Two Senators Speak Out: Lieberman Should Lose Chair

WASHINGTON — Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman's chances of holding onto his committee chairmanship suffered a blow Friday when two key New England Democratic senators came out against him.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy and his Vermont colleague, Sen. Bernie Sanders, said Democrat-turned-independent Lieberman doesn't deserve to keep his Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs chairmanship because of his campaign attacks on President-elect Barack Obama.

Lieberman angered many Democrats by supporting Republican John McCain and criticizing Obama during the presidential contest.

Liberal activists are urging the party's caucus to strip Lieberman's chairmanship when caucus members meet next week. Senate Democrats are scheduled to meet next Tuesday to decide what to do.

"I am one who does not feel that somebody should be rewarded with a major chairmanship after doing what he did," Leahy, D-Vt., said in a Vermont Public Radio interview on Friday. "I never ask people, well you must vote for this person or that person. Everybody has to make up their mind."

Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said he hopes Lieberman will remain in the party caucus and work to regain the trust of those he has disappointed.

"To reward Senator Lieberman with a major committee chairmanship would be a slap in the face of millions of Americans who worked tirelessly for Barack Obama and who want to see real change in our country," Sanders said in a statement. "Appointing someone to a major post who led the opposition to everything we are fighting for is not 'change we can believe in.'"

The issue of whether to punish Lieberman is a sensitive one for Democrats, given Obama's calls for bipartisanship during the 2008 race. Lesser penalties are also being considered involving Lieberman's committee and subcommittee posts.

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Some of Lieberman's attacks on Obama "went beyond the pale," Leahy said.

"I would feel that had I done something similar that I would not be chairman of Senate Judiciary Committee in the next Congress," Leahy said.

Lieberman, who was Democrat Al Gore's running mate in 2000, was re-elected in 2006 as an independent after losing his state's Democratic primary. He remains a registered Democrat and aligns himself with Senate Democrats.

Obama has told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada it would hurt the message of unity that he wants for his new administration if Lieberman leaves the Democratic caucus. Reid met with Lieberman last week and was initially inclined to strip him of the Homeland Security Committee chairmanship, according to a leadership aide.

Since then Reid has been working to find a compromise with Democratic supporters of Lieberman, including Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. Dodd and Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., have said it would be a mistake if any punishment by the party causes Lieberman to bolt to the Republican side.

Lieberman also spoke last week with Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Key Republicans, including Sens. John Ensign of Nevada and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, have said they would welcome Lieberman to the GOP caucus.

Lieberman's presence in the Democratic caucus was essential to the party's control of the Senate because he gave them a 51-49 edge over Republicans. But Democrats expanded their majority in the Nov. 4 elections and won't need Lieberman to control the chamber when the new Congress convenes.

Comments

[boing007]

The Dept. of Homeland Security is a boondoggle. Costs too much, inefficient. Needs to be restructured from top to bottom:

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1024/p01s03-uspo.html

[MossyOak]

We could start by calling it by a more accurate name, the Department of Homeland Insecurity. Then we should get rid of it,

[Bluedog12]

Its Saturday November 15th at 9:45 A.M. and Joe Liberman still sucks.

[robbep]

Obama needs to show that he will not tolerate the kind of backstabbing that Joe did. If he allows Joe to get away with this he is signalling weekness. People may think if Joe cld do it maybe I can too. Obama must remember to reward his friends more than he does his enemies.

[JannielB]

Exactly. He also needs to do everything in his power to bring the Bush administration to justice.

[blueskybigstar]

That is congress' job. Obama taking this position, especially now, might not be the best idea for his health. If anything happens to him, I blame Pelosi.

[billthinx]

Does it occur to Dodd, Bayh, et al. that if Lieberman does "bolt" to the Republicans (which he has already done in a highly public way) and then begins a conservative voting pattern to support his new Republican caucus, that his hypocrisy on the issues would become a major media issue? He would be ridiculed and attacked constantly. Connecticut voters, already regretful that he prevailed as an "independent", might attempt to recall him, If Lieberman has any personal integrity, he will continue to vote as he has on all the issues no matter what caucus he joins. The dependability of his vote won't change at all. But HE MUST NOT BE REWARDED for his treachery. It is not just that he supported his friend and fellow Iraq warhawk, McCain, but that he campaigned for many other Republicans, spoke against the Democratic majority and fed with right-wing smear machine with his attacks on Obama's character.

[crazyv]

absolutely right- the double speak is amazing. According to Reid Lieberman has voted with the Democrats more often than some Democratic members- ergo he is good Democrat. But if we strip him he will start voting with the Republicans. Seems to me that Reid is making exactly our point- Lieberman is turn coat with no principles beyond advancing Joe Lieberman's interests.

[boing007]

There's a retirement home in Ft. Lauderdale with a sold sign on its front lawn with your name on it.

[SickoPoliticos]

This is not a hard difficult decision. Not brain surgery nor rocket science. Lieberman was the Benedict Arnold in the Democratic Caucus. You don't reward a traitor.

While campaigning for the Republicans, Lieberman spoke of the danger of the Democrats having a filibuster-proof majority - that our nation would go down in ruin. What makes these panty-waist democrats think he would vote with them on an issue which would prevent a filibuster?

Obama spoke of unity and not expelling Lieberman from the democratic caucus. I didn't see where Obama said to let him keep his chairmanship. Strip Lieberman of his chairmanship and then if he bolts to the Republican caucus it will be his decision and not the Democrats.

Those who quote the old saw about "keep your friends close...."­. No one is saying expel him from the Senate. He'll still be there where you can keep an eye on him - just don't kiss his *ss after he has kicked you in the *uts.

Besides Obama's desire to keep Lieberman within the democratic caucus, there are more people to be considered here. I didn't support Obama, with money and my vote, against a man and a party which railed against him at every turn. How about a little consideration for those who helped get Obama elected.

If "unity" is the criterion, shut down the prisions, Guantanamo, et.al. We'll all hold hands and sing.

Let's put a little reality into politics for a change.

[floib]

Lieberman needs to go. He's a grown man. He knew what he was doing. Once a snake always a snake. You can cut off the snake's head, but the body still moves on its own. If he turned against his own party once, he'll do it again. I say, "Lieberman, don't let the door hit you on the way out!!!"

[Beamreach]

The argument for keeping Joe is that if we keep him and get to 60, he'll be part of a filibuster-proof Senate. But Joe doesn't know if " America will survive" if we get that. So how can we count on him to vote with us? I say cut him loose.

[justobserve]

Exactly! He is against the filibuster-proof and He is the key to get 60? I hope Obama meant to keep him in the caucus but not on the chairmanship. This man was Democrat Al Gore's running mate in 2000 and went out of his way to attack Obama personally. He is a traitor!

[who38]

We can't. The 60+ is just a false flag to allow Joe to retain his Committee appointments. Thank God, some Senators finally show some intelligence; mine sure haven't.

[nellie]

These chairmanships are very important. I don't think Lieberman can be seen as the best person to fill those positions.

[SupportTech2]

No Chairman Seats for Tricksters!!!!!!!

Out With Lieberman!!!!!

Where is the cheese? I smell a _________

[Mom to 2]

Rachel Maddow gave the smartest, most insightful monologue on why Lieberman should be stripped of his Chairmanship. If you haven't seen it, here it is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnKh3N5Vgy4

Now, how do we get all the Democrats who will be voting on Tuesday to watch it???

[jmndodge]

Thank you Rachel, its time for someone to clearly state common sense liberal/progressive positions on major issues.

[billthinx]

As always, Rachel says it best. Smart, funny, educated, knowledgeable and pretty too!

[boing007]

Chairman Joe's gotta go! Shut up, arsehole.

[boing007]

Right on, Rachel!

[schicklett3]

Lieberman should be kicked to the curb with the rest of the republicans.

[chnge2012]

Hypocritical ASSES ALL OF THEM!!!!! BIPARTISANSHIP BULLLLLLLLLLLL! BIDEN attacked Barak Hussien Obam in the primaries and he was picked for VP The want to shutup whomever they want this even includes the 57+ million who voted for Mcain and others in the farce we call voting rights and free speech

[nellie]

Lieberman told lies about Barack. Nuff said.

[boing007]

nellie

Lieberman told lies about Barack. Nuff said.

In his oily, whiny voice. Second only to Sarah Palin on the annoyance scale.

[Cookie100]

balh, blah, blah. GEO BUSH AND YOU COULD NOT HAVE CARED LESS WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT, I DID NOT VOTE FOR BUSH.
Couldn't have given a sh*t less, ok, so shove it!
I AM DONE CARING WHAT IDIOTS LIKE YOU THINK, YOU NEVER GAVE 2 CENTS ABOUT WHAT I THOUGHT, AND BOOSH WON BY 538 SUPPOSED VOTES IN 2000 AND 1.5 IN 2004.
O IS AHEAD BY NEARLY 8 MILLION AND RIGHT NOW, OVER 90 ELECTORI8AL, AS A PROGRESSIVE, I SAY, SHOVE IT!

[Antonia]

chnge2012 seems to think because his side lost that there is no voting rights or free speech. You know what that is called, Poor Loser. Obama won and now it is the Democrats turn to either fix the mess the Republicans created or make another mess, but it is our turn.
In politics canidates try to paint themselves as better than their opponents, that is the nature of the game. However Lieberman crossed the line. He calls himself an Independent but there is really nothing independent about him. I feel he should be stripped of his committes. If he then wants to go play with the Republicans, good ridance.

[tchristin]

I tend to agree. The fact that Lieberman is threatening to go to the other side if he doesn't retain his chairmanship is pretty revealing.

[who38]

What kind of seniority will he have in the Republican party re/ appointmen­ts.? I heard a rumor that he would retire if not given his Chairmanship of Homeland Security; how do we help that along? If he retired, would they have a special election in Connecticut or would a Senator be appointed by the governor?

[boing007]

tchristin

I tend to agree. The fact that Lieberman is threatening to go to the other side if he doesn't retain his chairmanship is pretty revealing.

As Dirty Harry said 'go ahead, make my day'.

[riverhouse]

Senators Schumer and Durbin have been strong and outspoken supporters of terminating Lieberman's chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee.

[who38]

I thought that Durbin was supporting Lieberman; that appeared in an article several days ago (think it was in the LA TImes) I posted names and telephone numbers of those Senators which include Salazar (CO), Carper (DE), Nelson (FLA), Bayh (IND), and Dodd CT). I did reach a staff member for Salazar who confirmed that he is supporting Joe. If you call, you will be asked for your zip code.

[eden4barack08]

Uh uh, not Durbin. He's licking Joe's a$$ again.