Politico confirms that Lieberman is working his Senate colleagues to keep his chairmanship:
Lieberman has since been having phone conversations with colleagues, but has yet to meet with any in person. Most senators are receptive to Lieberman’s argument that allowing him to stay represents the type of unity that President-elect Obama espouses.
That is just a remarkable statement.
If you think Lieberman ought to have discovered his "sense of unity" shortly before he claimed Obama doesn’t put country first, wondered whether Obama was a "Marxist" and said that Obama tried to undermine the troops, you can sign the petition telling his Senate colleagues to show him the exit here.
And if you’ve already signed, you can tell a friend about it here.
Update: Well, we know know who is "receptive to Lieberman’s argument." Come on down, Evan Bayh…yes, the same Evan Bayh who gave Russ Feingold shit for wanting to censure George Bush.
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Why not start a collection for Liarman’s run for a seat in the Knesset in the Likud party.
Weasel! My contempt for Joelie has no bounds as does his contempt for the Democratic Party to which he no longer belongs.
By the way, signed the petition and forwarded it to friends and colleagues.
a sideshow.
there is time to deal with him.
best to let him hang in the wind.
Thanks.
What I’m hearing is that the “old boys club” sense of the Senate is kicking in, protect each other at all costs, etc.
If we don’t make tons of noise, won’t happen.
schmuck. I heard Obama talk about reaching out to republicans. Not reaching out to douche bags. In fact, he even talked about this in his speech Tuesday night:
And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too. Except Joe Lieberman. He can go fuck himself.
LOL! Seems to me it would be a slap in the face to Obama to keep him in an important Chairmanship.
No, Joe, stripping you of your chairmanship – indeed, kicking you out of the caucus – is what Obama was talking about— change.
I agree. There seems to be a Lieberman obsession here, which I understand to some degree, considering the energy put into the Lamont campaign and the ridiculous sins Lieberman has subsequently committed. But he’s yesterday’s news & I am personally happy to furgeddabout him.
Equally happy to sign the petition which I did yesterday.
Wonder if Joe would accept an ambassador post? Have to admit, I’m having trouble thinking of a nation so stable and inconsequential that he couldn’t screw it up.
Now THAT’S change you can believe in!
This got EPUd and I’m sorry AGAIN to be OT, but this is impt. I hope someone here picks it up in a post and forms some kind of battle plan!
I know I’ll be watching and doing what I can to STOP IT.
I wish to God that Congress would take up impeachment when they reconvene in order to put a stop to any more last minute damage the Bu$h crime family has planned!!!!!!!
Gosh, these Heritage women reallllly reallly love Sarah Palin.
Just go, Joe.
He must have an impressive collection of photos.
Picking Rahm might have been a ‘tipping of the hat’ to the Jewish vote right before they drop the hammer down on Lieberman. He SO needs to be gone.
Enjoy.
The “old boys club” is as counter productive to real change as anything in Washington.
The change we need!!!
You’d think that repeatedly stabbing his own in the back would be enough to get him kicked out, but if not, doesn’t getting rid of that whiney nasal voice provide its own incentive.
OK, that was catty, but true
Immunity for drug companies.
sorry
multi-use knee pads
So the next time someone you know, a woman, needs the services of a physician, you might want to look at what Lieberman said about that.
Not an obsession – seeking a clean break from an insidious shitheel.
I heard that too but thought maybe it was just me.
This is key. Will being a member of the club trump Obama’s theme of bringing change to Washington? This is another example which will show if change means business as usual. Somehow I find it a little hard to believe that Democratic Senators are cool with not giving this Chairmanship to one of their own. After all, what do they owe Lieberman? Still with Harry Reid’s lack of leadership, wishy-washiness, and propensity to cave, anything is possible.
I said I understood it, but Lieberman’s done. You can stick a fork in him.
…and deserve. Really, hasn’t this whiny, self-absorbed little backbiter had enough chances already?
Signed and forwarded…
I, I, I,…. I’m just speechless about these people. they support her because she’s a (very) empty but receptive and unquestioning vessel into which they can pour their fundamentalist, hateful, divisive, dangerous,imperialistic kool-aid, freeze it for three years, defrost it for the 2012 primaries and then get enough assholes to drink it. She’s more mallable than Regan.
LOL
Too late to do anything about that. Roberts court will decide in favor of drug corp.
Uh-uh. I had the close captions on. It took them a few times to get it right and they got way behind, but that’s what the man said.
Sooo…
A vote for change was *really* a vote for the incumbency protection racket and business as usual.
more than enough. far more.
eCahn, I thought you might enjoy this. BBC is running a story invoking chaos theory to explain why financial experts didn’t see the financial crisis coming. That the housing bubble and financial meltdown were both eminently predictable and were predicted by some of us, not a word. The idea is pretty obviously that if no one could foresee the collapse no one is really to blame for it.
I have called some impoprtant members of the steering committee. I reminded kerry that he had to speak up about lieberman at least twice this year, and that he shoudl be under no illusions that Lieberman is an ally or a good democrat. I reminded Joe Biden that lieberman tried to torpedo their campaign. i remnided boxer’s office that she owes america because she helped get the guy re-elected. Finally, I called harry reid and remninded them that joe tried to make the democrats lose.
On each call i pointed out not only that he’s broken all of his promises to the party, but that he simply can’t be relied on because he’s proven to be duplicitous and that no one can trust him. “Imagine what will happen if attends strategy meetings! he’ll go over to his best friend John McCain and spil the beans! he’ll undermine our entire agenda!”
It’s true. Just business, but true!
Mitch McConnell has already approached Joe about joining the Dark Side. Truthfully, he’s already there, it would only amount to changing his stationary.
Yes, I say can his ass and forget him.
better not be. simply, the guy got people’s hopes up. you remember hope. see “audacity of.” Sure it’s gona be tough to deliver on alot of things (everything?) but this is something he can do and should do.
Did you watch it? I made myself so that I could learn how they think. They seem to like her because she’s smart, articulate, and a mother. I’ll give them articulate; not in the sense I’d mean, but in the sense that ordinary people like what she says & how she says it. On her lack of knowledge, they dismissed it altogether, saying she would be smart enough to pick the right advisors (that worked out well for W). No evidence on why they thought she was smart, of course. But what they really liked is that she crossed the line & used her disabled infant as a campaign prop. I heard what they said, but I am soooo different, I still don’t understand it even after repeating it to you.
Signed it !!!!!
Your ever faithful servant.!!…….Ha Ha
If the dem party wants to offer this up as proof of the good ole boy network it is time to start a new Progressive Party.
Heh. BBC is a shadow of its former self, just like U.S. media. Any links? I’m curious to hear what they have to say about chaos theory. Back in 1999, when I was trying to figure out how big the tech bubble would get before it burst, I thought chaos theory might have some math that might be useful. I was way to old & too poor in math to actually study it out, though.
As soon as reid started talking about joLIE’s future in the caucus, but did not say that joLIE was gone, you knew that reid was caving and looking for excuses of how he needed to keep the vote. We know that on matters of substance where joLIE would really be needed, he will go to the repugs and give some reason about the Dems not acting in the way that they should. First, reid should be gone (and pelosi), then whoever replaces reid should dump joLIE quite ostentatiously so that there is no question about what happened.
didn’t watch it but i watch fox a bit for that reason. she’s a detestable woman.
One has to wonder what Lieb was thinking when he chose to support McLoser.
Couldn’t he foresee the consequences of pimping for the Repigs?
It’s not like the blue dogs voting with Bush; this was taking an active role in promoting a furthering of the Bush agenda.
Anyone with half a brain would have known that he would be/should be shunned by the Dems.
there’s an age old expression, well, it’s been edited lately, the new version goes like so;
“fool me once…errr…shame on me
fool me twice…..uhh….CAN’T BE FOOLED AGAIN”
the democrats have to be NUTZO to believe this judas sheep for a second
I’m starting to think the he’s strangely attracted to failure and doom. Can’t help himself. He can smell the reaper, and to him, it’s like rose petals.
I understand Obama’s desire to reach across aisles, but actions have consequences, or they should have. Keeping peace is fine until you cross a line and then you are simply pushed around. Lieberman burned his bridges, but the people we deal with are so needy, Joe may have something attractive to put on the table-surplus campaign cash for example. Obama should not permit Lieberman’s return to anyone’s good graces. It’s his first test. I hope he doesn’t fail.
I think he was counting on the timidity of Reid and the “protect-our-own” instincts of the old-boy network.
It looks like he may have won that gamble, but we shall see. This is the first opportunity for those of us who were active in the election to try to exert some pressure. Celebration’s over, I guess we’re back to work.
Hugh,
You may be interesting in these calculations I did earlier today. Don’t rely on their being completely accurate, as I was multitasking and sometimes make mistakes when I do that kind of work while doing other stuff at the same time. But the picture is roughly correct.
http://firedoglake.com/2008/11…..nt-1716615
The picture accompanying this Politico article says everything that needs to be said. Maybe everyone should print it out and send it to Sen. Reid.
Here’s the other downside of reaching across the aisle. (The main one is pissing off everyone who voted for you.) The other side doesn’t appreciate it & takes you for a patsy. For example, in the Heritage woman’s panel I just watched, the subject of Obama appointing some Rs came up. the panel member who responded said: Well the names of people who have come up are not really Rs anyway.
Obama is the President elect, he needs to stay out of the internal affairs of the house and senate. Let him keep his powder dry. There will be many battles ahead for him to spend capitol on.
I can’t see what’s in it for the Dem leadership to make it easy for this guy. If you can commit such utter betrayal and get away with it how are they going to be able to exert any control over a very diverse group of Dems as they now have. They’ll be unable to get anything done but since they’re in charge, they’ll get all the blame. What a buch of fucking idiots.
Boo-hoo. KICK HIS ASS OUT!
On a vaguely related note, how about we set out on an email/fax/phone campaign to push Reid to instate a rule for the new congress that filibusters will require ACTUAL FILIBUSTERING! No more faux filibusters: they actually have to stand there and bloviate endlessly. No going to bed, no stepping out for dinner, etc. If the GOP intends to filibuster anything (or if Joe intends to support a GOP filibuster) then they must REALLY filibuster.
I’d like to have, see and send a pic of Obama backing up the insufferable quisling on the floor of the Senate.
Talk about your PRICELESS!
OOOOOPS
i mean backing up as in against the wall!
I disagree. He’s the leader and leaders are supposed to lead. If he can’t keep his troops in line, it doesn’t bode well for the changes he’s promised.
do you (or hugh or anyone else here) know any thing about marc gerstein? i’ve been thinking about reading his book “flirting with disaster: why accidents are rarely accidental” mostly because michael ellsberg (son of daniel ellsberg) is co-author. the jacket sounds half cool but also with the possibility of being stupid pop psychology.
I’ve just called Senators Feinstein and Boxer asking them to encourage Sen. Reid to strip Lieberman of his chairmanship and dis-invite him from caucusing with the Democratic Party.
Self assured stupid is difficult to understand.
I don’t always get Obama, but his ability to communicate with teh stupid is damned impressive.
MSNBC reporting that it is confirmed that Reid told liebermann that he can stick around but that he is losing his chairmanship and lieberman said that is unacceptable
From Think Progress:
Can we get a good primary opponent for Bayh next time? Please.
Saw and heard Joey Lies at GOP convention lay down a deep dis on Barack Obama on national television. Joe did not seem very circumspect about what he said,suggested or clearly was in desire of. His message was plain and that message was one of disrespect,dislike and disapproval of Barack Obama.
During the campaign Joey Lies could be seen chumming around with Johnny Bomb’em and company often. Did not seem to concerned about what DEMs,progs or liberals might think.
Now that Johnny has lost Joe comes back like the smuck he is and wants to pretend he is innocent and did not cross any loyalty,integrity or party lines.
Of course if his pal John had won this election then Joe would have been in front of the line to kick Barack and DEMs after a good sneer and shove.
If DC DEMs let Joe keep what he clearly does not deserve anymore it just goes to show how deep the spineless rot has reached within DC DEM domain.
Joe sure seemed eager to knock Barack down when he could. Now comes crawling back acting like he did nothing wrong. If Reid had a backbone he would have kicked out Joe after his turncoat performance at GOP convention.
Harry—grow a pair and cut Joe Lies loose. He has shown no loyalty.
Deserves no pity or mercy now. Only will do it again given the chance.
What to do with Joe
Kick him when he’s up
Kick him when he’s down
Kick him out the caucus
Kick him outta town
i think the only thing reid cares about and that joe use to bring to the party was money. now with joe becoming so irrelevant i’d expect his fund raising ability will be significantly diminished, which will make his importance to the old boy’s network lessen.
if i’m wrong about the fund raising, though….
Blue Texan is upstairs!
Peggy Noonan: Though His Victory Was Larger Than Either Of Bush’s, Obama Must Heed Republican Voters’ Wishes
Edited
Yes, I saw them. It’s a good way to express just how bad Bush job creation has been.
The BBC piece seemed more of a mood piece. It wasn’t analytical in any real sense. I looked at the BBC site but couldn’t find it.
Never heard of him or it, but reading what you quoted, it sounds really interesting, even if it is just pop psych. (I’ve read several pop pysch books & enjoyed & learned from them, e.g. Tipping Point.)
I have a perfect personal example of why people are bystanders. Early in 1998, the firm I was at reported surprisingly high profits for 1997. I asked around to find out how it happened, and “Russian debt” was the answer. To the person who said that, I responded: So what happens to profits when Russia goes south? (as happened 7-8 months later). The other employee looked at me like I had just taken a crap in the middle of the office.
Thanks.
I emailed my 2 Dem senators (yea NY!) and pointed out that he has done NOTHING with the Chairmenship for the 2 years he has held it, despite promises for hearings etc. He does not deserve it. Let him try to caucus with Repougs and see how his constituents are with that!
I’m getting so pissed right now thinking of a mealy mouthed Joe retaining his chairmanship. f THAT.
that’s exactly it! i’ve described that reaction for years as “it’s as socially acceptable as farting in public”.
I believe that Obama has let the Senate leadership understand that under no circumstances can Holy Joe be permitted to retain his chairmanship of the Senate Government Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over Homeland Security. The Department of Domestic Fascism is going to get an extreme make-over from the new administration. It’s Joe’s baby, if you recall. He proposed it before Bush adopted the little (no swollen) monster. This is where most of the really illegal stuff is being carried out, because it’s a new agency without any institutional memory prior to its creation (I know there were some mergers). It is a nesting place for wingnuts.
Lieberman would make any significant change extremely costly. He would hold hearings, bring out the wingnut base he now represents, and smear the President. In short, he raises the transactions cost of any reform of that agency so as to bring it back into line with standard civil liberties, not to mention the law. Joe has to go. The 60-vote business is a crock compared to getting someone reasonably favorable to reform in that position.
Play chess, forget checkers.
See post above for reasons why the Lieberman business is not just pay-back, but real hard politics.
Folks, its a new day and within the many joyous and positive aspects of this long over due Obama win – is accountability.
For too long we’ve had thugs in Washington who continuously scoff at accountability.
Lieberman’s behavior during this campaign was filthy & reprehensible! His support of the hate on the Right, inexcusable and unacceptable.
Its time to tell Harry Reid that if he fails to strip Joe of his chairmanships – at the very least! – then we must all turn our attention to Harry himself and actively petition for his replacement.
Joe Lieberman chose to support Republican John McCain over Democrat Barack Obama. He must now live with the consequences of that choice. Any Democrat who feels otherwise should join the Republican Party with Mr. Lieberman and stop trying to eat their cake and have it too. Allowing Lieberman to retain his committee chairmanship would be akin to encouraging other Democrats to support Republicans instead of their fellow Democrats. Lieberman must go. He can’t be allowed to kick the Democratic Party in the teeth and walk away unscathed. That would truly make Democrats look like spineless pu***es!
think progress posts a great point made in the new york times;
that should be the end of it right there, let’s hope obama reads the new york times to see that perspective
Call: Senator Harry Reid
Washington DC
528 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542
Fax: 202-224-7327
Toll Free for Nevadans:
1-866-SEN-REID (736-7343)
Late to the thread, but when you go to sign the petition, make note of who’s serving on the committee…If your Senator is, then be sure to include a direct message.
Let him wander in the desert for the next 40 years. Let him feel the boot in his ass the same way when he kicked Clinton to the curb in 1998. Flock him. You can’t be McCain’s on camera Siamese twin and caucus with us. PUMA MF!
Things To Do:
1) Sign petition – done
2) Call Harry Reid – all circuits are busy — a good sign, will try back in a minute
3) Federal Express some footballs with a Peanuts’ diagram to our Lucy Senators
Thank you FDL for all that you do!
For people who want to call members of the committee to tell them “Hell No – No more Joe” – here’s the list:
Debbie Stabenow, Michigan – Chairwoman (202) 224-4822
Harry Reid, Nevada (202) 224-3542
John Kerry, Massachusetts (202) 224-2742
Daniel Inouye, Hawaii (202) 224-3934
Robert Byrd, West Virginia (202) 224-3954
Edward Kennedy, Massachusetts (202) 224-4543
Joe Biden, Delaware (202) 224-5042
Patrick Leahy, Vermont (202) 224-4242
Chris Dodd, Connecticut (202) 224-2823
Tom Harkin, Iowa (202) 224-3254
Max Baucus, Montana (202) 224-2651
Richard Durbin, Illinois (202) 224-2152
Kent Conrad, North Dakota (202) 224-2043
Carl Levin, Michigan (202) 224-6221
Herbert Kohl, Wisconsin (202) 224-5653
Barbara Boxer, California (202) 224-3553
Hillary Clinton, New York (202) 224-4451
Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico (202) 224-5521
Mark Pryor, Arkansas (202) 224-2353
Got my fax through. “Joe Has to Go”
..and would someone please wipe the sanctimonious smirk off his Jiminy Cricket face before the door hits him in the ass on his way out?
The ‘Jewish vote’ already went to Obama – not Joe’s ‘chosen one’.
This is exactly what I hate about Sanctimonious Joe.
While pursuing politics of personal power, Joe declares (by using language normally reserved for issues with moral implications), that this outcome or that outcome is “unacceptable”, as if there’s a moral or righteous argument to be made about the issue.
This is the kind of language and framing that Democrats once pursued and which discredited them with voters. Not all issues or all policy is grounded in moral choices. Joe’s framing cheapens his argument and his credibility on the issue.
Am I the only person who sees the irony in Sanctimonious Joe’s appeal to Obama’s new politics as a reason why he should continue in his chairmanship of Homeland Security? Especially given the fact Joe did everything he could to keep Obama out of the White House, and put John McCain in it? Joe’s argument is strictly self-serving and not a matter of principle. If principle mattered, Joe would not be demanding what he wants in order to stay in our caucus.
That said, I agree with Markos. We’re better off with Joe in the caucus rather than out so we can keep an eye on him. He’ll vote the way he votes because he believes in his own moral infallibility, even when the underlying issue has no moral implication. Furthermore, he’s spiteful as well as morally indignant, and so would vote against cloture and enable filibuster if he had an opportunity to stick in the shiv and twist.
If McCain had won, Joe would certainly be in his cabinet. I hope Reid brought that up when Joe asked Reid, Where is the love?
Lieberman is a man without shame: do not expect him to go with either dignity or speed.
Isn’t that just the kind of propaganda story the Bushies usually plant in a foreign paper, so they can refer to it and quote it in some American papers a day or two later? Makes it seem more objective when it comes from abroad.
The evidence simply doesn’t indicate NOBODY saw it coming.
I would guess many people didn’t see it coming, but the people who caused it not only saw it coming they relished it. Now…not so much.