Lieberman: Republicans In The ‘Gang Of Moderates’ Are ‘Heroes,’ Deserve The ‘Congressional Medal Of Honor’
Lieberman: Republicans In The ‘Gang Of Moderates’ Are ‘Heroes,’ Deserve The ‘Congressional Medal Of Honor’
Today in his town hall address in Elkhart, IN, President Obama criticized heavy cuts to education funding in the Senate’s economic recovery package crafted by the so-called “Gang of Moderates.” “I’ll be honest with you, the Senate version cut a lot of these education dollars,” said Obama. “I would like to see some of them restored.”
Nevertheless, proud “centrists” Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) appeared on MSNBC this afternoon to tout their version of the bill. Lieberman, in particular, went overboard in praising the gang’s Republicans — Snowe, Susan Collins (ME), and Arlen Specter (PA) — by calling them “heroes” who deserve an award:
LIEBERMAN: And therefore, I think our three Republican colleagues — Olympia, Susan Collins, and Arlen Specter — are really the heroes in this for making a stimulus possible. [...]
Again, I really can’t say enough about Olympia Snowe and the other two Republicans who really deserve the Congressional Medal of Honor on this one. They’ve put national interests ahead of what most members of their party were doing, and as a result, we’re going to get a stimulus bill that’s going to help the American people hold their jobs, create new ones, and get our economy moving again.
Watch it:
Today in the New York Times, however, Paul Krugman had a different idea about what these centrists have wrought:
What do you call someone who eliminates hundreds of thousands of American jobs, deprives millions of adequate health care and nutrition, undermines schools, but offers a $15,000 bonus to affluent people who flip their houses?
A proud centrist. For that is what the senators who ended up calling the tune on the stimulus bill just accomplished.
Despite Lieberman’s claim that the Senate bill will “help the American people hold their jobs [and] create new ones,” CAP’s Will Straw explains that it actually “provides for 12 to 15 percent fewer jobs created or saved than the House-passed Recovery and Reinvestment Act despite costing slightly more.”
Transcript:
MITCHELL: Well, the President spoke to the education piece of it, and indicated in Elkhart, IN, that he would like to see that money moved back in. Let me ask you both: Would there be a risk of losing votes in the Senate if that gets added back in in conference?
LIEBERMAN: Well, I worry that there would be. It’s self-evident now that if Sen. Kennedy is here for the vote, we’ve only — we’ve got 61 votes, which is a good number, but it’s only one more than necessary to break the filibuster. And therefore, I think our three Republican colleagues — Olympia, Susan Collins, and Arlen Specter — are really the heroes in this for making a stimulus possible. And without it, I fear that our unemployment rate would continue to skyrocket and our economy would continue to go down.
[...]
Again, I really can’t say enough about Olympia Snowe and the other two Republicans who really deserve the Congressional Medal of Honor on this one. They’ve put national interests ahead of what most members of their party were doing, and as a result, we’re going to get a stimulus bill that’s going to help the American people hold their jobs, create new ones, and get our economy moving again.
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Traitors ALL
February 9th, 2009 at 2:56 pmWhen the Mossad admits Lieberman is a mole I’ll listen to him.
Until then, Joe, blow it out your pathetic wrinkled little ass.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:56 pmsince Mr. Lieberman can’t even decide what his political affiliation is, why should anybody think he can decide anything else?
Better trim those sails, Joe, the winds are changing.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:57 pmFrom Wikipedia:
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States”.[
Granted, the republican party is the sworn enemy of the United States, but they’re hardly risking their lives. At the worst, they’ll get less face time with Mitch McConnell and the bozos at Faux News…but that’s about it.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:57 pmI’m glad Lieberman is pleased. Snow, Collins, and Specter have killed tens of thousand jobs, inevitably forcing many families out of their homes and onto the street.
Power like that must feel pretty heady.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:57 pmLieberman, Cornyn & Graham = 21st century American Taliban
February 9th, 2009 at 2:58 pmI have outrage fatigue. If LIeberman wants to claim this as an amazing victory for the moderate republicans, let him. This isn’t setting off my care-o-meter.
Im just glad the bill has enough votes to pass. THe cynic in me is hoping that President Obama’s initial bill was more than he really wanted and he knew that “bipartisan compromise” would bring it down to this area.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:58 pmLieberman is such a simpering brown-noser…he is painful to listen to.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:58 pmIs Norm Coleman includ–, Oh:
http://voteforamerica.net/editorials/Comments.aspx?ArticleId=209&ArticleName=Coleman+Allows+Franken+Latitude
February 9th, 2009 at 2:59 pmThe ONLY good thing to come out of Gore v. Bush… no Pres. Lieberman…
February 9th, 2009 at 2:59 pmVETO THE BILL BARACK!!!
ELIMINATE THE TAX CUTS AND INCREASE SCHOOL SPENDING,HEALTH INSURANCE, UNEMPLOYMENT , INFRUSTUCTURE PROJECTS.
VETO CURRENT BILL….MAKE THEM FILLERBUSTER THE BILL.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:00 pmCorporafornication remains alive and well, thanks to Centrists and Blue Dogs. A pox on their houses.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:01 pm.
So, Liarman thinks Bushpublicans are Grrrrrreat!!!
Thanks Connecticut!
.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:02 pmYep, the destruction of the American economy is certainly cause for celebration. What planet do these people live on? Do they know that everyday more and more folks are hurting? Is it truly party over country? Really?
February 9th, 2009 at 3:03 pmMedal of Honor, Ha! Considering the last dozen recipients, that isn’t a compliment.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:03 pmOh yeah, anything you say, ‘Traitor Joe’ is worth listening to…
…NOT!
February 9th, 2009 at 3:03 pmTell ya what – give ‘em all the BUSH Medal of Freedumb instead.
Effin’ moron. Shut the *bleep* up, Traitor Joe.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:04 pmThe GOP should stop Hijacking the Stimulus Package and holding it Hostage because the way George Bush and the GOP spent our money will be characterized by an Era of Irresponsibility and Neglect, while Obama wants to spend our money wisely and on rebuillding Americsa, if the GOP lets him. The awful truth is that One Party has destroyed America while the other Party the Democratic Party wants to restore it.
For instance: If you have a home in which you used your money to spend on alcohol, good times and neglected your roof, your bills, and now your roof is in danger of collapsing because you used your money on good times instead of the upkeep of your home and now the Argument is you are unable to borrow money to fix your roof before it caves in because you used your money foolishly in the past is also recklesslness and neglect on the part of the lender, so they let the roof collapse.
In the Bush years 30 billion was spent in Afghanistan — 50 billion in Iraq and now Congress wants to say we cannot spend necessary money at home which has so long been neglected? States were given no money in the Bush years and now they still want to keep money out of the States on a fraudulent theory.
It is now time to for Congress to put money back in to the United States and to spend money wisely and not fraudulently, irresponsibly and in the dark as in the Bush years. Obama believes in transparancey, hence you can find the Stimulus package on line for all to see.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:05 pmGOP say this money will be more of the same. It will not be more of the same. This money will be used for Americans, for jobs, to rebuild for improvement and innovations to improve life not on wars and countries which have nothing to do with American people or on big business who do not need the money.
Bush and the Republicans inherited a Surplus from the Democrats and yet the GOP has created the worst economic crisis ever. The GOP should stop hijacking the Stimulus and do the right thing and let money flow back into America again, instead of holding the Democrats hostage from their quest of bringing help to the people and restoring American again.
Can we kick this guy through the goalposts now?
February 9th, 2009 at 3:06 pmFlarking stupid little pisher.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:06 pmSomewhere at this very moment Audie Murphy is rolling over in his grave.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:07 pmI was inclined to blow off Joe with a little snark, but ya know, it’s shameful that he has such little regard for the sacrifices of others that he would use this medal as a throw-off line.
More from Wikipedia:
Since the beginning of World War II, 854 Medals of Honor have been awarded, 528 posthumously.
3/4 of those who earn this award don’t even live through the experience of earning it. They die for their country, many die to save their fellow soldiers. People like Joe and Olympia are cowards.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:07 pmWillowOrchid Says:
Medal of Honor, Ha! Considering the last dozen recipients, that isn’t a compliment.
I think you’re thinking of the Presidental Medal of Freedom, or the “George Bush Toady award”. I hope.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:08 pmFrom this moment on any topic that includes Hoe er Joe Lieberman should be met with ZERO responses, lets see if we can make that happen.
RIP
February 9th, 2009 at 3:13 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
I hope Nancy Pelosi throws this bill back in their face. The House still needs to agree to the stimulus bill and the House does not need any Republican votes to pass a bill. Today and tomorrow, President Obama will be holding town hall meetings in swing states and the TV cameras are coming with him. Tonight, President Obama will address the nation as a whole. Just because Lieberman thinks a deal has been reached, this isn’t over. Stay tuned…
February 9th, 2009 at 3:14 pmPlease correct me if I’m wrong, but, isn’t that award for military heroes?
February 9th, 2009 at 3:15 pmYuck, spit, eweee, hack, hack.
Why are we giving this ( man? ) any attention? He owes Obama BIGTIME ! He would be politically DEAD had it not been for Obama’s kindness ( I can’t stomach him! )
What he needs to do is kiss the ground Obama walks on and say ” yes, Master” to ANYTHING the President wants him to work on.
Then… SHUT UP ABOUT IT!
February 9th, 2009 at 3:18 pmThe democrats are still the minority party…
Pussies.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:18 pmIf we prescribed the firing squad so loosely, we might get somewhere.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:24 pmLiebrman just can’t seem to help himself can he? Sheesh.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:35 pmJoe is a legend in his own mind.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:36 pmIf Droopy Dog Liebershmuck likes the bill so much, you just know it ain’t worth sh!t.
Just saying . . .
February 9th, 2009 at 3:37 pmAs a Pennsylvanian, I know that Specter supported this bastardized bill not to help anyone but himself. Up for relection next year, below 50% here in “getting bluer every day” PA and he saw an opportunity to try to win some points.
Ain’t gonna happen, Arlen “magic bullet” Specter. We watched you prance and threaten, ponder and consider, and give in every single time to Bush these past years. Time to retire and take care of that prostate of yours.
PEACE
February 9th, 2009 at 3:40 pmmary; indeed, the Medal of Honor is for MILITARY service, above and beyond the call of duty, usually, but not always awarded posthumously.
When was the last time you ever saw a Rethuglic party member ever serve in the military, let alone perform deeds above and beyond the call of duty. They are 99.9% chickenhawks-Chuck Hagel and Colin Powell excepted.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:40 pmTypical Zero being a zero at humor…
…go cut the grass in your front yard…
…so the neighbors can see the 3 cars parked there…
…but trailer parks don’t seem to care much.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:42 pmHow cheaply “heroism” is attained these days! Airline captain Sullenberger is a hero for saving so many of his passengers. But what nonsense is Lieberman talking: are these “Heroe” because they have the power to crush the weak and vulnerable under their boots, and they use it?
February 9th, 2009 at 3:42 pmWhen Lieberman talks, I stop listening.
http://www.pufferfishblog.com/
February 9th, 2009 at 3:42 pmHey Connecticut residents who voted for this gas bag,Lieberman,hope you do the right tihing the next time & vote this shameless piece of s..t out.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:46 pm“…Deserve The ‘Congressional Medal Of Honor’””
Pinning the medals on themselves?
February 9th, 2009 at 3:48 pmI believe that’s called despotism.
And that’s putting it kindly.
“Centrist”???? Heroes????? For pushing for the failed trickle down economics that got us in this mess? A Medal of Honor? That would be like giving a medal of honor to a soldier who fragged his commanding office and then led the rest of his group to “safety” from the enemy’s assault.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:51 pmThe Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. — http://www.cmohs.org/medal.htm
Saying that Senators deserve such a medal simply for giving speeches and voting from the safety of the Senate chamber belittles all those who have received the medal for valor in the defense of this country.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:59 pmGreat, so let’s give the three their medals and brand the rest obstructionists. A nice hot iron across the forehead should do the job.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:01 pmPLC; I did know some officers and ncos and all of the last administration that did deserve a fragging, but that’s another story.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:05 pmUncle Ho, point taken.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:07 pmfletc3her Says: “Saying that Senators deserve such a medal simply for giving speeches and voting from the safety of the Senate chamber belittles all those who have received the medal for valor in the defense of this country.”
I wish someone, or many someones, would call Lieberman out on this one. This is truly beyond the pale.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:08 pmSomeone tell Senator Palpatine to STFU.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:09 pmSenator Palpatine…
The resemblance is striking, yes? All he needs is a cloak…
February 9th, 2009 at 4:12 pmDoes anyone think Obama would consider vetoing this bill if there are too many cuts in health, education, and infrastructure spending and too high a percentage in tax cuts?
February 9th, 2009 at 4:14 pmAnd why would anyone listen to lieberman ? Let’s see what has he been right about in the last oh, say, 8 years ?
February 9th, 2009 at 4:15 pmGo away, Joe.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:16 pmYour values and mine are not the same.
schmuck.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:20 pmJoe LIEberman; For just once in your life, try to be a mensch.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:23 pmIf anyone deserves the “Medal of Honor” is the pilot who landed that plane in the Hudson River.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:52 pmThere is no medal called the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is earned by heroic deeds and given in the name of Congress!
February 9th, 2009 at 4:55 pmCongress has nothing to do with the deed or deeds that the individuals did in the line of duty, to earn this honor!
In otherwords the vast majority of Congress has never served, especially those on the right!
The Regressive Right never met a war or branch of service that they would serve in, as most chickens can’t fly very far! However when it’s time to put their arse on the line, the right can’t seem to get as far away from serving as they possibly can!
I think Lieberman and the “Gang of Moderates” are marginally better than scum. This does, however, put them WAY above the rest of the Republicans in Congress.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:56 pmCan we dress LIEberman up in a wolf suit and send him to Alaska?
February 9th, 2009 at 5:03 pmGet real Joe!
No member of congress deserves anything that even remotely resembles anything good or positive.
February 9th, 2009 at 5:53 pmJoe, the Kapo RepubliCon, needs to go!
February 9th, 2009 at 7:50 pmEverytime I see Sen. Joe Lieberman nowadays I can’t help but think of Terry Schiavo for some reason.
February 9th, 2009 at 11:20 pmluvlylib, what else did your ‘Papi’ tell you? Was it something about Sarah’s kid either joins the military or go to jail over heavy drugs? No, hmmm, imagine that?
February 14th, 2009 at 8:23 pm