Lieberman says he has been promised seniority

[truthpusher]

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/100306/news3.html

Lieberman says he has been promised seniority

By Alexander Bolton

Sen. Joe Lieberman, the longtime Democratic senator from Connecticut running for re-election as an independent, says the party leadership has assured him he would keep his seniority if he returns to Congress.

Local Democrats are responding with irritation, political opponents voice disbelief, and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) denies making a decision.

But the strongest response is likely to come from Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) who views Lieberman’s independent status as an opportunity to press Democratic leaders to restore seniority he lost four years ago.

If Lautenberg retrieves seniority accrued during 18 years of Senate service before retiring in 2000, he could leapfrog Lieberman to lead the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee or the Environment and Public Works Committee.

(snip)

Lieberman said he would keep his senior position in the caucus, even though he lost Connecticut’s Democratic primary, and is running against Democratic nominee Ned Lamont, whom the Senate Democratic leadership has endorsed.

“That’s what I’ve been told,” said Lieberman in an interview Friday, before Congress recessed for the election. “Caucuses like to keep as many members as they can, not discourage membership,” implying that leaders risk his defection to the GOP if they strip him of seniority.

(snip)



link: http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/100306/news3.html

[ck4829]

1. It's a good thing if he caucuses with us

It puts us closer to having a majority.

[liberalnurse]

2. Ned Lamont will just have to

put an end to that wet dream of Liebermans.

[Frances]

4. I so hope that LaMont ends

Lieberman is blackmailing the Dem leadership. He needs to make up his mind now so the voters know where he stands: is he a Republican or isn't he?

[liberalmuse]

3. Go away, Lieberman!

Is anyone else sick to DEATH of this puling, pathetic man?

[tnlefty]

11. Yes, as a matter of fact I am!

And I hope that he loses - indy schmindy - too pathetic to take his loss and go gracefully. Nope, this makes me ANGRY!!

[saigon68]

40. He is pathetic

HERE IS HIS DADDY

[bluestateguy]

5. We may have to swallow our pride and take him back

if Democrats win 51 seats, they need Lieberman to caucus as a Democrat, otherwise it's a Republican Senate. At that point, controlling the Senate is just more important than our feelings about Sore Liarman.

[nashville_brook]

13. phhhllllbbbbbt.

[crikkett]

21. Lieberman: Caustic to Caucus.

whos to say he wont just continue siding w/ repubs?

[mac56]

22. Bullshit.

He's tainted.

And why do you think he'll stop kissing Bush's ass if he's reeleected?

51 seats or not, we're better off without this sorry-ass loser.

[rpannier]

23. I gotta go with Nashville_Brook on this one. nt

[Poll_Blind]

32. Like he's NOT going to screw us over and less than the Repugs.

Man, these deals with the devil are getting pretty bad.

PB

[paulk]

42. you're right, of course

that's Lieberman's trump card...

I wonder if Lamont can take Lieberman's threat to go Republican and use it to pull some votes away from him?

[Zenlitened]

6. Well, if Lieberman says it, it must be true.

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

The shit that dribbles out of that man's mouth... it's just astounding.

He has not a shred of character about him.

[tritsofme]

7. November 8, 50 Democrats 49 Republicans and Joe Lieberman

Who would you like him to caucus with?

[Larkspur]

8. Lieberman will caucus with Dems and at the same time stab Dems in the back

That is what Joe Lieberman calls bipartianship.

[tritsofme]

9. I don't know for certain that he would.

McConnell could make him an offer he couldn't refuse in terms of chairmanships, and Joe will go wherever the glory is for himself.

[WCGreen]

10. Mitch would never give up a chair earned by a caucus member

NEver....

[tritsofme]

15. If it was the difference between being in the minority or being in the

majority.

I could see the GOP leadership biting the bullet.

[barb162]

17. that's right; No point cutting oiff your nose tonsoite your face

Beside that, he is long known to be liberal on social issues

[LeftyMom]

20. Short Ride?

He won't even stand up for a woman's right to appropriate emergency medical treatment. Screw him.

[davidinalameda]

19. that still wouldn't give us control

can't forget Uncle Dickey and his tie-breaking vote

[tritsofme]

26. If Lieberman were to caucus with the Dems in that scenario

The Dem caucus would have 51 members and a majority, but if Joe caucused with the GOP and it was 50-50 then Dick could break the tie and give the GOP control.

[Spirochete]

39. A rabid Kodiak bear

[stepnw1f]

12. Joe Lieberman Can Go F* Himself

After the shit he pulled, he doesn't deserve to represent anyone, including himself on tax payer's money.

[nashville_brook]

14. i'd love to know the quid pro quo behind this

[tritsofme]

16. It seems clear to me.

Joe said that if they don't promise him seniority, and he holds the balance of power in the Senate come November 8, then don't count on old Joe to caucus with you.

[mike_c]

18. cronyism by any other name...

...still smells like shit.

[Toucano]

24. This is why holy Joe must lose.

Fuck you, blackmailing mofo!

[Olney Blue]

25. The only good solution is for Lamont to win.

[populistdriven]

38. The only good solution is for Lamont to win.

quoted for truth!

[Phredicles]

27. I hope this promise is honored just as much as

the agreement Lieberbush apparently made with Clinton to abide by the outcome of the primary in exchange for his support.

Of course, I hope Lamont kicks his wrinkled duplicitous ass even more.

[SoCalDem]

28. The Independent party???

Joe is such a kidder:)

[cornermouse]

29. According to Sirota, Lieberman is threatening to change party

affiliation and become an official republican.

http://www.workingforchange.com/blog/

[Nickster]

33. Good, at least we wouldn't need to guess where his intentions are.

If he wants to be a Republican so bad, let him make it official.

[depakid]

30. If that's true

Then it's an all out war on Democratic incumbants next go round.

That's the risk- see if it doesn't come to pass.

[Totally Committed]

31. I totally agree...

if this is true, the gloves come off, and the purge of incumbents needs to begin.

If the will of the Democratic electorate means that little to them, it's time for them to go.

TC

[lonestarnot]

34. Hey Joe, don't you have to win something first? Don't people

have to vote for you and THEN you ... nevermind. Joe you are a dick.

[The Stranger]

35. Get rid of this warmongering, lying, Bush-kissing Leibercon.

[cascadiance]

36. Bernie Sanders should be given higher seniority than Joe!

Assuming he wins as the new senator in Vermont. Even though an independent as well, he is FAR MORE in line with the Democratic Party's agenda then Lieberman has been.

[Tom Joad]

37. He should be given best shifts for cleaning the toilets.

[Blasphemer]

41. Was that a threat?

What an asshole. Wake up CT Dems! This man is an opportunistic leech and cares not for either party or country. The 1/3 of Dems up there still supporting him need a reality check.

[Zhade]

43. WHAT?

He betrays the party, and is not punished for trying to defeat the Democratic party's nominee?

So it's not just lieberman who doesn't give a fuck about the vote of the people.

This is insane. Fuck them.

[kath]

45. SCREW the Democratic leadership if this is actually the case - this means

you, Harry Reid.

[Zhade]

46. Oh, no question, if this is true.

It would mean the Democratic leadership really doesn't give a shit about the will of the people.

At that point, we are released from the social compact of working with them. For their sake, and ours, this better not be the case.

[Zhade]

44. Another kick

Like the link in my sig, I will NOT let this fall down the memory hole!

Do not let lieberman - and, if true, those who enable his betrayal - get away with this!