Maybe Lieberman can get the morning coffee or something
By David Neiwert Friday Nov 07, 2008 4:30pm
[Cartoon by Bob Englehart]
Dana Bash at CNN reports that Holy Joe is unhappy about his looming and well-earned demotion, and is thinking about joining the Republican caucus:
A Senate Democratic source familiar with the meeting confirms that account and tells CNN that one of options Reid gave Lieberman in a private meeting Thursday is Chairman of the Veteran’s Affairs Committee.
But the aide to Lieberman says the Connecticut senator made clear that was “not acceptable” to him, and reminded Reid that he was one of the Senators who wrote the legislation creating the Homeland Security Department, and that’s where he wants to stay.
Nothing was resolved in the meeting, and the Lieberman aide tells CNN that although he still wants to caucus with the Democrats, Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell has contacted Lieberman about formally aligning with Republicans, and that Lieberman is “keeping all of his options open.”
An aide to McConnell confirms to CNN that the two men “have been talking.”
As Steve Benen says:
Look, Reid is offering Lieberman a very sweet deal. By some counts, much too sweet. Lieberman betrayed the Democratic Party and broke his word to his own Democratic constituents. Reid is nevertheless willing to a) let him stay in the Democratic caucus; b) keep his seniority; and c) give him the chairmanship of something else. That, by any reasonable measure, is ridiculously gracious of Reid. It's certainly more generosity than Lieberman deserves or has earned.
Joe can threaten all he likes, but fact is: He's irrelevant now. There's no reason for Dems to cave on these threats.
Let's let his Democratic colleagues know. As Josh Orton at MyDD says:
Before, Lieberman was hoping to privately lobby his colleagues to save him. But with the curtain pulled back, we can lobby the same potential Lieberman allies. And now they'll have to choose between personal loyalty to Joe and doing the right thing - with the whole world watching.
If they hear from enough of us, there's no way Joe keeps his position of power.
So let's get to the phones. And the emails.
The number for the Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121. Start with your own Senator, but call the more conservative members of the Dem caucus too. Ask whether they support Lieberman remaining as Chair of the Homeland Security committee, given his unfair attacks on President-elect Obama. Be polite, and calm. The young people who answer the phones are entry-level staffers.
The key will be making sure the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee holds the line.
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"...and is thinking about joining the Republican caucus"
You mean he hadn't already joined it?
that joe has been treated as well as he has been.
If Reid doesn't oust Lieberman, then Senate Dems should oust Reid! The only thing that is "unacceptable" is if Lieberman retains ANY chairmanship. He spent the last six months working against the interests of Dems and even contributed to rhetoric that Obama was un-American and a Socialist.
Joe has to pay, and if not Joe, then Harry!
America's BAraCK
I agree with Steve Benen. Reid's offer is preposterously conciliatory. And Traitor Joe's answer is to threaten? Threaten to join the Republicans?
Let him go, Harry. Don't just call his bluff. Flat out tell him, "Joe, we gave you a chance. A really good one. One you didn't deserve. And you have now threatened to caucus with the Republicans. Well, with that threat, you've officially earned your stripes. You are now in the opposition caucus. Offer revoked."
By the way, Jeffrey Feldman at Frameshop has a great essay on why Lieberman must go, from a Jewish perspective.
How about "Joe the Plunger"?
A plunger still has some usefulness... Joe should be deregulated to jock strap cleaner (with a toothbrush).
As evidenced in his 'threat', LIEberman has not changed. And will not. Goodbye, Joe.
Completely with ousting Joe,tell me how are your efforts any different from the wingnuts and the witch hunt they are on?
Seems to me the kettle might be a little bit black here...
there is a difference between lashing out blindly in anger, and accountability. I see what you're saying though but again, I think Lieberman's direct actions against his own party are different than conservative non-politicians who merely disagreed with choices their party made.
Good point...I understand that.I guess my initial reaction spoke to process and not content...
He's basically admitting he'll belong to the party that most fills his personal desires? So much for ideological conviction! How can he run again under any party? Who ever he runs against will destroy him.
that he should be offered anything. He should be booted forthwith, and if he wants to start voting with wingnut Republicans then he will have to explain that to his constituents when he tries to weasle another term out of the poor suckers.
Everyone is getting what they deserve right now and we actually now have an Adult in the white house (almost). I can sleep at night. For a moment I almost felt sorry for Sarah Palin, taking the blame and the heat from her party for the loss. But then I remembered how much of a Bulldog she was - attacking Obama every day, painting a picture of fear and hate, and realizing that she was getting her just rewards. This is how her party works, and how Karma works AWLSO!! HATE AND FEAR IS ALL THE REPUBLICANS (NEOCONS) HAVE AND WE SHOULD NOT EXPECT ANYTHING LESS FROM THESE CHILDREN OF GAWD.
reminded Reid that he was one of the Senators who wrote the legislation creating the Homeland Security Department, and that’s where he wants to stay.
So he can do more damage to the constitution? He should be arrested for treason, let him run his chairmanship right up 'til they pull the pin on him and he drops to his just reward, where he can join saddam.
So what? That isn't a reason for him to stay. He shouldn't have been such a fool about McCain. Didn't he KNOW he'd suffer the consequences for tearing the Democratic candidate apart?
When a camera caught Lieberman and Obama having a "sprited discussion"?
Don't you think the Democrats have warned Lieberman (Like I think Obama did on that day) again and again about not supporting his own party?!?
For him to act insulted or offended is a reaction that doesn't square with reality. Reid should take it ALL away from him. He's not a Democrat.
Looked like Joe shit his pants!
So what if he goes with the republicans -- you think he'll have his senority -- heck no! And I don't think the Republicans want Traitor Joe around as much as the Dems.
As always, thanks Conneticut!
He'll be thrown out on his but in 4 years by Connecticut anyway.
would you drink a coffee served by Lieberman? Even if he liked you he'd spit in it just to cover his future party flips.
If Joe were a trade union guy, he'd be the first mofo over the picket line. Then, after the strike, he'd want to be treated as if he acted in solidarity with his union brothers.
You're a Scab, Joe, and should be treated as such
Good call, m_k!
:D
good goin' miss kitty.
Joe Lieberman Lobbies to Become Vice Pope
I predict Byrd will either die or have to resign before 2012. There's no guarantee a Dem would win the WV Senate election. Losing LIeberman takes us down to 55. I sort of like Roger Simon's suggestion that Obama name him head of Homeland Security. Lots of political plusses, including getting McCain to perhaps support the Dems here and there in filibuster votes. And most importantly, we'd get a real Dem out of Connecticut. Yeah, it would require swallowing our "pride" or whatever, but the Republicans are going to play hardball with the numbers in the Senate, and we need to be just as pragmatic. Sorry, I guess I'm in the minority, but I've been around long enough to see the Dems shoot themselves in the foot over "principle' too many time.
A very good idea.
BTW,is WV's governor/state house GOP?
The Governor is a Democrat, but depending on when, there would be an election. Rep. Caputo is the only Repub from the State, but she's quite popular and would probably run. But you raise a good question and I'm not an authority on WV law concerning replacing Senators.
I've seen the Dems shoot themselves in the foot too many times for being SPINELESS.
They need to stand up for themselves and show some leadership instead of letting Republicans and a lonely Joe Lieberman stomp all over them.
Having the votes to shove filibusters right back down McConnell's throat is not being spineless. The Lieberman situation is a problem in respect to the confrontation over his committee. Of course, there's always the outside chance that if he goes and caucuses with the Repubs that he'd still vote with the Dems in many cases...which is why my Administration idea (which isn't mine, Roger Simon put it out on Hardball today) seems like an ideal situation. Of course, Reid would have to convince Obama and Lieberman would have to agree (I'm sure he would). And a pledge from Lieberman to just shut up in 2012 (but I doubt he'd support Palin).
who is the one working behind the scenes to destroy palin and the power of the religious right
you would make a terrible mafia head
yes, keeps your friends close, and your enemies closer...but that is only cuz you wanna wack em....not give them a plum job
just to spite the fuckers on the right
name lieberman head of homeland security???
are you nuts?
you know what...next job interview i go to, im gonna kick the head of hr in the balls, and then ask when im getting the ceo job
and e-mails and faxes, but my reasons have to do with his chairmanship of Homeland Security and his refusal to investigate ANYTHING to do with Katrina. Rat bastard.
Here's your hat, Joe. What's your hurry?
Traitor.
SCAB - Can you provide an example when Lieberman did not support union legislation? He supported the "union card elections" (whatever its name is) legislation that got filibustered this Congress. Look, I"m as pissed at him as anyone, but I'm also scared that the Dems will have trouble finding 4 or 5 Repubs to count on to break filibusters. We need Lieberman one way or another....which is why I'd favor putting him in the Administration where he could do the job of the same committee he's now chair of.
What miss_kitty was saying is that if this election was a strike, Liberman was a scab. He crossed the picket line to do what seemed right for Joe Lieberman, rather than what was right for the
unionparty.As a pro-labor guy, Lieberman should have understood what he was doing.
Sorry - haven't been reading the whole thread, just saw yours. My apologies for confusing an analogy with a "fact". Or whatever....:)
What makes you believe that Joe can be counted on?
Analogy, in logic, is a form of reasoning in which one thing is inferred to be similar to another thing in a certain respect, on the basis of the known similarity between the things in other respects.
I never said he didn't say he in real life did not support union legislation.
I said that if Joe were in the parallel universe where he IS the union member, he would not honour the picket line, based on his behaviour as a 'Democrat.'
And hit the 'reply' button in the comment you are addressing. No need for two threads...
Well, whatever. I notice you were gracious enough to acknowledge my apology....or not.
miss_kitty was typing it out as you posted. Let's not all get bent outta shape.
your reply was posted. Your post was not UP ON THE BOARD when I started my reply. You have no need to apologise to me anyway.
How n00b to teh internets are you?
My my indeed. It'd be great if you knew how it works before you start flinging poop. Had 8 years of it, and I'm done with that.
I understood what you were saying Miss Kitty. Well done.
I got it too. He would/should be considered a Scab.
Yeah, he represents Connecticut in the Senate, but he made that endorsement of McCain and attacks on Obama as his own political animal. Connecticut shouldn't lose its vote in the Senate, but the loss of a powerful chairmanship should serve as a warning to states that they should vet their candidates a bit more finely.
:-)
Make him Ambassador to Afghanistan.
Or, Iran.
A pro-Israel/Jewish Ambassador to Afghanistan.....hmmmm. Brilliance or folly?
I don't care. Just get him the hell outta this Country.
Not realistic, but chuckleworthy, muddy.
You Betcha!
Right above the word restroom, the new sign is missing. The one that says "Office of Joe the backstabber (I-Lieberman)"
Maybe they can let Joe be a baggage screener at National.
He can move to Israel and be second in line to Netanyahu...who is set to be the next president of the Knesset in Israel early next year.
Lieberman would be right at home there. A meeting at Mossad HQ....then a meeting at the Knesset. A quick flight to D.C. for an AIPAC meeting.
Who needs Connecticut? Who needs Congress?
Just get the F out of the U.S. and represent the country you REALLY have allegiance to Joe!!!
He'll be PM if Likud wins the election early next year. But who knows if Labor and Kadima won't form some sort of alliance? There's a reason Kadima splintered off of Likud, ya know- Bibi's hawkishness.
It is one thing to hold a different opinion than your party or vote against party lines. Big deal. It happens every day.
It as another thing altogether to actively campaign against your party in an election.
The man deserves to be thrown under the bus.
I've talked to Boxer about this (no, I'm no big shot), and what really pissed off the Dems was Lieberman's speech at the Repub convention. The Zel Miller scab is still smarting. They would have "forgiven" him trotting around on the campaign stump, but the speech was the killer. So, I do expect that the caucus will boot him. Now, if we could just get Chambliss' seat, all my numbers worries would be moot.
they would forgive him for every incident of stabbing the dem caucus in the back? of holding not one oversight hearing on katrina, of saying that it would be bad for america if the dems held 60?
forgiven for questioning obama's patriotism and the patriotism of all dems?
forgiven for saying that the dems dont care about security?
look what the repugs did to hagel and powell
joe should have his guts ripped out and be forced to eat them
Speaking of missed opportunities. It looks like Stevens is going to win in Alaska. According to the Anchorage Daily News, Stevens won because a lot of Democrats didn't vote because the election had already been decided in Obama's favor and decided to stay home. And those pre-election polls that had Bergich (?) way up didn't help. Anyway.....Senator Palin?
they had one of the lowest in the country
the obama campaign shoulda done just a little bit in alaska
oh, and stevens will not be booted on jan 21, unless the senate is willing to part with tradition
usually they wait until all appeals are complete...that could take years
and palin would have to run for senator...alaskans killed the whole being appointed thing after murkowski appointed his daughter
I was watching someone...Rachel?...who said this was very, very odd and was being investigated (?)
he's earned the door. somebody show it to him please.
Minnesota Senate seat heading for recount, Georgia for run-off. Believable suggestions of many missing ballots in Alaska.
Joe is hoping for a trifecta, in which he would be needed for the fillibuster break. It's a poker game, and Joe has a weak hand, trying to bluff. Caucusing with the Republicans blows all his seniority. Reid should just delay the decision, and those watching should just sit quietly and let it play out. Accepting Veteran's Afairs will be a humiliation; switching sides give Joe more opportunity to grandstand. Chill, baby, chill.
I respect anyone's right to change their mind but both Joe Lieberman and Zell Miller are opportunists of the first order that deserve no authority or respect of any kind.
How the hell could you trust the little puke with strategy and internal memos? He'd practically redirect them to the Republican minority. If he can't understand it, he's as dumb as dumb can be. Let's see how CT votes for him in 2012 when he supports the Republican contender while running for re-election.
despite the fact that he could do alot of good on that committee?
is this not proof that he doesnt give shit one about the country?
go joe, become a repug...we dont need 60, we just need you out
Was listening to Rachel Maddow on the way home from work this evening, and she had the dude from 538 dot com on, and he pointed out that the presidential vote count in Alaska was about 30% lower (so far) in 2008 than it was in 2004. I checked the 2004 results on CNN.com, and found that 311,808 total votes were cast. So far in the 2008 presidential election, however, only 216,688 votes have been counted. That's a difference of 95k votes, or 30%. You'd think with an Alaskan on the ticket, there would be a much larger number of votes this time around. Could there be 95k+ absentee ballots yet to be counted? Convicted felon Ted Stevens has a 3,353 vote lead at this piont, but if 30% of the votes have yet to be counted, his lead could evaporate and the tide could turn in Begich's favor.
Where are all the missing votes?
but ya...there was hanky panky going on in alaska
the congressional race was totally weird....unless alaskans really hate the jew
Senate Democrats should bear this in mind.
They wouldn't have this majority without the time and donations of millions of Democrats around the country in whose eye Joe Lieberman spat.
Love the cartoon!
Like a dog begging at every table at the banquet and repeatedly making the rounds he'll also hump anybody's leg, Dem, Rethug, Independant he don't care!
He's fuckin' EVERYBODY.
Like a Sharpei, Liarman can turn around inside his skin.
Get him out of our party already we're sick of this slimebag.
Joe needs to have something worse than cleaning toilets. He'd probably run into more Republican Senators there, tapping toes. I'd put him on the steps in front of the House, hailing cabs for Democratic Representatives.
So if holy joe is plunging toilets, what will ralph nader being, cleaning ash trays?
Can he be recalled??
Holy Joe with his asscrack showing: an image that will haunt me!
This cartoon is the best slap in the face to Benedict Arnold I have seen all week. Superb!!!
Hey, Joe! Cry me a fucking river. At least you HAVE a job.
isn't the retirement plan for Senators very nice?
If he got the coffee, would you really be sure it was 'just' coffee and would you feel safe drinking it?
In the spirit of compassion and forgiveness... GET THE FUCK OUT JOE!
"Maybe Lieberman can get the morning coffee or something"
You may choose to scoff at that responsibility, but it was a big decision for the Wasuilla City Council meetings; worthy of debate. (Where is that clip?)
Benen pointed out that Lieberman broke his promise to his Democratic constituents, i.e., that he would work to elect a Dem president in 2008.
Would it kill Reid to point this out? Or would it be a political advantage to both the Democratic Senate and to the President-Elect?
The artist should have put Senator Craig in the bathroom.
I like the idea posed earlier....about Lieberman being appointed Ambassador to Afghanistan....how 'bout Iraq when the new embassy opens...or do we have to wait for that?
Can the President-elect make that appointment now?
just asking.
It would be fitting, when the Senate is in session and every one is in attendance, for Reid to pointedly have the Sergeant at Arms usher Lieberman to the other side of the aisle. The Dems will get their filibuster-proof majority after the next election in two years.
I guarantee, if McCain had won on Tuesday, Lieberman would have left the Democratic Caucus for a position in the McCain administration. He only looks out for his own self interests. It's time for us to start looking out for ours. Kick the bum out. It's time for change.
Hey, Harry!
I have an idea.....
How about I try to steal your furniture, try to burn down your house, and then invite myself to dinner there?
Good idea, right?
TELL THIS SCHMUCK TO GO AWAY.
Doesn't FockSnooze need another "political analyst" or something?
After Franken and Begish win their seats, (look out republican election theives, a new AG is on his way), the Dems should FORCE Lieberman to join the republicans. Another loser joining an irrelevant loser party.
With Senators in Oh, Pa and a few other states up for re-lection in 2010, I don't think Mitch the SOB, is going to be doing as much obstructing as he thinks he is.
....can't we get rid of Harry as Dem Leader?? It would be nice to have someone with an actual spine and a little fire in the belly in that position...!!!
I am just a toady
and my toadiness is old,
I have squandered my position
in the Democratic caucus,
such are promises
All lies and jest,
Still a toady shills for anyone
he thinks will help him best ..mmmmmm…
When I left my home
and my family
I was no more than an “I”
In the company of neocons
In the noisy St. Paul RNC, and
telling lies
really low,
seeking out the right-wing zealots
where the richest people go
speaking platitudes
that they already know
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la lie-lie, lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la lie-lie, lie-lie-lie, lie LIE-BERMAN.
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