Lieberman Says He’s ‘Pleasantly Encouraged’ By Obama, But Disagrees With His Middle East And Health Care Agenda
Lieberman Says He’s ‘Pleasantly Encouraged’ By Obama, But Disagrees With His Middle East And Health Care Agenda
In an interview with Bloomberg’s Al Hunt, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) — who campaigned hard against President Obama during the 2008 election and supported his Republican challenger John McCain — said that he’s impressed with how Obama is handling the job.
“Put me down now as pleasantly encouraged by the first five months,” Lieberman said. “He has been strong, particularly on foreign policy. I think President Obama is off to a very, very good start in a very difficult time in our nation’s history.” Lieberman lauded Obama’s recent Cairo speech to the Muslim world, saying it was a “significant step overall. … My guess is he opened some minds in the Muslim world.”
Despite the laudatory comments of Obama’s foreign policy vision, Lieberman offered criticism of the president’s efforts to urge Israel to stop its settlement activities. “I thought the focus on the President’s direct call in that speech in Cairo for the Israelis to freeze all settlement activity — including the ‘natural growth‘ of settlements that everybody agrees are no longer settlements — …that was risky in the sense that it may lead listeners to believe that the main reason there is not an Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement is the Israeli settlement policy,” he said:
HUNT: Do you disagree then with the President and Secretary Clinton that there ought to be a freeze — no growth in those settlements now?
LIEBERMAN: I do. I disagree.
Watch it:
On Obama’s domestic agenda, Lieberman announced his opposition to a public health insurance option. “I don’t favor a public option, and I don’t favor a public option because I think there’s plenty of competition in the private insurance market,” he argued. (He’s wrong.) Lieberman warned that political pressure in favor of the public option may thwart efforts at achieving health care reform. “Let’s get something done instead of having a debate,” he said.
Separately, Lieberman said he “could support” the Waxman-Markey clean energy legislation in the House. “It’s a great act of legislative leadership,” he added, saying the critical issue is convincing “people from states that get a lot of their electricity from coal-burning power plants that we can make this change without skyrocketing the cost of living and the cost of doing business.”
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Lieberman: “…that was risky in the sense that it may lead listeners to believe that the main reason there is not an Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement is the Israeli settlement policy,”
Yes the truth is a dangerous thing for some
June 13th, 2009 at 8:18 amWho cares what Liebermouth thinks. The guys nothing but a tool. His pro Isreali stance is no surprise, or his standing with the insurance companys when it comes to healthcare. This clown was bought and sold for long ago.
June 13th, 2009 at 8:29 amIsrael is similat to racist, apartheid South Africa during the 1980s. However, there are two differances.
#1 is that Israel won’t hesitate to kill thousands of defenseless Palestinians trapped in refugee camps in order to drive them off their land and out of Palestine.
#2 is that anybody who points out fact #1 is considered an anti-Semite.
June 13th, 2009 at 8:29 am“Also, in an interview with NPR, Lieberman said Obama should consider keeping the Guantanamo Bay detention center open…”
… as a settlement for Cheney, Bush, Yoo, and their fellow neo-convicts.
June 13th, 2009 at 8:33 amJoe Lieberman (I-Israel) has no opinion worthy of comment. He’s shown his disdain for this country time after time. If a policy is against Tel Aviv’s interest, then Joe is against that policy. It’s time to make a clear stand, Joe. Israel or America– which country is your country?
June 13th, 2009 at 8:38 amEveryone, please flag little jeffy for continuing to spam every thread, everyday. F**k Off jeffy.
June 13th, 2009 at 8:43 amSo Traitor Joe is pleased with Obama —
June 13th, 2009 at 8:54 amDon’t do me any favors, Joe. I really don’t care what you think — I care more that you support the man who is president rather than undermining him, and saying you are pleasantly encouraged, before adding “but…” is not particularly supportive at a time when he needs all the Dems to be on his side, totally.
The extent to which that drooling, dew-lapped shitwhistle, Loserman, finds Obama’s regime so far acceptable should serve a an index for all the things “thePrez” is doing wrong.
On the Lieberman Index, Obama will have had complete success when Holy Joe leaves the Dim caucus…
June 13th, 2009 at 8:56 amJeffboste Says:
Are Iranian elections plagued with fraud?
Ours always are, so why should anybody else’s be any different, ay, jiffee?
June 13th, 2009 at 8:58 amIf Lieberman is “pleasantly encouraged,” then that’s all the indictment needed for Obama’s laissez-faire attitude toward bush’s crimes.
Obama is apparently continuing to be disturbingly cooperative with the republican minority at the expense of common sense, progressive policy, and…um, what was that word I heard so loooong ago……oh yeah, transparency!
Prosecute bush. End the fcuking war. Repeal DADT and DOMA. Re-institute Habeas Corpus, Quit ‘Dicking’ around…
Get a clue.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:03 amOh, and for Christ’s sake, legalize industrial hemp before our goddamn natural forests end up looking like pictures of the moon.
Idiots.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:07 amIf I were Obama, I am not sure I would want Lieberman expressing his support for me. You just know Lieberman is only applauding Obama because he is trying to save his own miserable wingnut tushie.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:14 amIf Droopy Dog is “pleasantly surprised” by President Obama, then I can say with 100% certainty, that I am disappointed.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:26 amLieberman: “…that was risky in the sense that it may lead listeners to believe that the main reason there is not an Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement is the Israeli settlement policy,”
Little Joey is a practitioner of the two-dimensional philosophy of politics. Everything looks like an on-off switch to him. He is incapable of nuance or thinking beyond the simplistic idea that there is one issue, one decision, one solution that will resolve all conflict in the Middle East (substitute any problem statement here).
This is a key problem with him and those who think like him. They don’t understand that progress is a process. Instead of committing to a course of action, they prefer to sit back and either debate or ignore the issue until it either (1) blows over; (2) blows up; or (3) becomes someone else’s problem after they leave office. There, in a nutshell, is the primary reason for the failure of GDumbya’s (p)residency.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:37 am“Lieberman Says He’s ‘Pleasantly Encouraged’ Must mean our annual donation to the Israeli state is either due to vote on or the check hasn’t cleared yet
June 13th, 2009 at 9:39 am11. Guido the Benevolent Torturer Says: “Competition” in service businesses does not drive proces down. Just look at your cable bill or phone bill or medical bills over any period of time.
Dunno if you’re being tongue-in-cheek, but the movie “A Beautiful Mind” will tell you all you need to know about the corporate attitude towards “competition.” An award winning radio program tackled this too:
“This American Life” did the story about international price fixing by ADM, who referred to their customers as their enemy. Highly, highly recommended…in fact a movie is coming out about this case by the screenwriter who heard this episode.
The fix is most certainly in.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:46 amIs Lieberman an Israeli spy hiding in plain sight?
June 13th, 2009 at 9:47 amGo pound sand LIEberman.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:52 amHi Jeffboste:
June 13th, 2009 at 9:56 amCan you please do me a solid and run a poll asking if Jimmy Big Bucks really is a pain in the ass poser with no purpose but to jerk around like a petulent little child.
thanks-
I think Joe Lieberman should have dual citizenship with GITMO rather than Israel. Anyone else feeling this way?
June 13th, 2009 at 10:00 amSen. Sellout er.. Joe Liberman is such a huckster for the Pro Isreali crowd his opinions on any subject is tainted by the most base of all compulsions, religious zealotry. This pompous, overbearing jerk is Netanyahu’s favorite ” fluffer” and Obama should avoid getting in bed, politically, with the man who would be better called Joe the Jerk.
June 13th, 2009 at 10:01 amDoes anyone know where I can find polling information relevant to Lieberman’s chances of being reelected?
June 13th, 2009 at 10:01 amWe can do one here, Levi….
June 13th, 2009 at 10:03 am;)
well, joe,
June 13th, 2009 at 10:09 amif you think israel should expand it’s illegal settlements then may i suggest you resign from your senate position and pitch your claim in the west bank? i know your consitituents in connecticut will be much happier if you do.
Levi have you asked Jeff?
June 13th, 2009 at 10:09 amOK Holy Joe, we get it — you’re independent.
Now go Cheney yerself.
June 13th, 2009 at 10:14 amLieberman = Connecticut
Connecticut = Hartford
Hartford = Insurance capital of the world
Hmm. Imagine Joe LIE not supporting a public option for healthcare. And who the fcuk gave him a microphone? No one give a sh!t what Joe says thinks, believes, says or does these days. 2012 can’t come fast enough.
PEACE
June 13th, 2009 at 10:21 amspencers mom@29,
June 13th, 2009 at 10:27 amin today’s local newspaper the front page story is how the residents of connecticut (and the nation) are going to take it in the caboose on healthcare since both dodd and his wife are so connected with the healthcare/insurance industry. mrs. dodd sits on the board of four different insurance/health care corporations in this state and her old man is the chair of the commitee now that kennedy’s sick.
Remember…Lieberman wasn’t reelected. He had his buddies at the Sec. of State’s office steal the election for him and from Ned Lamont’s hands! Lieberman is detested. Don’t let the last election fool ya. ;-)
June 13th, 2009 at 10:28 amI am uncertain which Jeff you are referring to. Jeffboste posted some off topic wingnuttery, so I won’t ask him, he is irrelevant. Perhaps there is a Jeff from TP who does polls?
The answer is no, I have not asked Jeff, it was more of a rhetorical question, albeit one that deserves asking.
Unfortunately I am prejudicial. I think Lieberman is going to lose his next election bid, even without seeing actual polling data from his home state.
June 13th, 2009 at 10:31 amConnecticut = Arms manufacturers
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=Sw9&q=arms+manufacturers+in+connecticut&btnG=Search&aq=f&oq=&aqi=
June 13th, 2009 at 10:31 amnoseeum@33
June 13th, 2009 at 10:39 amI’ve lived in connecticut all my life and that’s the first time i’ve heard arms manufacturing is major industry in this state
Check it out, Connecticut was founded in large part by the armaments industry.
June 13th, 2009 at 10:42 amBozo The Neoclown Says:
noseeum@33
I’ve lived in connecticut all my life and that’s the first time i’ve heard arms manufacturing is major industry in this state
Never heard of Colt, bozo?
June 13th, 2009 at 10:47 amA Quinnipiac poll was done in February, but I can’t think of a single thing JoeLie has done to improve his chances with any group but the GNOPers.
PEACE
June 13th, 2009 at 10:48 amJune 13th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Xisithrus Says:
Physician News: Can you describe Israel’s current health care system?
Shimon Glick: Israel basically has had almost universal coverage all along largely because the labor union had an HMO for many years. Up to the time of the passage of national health insurance, 95 percent of the population was covered by voluntary employer-employee health insurance through sick funds.
Brilliant catch. Could someone ask Droopy Joe to explain why it works for Israel but not here? Maybe it’s because of the billions of dollars we ship over there.
June 13th, 2009 at 10:50 am“I thought the focus on the President’s direct call in that speech in Cairo for the Israelis to freeze all settlement activity — including the ‘natural growth‘ of settlements that everybody agrees are no longer settlements — …that was risky in the sense that it may lead listeners to believe that the main reason there is not an Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement is the Israeli settlement policy,” he said:
HUNT: Do you disagree then with the President and Secretary Clinton that there ought to be a freeze — no growth in those settlements now?
LIEBERMAN: I do. I disagree.
It may not be the main reason why there is not an Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, but it is absolutely one of the main reasons. I really don’t care what the government of Israel believes, they do not have a “God-given right” to that land.
Sen Lieberman, it’s time to pick a country to support – Israel or the USA. Because Israel’s interests (and desires) are not always in alignment with ours. And when they are in conflict, your duty, Sen Lieberman, is to support this country first. I believe that is what a majority of Americans would expect you to do. And if you can’t, then you must resign from the Senate.
June 13th, 2009 at 10:59 amBrilliant catch -GB
Thanks. Yes, its ironic that many profiticians support Israels democratic system but dont support a a health care system like theirs for Americans.
June 13th, 2009 at 11:01 amPresident Truman offers national health program plan, proposing a single system that would include all of American society.
Truman’s plan is denounced by the American Medical Association (AMA) , and is called a Communist plot by a House subcommittee.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sixty years and little has changed in this regard even though 6 out of 10 doctors are for a national health insurance program.
As usual the profiticians throw out the socialist/communist canard….
June 13th, 2009 at 11:08 amIn an interview with Bloomberg’s Al Hunt, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT)…
Also, in an interview with NPR, Lieberman…
Lieberman will also be appearing on MTP tomorrow.
Why? Why is Joe Lieberman suddenly giving all these interviews? Is he trying to set himself up as the new leader of the Republican Party?
June 13th, 2009 at 11:12 amThat’s it. If Joe likes Obama, it’s done. Obama must suck.
June 13th, 2009 at 11:13 amI dont care that Joe supports Israel, thats his opinion. What I do care is that these profiticians dont listen to their constituents that they were elected to represent. Instead they have begun to think they were elected leaders whose opinions, bought and sold, is the direction the country should travel.
No. Joe. No. No. No.
June 13th, 2009 at 11:17 am“….that was risky in the sense that it may lead listeners to believe that the main reason there is not an Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement is the Israeli settlement policy,”
Well duh LIEberman. If that’s not the reason why there isn’t a peace agreement, perhaps you can tell us why it hasn’t happened.
LIEberman hasn’t changed a bit. I am still so angry with the Democratic party for letting him come back and allowing him to keep some seniority.
I don’t favor a public option because I think there’s plenty of competition in the private insurance market,” he argued.
Again, perhaps LIEberman can tell us where that competition is because I sure don’t see it. I tried to price out a policy for myself and I found the competition was $1,200 and $1,400 a month for a policy with a $5,000 deductible. Why? Because I’m over 50 and have a pre-existing condition. The only competition we have in our for-profit health system is the competition to see who can rip us off the most.
June 13th, 2009 at 11:18 amWell, lets hope that some of his other interviewers this weekend ask him to compare US healthcare to Israels and if private coverage is so much greater why is he keeping his government plan.
June 13th, 2009 at 11:19 amLieberman was a hawk against Iraq military occupation of Kuwait,and he supported the war against Iraq in 1990 , but since Israel now is the ‘occupier’ of Palestinians lands,it is ok with Joe.
Joe does not care if Israel is in violation of tens of UN Security resolutions regarding occupation of Palestinian lands,and is in in violation of UN charter itself.
By supporting the so called ‘natural growth’,Joe is repeating what Israeli government’s religious fanactics are saying, those who think that God somehow gave them the order to steal Palestinians lands.
I wonder if joe is related to the other Israeli religious fanatic ‘Lieberman’, who is running the foreign affairs of Bibi Natanyahu likud government. !!
June 13th, 2009 at 11:27 amHUNT: Do you disagree then with the President and Secretary Clinton that there ought to be a freeze — no growth in those settlements now?
LIEBERMAN: I do. I disagree.
I guess it wouldn’t be politically correct of me to suggest that Lieberman’s foreign policy agenda seems to put Israel’s interests ahead of the United States?
June 13th, 2009 at 11:32 amhanshiro @#18
June 13th, 2009 at 11:42 amThat was awesome! One of the reasons I visit this site is because I learn so much. Thanks!
I read where this investor, Bud Conrad IIRC, said a one day visit to the hospital for a broken arm has cost 100k and he is still getting bills, but the current admins plan wont work because the health industry, although broken, would spin out of control.
If its broken its already pretty much out of control. The insurance business has basically become a hedge fund, all for profit. and damn those investors with their risky health problems screwing it all up.
June 13th, 2009 at 11:46 amDoes anyone really care what the Senator from Tel Aviv thinks or says? Other than Joe himself, of course.
June 13th, 2009 at 12:00 pmRCIHF [Red Crooks Insurance Fund]: ‘Hello, Red Crooks health insurance hedge fund”
Joe Public: “I’d like to invest in some health insurance”
RCIHF: “Great, how much can you afford to invest?”
Joe Public: “I make minimum wage, what congress, with business lobbyist help, says is plenty.”
RCIHF: “I see, you are a poverty investor.”
Joe Public: “I have a few hundred a month left after food, rent, gas and clothing.”
RCIF: “Our minimum health investment is $2000 a month with a $10,000 deductible since poverty workers usually work in high risk environments…”
Joe Public: “Wow, that sounds like alot, I cant afford that.”
RCIHF: “You value life dont you?”
Joe Public: “Sure, but, you know I dont make much, the government, along with business, doesnt value my lifes work.”
RCIHF: “We have the lowest rates nationwide, if you dont have any existing conditions.”
Joe Public: “I had a car crash once, messed up my back, not my fault”
RCIHF: “Oh well, our investors of your money, with your pre-existing high risk, would need you to invest at least $2500 a month with a $25,000 deductible”
Joe Public: “Sham-Wow. Thats more than I make. What is the return on my investment on myself?”
RCIHF: “Your life, if we dont find any reason to reject your claim, plus 10% annually”
Joe Public: “Whats your rate of rejection?”
RCIHF: “We are a very conservative investor with your money and the rejection rate is 90%, wouldnt want others spending your investment on health care now would you?”
Joe Public: “I, I, I guess not”
RCIHF: “Great, can we sign you up?”
Joe Public: “Well let me see if I can sell a kidney and I will get back to you”
RCIHF: “We buy kidneys”
Joe Public: “Really?”
RCIHF: “Sure. We also sell and invest in tobacco products, can I sell you some chewing tobacco, cigarettes or snuff today?”
Joe Public: “Im more of a drinker.”
RCHIF: “Sorry to hear that, your rates will be higher than previously quoted. But we do invest and sell liquor as well.”
Joe Public: “Great. Send me a gallon of Jack Daniels and forget the insurance investment.”
RCHIF: “Good for your sir, keep that kidney preserved in alcohol before we harvest it.”
June 13th, 2009 at 12:11 pmtarazan Says:
By supporting the so called ‘natural growth’,Joe is repeating what Israeli government’s religious fanactics are saying, those who think that God somehow gave them the order to steal Palestinians lands.
Last night, All Things Considered had a piece on the financial support given to the colonies, er, settlements by American fundies.
Palestinians are not pleased:
I wouldn’t put money on that, Ms Khud. You’re not dealing with individuals with open minds, or individuals who even admit that you’re human. You’re in the way. You’re in the way of Eretz Israel and you’re in the way of The Rapture.
June 13th, 2009 at 12:19 pmIsrael thinks the land is given to them by God.
June 13th, 2009 at 12:39 pmPalestine thinks the land is theirs by God.
Until God gets out of the picture, how is this resolved.
Lieberman should just be voted out of office. He’s useless…
June 13th, 2009 at 12:41 pm“Put me down now as pleasantly encouraged by the first five months,” Lieberman said of Obama
Lieberman should be kissing the ground President Obama walks on!! It was Obama who insisted on keeping Lieberman in the Democratic caucus with all the privileges a senior Senator has.
June 13th, 2009 at 12:54 pmLiebermann can’t seem to decide if he is a neocon or not. Either way he doesn’t deserve to be a Democrat or run any committees.
June 13th, 2009 at 1:24 pmkrystalview
June 13th, 2009 at 1:39 pmYou are so correct.
Liebermann owes his political life to Obama and how does he show his appreciation? By giving him a qualified “approval.”
I truly hope the a$$ goes down in the next election and a real Democrat takes his place.
So, privileged enough to have the best health care in America – Socialized single-payer health care paid for by Americans — this POS doesn’t want the voters to have even a halfway decent public option?
It’s good enough for LIEberman – but not for us?
June 13th, 2009 at 3:47 pm*
The Israeli Lobby OWNS LIEberman.
June 13th, 2009 at 3:51 pm*
If there are any prayers out there, let us pray for the dumping of this self serving looney. If he had an idea of his own, it would die of loneliness.
June 13th, 2009 at 4:51 pm“He has been strong, particularly on foreign policy.”
Foreign policy which you disagree with on every point…
.
HUNT: Do you disagree then with the President and Secretary Clinton that there ought to be a freeze — no growth in those settlements now?
LIEBERMAN: I do. I disagree.
Blatantly missing follow-up question: “What purpose do you believe is served by intentionally growing settlements on the West Bank?”
June 13th, 2009 at 5:18 pmHEY CONNETICUT! Let Sen. Droopy Dog you want a public option on health care. Nothing will change if there is not a public option to keep the corprations honest.
Preciate it
June 13th, 2009 at 6:18 pmOther than members of the Bush administration, I can’t think of anyone in politics whose opinions matter less.
June 13th, 2009 at 10:10 pmRascalcat Says:
HEY CONNETICUT! Let Sen. Droopy Dog…
Oh, he only slipped through with heavy Republican voter support + confused Dems who didn’t pay attention to the primary but were used to voting for the most familiar name. I don’t think they’ll be fooled again, no matter what he does. He knows this is his last term in the Senate. He knew that going into this term. So he pretty much gets to do whatever he wants now – hence all the McCain support last year.
June 13th, 2009 at 10:56 pmen son videolar
June 14th, 2009 at 12:40 pmen son videolar
Is this Lieberman the Democrat or Lieberman the Independent making these observations? Does he know what he is? Is there a third personality at work here? Does anyone care?
Remember: Smokers suck butts!
June 15th, 2009 at 8:23 amJust one more OLD GUY that can’t or won’t changing his thinking.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:29 amIT is change time Joe, either get with it or go away..
SesliSohbet
June 15th, 2009 at 2:20 pmSeslichat
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