Wyoming Vacancy = Lame Duck Lieberman

[blue2helix]

I realize that it is a sensitive issue (at least for humanistic Democrats), so people are treading lightly and rightly so. But at some point the implications of the tragic situation in Wyoming (Senator diagnosed with Leukemia) probably means an extra seat for Democrats in the Senate.

This in turn would mean that Lieberman is no longer a tie breaker. I really want him to get the boot and receive no committee chairs. Then we will see his true colors as he caucuses with the GOP.

[The Count]

1. More concerned about Joe's ability/propensity to blackmail than commission

As long as his power grab is kept down, it's all good.

[William769]

2. Sorry thats not going to happen.

To begin with the Senate seat in Wyoming is not up for grabs and may not be for awhile. Even if it were Lieberman will still Caucus with the Dem's and he will get his Chairmanship. Those are the facts.

[itsrobert]

3. HUH?

Senator resigns or passes away doesn't the Democratic governor get to choose a successor?

[theboss]

6. Yes

But we are probably (and hopefully) a long way from that. Joe will have his chairmanship well before that happens.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. Isn't There Usually Provisions For A Special Election Shortly There After

eom

[Geoff R. Casavant]

18. Nope.

Special elections are for vacant House seats. For the Senate, the governor of the vacant seat's state chooses a replacement who serves until the next regular election.

[William769]

9. Has he?

[rosesaylavee]

4. Isn't it the rule that if an

elected official can't serve out their term, the most senior member of that person's party chooses that person's replacement.

And IMO, I think it a bit ghoulish to discuss this at this point. Senator Craig and his family deserves the country's support at this difficult time.

[blue2helix]

12. Sorry but

the rules were set in place to anticipate just this sort of thing.

It's not ghoulish to analyze well thought out contingency plans set in place by elected officials of both parties that dictate how a transition is accomplished in exactly this sort of situation for the greater public good.

I just don't see how one can fight this disease and be an effective public servant at the same time. But obviously that choice is the Senator's to make and rightly so.

Save your morale outrage for the troops in Iraq, half a million or so dead Iraqi's and the poverty stricken middle class.

[William769]

14. I guarantee youn won't make many friends here with comments like that.

I think an apology is in order. Shame on you.

[blue2helix]

15. It's a serious matter

If you can't see what I'm trying to say then forget it. My statements don't mean I wish anybody ill, stepping down to fight an illness is a possibility that has been addressed by legislative procedures, they are serious in nature and worthy of discourse.

I'm sorry you can't see that fact and need to make some twisted emotional speculation that somehow I wish someone ill.

And by the way, others can read my statements and come to their own conclusion just fine, they don't need your silly "friends" peer pressure comments to make up their minds. You want to insult me, stand on your own - don't recruit others to jump on your bandwagon. I think this country has had enough emotional hysteria to last a lifetime.

[William769]

17. I don't need anyone to jump on my bandwagon, I do fine just on my own.

When someone trys to use "their" moral superiority on others I'm going to speak up! Thats just a fact of life.

BTW have a nice day.

[BlooInBloo]

16. (shrug) If *you* don't want to talk about this little facet of reality, fine....

... I fail to see why *nobody* should.

I didn't either, until I saw your craptacular holier-than-thou preaching.

[yodermon]

5. Hmm, a couple of points:

1) Would Freudenthal appoint a Dem if Thomas dies/resigns for such a tragic reason? It would be "humanistic" to not use death for political advantage (although the repukes wouldn't hesitate I'm sure).

2) He might be fine, leukemia can be aggressively treated these days.

[msongs]

8. WY governor is required to appoint a person nominated by repubs in WY

according to quotes from the WY constitution posted either here or on dailykos yesterday.

Msongs
www.msongs.com

[Horse with no Name]

10. The Democratic Governor would appoint someone

However, Congress is in a Lame Duck Session.
Two months is a long time in treatment for cancers.
Let's quit burying this guy before he is dead.
Chances are very good that he will be fine and sitting in his OWN seat in January.

[Nite Owl]

11. Leiberman was promised the

chair of the Homeland Security committee by Reid.
I wonder if at least he has to put the D back on his name plaque? He lost nothing, has nothing to pay for what he did it seems.
Maybe Reid made a deal with him but can he be trusted to keep it?

[blue2helix]

13. Stepping Down to Fight The Disease Does Not Mean Giving Up On It!

Stepping down does not mean giving up on the disease! It would mean taking time to fight the disease full time.

Jeez, it seems the only people burying anybody are the ones who speculated that stepping down to fight a disease full time means giving up on treatment. Very different things. The reason one would step down would be to fight, not give up on life!!!!

I'm not assuming any negative outcome, I am just addressing the very serious and practical implications of a possible vacant Senate seat in a very tiny majority and during a time of war. It is an important possibility whether people like it or not.