Lieberman: I’m ‘Grateful’ Senate Democrats Changed The Rules So That I’m Not Singled Out For Punishment
Lieberman: I’m ‘Grateful’ Senate Democrats Changed The Rules So That I’m Not Singled Out For Punishment
Today, Senate Democrats decided to wholeheartedly embrace Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), voting 42-13 to allow him to keep his prized chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee. At a press conference today, Lieberman said that he wasn’t “chastened” by his colleagues at all.
Before today, Lieberman was also chairman of two subcommittees. He has now given up his gavel of the Environment and Public Works subcommittee, but will stay on as chair of the Armed Services subcommittee. This is hardly punishment. As Lieberman explained during his press conference, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has decided not to single him out and simply changed the rules so that all senators will be restricted to only one committee chairmanship and one subcommittee chairmanship:
LIEBERMAN: Senator Reid asked me to relinquish my seat on the Environment Committee. In the spirit of cooperation and in part to make room for freshmen senators, new senators who wanted to be on that committee, I said I would, in the spirit of cooperation, do that. [...]
Incidentally, Senator Reid will be imposing a new rule in light — that is, we’ll be applying a rule that exists in the Senate but hasn’t been in light of the new members, the larger Democratic Caucus, which is that each member can only be the chairman of one full committee and the chairman of one subcommittee.
So in that regard I am very grateful to continue as chairman of Homeland Security and of the Airland Subcommittee of Armed Services, which overseas all Army and Air Force programs.
Lieberman then announced that he would be introducing global warming legislation with his good friend Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) soon after the 111th Congress convenes. Watch it:
Senate Democrats are allowing Lieberman to keep control of the Armed Services subcommittee, even though some of his most misguided and incendiary attacks on Obama were on national security. Lieberman, for example, suggested that Obama hasn’t always “put the country first,” said that President Bush was right for comparing Obama to Nazi appeasers, and worried that Obama was “naive” and lacked the “right stuff to bomb Iran.”
Although the meeting was held behind closed doors, the AP notes that Bernie Sanders (VT), Pat Leahy (VT), and Jeff Merkley (OR) reportedly spoke against allowing Lieberman to keep his gavels. Reid, Dick Durbin (IL), John Kerry (MA), Ben Cardin (MD), and Tom Udall (NM) were those speaking in favor. CQ reports that booting Lieberman from the Democratic caucus altogether “was never really on the table.”
Transcript:
LIEBERMAN: The resolution expresses strong disapproval and rejection of statements that I made about Senator Obama during the campaign. And in that regard, I said very clear, some of the statements — some of the things that people have said I said about Senator Obama are simply not true.
There are other statements that I made that I wish I had made more clearly. And there are some that I made that I wish I had not made at all.
And, obviously, in the heat of campaigns, that happens to all of us, but I regret that. And now it’s time to move on.
QUESTION: Does that include what you said at the convention, the Republican convention, sir, specifically about Obama?
LIEBERMAN: I didn’t — I really want to leave my statement to that. What I said at the convention was to explain why I was supporting Senator McCain.
QUESTION: Do you feel as though that you have been chastened in any way?
LIEBERMAN: Well, I think this was done in a — in a spirit of reconciliation. And I think my colleagues voted overwhelmingly to go forward in a positive way, which was exactly the way that I intend to go forward.
So I — look, I appreciate their respect for my independence of mind. And that’s who I am.
But I’ve also been for 45 years a Democrat, and for the last 20, what I consider to be a member in good standing of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
So that’s what the record shows. And I look forward to continuing to serve my nation and my state in the position I have, and particularly with great enthusiasm and a sense of purpose to continue to be chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and chairman of the Airland Committee.
Senator Reid, I want to make clear — Senator Reid asked me to relinquish my seat on the Environment Committee. In the spirit of cooperation and in part to make room for freshmen senators, new senators who wanted to be on that committee, I said I would, in the spirit of cooperation, do that. That’s a committee that I — I have been actively involved in and in recent years, particularly, on matters related to doing something about global warming.
But I will just continue to do that off the committee. In fact, Senator McCain and I soon after the 111th session convenes will introduce the latest version of our anti-global warming bill.
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)
LIEBERMAN: That’s true. Incidentally, Senator Reid will be imposing a new rule in light — that is, we’ll be applying a rule that exists in the Senate but hasn’t been in light of the new members, the larger Democratic Caucus, which is that each member can only be the chairman of one full committee and the chairman of one subcommittee.
So in that regard I am very grateful to continue as chairman of Homeland Security and of the Airland Subcommittee of Armed Services, which overseas all Army and Air Force programs.
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99 Responses to “Lieberman: I’m ‘Grateful’ Senate Democrats Changed The Rules So That I’m Not Singled Out For Punishment”
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Joe the wanker.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:28 pmHe's grateful, huh?
So, how many days until he stabs more people in the back?
3, 5, 10 - who knows? It will happen.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pmWell the Dems took a big, smelly, steaming, coiling dump on their constituents today.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pmThe Homeland security Comitte is arguably the most dangerous Committee ever created for the basic civil liberties of the American people !
November 18th, 2008 at 1:31 pmThe Dems are freaking laughing at us - the "little people" who care!
November 18th, 2008 at 1:31 pmWho wants to hear Joe CARP? The Chair Arsehole Rescue Program passed in a loud FRP. Oh, the stench!
November 18th, 2008 at 1:32 pmThe so called thought crime bill , can it make expressing an opinion a reason to be arrested pre emptively ? Critics believe so and it sits in Joes committee right now !
November 18th, 2008 at 1:33 pmBloggers beware .
Pathetic. Weak. This is what "they" really think of Democracy (from the Chris Cillizza article in today Wa Post online) - Asked what it would mean if Lieberman kept his chairmanship, one Senate Democratic aide said bluntly: "The left has been foiled again. They can rant and rage but they still do not put the fear into folks to actually change their votes. Their influence would be in question."
November 18th, 2008 at 1:34 pmShould this worry us ?
November 18th, 2008 at 1:35 pmhttp://www.democracynow.org/2008/11/17/as_obama_reiterates_call_to_close
Russ Feingold on our new FISA legislation.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDlYcn5HEs8&eurl=http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/
The Democrats again put politics above our national security. Bastards.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:39 pmGive them some time. It's been a while since Democrats could act like Democrats. They've gotten rusty.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:40 pmSo dissent and speaking out should be punished? If you step out of lock-step you should suffer the consequences? That wouldn't be more of the same bush fascism? Loyalty above all, no free thinking? Oh no, he betrayed the party with free speech; to the gallows!
November 18th, 2008 at 1:41 pmBob - you're kidding, right?
November 18th, 2008 at 1:45 pmWhy have elections at all, if this is how the Democrats are going to "lead." What a joke. Consequences . . . we don't need no stinking consequences.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:45 pmWhat a relief to members of the Senate to know that incompetence and perfidy are 100 percent OK.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:45 pmcan it be stripped later? or is this something that just occurs every two years or so? thanks
November 18th, 2008 at 1:45 pmIf the Democratic leadership can't be trusted to stand up to Droopy-dog Lieberschmuck, how can they be trusted to stand up to Al-Qaeda?
Just saying . . .
November 18th, 2008 at 1:46 pmI certainly would have preferred if they let him keep the Environment Committee chair instead.
I don't think Joe has demonstrated any good reason to be anywhere near the Homeland Security Committee.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:47 pmAre you being spied on in your own homes ?
November 18th, 2008 at 1:48 pmWill you be surveilled for thinking ?
Will you be arrested for presenting a dissenting opinion ?
Will you be interned for speaking out against the powers that control our government?
Will the Army be used against the citizenry to enforce order ?
Are you willing to wait patiently to find out ?
These thing have happened in every country that has turned fascist in the last century , can they happen here ?
"In the spirit of cooperation and in part to make room for freshmen senators, new senators who wanted to be on that committee, I said I would, in the spirit of cooperation, do that."
Lying SOS!
November 18th, 2008 at 1:50 pmIn Nazi Germany, they too had 'preventative detention', at Dachau, Buchenwald, Bergen-Belsen, Ravensbruck, Sachsenhausen, Mauthausen, Oranienburg.
These internees were deemed 'enemies of the state' and imprisoned without actually committing any crimes. Just that 'they might commit a crime in the future'. Even their thoughts were crimes.
If Obama and the Democrat party invokes such measures, then we are INDEED on the road to Auschwitz. BEWARE!
November 18th, 2008 at 1:50 pmThe price of freedom is eternal vigilance .
November 18th, 2008 at 1:52 pmA eunuch has more testicles than Harry Reid.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:54 pmTake a deep breath everybody - I don't like this anymore than the rest of you - but we got MUCH bigger fish to fry. Joe is a reality we have to deal with. Blame Connecticut - they deserve it - they know who he is, and they elected him anyway.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:57 pmIf war crimes can be ignored, if the patriot act can be passed, if telcom immunity flies, etc, etc.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:58 pmLetting joe slide is next to nothing.
Martial law in the US as of OCT. 1st ?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_isYYhq1AB8
November 18th, 2008 at 1:59 pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_isYYhq1AB8
November 18th, 2008 at 2:00 pm.
Hey everone,
Harry Reid said it's cool to be a turn coat.
Joe thanks Harry's fascion sense.
.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:01 pmThere is no WAY Lieberman should get to keep his chairmanship after the crap he pulled during the election (and during the last 8 years, as well).
These spineless Dems in the Senate need a swift kick in the nuts.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:02 pm.
Aren't the Democrats just great at COMPROMISING?
.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:03 pmMax-1 Says:
Aren’t the Democrats just great at COMPROMISING?
They misread the definition of compromise, actually on 2nd thought, they probably read the definition of capitulating, thinking they were reading the definition of compromising
November 18th, 2008 at 2:06 pmTo Lieberman: You are a Traitor!
November 18th, 2008 at 2:06 pmTo the Democrats: You are a bunch of spineless traitors!
I kind of understand why they did what they did. Better to keep him in the tent so you can monitor him better, than have him angry and with the Republicans.
However, I just have no respect for him at all anymore. Joe is not a friend.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:06 pmAn article on the thought crime bill which sits presently in Joe's committee and was passed overwhelmingly by the hose of Representatives .
November 18th, 2008 at 2:07 pmhttp://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/cgi-bin/blogs/voices.php/2007/11/04/p20817
#12 Perry logan,
But this goes with acknowledging the Democrats stopped being Democrats then, NO? Or is it O.K. to be a Democrat when it's convienient?
What's an opposition Party when all they do is strive to "get along" and agree to "COMPROMISE" vales, principles, and laws?
.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:07 pmOh! This is priceless! Traitor Joe 'er, I mean "Joe KING 60 Vote" says:
"I’m ‘Grateful’ Senate Democrats Changed The Rules So That I’m Not Singled Out For Punishment"
Wow! Here is the quote that will insure forever the fact that Joe can't be blamed for his horrific behavior, NO!
The Dems "changed the rules" so that he can betray everything that Dems are supposed to stand for. ITS THE DEMS FAULT I AM SUCH A TURD" says Joe as he flips the us all the bird!
Yup! You're doin' a heck of a job, Harry.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:09 pmLieberman : "Obama Lacked The Right Stuff To Bomb Iran".
And that's what is always on Lieberman's mind, that's why he fell in love with McCain's singing 'Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran...' and he wanted McCwar to be the next President.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:11 pmF you Joe, you stinking piece of $hit. Sorry to sink to this level, but that's all that's left. Reason doesn't seem to apply here.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:14 pmTomorrow's needs don't erase yesterday's transgressions.
We still have a possibility of 3 new Dem Senators, but Joe needs to go. Period.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:14 pmIs there a link to the votes?
November 18th, 2008 at 2:15 pmChange will never come!
November 18th, 2008 at 2:17 pmLoad your leadership with Joes. Pick economic advisers of the status quo and we will mire in 2008 for years to come.
Been had once again.
jb, I'm totally with you. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRG !!!!! We HAVEto vote those people out of office. I repeat AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArg !
November 18th, 2008 at 2:18 pmI'm as flaming a liberal as you'll ever meet.
After the refusal to impeach, the bail-out Bill, and the cronyism of allowing Lieberman anything at all, I will never vote for Democratic representation again.
They're traitors and I'm done with 'em.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:18 pmWhat is Joe's so called contribution to the SPIRIT OF RECONCILIATION?
November 18th, 2008 at 2:18 pmDomestic spying , tapped telephones , national security letters ,the patriot act ,the Army policing the citizenry , a war for resources , torture ,secret prisons ,signing statements ,a massive restructuring of our financial markets ,special military tribunals to conduct trials of enemy combatants (American ?) with secret evidence ,blackwater ......
November 18th, 2008 at 2:23 pmWill the democrats put an end to these abuses or give us a police state with better social services ?
Homeland insecurity !
"grateful"
not "sorry"
traitorous, lying jackal.
whining weasel.
He knows the dems need his vote, so he extorted their favor.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:23 pmBob Says:
So dissent and speaking out should be punished? If you step out of lock-step you should suffer the consequences? That wouldn’t be more of the same bush fascism? Loyalty above all, no free thinking? Oh no, he betrayed the party with free speech; to the gallows!
November 18th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
______
He voted with and for the opposition, who were openly engaged in treason. He left the party - the party did not kick him out. Why should he be given power at all? We do not need the likes of Lieberman setting policy for us. Do you think he represents your political interests?
November 18th, 2008 at 2:24 pmWow, Dachau, Buchenwald, Bergen-Belsen.......
Thought crimes.........
freeman, you truly are not free now. You are consumed by fear.
If these things did not happen in the last 8 years then they will most certainly not happen in the next few years.
I understand the anger at lieberman......I feel the same way. The bottom line is that we need him.
Put your emotions away and think about this logically as the democratic leaders are obviously doing in the senate.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:26 pm#41 jb Asks:
Closed session.
No record to reveal the turn coat supporters.
I too, wish we could know who supports being stabbed in the back. It sure would make it easier to do the same to them, NO?
.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:28 pmSo, where is LIEberman's apology.
Today the Republicans refused to censure Ted Stevens and the Democrats refused to censure Joe Lieberman.
So, what is the difference between the parties when it comes to accountability. As far as I can tell, nothing.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:30 pm"Better to keep him in the tent so you can monitor him better, than have him angry and with the Republicans"
Give me a break, that's just what he and all the rest of the GOP want you to think. Enjoy the circus, Congress has just announced it is essentially useless. Perhaps the Imperial Presidency, for whichever the party, is the only way to reign this country for decades to come. Hell, the Presidency is all about being Commander in Chief these days, anyway. Forget about all those other responsibilities.
If the Democrats can't use the power they've been handed in 2 separate elections to get Congress' houses in order, a pox on all of them. I dare say that the opposition would not tolerate a turncoat such as Lieberman in their caucus. There is no reason in the world that the Democrats should either.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:31 pmFred,
You've confused Uncle Ho and Freeman...
... And what then, would you have called Guantanimo?
You do know that not all German concentration camps were not in Germany, NO?
.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:32 pmFred these thing have all been passed as laws in the US over the last 7 years .
Are you being spied on in your own homes ?
November 18th, 2008 at 2:34 pmWill you be surveilled for thinking
Will the Army be used against the citizenry to enforce order ?
Yes ,these thing are already fact !
....................................
Will you be arrested for presenting a dissenting opinion ?
Will you be interned for speaking out against the powers that control our government?
If the homegrown terrorist and violent radicalization act passes in the senate and out of Joes committee many believe that these others will become fact .
It has happened before Fred ! It's why we used to have a constitution !
Why Fred do the Democrats "need" Lieberman? Why? WHY?
They have the House.
They have a clear majority in the Senate.
They have the Presidency and a President who's stated he wants to get things done, i.e. not go all crazy socialist and such.
Any sensible piece of legislation should sail through, regardless of what the Senate does, and be signed into law. If the GOP wants to filibuster everything -- MAKE THEM DO IT. This we need 60 votes BS just has to stop somewhere, otherwise the Democrats will refuse to much of anything until, 2010 . . . 2012 . . . 2016? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaase! Enough already.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:36 pmFred,
November 18th, 2008 at 2:38 pmThrough a signing statement the president the NSA go through your mail.
Through a signing statement the US army was activated on American soil for the first time since the civil war .
Obama's transition chief for intelligence defended torture and extraordinary redition on the News Hour on PBS .
I agree PO - make the GOP filibuster!! The Dems should pass whatever they think is right!
November 18th, 2008 at 2:38 pmOh Wayne,
Compromising, capitulating...
Tomato, tomatoe
LOL
.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:38 pmOh and for the record the reference to Nazi concentration camps was made by uncle ho ,not me .
November 18th, 2008 at 2:40 pmSo, how do we encourage the people of Connecticut to start a recall campaign to throw his butt out of office?
November 18th, 2008 at 2:41 pmWe voted for change in the White House now it's time to clean house in the Senate. Lieberman will continue to follow the Bush Administration's orders long after they leave office. Each person who voted for Lieberman has to answer for the crimes he has already committed and the ones he will commit in the future. Lieberman like Pelosi has taken all criminals acts and investigations of the Bush Administration off the table. Now with the DNC doesn't get money for future campaigns they can thank Criminal Joe. Kerry has already shown he will stab you in the back while looking at you as he did with John Edwards his former running mate.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:42 pmPo,
November 18th, 2008 at 2:42 pmI think Fred thinks the uber super "DUPER" majority of absolute POWER is the golden ring those in leadership seek.
WorthyFoe Says:
Take a deep breath everybody - I don’t like this anymore than the rest of you - but we got MUCH bigger fish to fry. Joe is a reality we have to deal with. Blame Connecticut - they deserve it - they know who he is, and they elected him anyway.
I do blame Connecticut, but I also blame the Democratic Senators. They allowed LIEberman to blackmail them and make fools out of them. What a way to start in a new administration.
Plus, I don't buy the "keep your enemies near" canard. What is going to stop LIEberman from reporting to the Republicans everything that goes on in the Democratic caucus? How do they know that he hasn't become a mole for the Republicans. There was no repentance on his part, just arrogant posturing.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:45 pmBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
Plus, I don’t buy the “keep your enemies near” canard. What is going to stop LIEberman from reporting to the Republicans everything that goes on in the Democratic caucus? How do they know that he hasn’t become a mole for the Republicans. There was no repentance on his part, just arrogant posturing.
I agree Bilbo. Harry Reid may trust Lieberman, but, I sure don't!!
November 18th, 2008 at 2:47 pmLeonard Cohen - Everybody Knows
Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows that the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
Thats how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
November 18th, 2008 at 2:49 pmEverybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died.......................
Typical right wing thinking. Always playing the victim. If this was anything close to Fascism, Droopy Dog would be in prison right now or worse.
Lieberman made choices and took actions of his own free will. He threatened to side with the Republicans if he didn't get his way, he campaigned against the very beliefs and party he claims to hold so dear. He broke promises he made to Democrats about not making personal attacks against Obama, repeated lies, and claimed the country would be in danger if there was a large Democratic majority in Congress. When he needed Obama to win in Conn. Obama came through for him. When Obama ran for President, Lieberman stabbed Obama in the back. All actions have consequnces. Lieberman played his hand and should have been kicked out of the game.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:02 pmDrop dead, Traitor Joe.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:09 pmFred Says:
I understand the anger at lieberman……I feel the same way. The bottom line is that we need him.
I fail to understand your logic as to why we actually need Lieberman. It is kind of like saying you need a rattlesnake for a lapdog.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:13 pmGo phuck a porcupine, Joe the Ho.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:18 pmI pointed this out in the string below regarding this vote. 42 + 13 = 55. Since when are their 55 Democrats in the Senate?
November 18th, 2008 at 3:22 pmlieberman voted with the dems 90% of the time. Many dems don't have that good of a record in that respect.
If we want health care to pass with ease, etc. then we need joe.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:23 pmEverybody is mad at the Senate but they love their own senators. The only power any of us has is to vote out our own. And that means no matter how much you love your senator he has to go. Same with your rep. That's the problem isn't it. Everybody wants their leaders to have clout and other states to to make the sacrifice of brand new leadership.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:25 pmAnd if Lieberman lost his leadership he'd either vote with the Republicans or quit and if he quit a Republican governor would pick his replacement.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:26 pmSeniority is the sticky wicket, no?
November 18th, 2008 at 3:29 pmAs for the 55 number:
The piece says Tom Udall spoke and he hasn't been sworn as a Senator yet. He currently is a member of the House representing New Mexico.
http://www.tomudall.house.gov/
November 18th, 2008 at 3:34 pmObama is seeking 60 seats in the Senate and has no problem compromising his integrity or the integrity of the entire progressive movement to get it. Besides, Biden isn't going to let his fellow DLC buddy hang - the DLC is all about compromise, capitulation and cooperation with radical republicans. Obama was very DLC in the state house, just as he was in the Senate - FISA anyone? This is more of the same. This was a great skill of Bill Clinton and one that Obama seems very comfortable and effective at using. It can move a lot of legislation through congress just as Bill did - but at the cost of legislation being effective and progressive enough. Only time will tell how well this political calculus will pay off for Obama.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:38 pmThat's right RHF always assume the worst of Obama because he's not Hillary. Obama got elected by promising to work across the aisle. That's how he got the independent voters with limited information. How can he say he'll work with Republicans if he won't work with Lieberman?
November 18th, 2008 at 3:59 pmAs for the 55 number:
The piece says Tom Udall spoke and he hasn’t been sworn as a Senator yet. He currently is a member of the House representing New Mexico.
http://www.tomudall.house.gov/
Still makes no sense. He shouldn't have voted, since he isn't sworn into the Senate yet. The Democratic Caucus was 51 in the Senate, and that included Lieberman and Sanders (both Independents). So it's still FOUR too many votes!
November 18th, 2008 at 3:59 pmStill makes no sense. He shouldn’t have voted, since he isn’t sworn into the Senate yet. The Democratic Caucus was 51 in the Senate, and that included Lieberman and Sanders (both Independents). So it’s still FOUR too many votes!
Correction to this statement I made: Since Obama resigned his Senate seat on Sunday and Biden wasn't going to vote on this, it's actually SIX votes too many!
November 18th, 2008 at 4:00 pmMake that seven votes too many...Lieberman wouldn't have been allowed to vote (I assume!)
November 18th, 2008 at 4:02 pmSomeone inside the closed door meeting will have to come clean as to who attended and voted. It's clear they don't want the vote record revealed.
I can only glean information from published stories. One might think a progressive website would have the connections to find answers, especially one with relationships to John Podesta.
November 18th, 2008 at 4:07 pmSomeone inside the closed door meeting will have to come clean as to who attended and voted. It’s clear they don’t want the vote record revealed.
I can only glean information from published stories. One might think a progressive website would have the connections to find answers, especially one with relationships to John Podesta.
Yes indeed. There should have been no more than a total of 48 votes.
November 18th, 2008 at 4:16 pmimpeachcheneythenbush Says:
Still makes no sense. He shouldn’t have voted, since he isn’t sworn into the Senate yet. The Democratic Caucus was 51 in the Senate, and that included Lieberman and Sanders (both Independents). So it’s still FOUR too many votes!
It's a caucus. They can invite whoever they want and include whoever they want. In this case, they included the incoming freshmen -- which is why Oregon's Jeff Merkley was there to speak against coddling Lieberman. (And I thank God again I live in Oregon, because both our Senators were opposed to this.)
November 18th, 2008 at 4:21 pmThe TPM piece mentioned "Jeff Merkley, the new Senator-elect from Oregon" as attending.
To hit 55, all but two current and Senators elect would have to vote.
57-2=55
November 18th, 2008 at 4:23 pmMerkley's office scrambled to say he didn't challenge Joe's chairmanship.
Boy, Lieberman's crack photographer/blackmailing staff works quick. Not even sworn in yet, and Joe has the goods on him.
November 18th, 2008 at 4:26 pmspineless....f!@#%ing....democrats!!!!
November 18th, 2008 at 4:29 pmInteresting that the "secret" ballot has already been leaked.
November 18th, 2008 at 4:52 pmGummich - It’s a caucus. They can invite whoever they want and include whoever they want. In this case, they included the incoming freshmen — which is why Oregon’s Jeff Merkley was there to speak against coddling Lieberman. (And I thank God again I live in Oregon, because both our Senators were opposed to this.)
Wrong. This is the definition of what the Senate Dem Caucus is - and incoming freshmen should NOT have been included. They are NOT senators yet!
The Senate Democratic Caucus (or Conference) is the formal organization of the current 49 Democratic Senators in the United States Senate. In the 110th Congress, the Democratic Caucus includes two independent senators that formally caucus with the Democrats for the purpose of committee assignments and Senate organization, bringing the total membership of the caucus to 51. The primary organizational front for Democrats in the Senate, its primary function is communicating the party's message to and unifying all of its members. Caucus leadership consists of Senator Harry Reid (NV) as Chairman and Senate Majority Leader, Senator Dick Durbin (IL) as Whip or Assistant Majority Leader, Senator Charles Schumer (NY) as Vice-Chairman, and Senator Patty Murray (WA) as Secretary.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Caucus_of_the_United_States_Senate
November 18th, 2008 at 4:54 pmEverytime Lieberman speaks it's like tearing a scab off. I guess I need to quit listening to that weasel. I don't know how Connecticutt can stand it.
November 18th, 2008 at 4:56 pmimpeachcheneythenbush Says:
Gummich - It’s a caucus. They can invite whoever they want and include whoever they want. In this case, they included the incoming freshmen — which is why Oregon’s Jeff Merkley was there to speak against coddling Lieberman. (And I thank God again I live in Oregon, because both our Senators were opposed to this.)
Wrong. This is the definition of what the Senate Dem Caucus is - and incoming freshmen should NOT have been included. They are NOT senators yet!
I frankly don't care what Wikipedia offers as a definition. The Democratic Caucus is not a government institution; it's a "caucus" and they can include whoever they want. Obviously, because they did. It's like a big club or fraternal organization, and they get to define membership as they choose.
November 18th, 2008 at 5:04 pmWell, Obama and the Senate Dems just saved me a bunch of money, and it wasn't on car insurance, it was on future campaign contributions.
Given that Obama and the Senate Dems have signaled that it's really no big deal to them if someone actively supports Republicans like John McCain, Sarah Palin, and Norm Coleman, I'm puzzled why I should care about, much less contribute to, Al Franken. If Norm Coleman is good enough for Joe Lieberman, and Barack Obama and Howard Dean and Hillary Clinton and John Kerry are fine with Joe's support for Coleman, who cares about Al Franken enough to give him money? Or, for that matter, Martin or Begrich?
November 18th, 2008 at 5:07 pmgummich - then does this meet your criteria? The Senate Democratic caucus is NOT like a big club or fraternal organization, otherwise, I guess maybe you and I could join.
The 110th United States Congress, which began January 4, 2007:
Affiliation Members Note
Democratic Party 49 This figure is not the Democratic Caucus of the United States Senate. The Caucus numbers 51.
Republican Party 49
Independent 1 Bernie Sanders caucuses with the Democrats.
Connecticut for Lieberman Party 1 Joe Lieberman caucuses with the Democrats.
Majority 2 The Democratic Caucus is in the majority.
Total 100
Check this out to. This isn't the first time Lieberman has made threats toward his previous party.
In the months between the election and the swearing in of the Congress, Sen. Joe Lieberman (Connecticut for Lieberman Party-CT) initially refused to rule out caucusing with the Republicans, which could have put control of the Senate in doubt.[6] A similar situation happened in the Great Senate Deadlock of 1881.[7] In the event of tied parties, control of the chamber would belong to the party of the Vice President—the President of the Senate.
In February 2007, rumors again circled that Senator Joe Lieberman would caucus with the Republicans if Democrats forced a vote in the Senate on the Iraq War.
http://dictionary.sensagent.com/United%20States%20Senate/en-en/
November 18th, 2008 at 5:24 pmimpeachcheneythenbush Says:
gummich - then does this meet your criteria? The Senate Democratic caucus is NOT like a big club or fraternal organization, otherwise, I guess maybe you and I could join.
If you get yourself elected to the Senate, I bet you've got a shot.
Take heart, though. It appears that the Connecticut Democratic Party might take things into their own hands.
November 18th, 2008 at 5:36 pmHow can these Senators, behind closed doors, justify keeping this this human being in the United States Senate? All Lieberman has ever done is stoked the war flames and regurgitated fascist republican credos accross the halls of the Senate. He is not a good man and our future depends upon having the most intelligent and just progressives in the United States Senate. Get rid of Lieberman and begin squeezing the pus out of our Senate!
November 18th, 2008 at 5:38 pmWho cares about his one stinkin vote, which will probably go to the repugs.
Dems get a set.
November 18th, 2008 at 5:52 pmHarry Reid: "I'm grateful for the exemplary oral sex that Joe Leiberman performed on me and the entire Democratic leadership. I think the bruises on his knees are a sign of his willingness to work in a bipartisan, yet fair manner."
November 18th, 2008 at 6:56 pmHaving Joe Lieberman as - CLEARLY - the most powerful person in the United States Senate scares the shit out of me and REALLY pisses me off.
Nothing changed on November 4. Nothing at all. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
I WANT MY GODDAMN MONEY BACK!
November 18th, 2008 at 9:34 pmBoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 18th, 2008 at 11:53 pmWell, at least he's not an ingrate.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:11 am