Dodd: Obama Wouldn't Want Messy Fight Over Lieberman

Hartford Courant:

U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd said Friday that President-elect Obama would not want one of his party's first major post-election issues to be a messy fight over Joseph Lieberman's status as a Democrat.

...

"What does Barack Obama want?" Dodd rhetorically asked reporters Friday in Hartford. "He's talked about reconciliation, healing, bringing people together. I don't think he'd necessarily want to spend the first month of this president-elect period, this transition period, talking about a Senate seat, particularly if someone is willing to come forward and is willing to be a member of your family in the caucus in that sense."

Read the whole story: Hartford Courant

Comments

[GwenElle]

Dodd says that Lieberman should remain Homeland Security Committee chairman because:

(1) Barack does not want partisan bickering
(2) The people of Connecticut should not be asked to pay a price

This is b.s.

Dodd is displaying typical Good Ol Boy behavior . . . protect your own, and whatever you do, don't hold each other accountable. Barack is not leader of the Senate, so no wimping out by hiding behind his coattails.

Punishment is petty. Expelling Lieberman from the Senate is not being advocated and in 2010 the people of CT will still have the Constitutional right to re-elect him or not.

Accountability is principled. People of power and privilege continually betray the public trust by holding themselves to lower standards of conduct and abiding by weaker allegiances to principles. Disloyalty creates distrust. Distrust weakens and destroys relationships and institutions.

How can Dodd and Reid continue to trust Lieberman when so many lay Democrats don't?

The Senate belongs to the People. These Democrats should have that thought in mind as they consider *what to do about Good Ol Joe*.

Minimally, Lieberman should give up the Chairmanship.

[Samirah1368]

oh please...he needs to GO

[qoftu]

Why is this an issue? The man is not a Democrat. He campaigned for the opposition. He is nothing but an opportunist who now sees the error of his ways? Kick the bum to the curb, throw him under the bus, he has jumped the shark, just say no, buh-bye, etc. He does not belong in any position of authority sanctioned by the Democratic party which, Mr. Dodd, is we the people as shown to the world on Election Day. To paraphrased John Cleese, "He is an EX-Democrat".

[hugs4u]

Dodd that is why you didn't get into the final run for President. Your splineless like Harry Reid.

[Whinger]

That's it Christopher, lift the carpet up and sweep Joe's treachery under it.

No leadership qualities whatsoever!

[honeydiva]

well, i hope the kids on the block have more moxy than the daddies.

[SCG]

There's no such thing as being too Republican for the Democratic party. But if your for the little guy, that's too far left, crazy and dismissed.

Far Reich and Republican lite The political spectrum in the United States of decline.

[robeson]

Dodd, another spineless wimp wants to pass on Lieberman decision to Obama. Have you no shame?

[chronic]

Dodd, you lost your bid for the Presidency.



We don't care what you think!

[KNadine]

When enough of us start emailing these Senators and reminding them that we won't vote for weak Democrats who let Lieberman stay they may get off their asses and do the right thing.

[dwillisno1]

People keep talking that the Dem leadership have to make a decision. Joe made the decision. He decided chose McCain not just for his vote or endorsement, but to actively campaign and most importantly to demean the Dem Candidate. What ought to happen to him is that the Dems honor his decision. Let him go, give him permission to leave as he has shown he wants to do. Don't hold him and force him to go against his principles. Joe we loved you once, we will miss you, but we understand. All we want is for you to be happy. Don't worry about us, we will find love again.

[TheGuide]

How could Lieberman be trusted? We don't need some inside mole messing up the works.

[batguano]

The quisling Dems are crawling out of the woodwork to turn Obamas and Americas victory to the right. Lieberman has proven himself untrustworthy; he lied to get re-elected, bucked the true Dem, Ned Lamont, and has been a war hawk and likud shill. With friends like Lieberman, the Dems don't need enemies. Enough with the hand wringing and phoney excuses for his actions and can him already!

[Plowboy]

Dodd, what kind of Neocon-lite are you? Lieberman was elected by Republicans, running against a real Democrat Lamont. He campaigned against the Democrats and for the Bush-lite McCain. He was always against justice for any people and for the unfair profits of special interests like Enron. He is totally opposed to justice in the Middle East.
That kind of crap is not what America has voted for. By supporting him, you show yourself to be merely another fake Democrat. I hope Connecticut can give us better Senators in the future.

[naschkatze]

You raise a very good point that Lieberman was elected by Republicans. Put that together with his campaigning for the Republican ticket and platform, and I can't see what the Democrats think they have to lose by cutting him loose.

[naschkatze]

Oh come off it, Senator Dodd. I know you and Lieberman are from the same state and have been colleagues for a long time. I think you should consider this: just recently Lieberman said that if the Democrats got a 60 seat filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, it would be the downfall or the end of the country. You senators who can support someone like this just make me puke.