Think Progress

Lieberman in 1994: Filibuster is ‘unfair’ and it isn’t ‘right’ to use it to obstruct major legislation.

reddIn recent days, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) has raised the ire of health care advocates by threatening to filibuster Senate health care legislation unless the public option is removed from it, a move that was a boon to the stock prices of major health insurance companies. Lieberman was singing a different tune in 1994, however. At that time Lieberman, a freshman senator, was working with Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) to introduce legislation that would drastically weaken the power of the filiibuster. HuffPost’s Sam Stein recalls that the Connecticut senator said it was “unfair” to use the filibuster to threaten major legislation and argued it isn’t “right” to use it to obstruct progress:

The whole process of individual senators being able to hold up legislation, which in a sense is an extension of the filibuster because the hold has been understood in one way to be a threat to filibuster — it’s just unfair.”

“I’m very proud to be standing here with Tom [Harkin] as two Democrats saying that we’re going to begin this fight, because we’ve just been stung by the filibuster for a period of years, and even though the tables have now turned, it doesn’t make it right for us to use this instrument that we so vilified.”



57 Responses to “Lieberman in 1994: Filibuster is ‘unfair’ and it isn’t ‘right’ to use it to obstruct major legislation.”

  1. raynman says:

    I was for it before I was against it….

    hmmm, now where have I heard that before….


  2. Xisithrus says:

    Well, Joe, what say you about this contradiction?


  3. Bozo The Neoclown says:

    i feel both proud and honored to call this attention seeking whore my senator.


  4. jb says:

    This guy toots out both ends at once.


  5. zxbe says:

    Apparently it’s only unfair when it’s used against your side.


  6. P.D. says:

    Joe is fast running out of friends. Even in CT. He is losing big time. Now he is openly saying he will stump for Repugs in 2010. Go ahead, Joe. Lose it all.


  7. jb says:

    If Joe the traitor wants to filibuster with the Repugnants against helping the American people having access to affordable health care, then make them stand up there and work their slack jaws for all to see.


  8. Bozo The Neoclown says:

    Ten bucks says whiny assed lieberman stumps for crazy assed rob simmons here in connecticut against dodd for the senate seat next year.


  9. delafield says:

    I think that Joe Lieberman doesn’t give a damn about American men, women, and children.


  10. angels81 says:

    Its time Reid takes away this clowns chairmanships and kicks his ass out of the Democratic caucus. Lets see how much the repugs want this clown.


  11. jb says:

    Its a debate they have lost, so if they insist on continuing with a filibuster, them make them actually DO A FILIBUSTER. Otherwise known as advertising their ignorance. Win win.


  12. P.D. says:

    If Joe wants to go down in history as the man who denied MILLIONS of Americans with life saving Health Care, let him. What a legacy. As for the Dems? get a friggin spine and take away everything.


  13. jb says:

    What does Joe want? An even bigger gift of shrinking tax revenues to the Insurance criminals?


  14. lurkmode says:

    What a freaking sellout! Voters, you know what to do!


  15. okie dokie says:

    Joe’s first consideration is always Israel.
    I’m sure a universal public option would put a crimp in the cash flow of American dollars spent there. Not to mention the many corporate lobbys sympathetic to Israel, but fighting against government run healthcare, here.
    Joe’s loyalties are no secret.


  16. UKBristolDave01 says:

    Wow, politicians are hypocrites and change their positions to suit what is needed at the time.

    In other news, the Pope is Catholic and bears shit in the woods.


  17. stewarjt says:

    His own blatant contradictions, hypocrisy, constituent needs roll right off him like water off a duck.


  18. jb says:

    Just because there is so much hypocrisy associated with Joe, doesn’t mean it should not be aired out in public. Even politicians should stand for SOMETHING.


  19. Lefty Liberal says:

    The problem with trying to punish Lieberman is that the Democrats would have to grow spines, especially Harry Reid. That will happen about the same time pigs fly (no offense to pigs).

    I say let him filibuster and campaign for Republicans. He will be in serious trouble in the next election once people see who he really is.


  20. EnnuiDivine says:

    He was for it before he was agin’ it.

    I give it about a week after he flips parties before the GOP finds him a weak-kneed sycophantic RINO with no redeeming value as a public servant. Something Dems have known for years.


  21. Marie says:

    I know that sending the jerk an email won’t have any effect on him, but I did it anyway — I feel better.


  22. missmolly says:

    okie dokie says
    October 30th, 2009 at 3:48 pm

    Joe’s first consideration is always Israel.
    _____________________________________________________________

    Yes, but I’m sure his second consideration is that he represents a state with a LOT of insurance companies.

    (Of course, this hasn’t stopped Dodd from supporting a public option.)


  23. jb says:

    The Senate is not a tea bagger party. Make them actually try and filibuster. Let the voters see who these people are and what they do or don’t stand for. Joe and Repugs are great with the bumper sticker slogans, but actual thought out unpaid for positions, well not so much.


  24. EnnuiDivine says:

    It’s a shame that Lieberman has aligned with the Israeli Hawks.

    Schumer
    Feingold
    Specter
    Feinstein
    Waxman
    Frank
    Nadler

    (coutless others)

    All Congressmen/women who are pro-Israel, pro-Peace, and pro-putting America first.


  25. Pilotshark says:

    Its to bad that he can not move to be a repug as if he did he would lose all of his clout with the repugs. cause as it stands now he is in a position the repugs can use him.
    and yes the big word there was USE as thats all the repugs want him for, cause he has no pull.


  26. paleolib says:

    As Boehner says whenever called on his own inconsistencies “that was a different time.” For example, Droopy was actually a Democrat in 1994.


  27. hellinabucket says:

    All the more reason for Harry Reid to change back the rules of the fillibuster and make smokey Joe stand on the floor and speak for hours and hours.


  28. DaveG says:

    Hmmm, someone completely lost their soul along the way. This appears to be the kind of flip-flop only a large amount of under-the-table money can make happen.

    I’d like to filibuster his face!


  29. Chyron HR says:

    Remember when Joe thought that he was going to be McCain’s running mate in 2008? Funny how that deal fell through, but he’s sure THIS time the Republicans aren’t just using him!

    Battered. Wife. Syndrome.


  30. Buckie Boy says:

    Joe is just a self serving sh!thead.


  31. Ape-Man says:

    This is Joe’s big religious test. His soul is on the line.


  32. RUCerious says:

    I still don’t get why the Dems don’t just let the Republiklans and their cronies fillibuster. For days, weeks, or months. Just let them go on and onandononandononandononandononandononandononandononandononandononandononandononandon
    Let the TV cameras be rolling onandononandononandononandononandononandononandononandononandon
    let the American public know who’s responsible for killing them.


  33. katy says:

    somebody good at it, should find the audio that randi rhodes plays,
    of LIEberman, during his 06 campaign, about working hard for “universal health care” for his constituents…

    from the googlenews page:
    .
    Stocks ending October on massive sell-off
    Washington Post – 40 minutes ago

    was that on purpose? can’t let obama’s plan work?
    ?
    .
    Obama administration fires back at Edmunds.com on ‘Cash for Clunkers’ analysis
    USA Today – 40 minutes ago

    what happened? just glad to see “fires back at”…

    .?
    US says Honduras deal paves way for legit election
    Reuters – 47 minutes ago?

    uh oh… someone’s plans got foiled…


  34. Doc Rock says:

    What a complete sell out! No wonder Don Imus always loved him and VICE versa.


  35. P.D. says:

    Let’s see how the people in CT. react to this. After all he has to face his constituants doesn’t he? I wonder how they will feel when they realize good ole Joe could be responible for killing this Bill. You know, all those Blue Collar workers and young families. I have a feeling Joe is going to be extremely unpopular.


  36. katy says:

    Lefty Liberal says:
    [...]
    I say let him filibuster and campaign for Republicans. He will be in serious trouble in the next election once people see who he really is.

    these actions pretty much say he won’t be running again…

    he’s gettin’ while the gettin’s good.

    i hope to all the gods and spirits that he fails.


  37. had enough says:

    delafield says:

    I think that Joe Lieberman doesn’t give a damn about American men, women, and children.

    This is way out there but,…Are some greedily getting all they can regardless of the ruins they cause in order to step out of the mess in case a big crash happens? Because of the unusually high degree of greedy calloused behaviors my thoughts go there.


  38. Jackie says:

    Liberman’s pass speeches show his stronge positions but he was brought and paid for. Yes the final payment was that famous kiss he placed on then George W. Bush. Lieberman has been working hard with the Republicans to advance Israel’s land position and the pre empt illegal attack on Iran. Notice how in 2004 and 2006 Liberman spoke proudly of his Health Care Plan that sounds much like President Obamas. Now Joe Liberman will continue to work for Republicans while giving lip service to the Democrats. Remember how Judas loved Jesus then turned him in and asked for forgiveness. Pelosi and Reid knew Liberman would work for Republicans as they got their kick backs to act stupid. The voters of Conn. are the one’s being made for fools as they believed his lies and voted him in.


  39. Xisithrus says:

    Stocks ending October on massive sell-off
    Washington Post – 40 minutes ago

    Its because of what Jebby said

    Okay..I dunno why…kidding =)


  40. had enough says:

    Katy @ 33

    The diagram we all learned in school about the balance of powers Judicial=Executive=Legislative is no longer true.

    There needs to be a huge box above the 3 called corporate powers which includes defense, media, insurance, Big Pharma… as they all are helping and are invested in one another and they run the show… and eventually the world.


  41. tarazan says:

    It is amazing how Democrats,and specially Senator Reid still trust and love this man.
    He left his party overnight after losing the Democrats Senate race of Connecticut to Ned Lamont,and became an Independent,then he was acting as a Republican all the time campaigning against Obama with McCain.He even addressed the Republicans Convention attacking Democrats.
    He was always like McCain’s shadow, both seen together all the time.The Democrats later let him caucus with them and then gave him the chairmanship of Homeland Security Committee in the Senate.
    He is now threatening to filibuster the health bill that Democrats are trying to pass in the Senate.
    Multi colored Lieberman must not be given the respect that Democrats are giving and particulary Senator majority leader Reid .
    I say dump him…and reduce him to nothing.
    It is about time.


  42. 00mpp00 says:

    Joe is obviously missing the spotlight he so gleefully took part in during McCain’s campaign and is simply dying for media attention. These successive quotes are pure garbage, meant for shock value.

    http://www.political-buzz.com/


  43. katy says:

    not so ‘way out there’, had enough @37…

    i was just telling my mom of a hypothesis of mine…
    that the jobs aren’t picking back up mainly because, after
    layoffs and reductions, the productivity stayed relatively
    comfortable (for the bottom line and boss’s bank account),
    so why hire more people, and all that entails…?

    it’s all about the greed…


  44. katy says:

    i mean, here in central illinois, a Honeywell plant is moving to mexico…

    HOW CAN THAT BE???!!!!!!!!!

    something like 50 people… 50 families… and all the rest…

    what kind of company does that?


  45. Xisithrus says:

    i was just telling my mom of a hypothesis of mine…

    That and I think when oil costs skyrocketed to 140 a barrel


  46. katy says:

    Jackie says:
    [all truth]
    The voters of Conn. are the one’s being made for fools as they believed his lies and voted him in.

    from what i remember, most of those voters were republicans…
    an obvious campaign to keep lamont from the win…
    not even any real support for the (R) candidate…


  47. dasm says:

    Lieberman is a lying, flip-flopping piece of garbage. Turf him out, never to return again. Who needs lying, dithering a**holes like Lieberman trying to control the country? He loves to block/filibuster, but has absolutely no idea what to do to improve the country. Epitome of a loser/ignorant/flip-flopping liar. And hated by so many intelligent Americans.


  48. susancarrie says:

    Lord…. gives whores a bad name…


  49. marcozandrini says:

  50. Bilbo Hussein Baggins says:

    And in 2006 while running for re-election he said he supported Single Payer government run health care reform. But that was then and this is now. He knows his political career is toast. He will never again be elected by Democrats or Independents and the Republicans don’t want him. So, he’s aligning himself with the health insurance industry to ensure a cushy, well paid job, when he is out of office.

    He is an opportunist and a Judas. He also has no moral compass.


  51. Bilbo Hussein Baggins says:

    P.D. says:
    Let’s see how the people in CT. react to this. After all he has to face his constituants doesn’t he? I wonder how they will feel when they realize good ole Joe could be responible for killing this Bill. You know, all those Blue Collar workers and young families. I have a feeling Joe is going to be extremely unpopular.

    He is already extremely unpopular in CT and recent polls show that there’s no way he will ever be elected by them again. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a way for the voters in CT to recall him. I can’t believe that they don’t have some way to recall a Senator who has become a Judas.


  52. Bilbo Hussein Baggins says:

    Marie says:
    I know that sending the jerk an email won’t have any effect on him, but I did it anyway — I feel better.

    I did the same a couple of days ago. Wait until you get his return e-mail. It is a page of doublespeak. I would have shot back a reply, but those e-mails always bounce when you try to reply to them.


  53. change08 says:

    Lieberman is one sorry man who has no right to be in the Senate. He is one of the sorriest idiots who pulled that stunt of running as an Independent when he lost as a Democrat. President Obama better got wise to this serpent of republican policies and ideals. He needs to be punished and removed from any chairmanships and positions of authority in the Democratic caucus.


  54. jwmuiyaai says:

    But denying healthcare to hardworking Americans is perfectly okay, right Joe? What possible reason did Obama have to allow this traitor to keep his position? Campaigning for a repug wasn’t enough to show he isn’t on our side?


  55. WaltTheMan says:

    Just warm up the Bar-B and we can have some ribs and jowls. Connecticut has delivered little prime meat in a century. It’s all pork for the entire time span except for Ribicoff.


  56. The Shadow says:

    Hey guys why not contact this idiot and let him know how you really feel about him being a sell out. His phone number is 1-202-224-4041 in Washington, DC and his office phone in CT is 1-860-549-8463. If you want to fax him then send your message to: 1-202-224-9750 in Washington or 1-860-549-8478 in CT. I’ve already given him a piece of my mind, so why don’t you. It’s the only way he’s going to get the MESSAGE! We also need to give money and work any way we can to defeat this sell out when he runs for re-election in 2012.


  57. Liberalviewer1 says:

    We know the kind of man this guy is. He only looks after himself and the special interest groups he represents. Sickening!



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