Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Politics Pissed About Lieberman?
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Me too. The Dems don't have the courage to take him out. Here's hoping Connecticut's voters do. Ned Lamont—the man who defeated Lieberman in the 2006 Democratic primary—is maintaining a website and is clearly planning to challenge Lieberman again in 2012. Remember to put your checkbooks where your outrage is two years from now when Lamont v. Lieberman officially kicks off again.
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1
I hate to add insult to injury Dan, but Lieberman was re-elected in 2006, which means he doesn't face election again until 2012.
2
Lieberman isn't up till 2012.
You are a spokesgay. Try to stay out of complicated Politics that you don't understand.
You are a spokesgay. Try to stay out of complicated Politics that you don't understand.
4
Lieberman was out of line ever since he blew the Florida recount in 2000. But, IMO, if Obama can "forgive" him, why can't you?
5
Is it just me, or does Lieberman's head look like it's melting? It's like his head is made of wax and he's in a hot room. It reminds me of that nazi guy at the end of the first indiana jones movie.
6
I do think Lieberman is a dick but I think stripping him of his Homeland Security Committee chairmanship would just be sour grapes. The guy knows what he's doing in that area. Instead, I think embracing Lieberman's "maverickhood" would be to the Democrats' advantage because it is an example of how the party is expanding its tent. Let the people of Connecticut punish him in 2010.
Another possible solution: How about if President Obama appoints him as an ambassador to, say, Syria or Israel ... or Iraq?
Another possible solution: How about if President Obama appoints him as an ambassador to, say, Syria or Israel ... or Iraq?
7
Whoops—I knew that, I knew that. Changed. Brain fart. Sorry.
The race to replace Lieberman will kick off in two years, in 2006, because all big races basically begin two years out these days. That's what farted my brain there. Be ready to write checks in 2010 for the 2012 US Senate race there in Connecticut.
Oh, nevermind.
The race to replace Lieberman will kick off in two years, in 2006, because all big races basically begin two years out these days. That's what farted my brain there. Be ready to write checks in 2010 for the 2012 US Senate race there in Connecticut.
Oh, nevermind.
10
Obama clearly came to the conclusion it would not help him govern to have the dems remove Lieberman from his position at this time. Since he's got a little better understanding of how politics and Congress works than do I, and since he was able to secure the nomination and presidency despite his race, republican and clinton race-baiting, his minister, etc., etc., etc.,, I'm going to give Obama the benefit of the doubt that he knows what he is doing and has made the right call.
11
Agree with #6. He votes with the Dems the vast majority of the time. If they stripped him they might not be able to count on that. Yes, he's a player (he's a politician, duh), but the Dems are actually being wise here. They will need every vote to make it the magic 60.
12
@8
Hey Dan you know that extra step that you make each and every one of us go through for each and every comment? PREVIEW FUNCTION. Use it.
Hey Dan you know that extra step that you make each and every one of us go through for each and every comment? PREVIEW FUNCTION. Use it.
13
No, I'm not a troll. Yes, I've been living in a cave. But I'll ask this anyway: why does everyone hate Lieberman? What did he do above and beyond the ordinary that pisses everyone off? And yes @5, he does look like that melted nazi.
14
I hope the Dem. leaders conditioned this on Lieberman towing the party line in the future. When they ask for his vote on a controversial issue, he'll support them. If they fail to condition this chairmanship, they completely capitulated and are weak.
15
@11 - The Democrats will never achieve a magic 60. There are 5 or so conservative Democrats who will back out on any particular issue (and maybe 5 or so liberals who will find some Obama initiatives too conservative).
I'm more concerned about Lieberman taking up some minor, inconsequential mistake to hammer Obama with on the oversight committee. Possibly to try to force him into bombing Iran at Israel's behest. The Dems won't be able to force him out because the media will play it up as a cover up. I do think Obama will stand up to such bs, but why put ourselves through it?
I'm more concerned about Lieberman taking up some minor, inconsequential mistake to hammer Obama with on the oversight committee. Possibly to try to force him into bombing Iran at Israel's behest. The Dems won't be able to force him out because the media will play it up as a cover up. I do think Obama will stand up to such bs, but why put ourselves through it?
16
I hate the guy (Lieberman) as much as any of you but as shrewd of a politician as Obama is I think I'm going to trust him on this. I seem to be saying that a lot with his less than popular decisions but so far I haven't been sorry.
Like it was said in an earlier post, Obama now has Lieb's balls in a jar.
I think we need to get over being so short sighted now that we have a leader who actually leads. I mean really, we put Obama there. Shouldn't we trust him?
Like it was said in an earlier post, Obama now has Lieb's balls in a jar.
I think we need to get over being so short sighted now that we have a leader who actually leads. I mean really, we put Obama there. Shouldn't we trust him?
19
@18
I'm gonna put this succinctly:
Huh?
Democrat or Republican or Independent or Deep Crazy-Space Voyager or whatever the fuck he is, he supported McCain/Palin over Obama/Biden, which makes him a dumbass who ought to be ejected from the party.
I'm gonna put this succinctly:
Huh?
Democrat or Republican or Independent or Deep Crazy-Space Voyager or whatever the fuck he is, he supported McCain/Palin over Obama/Biden, which makes him a dumbass who ought to be ejected from the party.
20
The DSCC is writing me letters every day asking for funds in Georgia and for Franken's recount. After reading this today, I feel like I'm done with the DSCC. Not a dollar more.
Why should I give money to elect Democrats, when the Democratic Senators like Boxer were down there campaigning against Lamont, the choice of Democratic voters? Did Lieberman cost Franken 300 votes in this last election?
I called Boxer's office last week and asked how she'd be voting. They wouldn't answer. They said "it's really just a political decision". You know what else is a political decision? Me opening my wallet to these people.
Why should I give money to elect Democrats, when the Democratic Senators like Boxer were down there campaigning against Lamont, the choice of Democratic voters? Did Lieberman cost Franken 300 votes in this last election?
I called Boxer's office last week and asked how she'd be voting. They wouldn't answer. They said "it's really just a political decision". You know what else is a political decision? Me opening my wallet to these people.
21
I am not happy about this either but...if Obama is serious about changing politics in Washington this is going to be part of it.
To quote Star Trek VI, "If there is to be a brave new world, our generation will have the hardest time living in it".
Not only the GOP needs to let go of bitter partisianship but so do us Democrats.
To quote Star Trek VI, "If there is to be a brave new world, our generation will have the hardest time living in it".
Not only the GOP needs to let go of bitter partisianship but so do us Democrats.
22
@18: He is an independent who caucuses with the Democrats. He lost the Democratic primary, and won election as an independent.
@13: There is a mostly-good list of objectionable stuff here: http://firedoglake.com/2008/11/10/the-ca…
@13: There is a mostly-good list of objectionable stuff here: http://firedoglake.com/2008/11/10/the-ca…
23
can't we keep our anger focused on one thing at a time?!?! remember the mormons and prop 8? forget about lieberman and stick to the issues that really mean something...
25
Nope, not pissed. If Lieberman wants any hope of getting reelected in 2012 he'll need to act like a Democrat. He's still from Connecticut, where Obama won in a landslide and where Christopher Shays lost this year. He knows the politics involved and knows he took his shot at Secretary of State (or VP) with McCain, he lost, and now he's going to go back to voting the way he always has, overwhelmingly with the Democrats. Revenge for its own sake isn't healthy.
26
I am no fan of Lieberman, but IMO keeping him in the Democratic Caucus is a great example of something Obama kept saying throughout his campaign: "there is no red American and blue America, there is the United States of America."
Saying "Hey, we may not always agree, but this is the big tent, everyone is welcome, and if he wants to caucus with our party, that's fine by us" tells everyone that wasn't a bunch of empty rhetoric. That's not to say I would weep if Lieberman decided to leave the caucus on his own, or got voted out of office four years from now, but IMO leaving the decision up to Lieberman himself and to the Connecticut voters is all about taking the higher road.
Frankly, when I see all this noise about how Lieberman should be kicked out of the caucus, or from people who are royally annoyed at the very idea of Clinton as Secretary of State, it makes me start to wonder how long it's going to take before the Democrats form their own circular firing squad and implode every bit as convincingly as the Republicans did this past election.
Saying "Hey, we may not always agree, but this is the big tent, everyone is welcome, and if he wants to caucus with our party, that's fine by us" tells everyone that wasn't a bunch of empty rhetoric. That's not to say I would weep if Lieberman decided to leave the caucus on his own, or got voted out of office four years from now, but IMO leaving the decision up to Lieberman himself and to the Connecticut voters is all about taking the higher road.
Frankly, when I see all this noise about how Lieberman should be kicked out of the caucus, or from people who are royally annoyed at the very idea of Clinton as Secretary of State, it makes me start to wonder how long it's going to take before the Democrats form their own circular firing squad and implode every bit as convincingly as the Republicans did this past election.
27
Previously I donated to efforts to "take back Congress" but I will be writing to them and asking to be removed from their lists. From now on, I'm giving money directly to just those politicians I wish to support. I don't give a shit what deal, if any, was cut for Joe to keep his chair.
I don't see any incentive for Lieberman to suddenly "play ball" with Dems. Christ, the man has publicly opined that he fears a filibuster-proof Senate . Why anyone thinks he's going to support the Democratic agenda on Homeland Security, the very agenda that motivated him to split with the Dems and that he spent the last 2 years undermining and opposing, is beyond me.
Anyone want to take bets on how long it will be before we see Democratic senators on Sunday talk shows, wringing hands, and declaring how upset they are because Joe promised he wouldn't use his committee chair to obstruct the administration's policies?
I don't see any incentive for Lieberman to suddenly "play ball" with Dems. Christ, the man has publicly opined that he fears a filibuster-proof Senate . Why anyone thinks he's going to support the Democratic agenda on Homeland Security, the very agenda that motivated him to split with the Dems and that he spent the last 2 years undermining and opposing, is beyond me.
Anyone want to take bets on how long it will be before we see Democratic senators on Sunday talk shows, wringing hands, and declaring how upset they are because Joe promised he wouldn't use his committee chair to obstruct the administration's policies?
29
Anybody know if Connecticut has a procedure for recalling a U.S. Senator? You'd think that would sail through with flying colors.
30
Um, why are you all so surprised or pissed about this. Obama said let him be. That's part of this whole bipartisan forgive and work together stuff he was talking about. He said work together not work together after you clear out all the people you don't like. Lieberman's a rat bastard traitor, but tossing him out of the party won't accomplish anything other than making us look like asses to the general public.
31
I hate Lieberman as much as anyone. I will be putting my money where my mouth is when fund raising season begins to unseat him.
With that said, I think we need to remember several things: 1) The other senators know the petulant douchebag better than us and probably have better insight about how to handle him. 2) The other senators are after all professional politicians and we should probably give them a little credit in knowing their business. If they think this is the best way to handle captain melted face, perhaps they are correct. 3) One of the senators, I can't remember which, said recently that the chair is not just a reward, but a leash. They can strip Traity McTraitorson of the chair at any time. Leaving him with something he values gives them leverage over him. Taking everything away from him just has the effect of driving him farther into the arms of the Republicans.
So, I hope he chokes on a dick and dies, but he can keep his chairmanship if that is what the other Democratic Senators think is best. His career is only four more years long in any case.
With that said, I think we need to remember several things: 1) The other senators know the petulant douchebag better than us and probably have better insight about how to handle him. 2) The other senators are after all professional politicians and we should probably give them a little credit in knowing their business. If they think this is the best way to handle captain melted face, perhaps they are correct. 3) One of the senators, I can't remember which, said recently that the chair is not just a reward, but a leash. They can strip Traity McTraitorson of the chair at any time. Leaving him with something he values gives them leverage over him. Taking everything away from him just has the effect of driving him farther into the arms of the Republicans.
So, I hope he chokes on a dick and dies, but he can keep his chairmanship if that is what the other Democratic Senators think is best. His career is only four more years long in any case.
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