Lieberman Gets Hero's Welcome In Senate -- From GOP

UPDATE: Harry Reid's spokesman says Joe Lieberman was not kicked out of Democratic lunches; he decided to stop attending on his own:

"While it is no secret that the Democratic caucus is disappointed in Senator Lieberman's attacks on Senator Obama, the irresponsible report that Senator Lieberman has been excluded from caucus meetings is completely untrue. Senator Lieberman has chosen to not attend Democratic caucus lunches, and that is his choice."

Lieberman came back to Capitol Hill and got a hero's welcome from the GOP -- but a less warm reception from Democrats.

Roll Call reports:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has decided that Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) -- one of Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) top supporters -- can no longer attend Democrats' weekly caucus lunches or the biweekly chairmen's lunches used to formulate policy, senior Democratic aides said Tuesday.

The decision comes in the wake of Lieberman's attacks on Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) at the GOP convention last week, and essentially formalizes a deal Reid and Lieberman had cut earlier this year under which Lieberman would not attend meetings that included discussions of sensitive campaign or political issues.

Lieberman for weeks has voluntarily forgone the weekly caucus lunches and weekly policy lunches on Thursdays.

Lieberman's legislative director quit yesterday, reportedly in protest over his boss' RNC speech:

Joe Lieberman's legislative director Joe Goffman resigned yesterday in protest of his boss's support of John McCain, according to a former Lieberman staffer with knowledge of the situation.

"Goffman is the biggest loss, he was really the guy who held the whole office together," said the former aide. "Goffman, like most of them, was very disturbed by Lieberman's behavior -- Lieberman hasn't consulted with any of them or told them what he planned to say... If you're a Democrat and you stay in Lieberman's office too long, there could be the perception that you are buying into his positions, so these poor guys are being put in a terrible spot."

Comments

[bitabingbitabangbitaboom]

Bottom Line......­..........­......Ther­e Are No Free Lunches

[RobertHenryEller]

Don't worry about Joe.

He's got a lifetime job in the Knesset, the parliament of the country he actually represents.

The country Joe is referring to when he says, "Country first."

Hey, Connecticut voters! Didn't know you were Israelis, did you? Now, you know.

[jwb2005]

This comment is uncalled for.

[TerrapinCB]

Why, because it is accurate? You should examine the "dual-citizenship" of more of our elected politicians.

[Whinger]

Shapeshifter Joe, he can merge with the "in" crowd whenever it suits his needs!

One thing's for certain, American best interests are not his motivating concerns!

GOP using Joe, Joe using GOP!

[Jaybot]

Of course Reid didn't tell Lieberman he couldn't play at the Dem's lunch party, doing so would mean removing his lips from Joe's backside.

[Stirner]

Remember back in early December, 2007, McCain was not thought to have chance to be nominated. Then, LO! he suggested that Lieberman might make a good V.P. Suddenly, he became the "comeback kid". The people who want Lieberman in the White House worked hard for this. On to Iran!

[MelArawak]

Joseph Lieberman sold his soul -- his party and his loyal office staff. I honestly do not know how he can live with himself. These are people who worked with and for him, contributed to who he is as a man and a politician. Yet, he abandoned and betrayed them for John MccCain (in fairness a long-time friend) and his running-mate Sarah Palin whom Lieberman does not know. Lieberman is too old to be having a mid-life crisis. May be his is the politics of resentment against the Democrats and the circumstances that led him to become an Independent. Who knows. What is clear, however, is that Liberman is not the man he use to be. He is, effectively, a Republican in theory and now practice so it is only a matter of time before the switch becomes finalized. Wonder whether his wife will vote for the Democrats or whether she, too, has become the Republicans new best friend?

[metalpipe]

My money says it is pressure from AIPAC.

[Chavez08]

DR SMITH-YAAYYYYY!!!!

[scorpioleidy]

Ooh ... what backbone Reid showed in barring Lie berman from weekly lunches & caucuses that he's voluntarily chosen to not attend anyway. Way to go, big bad Harry!!!

[Whinger]

Satan gave Judas a warm reception too!

[wndrwrthg]

There can only be one remedy for a Quisling.

[djonan]

Goffman is a very bad sign that Lieberman might be very close to switching parties over for good. This would mean drilling is all but assured since Cheney is the deciding vote. Caving in over and over does the Dems NO good. Standing and fighting always looks good, even in losing.

[Indubio]

I've always wondered why this is so hard for Democrats to comprehend? There are times when you say screw compromise and hold to your position. Democrats ought to try that more often.

[hmmmmmer]

I agree, before he changes they should strip him of his leadership role and just take what comes over the next couple of months it would show what the Republican agenda really is.

[RobertHenryEller]

Absolutely correct in principle. Except, the issue is not just votes, but committee chairmanships as well. If the Senate is split, what happens to the committee chairs? Even for the next 4+ months, that might matter.

But, since the Senate Democrats do not really have enough of a majority now to actually do anything, all they can seem to gain is blame for not getting things done.

There is, unfortunately, no truly satisfying solution.

[tel8034]

Lieberman began showing his TRUE colors during the Florida recount, and its been downhill ever since.

This man, hungry for power and a possible key position in a McCain administration, had no thought or feeling about his own staff who have sttod by him and have been loyal to him for years.

He didn't even have the courtesy to let his staff know what he was about to do at the Republican convention.

Lieberman is obviously prepared to walk over anyone for his own GRANDISEMENT.

[iswideopen]

Joe Lieberman will get his. He has been "USED" by the republicans and John Bush, and when the dust settles, he will be "homeless", on capitol hill. How could he be so STUPID? Please, get rid of him, ASAP, DEMOCRATS.

[SaltySaltillo]

His only hope is that McCain wins and rewards Lieberman with a white house job. He wont be reelected. Ever.

[jerryfromcalifornia]

Can you say RECALL. Blow this guy OUT!!!

[cmdrgmh]

They had better get rid of him ASAP. Right after the election. He is the biggest traitor ever.

[SaltySaltillo]

Actually, he is worth keeping around since he represents a vote in the Dems favor on most issues and he has managed to destroy his own chances of serving another term in the senate (do you really think the Dems of CT would ever re-elect him?).

[Indubio]

You are right. I have been wondering about Leiberman's end game. He has to understand that he'll never be a Connecticut Senator again... so what's he up to? I suppose it's possible he might honestly be saying what he truly believes with respect to foreign policy and he expects voters will appreciate his honesty. Maybe he wants an early retirement?

[LucieLee]

When does the 'I" become an "R"?

[SwingVoter]

>LucieLee wrote:

>When does the 'I" become an "R"?

With just simplification mathematics:

You set I = 9 and R = 18 and when you combine the 1 and 8, you get 9, therefor I = R.

To further your understanding of this simplification process, if you multiply 9x21you get 189, and you can verify the answer by simplifying the product; 1+8+9 = 18 = 1+8 = 9.

In other words, any real number times 9 or 18 must also equal to 9 when simplified using the method above.

final example: 18x12 = 216 = 2+1+6 = 9.

I hope this answers your question regarding how I = R.

:)

[Sparty1]

Priceless!