Indy Joe Pays Some Penance
EmailABC’s Z. Byron Wolf reports from Capitol Hill: With three races still unresolved, Democrats have so far picked up 6 new Senators in Tuesday’s election.
But they could lose a member too.
Sen. Joe Lieberman, who styles himself as an "Independent Democrat" after losing the Connecticut Democratic primary in 2006 but winning in the general election as an Independent, helped give Democrats the majority in 2006 by continuing to caucus with them.
“The people of Connecticut were good enough to reelect me to the United States Senate in 2006 as an Independent, and so I have tried since then to view the decisions that I make here in the Senate not through a partisan lens, but rather from the perspective of what I believe is right for my country and my state," Lieberman said today.
The view from behind that independent lens led Lieberman to back fellow hawk Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in the Presidential election.
With McCain and Republicans being rebuffed by voters, there is a desire among rank and file Democrats that there should be consequences for his insolence. It seems to be a foregone conclusion that Lieberman will lose his chairmanship of the high profile Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Reform.
The question is whether Lieberman’s punishment by Democrats and his relegation to the back bench of the caucus will be so painful for him that he will leave altogether and enter the minority wasteland currently inhabited by Republicans in the Senate.
A tough call for Lieberman, who beyond national security issues is still very progressive.
Republicans, despite the beating their numbers took on Tuesday have not indicated they are actively pursuing Lieberman as a member of their caucus.
Lieberman met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., this afternoon and after he spoke briefly to reporters, taking no questions, Lieberman pleaded for a bit more time.
"I want to spend some time in the next few days thinking about what Sen. Reid and I discussed and what my options are at this point and he promised me that he would do the same and we will continue these conversations."
Lieberman seemed to pursue some post-election mercy when he said, "The election is over and I completely agree with President-elect Obama that we must now unite to get our economy going again and keep the American people safe. That is exactly what I intend to do with my colleagues here in the Senate in support of our new President. And those are the standards I will use in considering the options I have before me. And of course I will ask others to do the same."
For the moment, it’s working for Lieberman. No decisions have been made by Democrats on what exactly to do with Indy Joe.
In a written statement after the meeting, Reid said: "While I understand that Senator Lieberman has voted with Democrats a majority of the time, his comments and actions have raised serious concerns among many in our caucus. I expect there to be additional discussions in the days to come, and Senator Lieberman and I will speak to our caucus in two weeks to discuss further steps.”
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Is there any way Connecticut can recall this punk?
Posted by: dem in chicago | November 6, 2008, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm
The Dems will probably make him some offer to keep his current position, so it will be all up to Joe. Does he really value his “principles” or does blatant power hold the real sway?
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | November 6, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
it’s not so much that he backed mccain, it’s that he had negative things to say about Obama. Had he just backed mccain and left it at that, he would probably be alright. You can have a difference in opinion, it’s when you get negative that it could come back to bite you.
Posted by: make it known | November 6, 2008, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
i dont know – I’m still failing to find much anger at Lieberman – in many many important ways (taxes, healthcare, choice, environment, gun control, entitlement programs, gay rights, workers rights … I could keep going) he is a true progressive to center left politician having little or nothing in common with the extreme right centric GOP
Posted by: ilvoter | November 6, 2008, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
The Dems have every right to be outraged by his disloyalty. After all, they were so loyal to him…
Posted by: Ed | November 6, 2008, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
It will show what sort of country we live in , when a man is persecuted for following his beliefs. Just because he is an Republican or a Democrat it does not tie him to them. Look at Colon Powell he is not a democrat but he followed his belief in who was the right person for the job. If Pelosi, Reid and even Obama because he could curtail this. If they try to remove Lieberman from his position, not because of his work, but because of his convictions, it will show exactly where this party is headed and that is not a good way to start, especially for a President who claims that he is for all people and will work on a bipartisan basis.
Posted by: Brenda | November 6, 2008, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
MEMO TO SEN. REID:
Cut him loose. You don’t need him. He can caucus with McCain, Opie Graham, and Ted Stevens. Seriously, Lieberman has to decide if the people of Connectucut deserve to have an effective senator for the next four years.
Posted by: B. Bear | November 6, 2008, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
There should be no negative consequences for Lieberman. What he did took courage. He stood up for what he believed in and showed that he actually wants to use the brain he was given. Knee-jerk conservatives and knee-jerk liberals are content to let a party do their thinking for them. We need more moderates who are governed by their conscience rather than any rigid ideology that doesn’t work in the real world.
Posted by: Will | November 6, 2008, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
Liberals hate anybody who thinks for themselves. It’s a given they’re going after him again.
Posted by: howwouldiknow | November 6, 2008, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
passing judgement before a decision is rendered…nothing has been said publically…just whispers and whispers of whispers. He will probably get to keep his committee. But the right is quick to jump and bring up the devisive politics they are so well known for.
Posted by: SwiftyPA | November 6, 2008, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
Kick Lieberman to the curb. He only wants to be on the side that’s winning. I could even accept him backing McCain. But, when he started bad-mouthing Obama, especially in his convention speech, that is what did him in. He is worthless.
Posted by: Dino | November 6, 2008, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
Palin-Lieberman 2012! Old Benedict sure painted himself into a corner. lol
Posted by: Abe | November 6, 2008, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
In fairness, Obama backed Lieberman during his difficult last Senate run. Lieberman did not repay the loyalty.
However, the Democrats should shrug off Lieberman’s “disloyalty” and continue to encourage him to caucus with them. Driving any ideological dissent out of the party is a good way to wind-up where the Republicans are now, fast.
Posted by: PO | November 6, 2008, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
Kick Joe Lieberman to the curb. The Democrats don’t need a dirty jew boy in the house.
Posted by: Vilma D'Souza | November 6, 2008, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
The Republicans don’t want him either. He’s too disloyal.
Posted by: Thomas Mc | November 6, 2008, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
For those of you who think Joe Lieberman is being persecuted, please realize that he is not.
For many years he served the citizens of Connecticut well, but in the past 8 years he has clearly only been in it for Joe.
Having respected him for 15 years I have lost all respect because he moves with the wind and doesn’t seem to keep in mind the constituents that he is supposed to be representing.
He hasn’t voted the way the citizens of CT have shown they expect. He has voted for whatever Joe believes in. That isn’t showing courage but is refusing to do the job you were elected to perform.
He should retire now and give all of us CT folks a break.
Posted by: ceeje | November 6, 2008, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
He didn’t just back McCain, he got himself on stage at the Republican National Convention and gave a speech supporting him and telling the World Obama was not ready.
Posted by: John | November 6, 2008, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
No reason exists for the earlier racist comment on this blog (see 2:43 pm). Name-calling, especially vile racist names, has no place in these discussions.
Posted by: Walt | November 6, 2008, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
Why should the Demo’s be lenient with LIEberman? First of all he isn’t a democrat. Should everyone forget his stunt of becoming an independent to run against the democratic candidate when he lost to him in the primary? LIEberman is a scumbag out for self and no one else. He thought that the Republican party would get away with stealing another election and chose wrong. Reid should send him on his way and tell him thanks but no thanks, we don’t need you Benedict LIEberman.
Posted by: beauzaq | November 6, 2008, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm
To all of the Obama supporters, whatever your reason for supporting him: We who opposed Obama will extend him and your chosen party EXACTLY the same sort of courtesy, respect, decency, support, cooperation, and assistance that you have so generously and enthusiastically given President Bush for the past 8 years, and we will ENJOY doing so, just as YOU have all this time. In fact, we’ll try to be even MORE generous! Elephants have LONG memories, you know.
Posted by: lightnin | November 6, 2008, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm
lightnin is still full of that RNC Kool-aid… lightnin please speak out as loud as you can. This way in 2012 more of your republican bigotted faithful will bite the dust just as they did in 06, 08, and soon to come in 2010. I appreciate the fact that you mouthbreathers are too dumb to figure out your campaigns of hate and bigotry no longer work. Good luck with that…
:-)
Posted by: beauzaq | November 6, 2008, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
lightnin,
We have even longer memories than you. We remember exactly how your side treated President Clinton in the 90s. Unfortunately for you, we have the younger voters on our side and they will be around longer than you. Good luck, your party is going to need it.
Posted by: tony | November 6, 2008, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm
AS it turned out, Lieberman’s affiliation with Bush and McCain turned out to be totally irrelevant.
Perhaps that is the best way to approach him, as a totally irrelevant politician, who poses absolutely no threat, but who can still be useful to the Democratic Party. After all, Joe knows what side his bread is buttered on, and that the Repuglicans are not exactly beating a path to his door to thank him for all his help. They don’t want him, so we might as well keep him for whatever usefulness can still be squeezed out of him.
Posted by: Biggs | November 6, 2008, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
AW, c’mon, lightnin. How can you say the Democrats didn’t support Bushy? We gave him permission to start his own personal war. How many other children get to do that?
Posted by: Biggs | November 6, 2008, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
Lieberman is full of himself and stood by as McCain ran the dirtiest campaign in history against an honorable man. Get rid of him, he’s a power hungry, ego-oriented coward.
Posted by: BluesCat | November 6, 2008, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
Where’s Joe the Plumber???? Never heard of him now.
Posted by: michael | November 6, 2008, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
While there’s no underestimating the stupidity of Dingy Harry, Dems should remember that they will eventually need Lieberman’s vote in a filibuster fight. If they punish him, it’ll come back to bite them in the &*@.
Posted by: TJ | November 6, 2008, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
Hey LIEberman….your days are numbered!! You are Israel’s “Senator”; NOT those of us in CT. You WILL be voted OUT next election!! YOU and Dodd and our do-nothing/good-for-nothing Gov Rell.
BUH-BYE!
Posted by: MsRotten | November 6, 2008, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
http://liebermanmustgo.com/
54,544 signers and counting….
Posted by: MsRotten | November 6, 2008, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
To all of the Obama supporters, whatever your reason for supporting him: We who opposed Obama will extend him and your chosen party EXACTLY the same sort of courtesy, respect, decency, support, cooperation, and assistance that you have so generously and enthusiastically given President Bush for the past 8 years, and we will ENJOY doing so, just as YOU have all this time. In fact, we’ll try to be even MORE generous! Elephants have LONG memories, you know.
Posted by: lightnin | Nov 6, 2008 3:52:19 PM
==============================
Oh PLEASE!! Bush/Cheney are WAR CRIMINALS!! They are both pieces of s h i t !
They both need to be put behind bars. Better yet…let’s do some waterboarding with them at Gitmo!
Posted by: MsRotten | November 6, 2008, 6:09 pm 6:09 pm
Yeah, so much for getting past the petty party politics.
Joe actually tells the truth about Obama and the party hacks demand his head. How DARE he offer an honest opinion. HOW DARE he go against the ‘Borg!
Sounds like more of the same old Chicago THUG politics to me.
Posted by: Constitutionally Speaking | November 6, 2008, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm
Lieberman is a hack senator.
Posted by: tehevo | November 7, 2008, 3:17 am 3:17 am
Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton attacked Obama and said he wasn’t ready…the Dems going to kick them out, too?
Posted by: Grand Old Party | November 7, 2008, 3:54 am 3:54 am
Joe and Hillary were running against him. When their Bid for the office was lost, they supported him openly and honestly.
Joe “The Stumper” Lieberman has been duly elected by his state and deserves that respect. All else he has to earn, daily. No call to punish him, but nor a reason to trust him with powerful positions.
Posted by: Dewy | November 7, 2008, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
I would think that the Demos would play nice with–you never know when you might need him.
Posted by: StLouisMan | November 11, 2008, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm