Nothing changed on November 4. Nothing at all. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

I WANT MY GODDAMN MONEY BACK!

Dems get a set.

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.

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/

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?

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.

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

Boy, Lieberman’s crack photographer/blackmailing staff works quick. Not even sworn in yet, and Joe has the goods on him.

To hit 55, all but two current and Senators elect would have to vote.

57-2=55

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.)

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.

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.