Lieberman and Reid at a Standoff?

[brooklynite]

Source: ABC News

By all accounts, the meeting today between Joseph Lieberman, the independent senator from Connecticut, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., was a cordial, even friendly, one. But Lieberman made a hard push to remain chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, suggesting he may leave the Democratic caucus if he is demoted, ABC News has learned.

...snip...

Reid and Lieberman met in Reid's Capitol Hill office for 45 minutes this afternoon. Reid told Lieberman that he intended to take away his chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee, according to sources who have spoken with both senators about the meeting.

But Reid told Lieberman that he wants him to remain in the Democratic caucus, offering Lieberman a leadership role in a lesser committee if he agreed to continue caucusing with Democrats.

But Lieberman refused the offer, sources said, and said that taking revenge for Lieberman's support of McCain was not consistent with President-elect Obama's promise to change Washington and to work in a way that transcends partisan politics.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=6201938&page=1

---

what to do, what to do...

[mediaman007]

1. to The Hague?

[Buzz Clik]

2. Toss him.

"He might leave the Democratic caucus." He left already. Make it mutual.

[Warpy]

3. Lieberman has done a de facto change of parties

with his support for McCain.

The deal Reid offered him is better than he has any right to expect.

[tomp]

62. yet they still want him.

that'll tell you lots about the dem leadership.

[Warpy]

86. They want to build a filibuster proof majority

and I can't blame them for that. However, tossing Lieberman the bone of a lesser committee chairmanship is a little more generous than I'd have been and is probably the best he could ever expect.

I hope his massive ego allows him to realize that.

[elleng]

4. LEAVE, you

@#$%^&*!!!!

[strategery blunder]

5. Bwahahahaha.

LIEberman isn't the sixtieth vote. Even without him we don't have sixty...

Why the fuck should we care if he leaves the caucus? We're better without him.

[bemildred]

6. Maybe we ought to let the new Congress elect its new officers before we cut any deals?

Or is this just about leaving Joe where he is until January?

[Idealism]

7. There are a few problems if we exile Joe

1. We need his vote to count towards breaking a potential fillibuster
2. If we bring the hammer down too hard he can cry about Obama not 'reaching across the aisle.'

The first one is the only real problem. The second is moot because ol' Joe isn't a Republican yet, so technically Obama won't be breaching some non agreement about putting partisanship behind us. Lastly, what Lieberman did was essentially treason to the Democrats. He was supposed to give a speech at the GOP convention that in no way attacked Obama, but he didn't. He turned into one of their attack dogs spewing their lies just as much as McCain did. He broke his own word way before these new concerns of his seemed to enter into his tiny brain. Betrayal should not be forgiven, it is much more serious than partisan disagreements.

[bmbmd]

9. Joe is a self-avowed independent.

There is no aisle to reach across.

[smiley_glad_hands]

10. Its not up to Obama, and its best to leave senate matters to the senate.

History has show that when one branch starts to strong arm another over procedures, things tend to get nasty. Let him go, he knew there would be consequences.

[AlCzervik]

13. exactly, this is a matter of principle and trust and Joe has neither.

[4lbs]

14. So what? There are plenty of (R) Senators in blue states that would be more moderate and help break

a filibuster.

[silverojo]

30. I'm not holding my breath on that one

The way the GOP got its asses handed to them, they'll be putting pressure on the moderates not to "cave in" to "socialism".

Bank on it.

[janet118]

56. What pressure? I'm so sick of Democrats caving in . . .

even when they have the majority. The Republicans will have no president or majority leader to exert pressure on them. Many Repugs now come from blue states or purple states where Obama can campaign against them.

It seems like the Democratic leadership wants an excuse for why they can't accomplish anything of substance. I believe Olympia Snow and Susan Collins of Maine will cross over on any environmental or health care issues. Shays was just voted out in CT which is a very liberal state. Joe has NO power. Reid should stand by the deal he offered him and call his bluff. Let's see how the Repugs treat Liebercreep.

Joe is untrustworthy and his only loyalty is to Joe. He babysat McStupid because he thought he could have a cushy job in that administration. Maybe even vice-president. Ooops!!! He is a man without a party and without integrity.

[MurrayDelph]

87. Exactly. Even if we were to cave to this jerk

there is no guarantee he would vote with us when push comes to shove.

[Dr Fate]

27. Then again, does Joe really want to be seen as an obstructionist to Blue CT?

And Blue New England?

Joe needs to maintain a somewhat DEM Senate record if he wants to get re-elected...

[Occulus]

31. Two problems with that

1) What >< need.
2) Past behavior = WAAAAAAAHHHHMbulance.

[Tuttle]

51. Traitor Joe promised the citizens of CT

that he would support the 2008 Dem nominee during debates with Ned Lamont.

Connecticut needs the mechanisms to recall this liar and traitor, as well as any others who aspire to higher office.

I plan on contacting his office's constituent services to get the ball rolling on putting this mechanism in place: if his office refuses, then add that to the pile.

In the meantime, I'm thanking him for the JOEMENTUM he brought to the McWeirdo campaign the same as I thank George W* for fostering the environment to make it possible to elect Barack.

Tut-tut

[Laurab]

83. Do you think he would vote to break a filibuster?

He's a RINO now - he lied to the people who elected him, and he lied to his former party. I don't think Dems could count on his vote. He spoke against the Democratic candidate for President, and campaigned for the Repuke one.

If I were Harry Reid, I'd just let him go - I don't think he could be trusted with any deals, anyway. The last couple of lines of your post say exactly what he is, and he should just change parties and get it over with.

[liberalmuse]

8. I take back what I posted yesterday.

I don't care if he votes with the Democrats or not, or makes a pledge to always vote with the Democrats. Strip him of all committees. I came across the story where Obama pulled him aside last summer after he was spewing shit about him to the Israeli's. The man has had enough chances. Toss his lying, traitorous ass.

[demigoddess]

23. I think they must take the homeland security committee from him. kick him out

he really has not been a democrat in years

[AlCzervik]

11. he's gotta go like now, i don't even care if he votes with our side or not, we aren't

at 60 and i feel better about Snowe and Collins voting with the dems than Joe. That's extortion imo and that's disgusting.

[Drum]

12. ...

[pipi_k]

71. bwahahahahahahah!!!!!

I wonder if Joe "measured for new drapes" in his doghouse

[bdamomma]

80. I like that one.

funny

[smb]

90. Doghouse?

How about the bottom level of a two-story outhouse?

[Gadzooks1]

15. Good riddance to a turncoat who has no place in the Democratic caucus

or party. Or a Democratic administration. He needs to be stripped of his chairmanship and sent packing. Now. This minute.

[DeeDeeNY]

40. Well said

[VaYallaDawg]

68. Hear, Hear!! And welcome to DU.

[olddad56]

16. I think that Lieberman has worked in a way that transcends all politics.

[tomp]

63. transcendant? that's an interesting position. nt

[No Elephants]

70. Transcending politics, or putting his own self-interest above all else? Potato, potato.

[No Elephants]

72. Lieberman did not back Obama's agenda. Now he wants the benefit of it? Slimeball!

[kestrel91316]

17. Lieberman is, for all intents and purposes, a REPUBLICAN.

Why on earth is Reid even negotiating with him? He needs to tell him to take a hike. We don't need him.

[Boo Boo]

18. Out. Now. Get rid of this asshole. /nt

[Warren Stupidity]

19. putz

[Kalifornia.Kid]

20. Joe the LIEberman plays the Obama card - Reid shows his cards.

LIEberman: "Game over man, game over! What the fu@k we gonna do now? What are we gonna do?"
Reid: "Maybe we could build a fire, sing a couple of songs, huh? Why don't we try that".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xm1XErUvXo&feature=rela...

[Truth2Tell]

21. Maybe he should caucus with Likud? nt

[Incitatus]

22. suggesting he may leave the Democratic caucus if he is demoted, GOOD FUCK HIM

Let the doorknob hit you, traitor

[debunkthelies]

24. A Traitors Vote

is not what we need in the Congress, take the little worms power, and he will do a Rumplesteltskin, oh my, who cares!

[Mz Pip]

25. Show some spine, Reid

and tell oe not to let the door his his sorry ass on the way out. It's time for him to go.

[lib2DaBone]

39. You know what? Reid needs to get the boot too. Tired of his shit...

[bdamomma]

82. who makes that decision of changing Majority leaders

do they usually have to vote for someone, I think Dodd would be good.

[man4allcats]

26. Throw that traitorous little fool out!

I can't stand him! He gives me heartburn.

[mbperrin]

28. Grasp him firmly by the collar and throw his ass as far as you can!

Rule one: you can't negotiate with a terrorist.

I mean, what, are we still keeping that powder dry? Control of the Senate, House, and White House not enough? Man, that must be some really dry powder!!!!!!!

Give him hell, Harry, and get his scummy butt out of OUR Senate!

[snake in the grass]

29. Harry Reid is...

...such a fucking invertebrate and is almost a caricature of the weak wimps the regressives constantly say we are! When has Reid EVER fought back?

How I detest this pisser. We need somebody in his position who has some courage.

[BlueManDude]

32. a wimp. How do you get into a "standoff" with someone who has no leverage?

[medeak]

33. a great man

I know him personally. His soft demeaner defies his character. There is NO standoff here and the title of thread should be changed.

[Moochy]

81. Do you think the article is the Lieberman version of events?

[awoke_in_2003]

110. What character...

every time he has been given the chance to stand up, he has folded like a cheap suit. He is the Senate Majority Leader, and needs to start acting like one (same goes for Madame Speaker, too)

[truthisfreedom]

34. Wait. In a few short weeks,

we'll have a filibuster-proof majority.

At that time, we can tell Lieberschnitzel to go fuck himself silly.

[Swagman]

35. sorry Joe but all I can remember is the sight of you nodding your head

in agreement standing behind John McCain ! talk about wanting to have it both ways..have some dignity please..

[wroberts189]

36. Then he will be breaking his promise to CT he made

(He promised to caucus with the Dems in the CT debates)


and will not get re-elected as a pub or as and indy. Fool us twice... he only won because the pubs supported him.

And to think Obama campaigned for him in the CT election.

Lose those Comittee post and he will be useless to CT ... TAKE THEM AWAY FROM HIM.

Support the real Dem.. Ned Lamont

[lib2DaBone]

37. Who cares what LIEBERMAN wants? Throw him the fuck out already...

[cyclezealot]

38. Remember Lieberman was a part of that middle 12 that gave us a lousy Supreme court.

He'd be unreliable as a 60th vote. So why cater to him.

[bluedeminredstate]

41. Who practiced partisan politics during the election?

Oh yeah, JOE LIEBERMAN, when he campaigned for REPUBLICAN, John McCain! And attacking Obama at every campaign event where he opened his pie hole. Seems to me that LIEberman didn't "transcend partisan politics" and now he wants a partisan chairmanship of a committee.
Well, sorry to be indelicate, but fuck you Joe!

"But Reid told Lieberman that he wants him to remain in the Democratic caucus, offering Lieberman a leadership role in a lesser committee if he agreed to continue caucusing with Democrats.

But Lieberman refused the offer, sources said, and said that taking revenge for Lieberman's support of McCain was not consistent with President-elect Obama's promise to change Washington and to work in a way that transcends partisan politics."

[chelsea0011]

42. Leave it to go where? LIEberman saddled up with McCain over basically

one single issue...Iraq. He has almosty nothing in common with Republicans and would have to switch 180 on most issues. How would the people in Ct. like that?

[Lochloosa]

43. May I remind everyone of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBkhlVPEmI0

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

60. Man.

He makes that hat look good.

[salin]

44. wow. Just 3 days ago he declares on national tv that a dem sen majority

of 60 would be "dangerous" - after months of all but standing by the "Obama is dangerous for the country" message of McCain/Palin. Now he wants Unity - and tries to use the leverage of Obama's call for unity as the reason he should get to carry on as before?

The party he created after he lost the democratic primary in his own state says it all: "Connecticut's for Lieberman". That is all Joe is about "for Lieberman".

Counting the days til his irrelevancy (when the new congress is sworn in.)

[acmavm]

45. Let the blackmailing bastard GO! He's gotten away with threats and

bluster for years, he campaigned for THE OTHER SIDE FOR THE PRESIDENCY, he's an arrogant shit.

This is ridiculous.

[jeff30997]

46. Just fuck-off Lieberman.

You're not needed or even respected.

[City Lights]

47. How dare he cite President-elect Obama's promise to change Washington

by working in a manner that transcends partisan politics while threatening to caucus with the Repukkkes if he doesn't get his way. Compromise is not a one-way street, Joe.

Be gone, Joe!

[liberal N proud]

48. Fuck him

Even if he was on his knees begging, kick his ass off any committee.

[bulloney]

49. If Lieberman keeps a committee chairmanship, how does Reid know if he'll follow the party's lead?

Lieberman has no leverage in this deal. He showed his colors by not only campaigning for McCain, but slamming Obama at the rallies and to the media.

Lieberman has shown he's out for Joe and nobody else. He should not get any committee chairmanship.

[bleedingheart]

53. the fact that "he's out for Joe" is enough to make me think that he made

a deal with some republican devil...

What was he promised?

Let us ask that...

[Hatchling]

85. I suspect he was offered the VP slot by McCain to campaign against Obama.

But the GOP wouldn't let McCain choose him.

[mac56]

50. Letting Lieberman stay sends the wrong message

to all the members of Congress who did stay on board with our party's nominee - some who did so at some personal cost.

Throw the traitor under the bus.

[bleedingheart]

52. Republicans are watching this move like Hyenas

if Reid doesn't kick him out then it sends a message to the Republicans that Reid doesn't have control of his Democratic Senators and that they may have enough power to obstruct any positive legislation that would bode well for President Obama.

There is reaching across the aisle and then there is being a spineless twit.

Kick Lieberman to the curb.

Let's see if the Republicans will want him. Is he desparate enough to sink to their level...will he want to play among the thugs? Will he abandon his principles?

Will he start voting to please the right wing dirtbags?

Let us see...how well he likes playing with the little devils..

[ixion]

54. Leave it to Reid to create a standoff where he has the distinct advantage

[wordpix]

55. keep Lieberman out of that chairmanship. There are plenty of others more qualified AND loyal to Dem

principles, like Jim Webb for one.

[cobalt1999]

57. Lieberman is bluffing

Caucusing with the republicans isn't much of a threat when they are totally and completely out of power. Besides his vote is more conservative than many of the more liberal republicans.

Strip him and don't even offer him another committee. He has no leverage and if he does caucus with republicans then he is cutting off his nose to spite his face.

[Blasphemer]

61. Exactly... I don't know why Reid is p****footing around.... nt

[BloggerRadio]

58. Get Rid of Both LIEberman & Reid

If Reid doesn't have the nads to send LIEberman packing and to do so without hesitation, then what we need is a new and different Senate Majority leader. LIEberman IS a Republican already. He can Caucus this!

[TankLV]

59. KICK THE TRAITOR OUT!

Reid: It's not about REVENGE but JUSTICE.

YOU CANNOT LET THIS STAND!

YOU MUST MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF HIM!

Or otherwise, President Obama's road will be a lot more difficult.

This transends politics. It's about doing what is RIGHT.

You cannot let this cockroach remain.

WE DON'T WANT OR NEED HIM.

[xchrom]

64. recommend

[lonestarnot]

65. He already made his choice to ride that bus over the cliff. He's under the front wheel!

Leave him he'll learn.

[Javaman]

66. don't you just love how LIEberman now hides behind Obama's

promise to transcends partisan politics?

Isn't amazing that by LIEberman making that statement he basically admits he's shilling for the repukes.

toss him aside, he's become irrelevant anyway.

fuck him.

[atreides1]

67. I have a suggestion

Obama should offer Lieberman the job of Ambassador to Israel.

[pipi_k]

74. Or how about

Ambassador to Antarctica....



He could really be independent down there....

[w4rma]

69. Strip LIEberman of all committee *seats*. Force the Republicans to use their seats on him.

Make him useless to his state for any pork he might want. He'll be begging to come back in a few months.

[redqueen]

79. Good idea. (nt)

[kiranon]

84. Agree - let him ask for a committee leadership position from the other side

He cannot be trusted.

[BearSquirrel2]

89. Good point ...

This is the only good argument I've heard for booting Lieberman out of the caucus.

I really don't like Hillary Clinton, but I thin she should be the majority leader. She has the balls to go to Lieberman and tell him he's not getting one fucking earmark if he doesn't do what he's told.

[pipi_k]

73. That disgusting little

fucker owes his re-election to GOPers and Independents who voted for him after he was beaten by Democrat Ned Lamont and then went on to run as an "Independent".

Of course he's going to sell himself to the people who saved his career, even though he promised to support the Democratic nominee for president.


I say let them have him now.


Even though an article I read recently had a few sentences from a Republican spokesperson who said, in effect, "Why should we want him when he votes against us on everything but Iran?"


So there we are...Joe Lieberman...a man without a Party


fuck off, Joe

Go sell your soul to the devil

[bamacrat]

75. Kick his ass out Harry.

[yellowcanine]

76. Lieberman loses then because Harry Reid is a street fighter. And Lieberman brings a knife to a

gun fight.

[Haole Girl]

77. What is the expression about "you lie with dogs, you get fleas"?

Why should we be the ones to give Lieberman his flea bath?

[redqueen]

78. Dump him. He'll be out of the senate soon anyway.

There will be no illusions next time around about his loyalties. Last time he managed to scrape up support because he was still wearing his Dem mask.

This time, he's on his own. He's $#&*(@ toast.

[Vidar]

88. Let the fucker go, Harry. At least pretend your a man.

[smb]

91. The Gall Of That Clown!

Lieberman refused the offer, sources said, and said that taking revenge for Lieberman's support of McCain was not consistent with President-elect Obama's promise to change Washington and to work in a way that transcends partisan politics

What a pantload! Obama promised to be reasonable, not to be your doormat.

[DogPoundPup]

92. Lieberman Resists Giving Up Homeland Panel as GOP Recruits Him

Source: Yahoo

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman wants to stay in the Democratic caucus, but not give up his plum chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee as some Democrats want, an aide said Friday.

In a closed-door meeting Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., asked the Democrat-turned-Independent to give up his gavel for "a lesser committee," according to a Lieberman aide.

Democratic leaders have been mulling a way to punish Lieberman for campaigning against President-elect Barack Obama on the campaign trail. Lieberman stumped for Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona instead.

Republicans meanwhile have publicly encouraged Lieberman to join their caucus, but it's unclear whether they have anything to offer that he might want.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20081107/pl_cq_politics/poli...

[wryter2000]

93. I say trade him

For Collins and Snowe and a Senator to be named later.

[Robb]

98. Screw that

Trade him for lunch for two at Morton's.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

100. Shit, I'll take lunch for two at Chipotle for Lieberman. (nt)

[wryter2000]

111. LOL

As long as I'm one of the two.

[peace frog]

94. The GOP can have him

Leiberman made the decision to go over to the dark side, I say we make it permanent. BUH BYE.

[BrklynLiberal]

95. Here is an excellent explanation of why he wants THAT committee chairmanship..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[yellowcanine]

96. Joe the back stabber wants his knife back.......

[Botany]

97. Don't make us call Barack, Joe

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2558780695_a0c73570...

[still_one]

99. Don't ask him, tell him not to let the door hit him on the way out /nt

[xultar]

101. Give it up Joe. IT's over. Harry was trying not to embarrass your ignorant ass.

[niceypoo]

102. You made your own bed Joe...

...now SLEEP IN IT

[Catshrink]

103. Whiney little turd.

Stick a fork in him.

[GodlessBiker]

104. Does he really expect to be treated the same way since he endorsed the opposition? Give me a break.

[Libertyfirst]

105. I think Lieberman should join the Republican caucus.

They have so much to offer. So many chairmanships, so many opportunities for advancement. Why when Sarah joins the caucus, he can even sit next to her. Oh, the inducements are so many. How can he refuse. Go, Joe, Go!!

[niceypoo]

107. They probabally will get tired of his ass too

[desktop]

106. If Reid doesn't make Lieberman give it up, Reid should step aside.

Personally I would kick Lieberman out of the Democratic caucus. We don't need traitors.

[Dr.Phool]

108. Send his ass to Akaska with Mooselini.

They can admire each other for eternity.

[DFW]

109. I know what the Republicans can offer him

A cold shoulder to lean on during their coming years in the wilderness.

Then he can say he's an heir to Moses.

What does he expect to happen to him? Except for Iraq and things involving
instruments of death and destruction, he isn't on their side on social issues,
and now that he played wet nurse to McCain and spoke at his convention, the
Democrats no longer count him as being on their side either.

No faction of the U.S. Senate is comfortable with him, or particularly wants him.

He poked his finger in our eye for two years.

How long did he think it would be before we said "ouch?"

[AndyTiedye]

112. Let Him Keep His Chairmanship of the "Homeland Security" Committee

and abolish the committee!

Make a new committee with a name that doesn't sound quite so Nazi.