Lieberman could be kingmaker if next Senate is divided 50-50

[jaysunb]

The Hill :

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) could have the power to decide who controls the Senate after the midterm elections.

Polling suggests Republicans could pick up as many as nine seats this fall, making a 50-50 split between the two parties a distinct possibility.



A nine-seat gain for the GOP would give Democrats the slimmest possible majority: a caucus of 50, made up of 48 Democrats and two independents, Lieberman and Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.). Vice President Joe Biden would become the crucial tie-breaking vote in the Democrats' favor.

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/124433-lieberman-could-be-kingmaker-in-next-congress

Well, if we didn't already have enough incentive to GOTV & donate, this should give you a jolt. :evilfrown:

[Gman]

1. That's more and more unlikely

Dems will have at least 55 when it's all done, maybe including Lieberman, maybe not. But they'll have control.

[jaysunb]

6. I'm thinking 56

but my crystal ball has been acting up lately. :)
But if the Republicans get lucky, this bonehead could really be in control of almost anything he chooses. :evilfrown:

[Bumblebee]

9. This assumes that both WI and PA are winnable. Hope you are right but it's a long shot

[jaysunb]

14. I've also considered the possibility of Ky & N.C.

I know it might sound overly optimistic, but there's a real possibility of getting both these seats. :shrug:

And let's not forget Alaska. McAdams is on a roll up there.

[Bumblebee]

15. I'll be happy with 54 --- and not losing the House :-)

[jaysunb]

17. +1

:hi:

[Gman]

23. There was something here at DU yesterday that said Sestak was ahead by 3

don't have a link, but Sestak appears to be surging.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

20. Which is a disgusting thought, isn't it?

:puke:

[Gman]

22. I'm thinking 55, maybe 56. Depends on Feingold

[Me.]

2. Wouldn't Biden Be The One?

[LynneSin]

10. Technically yes but....

that depends if they are counting Lieberman in with our 50. I mean all the time I'd hear about us having 60-40 in the senate but that 60 included two independants - Joe Lieberman and Bernie Sanders. We all knew Sanders was golden, the guy is more progressive than most of the democrats but Lieberman isn't.

So if for some bizarro reason we end up with 50-50 we would once again have to suck up to Lieberman and hope he'll stick with us. I have a feeling that recent polls are showing that we may win more than expected. To gain 10 seats the republicans would have to win West Virginia, Washington and California - and all 3 of those states are starting to look strong for the democrats.

[Me.]

12. Good Point

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Yep

Joe Biden would be the tie-breaker wouldn't he! :rofl:

[BzaDem]

4. Assuming Lieberman stays with the Democrats. If he becomes a Republican, then Biden won't be the tie

breaker if we lose 9 seats. Republicans will have 51 free and clear.

[damntexdem]

5. Well, I wouldn't call it 50-50 unless it were 49 GOPers and LIEberman on the other side.

Of course then Biden would be the tie breaker.

[ThomWV]

7. Actually it may end up being Senator Sanders.

Joe the slime isn't the only independent on the Senate

[Bumblebee]

8. Does not look likely

Right now it's in the 52-54 range.

[Hawkeye-X]

11. Lieberman is not the kingmaker. Biden is.

Fucker.

I guess the media hasn't read the Constitution carefully.

[Hawkeye-X]

13. Instead of asskissing to Lieberfuck, just expel the asshole

and tell him to stay the fuck out of the caucus and any Democratic related matter.

He can form his own caucus called Caucus of Me, Myself, and I.

Bernie'll refuse to join that caucus and stay with the D's.

Hawkeye-X

[catbyte]

16. Yeah, he probably as wet dreams every night about that possibility

[Better Believe It]

18. If Democrats couldn't run Congress with 58 Senators how are they going to with 51?

Oh .... I get it! The pretend bogus Republican filibusters will enable Republicans to continue their obstructionism no matter how many Democrats are in the Senate!

[jaysunb]

19. I don't think the filibuster will be available to the Repubs in the next Congress...

There's going to be a rule change and the opening session. We Will Govern !

[Better Believe It]

21. If Republicans regain control of the Senate & White House they won't permit Democratic "filibusters

They certainly won't allow the bogus phantom "procedural" filibusters by Democrats to obstruct their reactionary program.

Not a chance!

They will play partisan hardball.

They will threaten to use the "Constitutional Option" if necessary.

And we know how Democratic Senate leaders reacted to that Republican threat in 2005.

They rolled over.