Clintons Deny Pushing For Lieberman To Stay In Caucus

Reports emerged on Monday afternoon that Bill Clinton was placing calls to Senate Democrats on behalf of Joe Lieberman, making the case that the Connecticut Senator should remain in the caucus.

The story sent immediate ripples throughout Democratic circles, which have been debating Lieberman's future in the party and, more specifically, whether he would continue to serve as chair of the Homeland Security and Government Reform Committee.

Almost immediately after, however, there was push back from Clinton's camp.

"It's completely false," said Matt McKenna, a spokesman for the former president.

Another former Clinton confidant said she would be incredibly surprised if Bill Clinton were weighing in on this matter. The two figures were famously at odds during the waning years of the Clinton administration -- Lieberman was the foremost Democratic critic of his conduct during the Lewinsky affair. Moreover, there is practically nothing for Clinton to gain by pushing this issue in the Senate.

Nevertheless, news that Bill Clinton was going to bat on behalf of the beleaguered Connecticut independent raised a secondary question: what is Hillary Clinton's position on the matter?

Two aides to the New York Democrat said she is not making calls on Lieberman's behalf. "Hillary isn't doing anything," one said. "She is leaving it up to Reid."

At the same time, as Glenn Thrush at Politico notes, she wasn't leading the charge to oust Lieberman from the caucus either.

"What does she have to gain by making any enemies -- even Joe?" Thrush quotes an ex-staffer as saying. "She's got her own agenda to push... she doesn't need a fight."

Comments

[romchr]

I look at that amazing photo and think... "Halitosis!"

[donttasemebro]

Ewww!

[romchr]

BILL: "I had an onion sandwich for lunch. Smell!"

JOE: "I had garlic!"

[vandegrasse]

What a couple of schmucks!

[rose3030]

Part of me wants Joe Liebeman thrown in a pit with wild boars, but the kinder, gentler part says no. If we've learned anything from Obama, it's that retaliation isn't his style. Save your energy for the fights that really count. Poor Lieberman has become a pathetic character. I think he supported McCain as a desparate bid for attention ("Hey, remember me? I used to be relevant.") Don't forget that he comes from a very blue state in which, I doubt, he's very popular right now. If he wants to salvage his career, he can't afford to vote with the Republicans. He has to be very, very careful or he'll soon go the way of Elisabeth Dole and the other dinosaurs.

[LisaJeanM]

Please help restore integrity to our government. Please call (or if their voice mail is full, email) your own Senator as well as Senator Reid and ask them to do the right thing regarding Joe Lieberman.

http://reid.senate.gov/

or replace the name "reid" with the last name of your own Senator. Such as:

http://boxer.senate.gov/

Thanks for caring everyone!

[hilary916]

I think Bill needs to get his ego in check and not try to sabotage Obama's success. Of course I don't know if that's what he's really trying to do, but it's the feeling I get.

[BigBen]

For your information President elect Obama is a close friend of Lieberman. See
"I am absolutely certain Connecticut is going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the U.S. Senate so he can continue to serve on our behalf." Barack Obama, March 30, 2006,
http://boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/03/31/obama_rallies_state_democrats_throws_support_behind_lieberman//

[LisaJeanM]

BigBen, this was before Joe betrayed Obama in a truly reprehensible manner. And this is just further proof of why a person like Joe Lieberman is really not deserving of high office in our government. Barack was very good to Joe and then Joe slanders him unforgivably in the campaign. I highly doubt Barack considers this man his friend anymore.

But that's really beside the point. Lieberman has a record of backstabbing for the sake of self-interest. I'm not just talking about the Clintons or Obama-- As a woman and a democrat he stabbed me in the back when he eagerly supported a man who would take away women's rights, and spoke slanderously of a good man who would wish to protect those rights. Also, I do not take the actions of someone who has voted to escalate an unjust war lightly. The issue of how to deal with Lieberman, is a very serious one to me and should be to anyone who really has a social conscience.

[eden4barack08]

That was before he refuted the primary results, turned independent, and ran against our Democratic nominee Lamont, winning by getting Rove's Republicans support. Besides as a fresh Senator, Obama was assigned to Lieberman for mentorship. He basically had no choice but to help him out campaigning. That was then. This is now. Obama's not necessarily so chummy with Joe, but it's standard diplomacy for him to say he should stay in our caucus, that's what everybody wants, but only if he loses his Homeland Chairmanship. Otherwise he can go to the Reps, see what they offer him. He's free to choose. Obama has no say whatsoever in this, and neither is he trying to.

[beckpod1]

Joe LIEberman has too much power...or he'd been gone along time ago. Party rules don't apply here!
He represents Isreal!

[KickerBoard]

Joe must go. The man is dishonorable.

[Probus]

Just take his chairmanship away and Joe will leave the caucus himself and no one will have to push him out.

[who38]

Good idea.

[Totto]

Oust the treacherous Lieberman! He'll work against Obama.

[rollingdivision]

Progressives can't even get Democrats to throw Lieberman out of his chairmanship, amazing.

[LisaJeanM]

Yes we can. Call your Senator and leave a message.

[who38]

Hear, hear. The Dems censored MoveOn and pander to Lieberman. This is the party of inclusion?

[day2night]

These people are the DLC crowd. They'll watch out for one another. Lieberman has to go. Dems have to have some backbone or they'll ultimately get walked over.

Maybe selecting Rahm Emanuel as COS was a good idea... but some of his toughness has to wear off on many Dems. Stop it with all this "kumbaya" crap.

[toypiano]

Right on. I hope that the reason they're even considering keeping this opportunistic, unstable turncoat is purely strategic (iffy, and still a gamble) and NOT for the sake of "bipartisanship." He's a GOP in sheep's clothing.

Either way, he should be removed as chair of the Homeland Security gang. Hard to imagine anyone in Congress as insecure as Lieberman.

[who38]

Rahm supports Joe.

[macohmz]

They look like they're having a "who can open their mouth the widest " contest. I deplore both these jerks.

[Oonagh]

I still say... dump the bum..Lieberman is not a friend of the Democrats and the election proved that.....Bill .. mind your business.

[Renegade3]

I don't trust Lieberman or the Clintons.

[Levittown]

Obama realizes that Senator Lieberman is an asset with Homeland Security and the Government Reform committee. Lieberman is a too liberal for the Republican party and is pro-choice. Rumors and deliberate false statements are put out there to benefit the media, not the politicians.

[who38]

Lieberman did not hold ONE hearing while head of Homeland Security; it would have embarrassed Bush. He is no asset.

[abbeyroad]

that guy can't be trusted !!!

[retrocozayshin]

Which one?

[who38]

All of them. Stay involved.