Joe Lieberman gives an intereview to (wait for it) NewsMax and spews his usual tripe about anyone who doesn't agree with him being a partisan and a traitor, but this time it's George Soros he attacks:
Taking aim at billionaire George Soros, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman calls Soros' views on America "so negative, so critical, and so often anti- American."
In an exclusive interview with NewsMax Magazine (in the July edition now on newsstands), Lieberman described Soros, a major source of funding for Democratic causes, as representing "everything that's
wrong."Lieberman and his interview were featured as part of the cover story of NewsMax's Magazine's "Power 25: Joe Lieberman and the People Who Really Run Congress" - which reveals the 25 most effective members of the House and Senate.
Defender of the United States
In his talk with NewsMax, Lieberman explains why he feels so strongly about Iran's weapons program and offers a surprising assessment about Sen. Hillary Clinton. But Lieberman's most pointed critique was aimed squarely at George Soros.
Lieberman says of Soros, "His view of America is so negative. The places he's put his money are, in my opinion, so destructive that it unsettles me."
Soros, who gave $18 million to Democratic advocacy groups seeking to defeat President Bush in 2004, has said he supports Barack Obama for 2008.
That troubles Lieberman, who says he doesn't respect Soros' values.
Soros is a major Democratic funder and if I was him I'd slam my checkbook shut and tell the Democrats to stick it as long as they keep empowering Lieberman with, among other things, his cherry seat as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, a perch from where he obstructs any meaningful oversight into the crimes of the Republicans who got him elected. That Lieberman is now not only raising money for Republicans but attacking key sources of Democratic financing should be a signal that empowering him has been and continues to be extremely dangerous. When you want to destroy something, you go after its financing. Joe wants to destroy the Democratic Party. I really don't know how it can be any clearer.
None of the 08 candidates, save John Edwards, has had the stones to speak out against Lieberman and his insane calls to attack Iran. Joe has now placed Obama in an extremely precarious position where, in order to defend a loyal supporter, he has to also feed into all the right wing narratives that attend Soros. He ought to have the guts to do it anyway. But Joe will just keep running his mouth and finding more ways to damage the party until Harry Reid and other key members of the Democratic Senate leadershp figure out a way to put meaningful daylight between Joe and the party.
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g’morning, Jane!
Part of the problem is that ‘be polite to your colleagues’ attitude that got JoeL support last year. I don’t have a problem with being polite, but it should end at the point when the ‘colleague’ starts treating you like a doormat. JoeL passed that point last August.
what weapons program????
the one that lives with the iraqi weapons program in his head?
… and we’re back!
I wonder if this is what the citizens of CT wanted from their Senator when they gave Joe yet another term?
If Lieberman made a neon sign that said I’m switching parties! I’m a Republican! it wouldn’t be any more obvious than what he’s doing now. Jeebus.
The question is when, and what the hell is he waiting for?
Badwater @ 5
It’s certainly what Karl Rove wanted when he bought RGJoe this term!
Harry hugs loose cannon. Hilarity ensues.
One person Holy Joe will not be calling a traitor or a partisan is Mary Landrieu, the only Democrat– if you call people who vote just like Lieberman “Democrats”– likely to lose her seat next year. I just wrote about how 2008 is shaping up to be a great year for Democrats and how Landrieu would probably be the only Democratic incumbent to lose her seat. I found a great photo of her, not in New Orleans, but in Connecticut, campaigning against Democrat Ned Lamont and in favor of the BushCheneyRove candidate.
This is wild. I don’t even know what planet this guy’s on now and he was Gore’s running mate !
Was it a 9/11 pants-peeing on the Road To Damascus moment ?
Obama should denounce this stance, and declare that the security and interests of other countries like Israel takes a back seat to the United States. Lieberman is obviously a progressive in name only, and is a neo-con along with the other ardent supporters of israel in this administration.
Hey Lieberman—
Where are the Katrina hearings?
We’re waiting.
July 16-19 Holy Joe is the featured speaker at a hate rally in DC of anti-semites called Christians United For Israel. Basically this will be a Bomb Iran Rally. The man has lost his mind.
So is Lieberman an iDINO nowadays?
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again:
Joe Lieberman can go straight to hell as far as I’m concerned.
“The Jewish people now have a voice in America. It’s the church of Jesus Christ.” Go, Joe, go!
Can’t Harry strip him of his chairmanships now?
That Joe says the DARNEST things…Loser Joe- turnin gooper just when goopers are about as popular as skunks. Gotta wonder who does his political thinking!!
Tim @ 10
Yes, and as a result of the epiphany, he changed his name from Joe to Schmoe!
Joe Lieberman as Chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee is a big joke on the country. And the Dems put him there.
That’s right, Biodun. And that is the very reason why he has not changed parties. He would lose all seniority on committees if he did. Time to take him to task.
Jane Hamsher - a one-woman Rapid Response team to Joe Lie…
Nemo @ 17
No, that would take huevos.
Lieberman has been readin Scoop Jackson newsclippings and fancies himself bein elevated to a higher power on the strength of his “strong defense” positions. He’s delusional of course. He ain’t goin anywhere except to a shitter near you.
george soros has done more to promote democracy and civil society in this world than that pissy little shit from connecticut.
Soros knows that the choice the Democrats had was to let Lieberman keep his seat or watch him defect and give the Republicans control of the Senate.
The Democrats are already producing more oversight than the news media can handle. They get confused if they have to think too hard or there is too much information for them to handle.
Joe ceased to be any use to the Republicans after he ceased being a Democrat.They can’t claim bipartisan support for the war any more. With Lugar’s defection it is the anti-war cause that is bipartisan.
Don’t expect Joe to stay around too long after it is clear that the US is going to quit Iraq, is not going to invade Iran and has no intention of fighting any more wars for the L*k*d vision of Israel.
~~~ModNote: content edited to clear filters.~~~
Of course he’s mad that Soros didn’t donate his billions in a Mutual of Joe Lieberman policy.
Oooh, I just love Jane’s posts.
Anyone who does not agree with Lieberman, is found to be too partisan and unpatriotic by him. Lieberman needs to be silenced. How does he fare in the Senate with members of the democratic party? Is he liked? This phony senatorial collegiality needs to stop.
Can anyone come up with a serious conjecture as to what Joe thinks he’s doing? It’s as if he’s running for something- but there’s nothing to run to. I don’t get it.
Zell Lieberman lives.
Lieberman=Poop Jackson.
What a tool.
-GSD
I think this is my “quote for the day”. Sure there’s adult supervision: Uncle Dick. Been in the driver’s seat since 2000.
Stop this little man:
Lieberman calls for wider use of surveillance cameras.
What comes around goes around there, Shortride. Remember that.
I cannot,for the life of me, figure out why Reid hasn’t publicly B*tch slapped HoJO on his Republican fundraising.Thats over the top in my book.
Bad enough the summbich blocking investigations and running his yap.
Kick him to the curb like the treacherous whore he is.
And where does anyone get off telling a billionaire how to spend his money wisely? It just sounds so Soviet.
Talk about Sour Grapes!
Joe, who believes wire tapping Americans is okay and loses a primary and changes parties but says he will still stay with and caucus with dems, calls George Soros anti-american. Sorry Jane but WTF.
Lieberman like Bush has 18 months left before sliding into oblivion. He won’t be running again in 2012. He won’t be important after January 2009 so he’s making the most of what he has now. He is showing us the real Lieberman for anyone who wasn’t sure before. A whining, self-important pipsqueak who strains at gnats and swallows camels. He will continue to give cover to Republican obstruction in the Congress, you know what he calls bipartisanship. He will continue to attack Democrats, call them traitors, and then bemoan the lack of civility in politics. If there was karma in the universe, he would be a sore on Bush’s butt.
Joe Lieberman: D-Tel Aviv.
Lieberman ending an unimpressive career just as he began it- stupidly.
Does Lieberman support pardoning Libby?
pretty much; yes….
Lieberman has two issues- pornography and Israel-.
1.) Remove Lieberman from Homeland Security Chair position. Today.
2.) Launch impeachment proceedings. Gonzales. Cheney. Bush. Am I forgetting anyone? See Ray McGovern’s piece about impeachment on Common Dreams. He is very smart, very savvy.
3.) Spread the word.
I agree, although if this move actually worked, it would fuel all those wingnut conspiracy theories about Soros’s power.
GeorgeSimian @ 41
Does a frog have a water tight asshole?
Hugh @ 38
I’m afraid you’re right again, Hugh. But I fear that there is karma, and it is directed entirely at me for voting the Nader ticket in 2000. Mea Culpa!
Real Time @ 39
correction: CT4-Tel or I-Tel
Tim @ 42
joe is to israel just like joe is to usa democrats.
he’s bad for both, while claiming to be an ally.
Hi Jane!
Check your email.
Congrats on finishing to chemo.
John
Unless you voted in Florida- you get a pass.
OffT:
CNN’s report on Laura Bush’s trip to Africa is called “African Mission in Review“
wtf?
Great point, Selise
Bustednuckles @ 45
I don’t know! *g*
rwcole @ 51
Minnesota. We were safe and the independent ticket needed the support.
exactly. That someone with such a passionate attachment to a country other than the USA has the gall to attack others as unpatriotic is amazing.
Why does Harry Reid hesitate to make the obvious move and strip Joe Lieberman of his committee assignments?
It’s not because he’s being polite, is it?
Posters on the “Give Em Hell, Harry” website have repeatedly urged Harry to shut the gate on ‘Fencejumper Joe’.
Are there hidden influences preventing Harry from exercising his responsibility to the Democratic Party?
Goddammit, Harry, give Joe the pink slip.
Since neocons hold less sway in Israel than the United States, I think Joe is better described as CFL-AEI.
johnSwifty @ 55
We will never be safe until the Rethuglicans are out of the White House. Don’t do it again, please and thank you.
Nemo @ 17
I’m not sure on the details here. Does anyone know? My impression is that Joe can’t be stripped of his chairmanship for the same reason that if he finally comes out and announces he’s a rethug the committee chairs won’t change even though the balance will tip to the rethugs when shooter’s vote is added in. Doesn’t the organizing resolution lock this in?
Now that he’s dissed a fellow Jew, a Holocaust survivor no less, will other Jewish legislators (et al.) finally stop covering for him? Let’s trade him and Scooter to the Baptists for Al Gore and a senior staffer to be named later.
Maybe George Soros and Penny Pritzker Obama’s campaign finance chair could have a friendly talk with Holy Joe’s political contributers between the two of them I’m sure they could buy out or just ruin a few of them. Throw in Warren Buffet, Steve Jobs, Steven Spielberg and thats a lot of money Joe is pissing off. Plus with the exception of Penny all our people made their own money without government contracts or trust funds. Why are all the big name self made rich folks with us I thought Newt said they supported Republican (cough) values? Apparnently its only trust fund babies with piles of old money and government contract corporate welfare Dick Cheney types supporting the GOP. We really need to push the self made man is a Democrat as a talking point. Rupert by using his media empire to support politicans/bribe them is another corporate welfare person getting the special treatment. Why anyone voted for trustfund baby drove 2? 3? companies into bankrupcy/and or had his dads friends by out the failing businesses is beyound me. We need change at the top letting Bush and not the Generals run the Iraq war is why we are loosing to a third world country. If any GOP talking head says Bush is listening to the Generals and is not to blame for loosing the war then ask them what ever happened to General Shinski.
barbara @ 59
“Independent Party: Unsafe for Any Vote?”
There is one hidden silver lining in this f*cking ugly cloud.
It’s obvious that Rove is desperate to muddy news about Democrats and their funders, because he relies so very heavily on Lieberman to carry water right now.
Where are all the perfectly good water carriers that are card-carrying Republicans, after all? Is no one listening to them if they under our noses? Is the fact that being a Republican is such a liability that they have to ask the failed frontman for the Connecticut for Lieberman party to speak for them??
I think we can officially begin to order the coffin nails and the burial plot for the Republican Party.
OT, except it is still an a-hole.
Think Progress reminds us today is the anniversary of Bush’s infamous ‘Bring ‘em on’ comment.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/02/bring-em-on/
Bustednuckles @ 47
I always thought there was a hyphen there…
My bad.
Wasn’t it a liberal Republican (Weicker) that Joe replaced? Another great moment in DLC history…
Yeah I think you can type it “ass-hole” if you want.
Imo, we need to push Reid hard on ShortRide. He is an albatross and and an embarassment to the Dem Party. I have already emailed Reid once saying that as long as a traitor like Holy Joe is allowed seniority in a party he constantly derides there is no way I’m coming back to the Dem Party. Cut him loose, he must go. It seems like such an easy decision, I just don’t get why it hasn’t happened.
I’m a big fan of Al Gore. Very big fan. But I have yet to hear an explanation for having Joe Lieberman on his ticket. And it certainly calls into question how badly Gore might have been undermined from the inside of his own campaign.
“I found a great photo of her, not in New Orleans, but in Connecticut, campaigning against Democrat Ned Lamont and in favor of the BushCheneyRove candidate.”
thanks, howieklein….
you know, names stick in your mind when you chose between saving $25 for your own retirement or contributing it to a needy Democratic party candidate in 2006. Mary Landreau is just such a name, and you can believe I’m not sending her another dime–ditto for all those other rotten “Democrats” who campaigned in 2006 and got a contribution from me and who now vote with the Republicans.
“fool me once, shame on you…fool me twice, shame on me.”
While Hugh @39 is exactly right on the little fellow’s motivation in this scummery, realworld@61 has the reason the Dems can’t take him out of the HS Chair — he’s written into the organizing resolution as Committee Chair. That means the same resolution that keeps the Dems in the majority even if the numbers flip (should Lieberman flip) keeps little Joementum in the chairmanship of that Committee.
Can the organizing resolution be amended, since JoeL isn’t a Democrat?
Harry, are you listening??
Lieberman is losing it. From the start he has seen the Iraq invasion and subsequent Occupation through the lens of Israel’s quick victory in 1967 and its subsequent occupation of the West Bank. That perspective was shared — implicitly and no doubt for some, explicitly — by the Bush administration, which has pursued a similar strategy and tactics in a context where unlike in Palestine, which had no army or previous state of its own, it was guaranteed to fail. Lieberman’s hysterical reaction to our palpable failure to replicate the Israeli occupation represents his visceral fear that the same thing might eventually happen to Israel. He conflates the two situations.
There is no hope for him. What’s worse, in the degree that his views come to be identified by the public as being more pro-Israel than pro-American, he risks precipitating an anti-Israel reaction among a people who would prefer not to blame themselves for the damage they have wrought on others.
Harry can you hear me?
How is it that Lieberman still has any credibility left in DC? Does Cheney call Timmeh and order him to put Joe on that week’s MTP? Because other than taking marching orders from the VP’s office, I just don’t understand how Lieberman merits any serious consideration of his “views.”
Shouldn’t Reid be calling the media outlets and discourage them from booking Lieberman by saying that he does not represent the current thinking of the Democratic leadership? Isn’t it time to play some hardball with the sniveling little whiner?
barbara @ 70
Think DLC !
Wilhelm Reich to Joe Lieberman: Listen, Little Man!
barbara @ 70
i’m a big fan of gore too… (fingers crosses he will run for pres). but, no illusions - he’s not a saint. i think his support for nafta was both lame and was what encouraged a lot of people to vote for nader in 2000 (say what you want about nader - on nafta, he was right and gore was wrong).
Liarman is watching way too much Billo.
Jane!!!
I hope you are walking and drinking your water.
It should be noted that part of Joe’s continued spiraling away from reality is how desperate he has become to be seen as relevant- especially as his hawkish stance on Iraq is further marginalized. It is clear that the right wing is interested in propping him up as a payback to his pandering. The cover for his oral favor called interview to NewsMax was about him being one of the 25 most powerful people in Congress. That is bullshit and only becomes more bullshit as Joe becomes more crazy everyday. Thanks for helping to drive him nuts.
Love you
I don’t really give a shit what they do with Uncle Joe- as long as dems stay in control of the senate. He’s annoying but impotent.
OT Jane,s post seems to have raised the pups blood pressure
The worst mistake of Gore’s political career was running with Lieberman.
Joe called for Gore to concede and let Bush have the presidency.
Bustednuckles @ 47
LOL!!!!!!
I have yet to forgive Boxer for walking around CT, smiling for Liarman.
Everytime I hear him speak, I think of him as Fran Drescher after being painted by Salvador Dali… melting all over the branches of the government like gubmint cheese.
Biodun @ 20
To defend the Dems, and Reid, which I really do not want to do, but will…. putting Joe on the HSC Chair was to have his vote to allow the Dems to have a ruling majority in order to form the 107th Senate in their favor. Otherwise, Joe could have gone with the Repubs and they would have had committee control. Also, Reid cannot remove Joey because his chairmanship is part of the rules that formed this Senate. Ooops!
Now some might ask, why didn’t Joe just flip and get the same deal? Well, then Joey would be ineffectual as a “Democratic” spokesman that the media likes to portray him as, even though he was kicked out of the party by the voters of CT. Joezeblle would just be another whore in the Republican whore house, and not a very attractive one at that. Where he is now, ready as a “Democratic” mouthpiece (until the real Dems tell him to fuck off), poised to stab his knife, again and again, to allow the Dems to appear in charge with “majority” status, but be as ineffectual as before, is just perfect… for Unca Karl.
That all said, giving Joe the Dem radio address, and not calling this republican fluffing, Bush tonguing whore out on his constant backstabbing is, at this point, inexcusable. Even if Joe switched parties, it would not make a difference on this Senate in terms of committee assignments which run much of the show. Those are set in stone until 2009.
Reid, and other Dems, need to cut this asshole loose, once and for all. Of course, one could also argue that if they had just supported Ned Lamont, and did not push Republican-lite crap (e.g. Harold Ford), they would not be in this pickle in the first place. Sure, they would still be powerless and ineffectual, as they have shown, but they would not have to deal with Holy Joey and his sanctimonious hypocrisy. Still, that’s a what-if, no matter how probable we still live in a quantum universe… and privatized voting and republican dirty tricks–the latter two points being the more salient facts!
Well, if the Dems ever get the 100 Democratic Senators, a Democratic President, and Liberal Courts and real news media, they might be able to do something, maybe! Of course, have to watch out for those corporate DLC’rs and flea-bitten Bluedogs!
rwcole @ 18
Who? Would you believe Lynne Cheney!
Badwater @ 5
No, it’s what the citizens of Is*ael wanted from their Senator when they gave Joe yet another term.
(sorry, but there’s no longer any doubt about what drives Lieberman.)
footnote: Joe Lieberman was denied the vice presidency; this could perhaps be Dubya’s greatest legacy.
The next time bloggers are on a conference call with Reid, can someone please ask him what he expects to do with HoJo? It’s gotten to the point of being disgraceful. For a former boxer, Harry looks awful wimpy in dealing with HoJo.
PJ@75, the problem with trying to amend the organizing resolution is that it gives the Rs an opportunity to insist on an amendment that says they get the majority if the Dems lose a seat for any reason — e.g., if a Dem dies or resigns and is replaced by an R, or if anyone who’s voting with the Dems on Senate organization (i.e., Joementum) begins voting with the Rs.
If the numbers change, the current (original) organizing resolution for the Senate contains no provision to change the current chairmanships or majority leader. Open up the resolution, and you certainly lose that (especially because Joementum will vote against the amendment, and even if Johnson can return for the vote, Darth Cheney breaks the 50-50 tie that would result). The Dems can’t go there.
barbara @ 60
I fact, Nader was also the margin in NH and NM was extremely close because of him. I’m FOR 3′rd parties. I’m NOT for 3′rd parties at the presidential level, at least not on the left :-).
We should develop strong progressive parties at the local level that can help pull the mainline Dems left but any 3′rd party presidential candidate is a spoiler and the world has paid the price of the last one dearly.
Reid won’t do anything with Uncle Joe- he’ll just let him sit and rot like last year’s garbage.. five and a half more years and he’s out. ZERO chance for re-election I’d wager.
We need to get Joe out of the Senate how about investigating him for something anybody have any ideas where he’s dirty?
Take me seriously when I say Lil’ Joe has a mental disease. I am not being malicious. I am being compassionate. He may not have been my favorite over the years but he was never this mean-spirited. In some stages of Alzheimer’s disease the victim goes into a strange meanness and very odd behavior. He strikes me as being in early stage dementia. I went through all four stages with my dear sweet Mom and as she moved into dementia her behavior go worse and worse. Think about it. It scares me that he remains in office. Who exposes the mental illness of a senator? We need information on their mental health. We need to start asking the question.
things come undone @ 96
Ask Rove..
Hugh @ 39
Ding!Ding!Ding!
QuakerGirl @ 97
Any ideas what he gots or any further evidence this sounds like a promising angle only an insane person would support Bush.
“sore on Bush’s butt”
Or a pustule on Cheney’s dick
What did Democrats do to Joe since 2000 that would make him hate them like this? Seriously. Something really bad happened to Joe after 2000 and he turned from an insignificant, pious, run-of-the-mill Senator to an evil villain who delights in stabbing his colleagues in the back. What did the Dems do to Joe that was so unlike what they do to every other member of the caucus that would make him act this way?
Was it because we rejected his candidacy in 2004? Don’t we have to right to try to pick someone who we agree with? Or did we deny Joe the divine right to ascend the party nomination unchallenged? We didn’t always dislike Joe (OK, some of us didn’t). It’s just that his behavior and personal vendetta is so over the top, not to mention his attitude towards the war and terrorisn are surrealistic and condescending.
He is one seriously twisted man. The evil just ooooozes.
Six and a half years ago this man almost became a D-VP! And now he relies on and supports the worst elements of the right wing Republican party.
Joe is both a lunatic and a traitor for endlessly insisting we attack Iran, stay in Iraq and denying oversite of Katrina reconstruction..
Every D member of the gang of fourteen should be removed from our party for embracing this mad man.
OT, but what is with this bad karma for voting Nader bizness?
is being pre-maturely anti-Leiberman still a sin around here?
I remember loathing Leiberman in the same way as Jesse Helms - rivals for the most repulsive senators of all, and his nomination as cadidate for VP ended the possiblility of support for the ticket.
But then I never accepted the dogma of always voting for the least-worst that has gotten the (D) party and its left enablers where they are today.
If Hillary Clinton nominates Leiberman again as VP, what will the netroots party line become?
oh, it was just posted
bumper sticker tribalism, football team boosterism - not much for nuance or shades of gray are we? what a simple little world.
There were many, many thousands around the country disgusted enough by Leiberman to refrain from pulling the lever for him, so turn your vitriol on him instead of Nader, k?
E-mailed Boxer with the first couple of paragraphs of ‘JoeL on better men than him’ and asked if she was sorry yet that she’d supported him.
Hi Mods! my comment @ 100 included an earlier comment of mine for some reason at the top I only intended to put in the bottom comment and the quote from QuakerGirl
[Mod: fixed]
things come undone @ 96
His political ethics
Gore liked Uncle Joe- cause he appeals to the wingnutters and he supposedly has a sense of humor- mostly- though- Gore took him to have a Jewish candidate with which to win Florida.
johnSwifty @ 48
Only say the word and your soul shall be healed.
You have reached sophrosyne and unlike many Naderites, appear to be truly repentant. You are forgiven. Go and sin no more.
rwcole @ 95
Well now, that is the question: does Reid HAVE to do anything with Joe? In a perverse way, Joe gives the Dems cover, as well. Reid can let Joe run his mouth and it looks like the Dems are trying to be all bipartisan and shit. “See, Lieberman is our centrist, we reall do want to work with the administration…”
On the other hand, if Joe really is losing his marbles, maybe he’ll say something like “impeachment is back on the table.”
I know, I’m a dreamer.
maryec @ 73
The Landreau’s have been a corrupt political family for generations. My Mom was a Social Democrat who gave her votes to Democrats in New Orleans. She never missed voting. In the last election with full blown dementia from Alzheimer’s she protested voting for Mary Landreau because they are so corrupt. She had a hard time understanding who the other candidates were so she went to the polls and cast one vote - against Bush.
This is why Mayor Negin was re-elected because her brother ran against him. The people could choose between incompetence or a crook. They chose incompetence.
sporkovat @ 104 -
no problem. it’s always up to the politician and the party to earn your vote - not to bully you into it.
I wonder if there is something seriously wrong with Lieberman, such as a mental disease, or Alzhiemers? His behavior is not only nasty, but very strange. What does he expect to GET from all this?
Am I nuts or is JoeL’s chin receding into his head?
Kevin Hayden @ 88
LOL! Thanks for that visual…er…no thanks for that visual.
rat bastahd @ 75
Can you feel me near you?