone else who is willing to set aside entrenched ideology and resentments and be truly free to think!
amen
fine...I stand corrected.
The fact is that no matter what you say...Zionist, Jew, Israeli...you know what happens.
As a Catholic, I have no problem with criticism directed at my faith...and often direct them myself, particularly with regard to extremists.
The problem is that the ISRAELI lobby gets to have it both ways. As a country, people have a right to criticise its policies and its influence on American politics. But the minute anyone criticises Israel...ALL Jews are up in arms...screaming "Anti-Semite".
The fact is that Joe Lieberman is in so deep with the Israeli lobby, his committment to THIS country can be called into question.
He serves two masters, Israel and his own self interest. His responsibility seems to end at his party and the American people.
not all jews are screaming anti-semite... some of us know the difference... i am sorry to hear that you are a catholic in recovery, but don´t lump the large jewish anti-war crowd in with the isreali/u.s govt...
btw... rahm and obama are knee deep in that aipac swamp right along with holy joe... i could find the speach obama made at aipac last year on youtube if you want... it was more militirstic than mccain´s... just get your passport ready and stock up on canned food....
If you watched Pres Elect Obama FOLD when he obviously had a, say, a STRAIGHT, what would you think?
if i hear one more time out of a dem's mouth what a good guy sad sack is, i'm going to throw up.
The dems cave on everything... They are republican lite and Mr. hopeless we can belive in obama is stacking his ranks with the most hawkish of the dems... military action is not the answer to problems but your guy Obama just doesn´t understand this... holy joe is simplyand sadly one of their own...
Damn. How pathetic is the Democratic leadership in the Senate? Holy Joe not only supported McCain, which is his right, but he PARTICIPATED in attacking Obama's character and patriotism during the election!!!! This is unacceptable and I would hope that the voters hold the Democrats accountable and elect new Democrats who actually have a spine in 2010 and 2012.
I also hope that Connecticut pulls its head out of its ass and elect a true DEMOCRAT to fill Holy Joe's seat. It's obvious he only cares about himself and no one else.
When Lieberman lost the Democratic Primary to Ned Lamont and then ran as an Independent it was the Republicans of CT who elected him.
As far as I'm concerned that was when he became a Republican.
I wouldn't be surprised if he ran for re-election as a Republican next go round. Because I can guarantee you that the Democrats in CT will work as hard as they can to dump him.
He also took big money from people with ties to the bush shit-house, How many time are we to keep turning the other (butt) cheek? All congress members sitting before 06 should have been voted out, period.-CEO
More of the same!
More of the same!
More of the same!
Unfriggin beleivable! Lieberman practically said Obama was dangerous, and the Democrats don't even punish him? Throw him under the bus! I don't give a shit if the Demos feel they need him for their majority! Once a turncoat, always a turncoat. If Lieberman doesn't get punished for this, what do you think he could do next? Unreal!
everytime we talk about holy joe
i am a jew...i am a supporter of israel
neither holy joe nor bush's policies have been a benefit to israel, which is now in a worse economic and security situation than it was under during the clinton years
so cut that shit out
joe cares about joe
he proved it in 2000 and he proved it time and time again during the entirety of the bush administration
and i am dissapointed in both obama and the senate dems
this was much more than what joe did during the election
in his chair, he did nothing to protect the people of america...he is incompetent and a sycophant and shouldve been terminated
But Lieberman is Sure to Show His "Gratitude"
Rachel, you have the means, now lead us. Help us rid our party of this cancerous weasel. and apologies to weasels. Lieberman must go.
It's not just Leiberman, but the entrenched, career Democratic leadership that is the main problem. They need to be voted out of office over the next decade and be replaced with actual progressives who have principles and spines.
neither holy joe nor bush's policies have been a benefit to israel, which is now in a worse economic and security situation than it was under during the clinton years
Italy's economic and security situation aren't any better either. what's your point?
Bottom line...Israel draws SIGNIFICANT aid from this country. If they misspent the money, that's mismanagement and also grounds for not giving them anymore. Think that's gonna happen.
Everyone talks about the great Israeli army...where do the weapons come from? Nuclear Arms...gee...funny how they're allowed to have them, but the rest of the middle east is on terror watch.
And this has nothing to do with "Jews".
This has everything to do with undue influence of a country on the United States...simply because it's faith is shared with a major voting bloc in this country.
and i never hear a peep from any of you about their policies
this has everything to do about the jews
you all are just like the wingnuts, who use other terms to couch their racist feelings towards obama
did joe not hold hearings regarding katrina because he is indebted to aipac???? dont be absurd
did he throw gore under the bus in 2000 because it was better for israel?
look at the man's career....everything joe has done has been to benefit joe
stop with the bs jewish conspiracy
we dont control the world
look at how many times the U.S. has vetoed actions against Israel, in the U.N. security council. They don't even get a slap on the wrist.
Egypt gets aid...but not equal aid, because it is one of only two countries to have signed peace accords with Israel.
With all due respect, you've only proven my point.
I'm criticising ISRAEL and it's lobby. This isn't about Jews. This is about POLITICS.
Everything Joe Lieberman does is to support Joe Lieberman -- end of story. That he might have a passing interest in the survival of Israel is a non-sequitur. What does it have to do with this thread? What does it have to do with what's going on with the Democrats? Leave Israel and the Jews out of this, please -- and while you're at it, you might want to consider refraining from arguing with the dude trying to convince you that the Jews don't secretly control the world.
If joe is going to be pissing through a window it's best he is inside the house pissing out rather than outside the house pissing in?
But we have a right to be disappointed.
On that same toke joe could be "inside the house" pissing in...
Trust and fallout from this vote...
Was joe worth it?....
The Republicans will do the moral thing by expelling Ted Stevens from their caucus while we do the immoral thing by embracing Joe Lieberman in ours and let him keep his HS chair.
That's some real change!
why do you think the vote was secret.
If it was public...the vote would have been unanimous in favor of Lieberman keeping his chairmanship.
Why? Because the "Jewish" lobby would have called out the troops and crucified at the next election every representative that voted no.
But i'm still pissed. Liberman is just like Zell, only more subtle.
Zell is out on his ass while LIeberman keeps his seat. Zell could learn a thing or two from this snake.
"A Democrat who fights back is as rare as a Republican with a soul." Bartcop
The only accountability the people will get are elections.
They will cover each other's asses.
If Obama wants to use Senators in his cabinet then we actually do need JoeHole in the Senate to have at least a majority in name only. Rino, Dino and now Mino
if obama chooses a senator to join his cabinet, its coming from the blue state, so the person's replacement will be a dem
the dems will not get to 60, so joe is not needed
if he goes over to the republicans, his career is over in 4 years
he didnt have a leg to stand on
I believe that the dems will keep he until we see if we get 60. if after everything is said and done, we don't have the magic number sixty with him, than they will cut him. but until we see if we can have 60, we need him. I can't stand him, i can't believe he was reelected, i can't believe he chairs anything.....he makes me sick.
This vote was secret because if it was public...the vote to keep Joe would have been UNANIMOUS.
There is no politician that is going to cross the strongest lobby in the country.
The fix was in from the get go.
As soon as someone bad mouths Joe...watch the leaking of the vote begin.
Lieberman claims he will work with a President whom he insisted over and over again was not qualified to be President. And the Dems just rewarded him for it.
Psycho?
Not only did he say Obama was too inexperienced to be commander-in-chief, but he questioned Obama's patriotism and commitment to the troops in Iraq. LIEberman is a snake.
Change I can't even buy a cup of coffee with.
All in all Loyalty is a commodity that apparently has lost its value in the Democratic party...
Apparently it has been proven there's a very small worth associated with it...
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U.F.B.
Why is it we vote, again?
called it: http://deusexeverriculum.wordpress.com/2008/1...
before you take things out of context.
Great, so they're all sucking on each others dicks again in the Senate.. Brilliant! I completely loathe Lieberman and I'm well past learning to loathe the entire "Democratic" party. This is the antithesis of change democrats. This is simply pathetic.
And so it goes. I should have bet money on it, what with the economy in its current shambles.
I realize reactions were mixed to my question last night about whether it was time to leave the Democratic Party. (Mostly, I think, my intentions were misunderstood.) In any case, though, I'm done.
I can't call myself a Democrat anymore. I worked for Obama. I'm very glad we elected him. In the system we have, he's probably the best we can do (and that is saying something, since he's a good, intelligent man), and I'll still largely support him and the Democrats on a federal level.
Other than that, though, I'm done. I'll just call myself a Libeqrat. True, it'll be a lone independent stance for the moment, but hey. Bernie Sanders has his lone independent status, so I suppose I'm in good "company."
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I stopped being a Democrat when the Democrats stopped being For, Of and By the People.
They no longer represent interests OF "We the People".
They have, for some time now, been ruled by the interests of "The Corporations".
This Lieberman award is just another fine example of their ability to tolerate being back stabbed, ney, they've awarded being back stabbed because it's the POWER of that almighty SUPER MAJORITY they seek.
I can hear their excuses now...
"We can't undo the PAA that grants immunity to the President(Obama) and the Telecoms for warrantless wiretapping Americans because the Senate is one vote short of 60..."
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Embittered:
Fair enough. I still do believe that there is a difference between the two major parties, and will support Democrats against the suicide of voting Republican.
And there have been enough good Democrats in the parties (not to mention that I am not on board with the many third-party agendas that are out there) for me to still call myself a Democrat, and register as one. I stuck with it for this election. For me, this is my personal breaking point.
I dunno. I think Jane Hamsher is correct. That's all kabuki. They can change the filibuster rules to actual filibusters, and with the Republican Party in shambles, the more moderate among them will want to be on the right side of history. (Besides, there'll be enough Democratic dissenters to make 60 an illusory number anyway.)
I don't think it's all quite as simple as "Israel is controlling the shots," but indeed, this has a lot more to do with behind the scenes alliances than anything else. There are many who simply like and respect Lieberman, and who will want him to keep supporting their pet projects through the inside maneuvers that befuddled Mr. Smith when he went to Washington. There are others for whom Traitor Joe's Homeland Security stances (vis-a-vis Israel and other countries) is genuinely desired. And there's more we just don't know.
In any case, I'm done. And as I said long ago, I will be working more for electoral reform than for candidates now. :)
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C O M P R O M I S E:
~ Values
~ Principles
~ Laws
Why support a Political Party that continually seeks to COMPROMISE National Values, Principles and Laws just so that they can "get along" with their opposition?
The Democrats now are awarding Joe for doing such a heck of a job at campaigning against the Democratic Party because the Democratic Party's Leadership is ineffectual, weak and spineless.
Wow!
CHANGE...
... NOT!!
p.s.
This is exactly how the Bush Administration will get away unscathed by the Democrats in Congress... COMPROMISE.
The Democrats are so COMPROMISED, that they fear accountability of the conspirators they've conspired with. I mean, Got FISA? COMPROMISED! Got TORTURE? COMPROMISED! Got war criminals? COMPROMISED! Got TREASON? COMPROMISED! Got ACCOUNTABILITY? I see that's been COMPROMISED as well!
They are quickly earning their well deserved crown of DO NOTHINGS early... NO?
.
booooooo!! hissssss! :PPPPPPPP
poo on congress. this is a terrible terrible idea. dems finally have the full support of the people to make big strides and they go limp. to save a betrayer.
all i can say is :PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP poo on this decision.
I got an appeal from the Obama camp to donate to the Dems that helped him get elected.
No way. Never. Not until they change their ways. They're totally disgusting.
Time to start forming a viable third party--NOW.
Obama will let the war criminals and Wall Street criminals go free, in the name of "bipartisanship" and "healing" and crap like that. The Dems letting Lie-berman stay is a strong signal to the WH that Bush can go ahead and issue blanket pardons and the spineless coward Dems will let him.
Medical Diagnosis:
I'm not going to donate to the Democrats anymore either, Medical, but we can't just form a viable third party. Many third parties need to form a unified movement for electoral reform. :)
This is just the beginning of the "new center"..how do you spell "progressive ?"---practical compromise.
I have Jewish friends, had Jewish girlfriends, attended Seder numerous times, read from the Torah, spun the dredel and eaten the matzo.
As a Catholic, I've disagreed with the Vatican.
But first...I'm an American. If the U.S. declared war on Italy, I know which side I'd be fighting on.
you´d be on the first plane to Rome... damn good piazza over there...
the pizza in Italy is TERRIBLE!!
Best pizza in the world...Brooklyn!
But yeah...the piazzas are great. Just don't get pinched.
brooklyn and manhattan both have great pie (2 boots, Joe´s on bleeker, org.rays etc.., but sally´s in new haven rocks my world... roman pizza also rocks...
can operate as a total traitor and do so with impunity? Well you goddamn spineless Pussycrats, I don't want to hear WORD FUCKING ONE out of you asshats when Bush pardons everyone in sight. You set the precedent.
UP YOUR ASS!
YOU FUCKING HYPOCRITES DEMAND "CHANGE" AND YET WANT OBAMA TO STRONG-ARM LIKE BUSH OR CHENEY BEFORE HE IS EVEN PRESIDENT!
So we should shut up and take it. Right?
....impeaching Obama?
What dems can do no wrong now?
I never voted for Obama believing he would satisfy all of my demands.
P.S. The "impeachment" comment is something suggested on certain right wing sites I sometimes painfully invade...some of the comments here are similar to what I read on those sites.
Obama flipping his position on FISA out of the blue, minor league shit?!
Obama choosing a Congressman who fully voted for the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq as his Chief of Staff, minor league shit?
Obama choosing Hillary Clinton to be Secretary of State, a person who slandered him as badly as Lieberman did, minor league shit?
Obama allowing Bush's FBI Director and Defense Head to stay on, minor league shit?
Obama choosing Brezenski to be his foreign policy adviser, a man who worked for Ronald Reagan and George Bush, Sr. who wants nothing more than a new cold war with Russia, minor league shit?
Obama choosing as the head of his Intelligence Transition team a man who openly supports torture, minor league shit?
And now Obama decides to REWARD Lieberman with one of the most powerful positions in the Senate for stabbing him in the back and trying his best to see McCain/Palin elected, minor league shit?
None of the above is "MINOR LEAGUE SHIT" to me or to probably most of the people on this thread right now.
Even though Obama hasn't yet been inaugurated, he is making some very critical choices right now that I find to be not only significantly troubling, but to be very MAJOR LEAGUE SHIT.
I have a sense that Obama will keep his word once he's taken office and he will embroil more of our troops in a "surge" in Afghanistan that will quickly become a bloodbath like none we've ever seen.
I believe people voted for Obama because they did NOT want a hundred more years of endless war, but I fear the wars will continue under his watch and that of the military industrial/intelligence complex he obviously refuses to stand up to.
...before an evaluation. I hope that you never have a boss like yourself.
I voted straight Democrat on Nov 4th and I'd love to call Senator Harkin to express my EXTREME displeasure over this. However, there's no way I could remain civil for very long. The only ability I have right now is the ability to make things worse . . . for me . . . not them! Maybe I'll be better tommorrow. Fucking politicians!
Have to take exception with the headline. It implies the Dems caved in response to some threat Lieberman might unleash.
Lieberman has no power not granted him by the Dems. He had no threat to pose.
The Dems caved merely because they are spineless.
Bitartisanship and Chickenshitship..Say them both quickly. They rhyme.
I do take great offense to anyone implicating that I am an anti-Semite, racist or homophobe.
one day it may come true...
... I don't accuse just anyone who bitches and moans about 'the Jews' an anti-Semite, though it does raise certain flags. But somewhere around the time you were telling us about how 'the Jews control the media' as if to explain something, I lost faith,
Is this the "change" that I'm supposed to believe in?
That's because you have to really believe in it for it to be real to you, you know like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and Jesus.
1. I dislike Lieberman as much as anybody except the Dems in the Senate, but I think that they did the right thing and acted like adults. They all have to work together in these times.
2. Lieberman owes Obama -- big time.
3. We are within a fingernail of having a fillibuster-proof majority. Blowing it because Lieberman said nasty things would be as stupid as kicking Hillary out of the Caucus.
4. Committee allocations are based upon the percentage of Dems in the Senate. Having Lieberman caucus could help with the allocation depending on how the other races turn out.
5. Nobody said that the Homeland Security committee needs to actually be able to do anything anymore. (This is how we dealt with bad execs at my company...)
6. Betraying your party is not an impeachable offense. He is an elected representative.
Agreed. I thought Lieberman was as big a jerk as anybody during the election, but I don't get why the hysteria over him is at such a high pitch.
I'm right there with you. Lieberman's life may be hell now in the Senate because he has pissed off many dem. senators. There may come a time that he wishes they had kicked him out.
Instead of Russian caviar, he will be getting the cheaper Iranian stuff. Oh, noes... his life will be a living hell then!
obama has said that he has forgiven that...i disagree with him, but that is his choice and he must live with it
it is joe's pattern that i take issue with
to accept the vp nom in 2000, he moderated his positions
during the recount, he threw gore under the bus...on a number of occasions...because he wanted to run for prez in 04 and strengthen his position among the repugs
he lied to his constiuents during the primaries and the general election, and when he was handed the chair, he held no oversight hearings
he doesnt care about the american people, he doesnt care about the dem party...and no, he doesnt care about israel either....he cares about joe
rahm emanuel is as big a supporter of israel as you can get, but you never see him running to a hagee, or trying to stab his own party in the back...do ya?
I'm sure the Repukes are just as mad at this guy as we are.
They can't be mad at their own plant. He's been a reliable GOPer.
If anything, they are salivating about the fact that the Dems have a Senate majority and will still manage to do the GOP biding.
Don't you really believe that Obama is so dumb that he would let this clown Lieberman off if he were a GOP plant? Lieberman's a whore with zero credibility....all he's got is his vote.
Joe planted himself.
A traitor, and a side for which to treason.
First off Obama is not the senate leader, Reid is. So he (Obama) can't do much regarding Liberman.
Second, this has little to do with intelligence but integrity. If the Dems had any, they would have told this piece of shit to shove his vote up his old tired turn coat ass.
I should have a running bet to see when his first vote with the GOP is going to be. I give the guy 2 weeks tops before he sides with the GOP. He will be the first independent, caucusing with the Dems, voting republican. Truly a visionary in turn coating this Lieberman feller is!
There's much more to this story than we are aware of....give ALL the facts a chance.
Shut the #$@# up and take it.
How dare I believe my lying eyes and not Obama's super magic out of this world wisdom! I have signed oh great one...
You may notice that I normally say exactly what I think. If you are going to pin this on Obama, at least have all the facts. And please don't misinterpret my faith in my choice for President for some supernatural glorification(another thing the Repukes do) of the man. Sorry, I don't give up on decisions I make so quickly.
First off if you had read some of my posts, I already made clear that this has little to do with Obama and all to do with Reid et al.
You keep on coming back with the nonsense that shitting on the Dems for this idiotic move is somehow tantamount to dissing Obama.
Again, for the most part it is you who is bringing Obama to this fray.
....please elaborate. Check out most of my posts.They are in response of the false attacks on Obama in relation to Lieberman And reread your post at 1151 and explain what you're suggesting.
You're a revisionist.
"2. Lieberman owes Obama -- big time."
Lieberman owed Obama big time when Obama went against the party base to campaign for the creep in 2006. We all know what gratitude Lieberman showed him in return. As I've stated elsewhere, I can understand if not agree with the "big picture" calculus behind the Democrats keeping him, but Lieberman's career for the past eight years or more has been a study in political treachery. A leopard doesn't change its spots; I hope Obama and the senate Dems aren't fool enough to trust him.
what's done is done.
Watch the votes.
... the Democratic Party tells their Base to SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP.
I don't believe they WANT power. I think they preferred to be the minority, crawling along behind the Repugs, slurping and gobbling up crumbs of graft the careless Repugs let slip between their fingers, occasionally kissing the Repug Ass in gratitude. Ah, good times, good times!
unified movement for electoral reform
I think I just found a name for my next band.
Liberal AND Proud:
Hmm. Seems a bit long for a band name. Maybe just Electoral Reform? :)
Oh, and if you do form such a band, lemme know. I is a drummer. ;)
I can play the radio!
I figured I'd see much of what I'm reading here when I heard about this.
In a perfect world, yes, you kick Lieberman to the curb. You boot him so fast that he sets the world land speed record. I personally wish his ass was gone. Sadly, the perfect world we long for doesn't exist. Obama needs a fillibuster proof majority if he intends to get his policies enacted as law. Unfortunately, the easiest way to get that at the moment is to keep Lieberman and court moderate Republicans if the Minnesota recount and Alaska remain in Republican hands. You're not going to get Republicans to play ball if you're kicking out members of your own caucus-you're going to instead give them a gift wrapped symbol of how partisan the Democrats intend to be.
The Republicans are going to throw every roadblock up they possibly can to keep Obama from accomplishing ANYTHING. It is far easier for the time being to deal with Lieberman (and privately hope that he falls flat on his face in the next election and a Democrat takes over) than to deal with him on the other side. You can bet Lieberman's retaining his chairmanship is contingent on him walking the straight and narrow (unless the Dems are really stupid, in which case a lot of the anger I'm seeing is deserved.) The notion that Rachel Maddow floated of Lieberman convening hearings on how Obama is anti-American is, frankly, absurd, because that would send him out of his chairmanship and probably cost him re-election, so Lieberman keeping his chairmanship isn't THAT bad.
Obama has to deal with Congress to get what he wants. Sadly right now that means keeping Lieberman around. Lighten up a bit, especially the people who are declaring Obama a failure in November 2008.
lets say that joe starts holding hearings regarding something he has alleged the obama administration has not done...to remove him at that time would smell like a coverup
and joe knows it
i dont trust him
I just don't see him going off on a witch hunt against Obama when his position is this precarious, which is what Rachel went on about in her argument. People that are thinking that Lieberman is some sort of fifth columnist for the Republicans in the Democratic caucus need to relax a little.
Lieberman is a man who can't be trusted. Shame on the Senate Dems for caving, they don't need him.
After the past 2 years of the Dems joining with their Rethug colleagues to shit all over the American voting public you expected something different? This is exactly the sort of thing that lead me to only vote Dem for the Presidential race and for Justice of the Peace. Everthing in between went to actual viable representation, ie: Progressive Party, Green Party, Liberty Union Party, etc.
Is there something that I'm missing here? Is it that behind closed doors he's promised things? What conceivable explanation is there to keep a traitor to his party in a position of power?
The Democratic Party voters of Connecticut who voted to NOT have this incompetent clown represent them most be very impressed with his retaining a chairmans position that he is in no way qualified for.
By doing this the Democtratic Party did just throw millions of votes to third party canidates, who will actually represent We the People, in the 2010 Congressional races so maybe in that respect it's not a bad thing.
I like Unified Movement...but...it sounds like it should be on a bottle of Milk of Magnesia! LOL.
jesus nothing new happening , and so now its on to change thats not! libber goose wins the day ! americas proud of her native sons!
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