Joe Lieberman To Be Stripped Of Committee Chair?

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will meet with Joe Lieberman on Thursday to discuss how the disaffected, controversial Connecticut Democrat-Independent fits into the future of the party.

A source with knowledge of the situation says that Reid will likely tell Lieberman that he is being stripped of his committee chairs -- a retributive move for the former vice presidential nominee's anti-Obama, anti-Democrat advocacy on behalf of John McCain.

A second source on the Hill could not definitively confirm that this would happen. But he said that leadership was far from the position it held back in February, when it was assumed that Lieberman's committee chairmanships would be safe.

There are still various outstanding issues that have the potential to prominently change the composition of the Senate. As of now, races in Alaska, Georgia and Minnesota are still undecided. Moreover, it has yet to be determined what will happen with the spots currently occupied by Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden. And on a process level, the Senate's Steering and Outreach Committee also has the opportunity to make recommendations about committee assignments.

"There are," the source says, "a lot of moving parts. There is genuine suspense around what is going to happen to Lieberman."

Lieberman chairs the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection, and the Subcommittee on AirLand Forces. If he is booted from these posts, he very well may leave the Democratic Caucus entirely. What he can be offered by the Republican Party in terms of committee assignments remains to be seen.

Comments

[stipes]

I just finished writing Mr. Reid asking for JUDAS LIEberman's explusion from any committees/subcommitties and the Democratic Caucus. Maybe if we bombard him with how we feel he'll realize, YES WE CAN, get rid of that snake too!

[nvzephyr]

Just where are Joe's loyalties? The Democratic Party? Not. The USA? Sometimes I wonder.

We don't need him.

[weatherwaxx]

It isn't retribution. This is a Democratic caucus and Lieberman has abdicated membership in the Democratic party and stood with the Republicans. He has chosen his own opportunistic path and should be replaced by someone who is not in the GOP's pocket.

[Producer1]

I take an alternative view of Lieberman. If Harry Reid played his cards right he could guarantee that Lieberman would vote the party line. All he has to do is see what stuff Lieberman is made of. Reid should allow Lieberman to continue to serve as committee chairman and serve on all his other committee assignments as long as he:

1. Allows himself to be publicly reprimanded in the Senate by members of the Democratic Party-not negotiable
2. Switches his party affiliation back to Democratic-not negotiable
3. Never, ever votes against the party line, OR ELSE!

Lieberman is power hungry and would probably not want to lose the power he has, so he might agree. In either case Lieberman is prevented from excercising any discretion in order to hold on to power.

If Lieberman fails to follow those rules he should then be booted off of all committees and completely stripped of seniority. Reid should then tell him that he would never allow any of Lieberman's sponsored legislation to ever get out of committee. The man should be completely humiliated. Lieberman's pride and ego most likely would not accept this offer and he would quit on his own. Personally I would like to see him squirm to retain his chairmanship without any real power.

[weatherwaxx]

Seeing him squirm wouldn't fix anything. We've already seen what he's made of and it seems to be mostly gummy worms.

[Marie9]

Joe betrayed his state and the Democratic Party!

He needs to be put on the funny farm -- Joe must go!

The republicans should have open arms for him -- don't you think? He worked so hard for them.

[delphillips]

this cannot happen soon enough!\

[Kennnnnnnnnn]

Please strip this man of his committee chairs, and anything else that can be stripped. This is not simply reaching across the aisle; it's spilling popcorn in it and talking loudly during the film!

[observer007]

All this ambitious, self-serving individual wants is power, and he doesn't care how he gets it. I there's a name for someone who has forgotten what it is to have a conscience. But they may have a tough time getting rid of him if Stevens is still holding his seat - after all, he is not a felon.

[shirleen01]

Lieberman and McCain should go find themselves a nice nursing home and rest.

[shirleen01]

all he does is flip flop from Republican to Democrat..he's a loser!

[youngblood360]

While I believe that Joe Lieberman is a good man, I think it is rather disgusting how he spoke of Barack Obama at the Republican Convention. He had every opportunity to say what he wanted to say and not play into what the Republican speech writers wanted for the simple fact that he identifies himself as an independent. Rather than endorsing his friend John McCain, he slandered his future President. Well guess what? It's time to pay the piper! I think he is right to say that we need to move on, but I also think he needs to be punished a bit for how he turned his back on the party he supposedly identitfies with more historically. Yes, we need him to be on the Dem side, but he also needs to know that what he did should not be rewarded but at the very least censured. It's like the prodigal son - you need to severely reprimand him for leaving, but forgive him in time and welcome him back.

[Wonder11]

HAHAHAHA It couldn't happen to a bigger A__hole! Lieberman, and his comments should just go away.

[Kajaan]

take note...any elected member of the house or the senate who suports Liberman will be campainging for his or her oponant in the comming elections.
this would be a good time for President Obama to reach out to his Kenyan roots and get a few tips on how to take "care' of a snake !!!
Liberman has been acting like a snake, with all the remarks and the grin when remarks were made against President Obama. he picked the wrong boat.....if that boat is going to sink ....so be it , let him drown and all that try to help him too..!!!

[ThrillKill]

Next time I see this damn thread title, I want to see an exclamation point behind it, not a question mark!

[Artos]

If Lieberman wants to keep his committee positions than I would suggest to the Senate Democrats that they get a nice big, and I do mean big blackboard and then make him write on it a million times,. " I betrayed the Democratic Party , I am an undeserving dirtbag and I will never open my mouth again unless it's to say, Yes Sir or No Sir when spoken to. That's the only way he should be allowed to retain any positions at all.

[ThePhotogsBlog]

I love your idea