Lieberman begs Reid not to oust him from Chairmanship
By John Amato Thursday Nov 06, 2008 3:01pmIs Harry Reid going to do the right thing and boot this guy out? He said some of the most vile things against Obama that were spoken. Especially after Obama saved his bacon in CT.
Bolstered by a newly expanded majority, Harry Reid met with Joe Lieberman on Thursday to sketch out the conditions by which the Connecticut independent could continue to caucus with Senate Democrats. But Lieberman did not accept Reid's initial offers, leaving his future in the caucus uncertain, and potentially setting off a campaign to pressure the Democratic steering committee to decide Lieberman's fate.
Reid offered Lieberman a deal to step down as chairman of the homeland security committee but take over the reins of another subcommittee, likely overseeing economic or small business issues officials said.
snip
Unfortunately for the Connecticut Senator, it is highly unlikely that Democrats would act against the wishes of Majority Leader Reid, who wants Lieberman to give up his chairmanship. Moreover, progressive activists have been anticipating this move for months, and have organized efforts to pressure steering committee members to strip Lieberman of his perks.
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That there is even a delay in removing LIEberboy tells you plenty about Reid.
Lieberman did not accept Reid's initial offers...
Really? Lieberman didn't s**k Reid's f***ing d**k?
resurrected corpse of Lindsay Graham-cracker...
Shakin' dude?
I watched a few minutes of groveling Joe. Kinda sad really but he gets no sympathy from me after the non-stop cheerleading of the Iraq fiasco and stumpin' with John "I know how to win wars" McCain.
Joe: "But, but the election's over. Can't we all just get along?"
Me:
Kick Joe out of the caucus and make Hillary leader of the Senate.
There you go - THAT'S the ticket!
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Wish she'd consider it.
I like that idea too. Harry Reid's leadership has been disappointing, to say the least.
My dream too. I even thought it was maybe...inevitable? If not, why the heck not? It's time for CHANGE.
I yearn to see Lieberman kicked into permanent obscurity even if his continued presence made him the magic 60th Democrat in the Senate. He has nothing in common with Republicans who endorsed Obama. What Lieberman's been doing all along is something entirely different.
Deserves nothing but contempt.
Go pound sand, Joe, you betcha!
"Joe Must Go!"
I couldn't agree more. Throw that maggot out on his hiney.
Gone Daddy Gone ...
to the republicans it is where he belongs!
When they say "bend over" -- Loserman says "how far?"
He did it before - over and over and over again. They have to KNOW he'll do it again.
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He could subpoena members of Obama's administration as a committee
chairman. He is a tool of AIPAC like 90% of Congress.
Next
"Waaaaaaaaaahhhhh! Please don't kick me out."
PUTZ.
Some of you could stand to learn a little about how the Senate works. If Lieberman is kicked out now the Senate will be split 50/50 and they have to get into all kinds of complicated power-sharing deals. If they wait til January they still retain a majority.
Now do you get it?
Well I agree that for now he has to stay. I want him gone in JANUARY.
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I've been wondering how Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden's seats will be filled? Will the governors of their states simply name someone to fill their terms or will there now be special elections to fill their seats?
I also just noticed that Franken is only 336 votes behind Coleman and that is without the mandated re-count.
And one more thing. I mentioned, maybe two weeks ago, that Lieberman would keep the chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee and would barely get a wrist slap from the Democrats and I was poo-pooed by ya'll.
AIPAC's running the show.
I'll be flummoxed if Reid does the right thing and sticks Lieberman off in a closet somewhere where he belongs.
I have forgotten my civics here, but I believe that they get to appointed (but by whom, I'm not sure) from within. There is not a special election.
Someone please correct/complete my statements.
The governors of Illinois and Delaware apppoint the next Senators from their respective states. Both governors are Democrats.
I understand that he should be put in the doghouse.....and he deserves it...if the DEMS let him get away the negative bashing of Obama- that would be unacceptable...his chairmanships should be toast...period. And it is time for the DEMS and Reid to show some real Backbone...
I realize there is a lust for blood by a lot of dems... I'm no lieberman fan, but I think if we're going to respect Barack's call for bipartisanship we really need to not throw Lieberman overboard. I know I'll get flamed for this, but I believe lieberman was doing what he thought was best for the country, while I don't agree with him and wish he hadn't been re-elected I do respect him sticking to his principles.
Too often are people jumping on one another because they don't agree with them and if we're going to change the way things get done in Washington then I think we have to be the ones who respect people with different opinions, but that is just me. All this anger and bickering doesn't really get us anywhere good. Look at what the last 8 years were, anger hate bickering. Nothing good happened. Lets start off the next 4 years with a spirit of reconciliation.
/Not Jewish
//Israel is WAY down on my list of things I care about.
I my opinion this is about trust. In that case I think the need is clear.
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Joe needs to go, his views on the war are wrong, very wrong and it is not what theparty stands for in these days. He should not hold any chairs and he should be tossed from the caucus for standing(shit shouting from the rooftops) with the repugs, you dont do that and then expect people to ignore it. He made is bed and now he has to sleep in it.
lies and smear against Obama during the campaign were "good for the country" then I believe he has much more in common with the repugs than the dems and probably should be relieved of his chair. He's still free to be of service to his country, Have a ball Joe!
You really think the lies Joe told was 'best for the country'?!
Bipartisanship is well and good but he has not acted in an honorable manner as most of us believe.
You're too nice and a speck naive.
Stick a fork in him - he’s done. “Throw da’ bum outta’ here!”
If Reid capitulates to LIEberman, AGAIN, then the Democrats are in serious trouble. Extortion is an endless payout, there is no way out of the trap. Harry Reid has shown no guts so far in his two years as Majority Leader. If Harry Reid can’t stand up to LIEberman the Rogue, then he does not deserve to be Majority leader. He definitely failed to keep him in line, or at least out of line, but LIEberman was allowed to backstab his own party in this historic election. There wasn’t a McCain appearance in which you couldn’t see LIEberman leering over his left shoulder. It got to the point where he looked as though he was part of the security detail. And, anybody recalls he also voted to confirm ALITO ?? He has the freedom to act as he sees fit. The rest of us are entitled to react as we se fit. Either LIEberman goes or Reid leaves.Can’t have both.
LIEberman is an embarrassment to the Human Race, to the Jewish People, to the Democrats, and to America, he should go and hide.
Strip him IMMEDIATELY of chairmanship of Homeland Security. As his good buddy John McCain has said many times, “elections have consequences.”
Chairs go to the party in the majority. Schmoe LIEberman abandoned that party a long time ago. He is actually one of those con-chicken-hawk Republicans ala Dick Cheney. Maybe, he can knock at Rahm Israel door now that he is going to be Chief of Staff, and get some special appointment in their beloved Tel-Aviv. Or, he should really move to Israel and maybe run to be a prime minister there - if they let him.
As for the ‘big tent’ trolls out there, the tent is open to those who are demonstrably housebroken. Shmoe LIEberman has shown that he will excrete anywhere. Therefore, the dog house is his appropriate place.
this should have been done yesterday with no meeting necessary. he's a snivelling traitor and the dems are better off without him. the guy has no integrity.
So Joe thought it was in the best interest of the country to lie about Obama?
Joe comes from the old school of politics where you say anything about the other guy to get elected and then play nice once you're in office. Good riddance.
Party chairmanships are critical and highly sensitive positions that require a relationship built on trust. Loserman has squandered any trust his party - OR the voters - have for him.
WE do not trust this man in this position - I really don't care what the weasel gets the Steering Committee to agree to.
Without trust you have nothing - and I think that says it all.
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By some DC spokesman (missed his name) that (paraphrasing): The Bush Administration has been "remarkably helpful in coordination of the transition to Obama, largely because of the ongoing national security crises."
Nearly dropped my plate of pasta...
The 9th circle of hell awaits him.
a big question (they re-elected Chris Murphy despite his pro-Bailout vote), they'll dump Lieberman and elect Lamont next time.
But I'm not betting on Connecticut voters.
Lots of well-educated, high-income dumb fucks here.
My understanding was that he was actually elected by the re-thuglics to begin with.
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hard-core Dem lawyers here who voted for Lieberman.
Primarily because of his support for Israel.
Over at Firedoglake ~
Joe Must Go!!
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He said that if he lost the Dem primary in Conn. he'd accept the results and not run as an Independent. He ran as an Independent and cost the Dems a seat.
He said that even though he would support McCain in the general election, he wouldn't be a trash talker against Obama. He lied about that.
This is Harry Reid's test as a leader. If Lieberman maintains chairmanship of a powerful committee, then it may be Harry Reid soon looking for another job.
I said it in another thread -- sure the Dems may take a PR hit if they ditch Lieberman now. But take the hit now and early, and in a couple of weeks it will be forgotten. Why wait around until traitor Joe shows his stripes again, maybe a year from now? Then it will be too late.
Well - if it's about Reid's ability as a leader, then I'm afraid we're all f**cked.
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Fool me three times, WILL get fooled again!!"
The republicans probably don’t want him either, he's got no friends in the senate, and his enemies don't respect him.
There is no respect without trust.
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Good lord, Joe. Fall on your sword, you two-faced idiot.
Would that we still did that. Requiescat in pace, Lieberman's career.
Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand?
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand?
Sounds more like the conversation between daddy and little brat son. Your options are to go to your room, and think about what you've done, or . . . no, that's it.
You're going to keep discussing this? Harry, there's nothing more to discuss. Start cracking some skulls.
Yes, you are from the aptly named Connecticut for Lieberman Party. You are its only member, and you are a first term Senator from that party. No seniority. No privileges.
I've got news for you, Joe. Partisanship and what is right for the country are not definitional exclusives. And we believe, in the party that rejected you, and which you ran against, that what you want is wrong for the country.
Whose historic outcome you worked to prevent.
That's not quite true. You are not a Democrat. Your party and the Republican Party teamed up to do what you thought was best for the country. Stop saying that you are "non-partisan" as though it marks you as exceptionally virtuous.
LOST!
Then stand down, sir.
And hopefully, we will. Because, Joe, no matter how hard you try to spin your independence as better than everyone else, when we kicked you out the first time, we were doing what we thought was right for the country. You have harmed the country. And the country has told you and yours, "ENOUGH!"
So, try to absorb it. When you lose your seniority and your chairmanship, it is not because partisan bickering prevailed over nobility. It is BECAUSE we are living up to the standards you pretend to live by.
very well said, karen!
....LIEberman was voted into office by a majority of Republicans, after being rejected soundly by Democrats.
....he was elected as an Independent Democrat, NOT as an Independent, as he said in his little speech.
....polling done by the Daily Kos has clearly shown on at least 2 occasions that voters would NOT vote LIEberman into office, were they given a second chance to vote today.
....Holy Joe is a big supporter of that disgraced right-wing nutjob, the Rev. John Hagee.
....he stated the other day that he didn'e think the country could survive a 60-member Democratic super majority in the Senate. WTF???
....he's a traitorous schmuck, and needs to be purged from the Democratic Party.
If Harry Reid won't do it, then he should step aside. (Actually, he should probably step aside, anyway.)
Lieberman's a joke at this point. The real question is whether Harry has the requisite self-respect to tell Holy Joe to go f*ck himself.
The arrogant prick doesn't get it. Partisan is one thing, the attacks on Obama is another. Joe must go!
No no no. No rewards for beyond the pale traitorous acts. Not even a subcomittee. He should be stripped of his seniority as he as an INDEPENDENT, not a member of the Democratic Party since 2006.
He should be the last choice for anything. He should be shunned.
he be given the Chairmanship of the Senate Valet Parking committee or maybe he could be head groundskeeper. But just until January. Then buh-by!
maybe Holy Joe should ask McCain to vouch for him. Face it, Joe, you signed up with the likes of Sean Hannity and then endorsed a man who selected an individual who was way over her head to be Vice-President. I, as a proud American, have serious reservations as to where your loyalties are and feel you should be stripped of your duties not out of spite but out of your judgment in these past few years.
i couldn't finish it...
bullshit, joe... just go.
Lieberman, should have been ousted from the Democratic party long ago.
Time to clean house!
Hmm. "Lieber" must mean "worm" in Yiddish.
Let's be a little bit careful where we tread here. The pedant insists that I point out that the root word "lieb" means "love" in both German and Yiddish.
Plus, I don't think Jewish people are, by in large, proud of him either. It's not like Joe Lieberman stands for anything except for... Joe Lieberman. Like I've said before, the guy would put on a tinfoil hat and claim that the Earth was flat, if he could secure a majority with the flat-Earth conspiracy theorist vote.
Don't anyone here forget that Lieberman was McCain's personal top choice to be his running-mate.
Hell, if we're all going to be so blindlessly forgiving, why not have Obama offer McCain Secretary of Defense and be done with it? That would make about as much sense has allowing Lieberman any power in a Democratic caucus.
I've about had it with Reid. Would be real sweet if he could be pushed aside for a savvy heavyweight...someone like Hillary.
He will get re-elected because he votes the right way.
that Joe is just being given a chance to save face and fade into the background rather than having his stripes ripped off by Reid. Call me an optimist.
Joe.
Nancy.
Harry.
All three must go.
not the view of the fucks in power.
An excellent point. The Democratic Congress had little to do with Obama's victory. In fact, most polls show they were like an anchor around Obama's neck in most parts of the country.
I hope that when Congressional Democrats convene to elect new leaders, they keep in mind the CHANGE message.
Bounce his Quisling ass.
After you called Obama, socialist and worst I don't see any future between you and the democratic party. Register yourself as a republican and ask them for favors. I'm emailing Reid right now.
heh...'Stern letter' Harry.
Holy Joe should join his friends, McCain and Palin... he has no business caucusing with thinking people. He is no way a DEMOCRAT and doesn't deserve the association. He is also NOT an independent as he likes saying. He chose his path and now deserves to set out to pasture with the other losers. He is a pathetic lying son of a bitch and if Reid doesn't toss his ass, REID should be tossed!
CAN YOU READ THE WORDS THAT ARE ON THIS PAGE?!?
you too, joe!
take the advice - both of you...
Having said that, it may be very much to our advantage to keep him in the caucus. Knowing that he's on triple-secret probation should make Joe extremely cooperative. And we certainly don't want to force him into the Republicans' arms at this crucial time in our history.
-AF
Andrew Sullivan Is A Fraud
the dems will not have a fillibuster proof majority...one vote means nothing
let him go to the repugs who he loves so much and get some minority chairs
in two years he has to face the voters of his state....repugs and conservative independents will not get him reelected
his career ended on tuesday
you should hear hannity crying for him....maybe he can get a gig as the butt boy's, butt boy
It's 4 years.
On edit -- He runs every 6 years, 2000, 2006, 2012.
my bad
make him eat shit for 4 years then
The good people of Connecticut re-examine their votes and mount a recall campaign against Golem Joe.
plus with the economy, i highly doubt that ct will want the expense of a recall election
i think they will stick with him until 2012...
After living there for a year and yammering to practically every person I ever met about recalling Lieberman I was told repeatedly that if they could recall Lieberman, they would.
In the UK, and elsewhere, there could be a 'vote of confidence' called when a political member has done something so egregious as to shake the support of his constituents and his party. Except, of course, Lieberman doesn't really HAVE a party. But he is serving on the Democratic committees, and he certainly has lost the support of a vast number of his constituents, both those who wish he hadn't won, and others regretting voting him in now in the first place.
Could a referendum be initiated, to call a vote of confidence, and vote Joe out of office? I wonder...
'Recall' ring a bell?
:)
if this was the brit parliament...his party wouldve totally disowned him....and he wouldve ended up on big brother, lapping milk from the feet of some nasty ho
OFF WITH HIS HEAD
away from becoming prez?
it was best for the country for you to lie to your constiuents that you would support and help elect a dem to the potus?
it was best for the country for you to hold not one oversight hearing on the criminal malfeasance regarding nola and its rebuilding?
joe needs to be stripped of all his committee memberships...no deals
joe needs to be booted from the caucus
reid needs to be removed from the leadership for having offered any deals to an individual who has been attempting to destroy the dem party since 2000
holy joe...next time you decide to deceive voters, maybe you should talk to your rabbi first....lying is not a virtue
can reid make him crawl on his knees and bark like a dog?
Send Reid an email demanding that he remove the traitor.
i have no prob with any senator or congressman voting their concience....joe didnt do that...he went much further
he embraced a prez who stomped on the constitution
joe never shouldve been forgiven for what he did to gore in 2000...he was...yet he never apologized...and he isnt apologizing now
in jewish law, one does not have to be forgiven unless that person goes to the one he aggrieved and ask for forgiveness....and even then, the one who has been agrieved can make that person ask him at least 3 times....
make joe get on his hands and knees and beg forgiveness from the voters in ct, barack obama, and all of us bloggers
http://reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm
please write a cordial but stern letter!
thanks for the link.
I hope everyone sends a letter to Reid.
I mean Joe... Can I be blunt? Fuck you Joe! Fuck you and fuck off..
Joe acted like a Republican in the recent election...Democratic gains=Joe's vote is no longer required for Democratic positions...let Joe have his own independent caucus in the Senate...if he doesn't want to follow the Democratic leadership, then time to go...it's our ball now and our rules...
How do I write to Harry Reid and tell him to oust Lieberman, when I think it is just as important for Reid to go? If Democrats want to succeed they have to do two things: find some spine (that means Reid has got to go) and develop some principles (that means Lieberman has got to go).
Reid's going to stay, so I have little confidence that anything will change significantly in the Senate -- and we've all seen just how inept it has been with Reid "leading" the party.
I've written to both my senators to demand that they begin a movement to replace Reid. I have no reason to believe they will do anything.
It's great and vitally important that McCain lost, but I've got very low expectations for Obama and the Democrats because without major changes in the Congress (Pelosi and Hoyer also need to go) I don't see anything worthwhile getting accomplished.
Everyone write to your Democratic senators and demand that Reid be replaced.
Yes indeed.
Obama rushed to Connecticut to save the bacon - or knockwurst - of this warmongering cretin.
Thanks a bunch.
How ungrateful of Lieberman not to return the favor. He preferred to support another warmongering cretin not unlike himself.
The torch is passed.
It's simple, your gone!
Let the door hit you on the ass on the way out
Vengeance is for the Lord. The Dems need 60 votes to appoint judges or introduce legislation on the Floor for a vote in the Senate. We have 55 votes plus our good friend from Vermont. The thoughtful and the tactful will find 60 votes and keeping the Connecticut Liarman partially in the fold means we only have to kiss three Republican Asses to accomplish something. The Dems have a chance to change a nation over the next 4 to 8 years and we cannot let resentment get in the way.
But as Rush Limbaugh likes to say: "Elections have consequences" -- and with that -- Buh bye Lieberman, you made your bed, now sleep in it.
NO!
...my last Ted Stevens quote
Bwahahahahaha!
This is a sterling example of how one plays both sides of the fence. If McCain had won due to Liebermans' help, how would you feel then? McCain would have continued Bush's economic policies, crushing the working class and escalating the wars trying to redeem himself for his Vietnam failings. And Joe would have been there voting with him every step of the way fanning the flames. But his horse lost, so he comes crawling back begging for mercy. So I say, DO NOT GIVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE TO BETRAY US AGAIN! OUST HIM!
Joementum has now become Joe Must Go Mentum.
Make it very public and embarrassing for traitor Joe.
His speech at the repubic hatefest that was their convention should be all the inspiration Harry needs, if in fact Harry has the nads to kick him to the curb. None of this saving face, let him resign, "checking my options" B.S. Joe was spewing earlier today. Unceremoniously and without kind words kick his droopy dog ass out.
"Moreover, progressive activists have been anticipating this move for months, and have organized efforts to pressure steering committee members to strip Lieberman of his perks."
GOODY.
let us not forget that the only reason he was re-elected last time was because the republican party placed their total support behind him at the expence of their own republican candidate. "the good people of connecticut" shoule have included the good republican people ...actions speak louder than words and we have seen lieberman's actions now it is time to see harry's.
now more than ever, harry and nancy and joe must go.
can't you just smell the Joementum.
The chairmanship? How about citizenship instead?
Exile him to Israel if he has that country's interest so much in mind.
Send him over the port bow, kicking and screaming, and do it on YouTube-- no limit to comments. Maybe Harry Reid has to go too.
Stick him in the pillory and put it in Time's Sqaure. Give rotten food away for free. Turn on the video cameras. Broadcast live.
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LET THE DINO GO!!!
LET THE DINO GO!!!
LET THE DINO GO!!!
LET THE DINO GO!!!
LET THE DINO GO!!!
LET THE DINO GO!!!
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So, Joe wants the Dems to forget about what he's done and unify? Not a chance.
It's one thing to support a candidate of the other party, but it's another to join in the character assassination and smearing of YOUR party's candidate.
I hope Reid grows a pair and strips this spineless loser of his chairmanships.
"Oh please sir, Mr Lieberman, do you think you might possibly maybe take a step down from this one committee sir? I promise I'll give you another one sir, oh please sir, on my very bestest word sir, I'll be ever so grateful."
Oh man the f*** up you pansy! Tell that DINO to sling his hook!
Strip him of his chairmanship? A mere slap on the wrist!! If he wanted to do something honourable to help unite the country, how about a Senate resignation to go, and don't forget the knockwurst...
Lieberman should be 'jumped out'. As in the process of leaving a gang. All the members beat the living shit out of him.
Well, maybe LIEberman can't keep his word but I can keep mine. As my letter to Reid said, if LIEberman is a member of the Democratic caucus at the end of Jan.'09, then my 32 year membership in the Democratic Party will end. In case some people have missed this in the euphoria over Obama's win the GOP came out as good as they could possibly have come out in both the Senate and House races; they lost as few seats as they could have lost. In my opinion, the wave against the GOP didn't come because of Reid pretending to be in control of a Senate that was actually deadlocked at 50/50. And why would anybody keep pretending that LIEberman is with us in everything except the Iraq war? Did you not see him nodding his head and giggling at the charge that a progressive income tax is socialism. He is now as right wing as anybody in the GOP.
If you want people to think of LIEberman when they think of a Democrat then, by all means, keep him in the caucus.
hear, hear
OKAY, LET'S COUNT, no contest, oust him.
Obama won. the senate is creeping ever closer to a no filibuster level. I personally think this is due in no small part to this blog's and john amato's active role. this blog is read by many both conservative and liberals alike. so when we appeal here to reid and Pelosi to get off their collective arses and begin impeachment proceedings, then it carries some weight. keep saying it and writing it, and someone will give them the message.
and get rid of Lieberman, now. The senate works in strange ways. But Lieberman has shown his true colors and has been extremely partisan, and NOT on the side of the democrats. Being "independent" is fine. But masquerading as an independent and being allowed to caucus with the Democratic caucus should not be allowed. Especially after Lieberman potentially caused harm to the democratic presidential ticket like he did. Shame. It's time for the boot.
You guys remember, don't ya, I was on your side the whole time... Yea we remember, you fucking back stabbing rat. We remember how you called in every favor,made every threat and told any lie to the citizens of Conn, to save yourself from being thrown out last election, which I question was not hacked in some way,(perhaps some one in Conn has some info or hints on that subject). You also took money from people connected to bush crime family to fund your bullshit. I bet your parents(if you knew who they are)are real proud.-CEO,citizens,eyes,open.
And even if the Dems come up short of 60, there's always the possibility of moderate Repubs (i.e. Olympia Snowe,Susan Collins) crossing the aisle on certain votes.
-AF
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