On Meet the Press, host Tom Brokaw informed guest Joe Lieberman (I-CT) that nearly 50,000 activists have signed onto the "Lieberman Must Go" petition being circulated by Brave New Films. "Do you think you're going to be comfortable next year in the Democratic caucus?" Brokaw asked. Lieberman said he's crossed party lines to support John McCain because "this is no ordinary time."Brokaw followed-up by asking if that means he will speak at the Republican convention. Lieberman practically confirmed that he would indeed speak.
Joe Lieberman has endorsed John McCain for president and now will probably speak at the Republican National Convention. This guy's a complete disgrace and must be kicked out of the Senate Democratic caucus. Now. Please sign the petition. Thanks.
P.S. By the way, just to clarify, I am not proposing this because I think Lieberman is too "moderate" or whatever (actually, he's progressive on many issues, including the environment). It's simply because he is actively, publicly, and vocally backing the Republican nominee for president. That's inexcusable, and I can bet you that if a Republican U.S. Senator were actively backing Barack Obama, the GOP caucus would take action - fast!
Is that right, or not?
Republican leaders decided not to seek special language spelling out the terms of a transition in case of a power shift -- say, if Johnson vacates his post and his state's GOP governor appoints a Republican to replace him. Under that scenario, power would effectively shift to Republicans, because Cheney would provide the tiebreaking 51st vote. But for Republicans to take parliamentary control, the Senate would have to vote for new organizational rules, a move Democrats could filibuster.
Well, the friend of my enemy is my enemy.
And what's with the big grin? Is he schtuping Cindy McCain, or what?
2. Cheney casts the tiebreaking vote in a Senate reorganization. All committees and subcommittees get new Republican chairs, and McConnell takes the helm as Majority Leader.
3. The new Republican leadership controls the floor, and Democrats get to vote on controversial "wedge issue" bills repeatedly from now until November.
4. 30 second television ads citing Democratic votes on wedge issue bills run in all swing Senate states.
5. Instead of gaining 6-10 seats and being able to kick Lieberman out after the election, the Democrats only gain 2-4 seats and get to kick Lieberman out of the election.
http://www.nytimes.com/cq/2007...
I actually wonder whether Lieberman has any intention of returning to the Senate next year anyway? If McCain wins, he anticipates a Cabinet post. If McCain loses, he has to know he is toast if he speaks at the GOP convention.
Could just be Joe's Last Hurrah.
Democrats can best deal with Lieberman after November... that is IF they keep their focus and do not get sidetracked.
Am I outraged at his antics? You betcha.
Do I want to make sure we keep the majority and advance a progressive agenda? Even more than I want revenge on Lieberman. Let's keep our eye on the prize and not shoot ourselves in the foot this time.
If that happens, the scenario of Republicans forcing wedge issue votes that wouldn't play well in some conservative districts held by Blue Dogs could create endless mischief and cost us a few seats. I think we'd still get control of the Senate at the end of thd day, but not by as much.
If Obama wins, we actually won't need a veto-proof majority to get things done. But giving him as many Democrats in Congress as possible will put him in a stronger position.
There is wisdom in picking your fights. And it's better to win the war than just a battle or two.
Lets be smart and clear headed about this. We're in a tight race. We don't have time to stop and step on a bug right now.
Why do we want to purge him from the party? Because he is being disloyal to the party in this one instance. Let's remember what Lyndon Baines Johnson once said: "I am a free man, an American, a United States Senator, and a Democrat, in that order." Maybe that is Joe's mantra. If he is feeling that he is doing what is best for our country (despite my disagreement with that), I can still accept him as a Democrat.
If you want a party that agrees with everything you think, that is not either the Democratic or Republican Parties. You would need to form your own movement. I would not be quick to "cleanse" the Democratic Party as Republicans have tried to on their end. Besides Lieberman there are probably a list of sitting Democratic Senators and Representatives that you don't agree with.
If you want to purge Lieberman, why not Webb for his votes on FISA? Do the only people who deserve to be Democrats are those that agree with this group?
He has a right to support anybody he wants. Nobody is suggesting that he be jailed. But he, in fact, lost the Democratic primary in his state, ran as an Independent and is now supporting a Republican. The Democrats do have the right to refuse to caucus with him and to strip him of his chairmanship. I just think they should wait until after the election to do this because we don't need the distraction right now. And doing it now only gives more publicity to Lieberman and makes him look like a martyr. It strengthens the meme that both he and McCain are bipartisan party mavericks, which could actually work in their favor.
Remember, separating McCain from Republicans right now helps him. Painting Lieberman as a maverick, by association also pictures McCain as one. And while Liebeman is currently a maverick by necessity, McCain has spent the season pandering to his party's rightwing. Some in the media are finally starting to recognize this. Let's not undercut that perception.
I am in absolute agreement with everything else you have said. Making him a cause celebre would be a mistake.