Sen. Dorgan: Lieberman's Actions Unacceptable

After Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) spoke at the Republican National Convention this summer, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) expressed his frustration: "Everybody is just profoundly disappointed with what Joe did," Dorgan said.

Today on Fox News Sunday, host Chris Wallace asked Dorgan whether he would vote on Tuesday to allow Lieberman remain chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. Dorgan said he was "concerned" and "upset" over Lieberman's behavior during the campaign, and suggested that Lieberman's actions were unacceptable for a committee chairman:

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[learnsomething]

Hillary is another Repub masquerading as a Dem. I am hoping she is kicked out of her senate seat too.

[learnsomething]

I believe Lieberman will lose this senate seat. People don't like him. He is a Repub masquerading as a Dem. And that is not cool.

[research]

I can't stand Lieberman, but Obama wants him. I wouldn't sit with McCain either.

But I'm willing to give Obama his honeymoon.

BTW, I still signed the petition to get rid of Lieberman.

[eden4barack08]

You're wrong to say "Obama wants him". Obama has only stated that he doesn't mind for Joe to remain in the Democratic caucus where he's always been. That he does not hold grudges, for what Joe did. THAT'S IT! How do you derive from that, that "he wants him"? If he "wanted him", he would have been more fierce in his support for not just the caucus, which is not even what's in question here, but also about the chairmanship. He would've made it his business to perhaps even publicly meet with him. Instead, they have not even spoken. Joe sent Obama a "congratulatory" note, TEN days after the victory. What does that tell ya? Certainly NOT that Obama "wants him"!!
Of course he has to appear magnanimous, neutral, forgiving and diplomatic, he's the next President you know! But that doesn't translate into a full throated support, nor that "he wants him".
Let's just hope Reid and the Senate do their jobs tomorrow, when they vote.

[research]

Obama said he wanted Lieberman in the democratic caucus.

[hypnotoad72]

Obama wants Farrakhan and Ayers too.

Maybe Obama wants a consensus from all sides and then make up his own mind...

[eden4barack08]

F U!!!

[Liberoservative]

Obama wants him to caucus with us....

He does not want him to be in charge of anything

[research]

Probably true, it's Lieberman who is threatening to go GOP if he loses his chairmanship.

[Thomas777]

I have just been advised that all of the Democratic Senators will be voting tomorrow, not just those on the Steering Committee. So if you've got Dem Senators, let them know your thoughts.

Also votting will be the six newly elected Senators.

If any of these senators are from your state, make sure to call them, fax them, or email them. They really do want to hear your concerns.

Here are their numbers:

1) Mark Warner, Virginia [phone]

2.) Kay Hagan, North Carolina [phone]

3.) Mark Udall, Colorado [phone]

4.) Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire [phone]

5.) Jeff Merkley, Oregon [e-mail] | 503-274-4439

6.) Tom Udall, New Mexico | [phone]

[bigironal25]

Most normal folks want this cretin out of the democratic party, regardless of the filibuster problem! We can get the majority in '10, WITHOUT Joe the slime Lieberman!GET RID OF HM THIS WEEK,PERIOD!!!!!!!

[LiberalDem]

I'm glad there is at least one Democrat who agrees that Lieberman should pay for his work against Obama.

[timm0]

You know, the saying is "pay-back is a b*tch."

But this is MUCH more than that.

Chairs of these committees are supposed to be in place to help maintain priorities and legislative consistency with the party platform - whose leader and standard bearer is the man lieberman has continuously slandered.

How can ANY of the Dem senators for a moment feel that lieberman will actually promote the policies that Obama stood for during the prez campaign?!?! You'd have to be in another universe to think lieberman will get on the straight and narrow.

Put him on committees, but he CAN'T chair ANYTHING!

[eden4barack08]

Btw, he's the third so far.

[Marie9]

Liberman must go! His vote is not that valuable!

The democratics must stand up and be real leaders in this case!

He acted worst than many republicans for McCain, and went to far in his tactics -- he must not be allow to have any power in the democratic senate!

[iPolitics]

Benedict Arnold>Lieberman

[Audrey704]

Thanks for the numbers to call, this is ridiculous that our party is failing to step up and be leaders. LIeberman knew he could get do this because Reid...wants to continue to whine rather than lead. Reid and Pelosi better grow a pair quick or they will be on their way out too....if they waste this opportunity than it is clear that both the house and the senate need to be cleared out for new blood who can actually bring change not more of the same.

[nikky]

WE WILL SEE HOW THE VOTE GOES I HOPE THEY MAKE IT PUBLIC

[eden4barack08]

Folks, the Senators vote on tuesday. Bombard them with phone calls, emails, let them know we want them to vote to remove Joe the Judas from the chairmanship. Tell them it's not just about revenge, it's about competence and party loyalty. It's all well and good to work with others, but there's no need to reward them with chairmanships, where other Democrats could do a better job at.
Here are some numbers:

Hillary Clinton http://clinton.senate.gov [phone]

Barbara Boxer http://boxer.senate.gov [phone]

Dick Durin http://durbin.senate.gov [phone]

Harry Reid http://reid.senate.gov 202-224-3542

Debbie Stabenow http://stabenow.senate.gov [phone]

John Kerry http://kerry.senate.gov [phone]

Robert Byrd http://byrd.senate.gov

You can also use this neat tool from firedoglake to contact any: http://tools.advomatic.com/7/kickjoe

If they say that they fear Joe will go GOP if stripped of the chair, first of all, good riddance, that's his choice. Second, he'll still vote Dem on the same issues as always, even Kyl said that in the video above. And third, since when do we have to bribe anyone to caucus with us, with a lucrative position, much less a traitor?
Grassroots got our Obama elected, I believe if we really push relentlessly today and tomorrow, calling and emailing all Senators, we can change a few votes. We need 27. Let's get to work.

[Eidolas]

So if Lieberman had NOT spoken at the RNC, then he would still be qualified to keep the chair? Sounds like payback to me.

[alenaspoppa]

It isn't the fact that he spoke at the RNC that's the problem. Anyone is allowed to support whichever candidate they wish. However, Lieberman went above and beyond by questioning Obama's patriotism, whether or not he was a socialist, etc. He also said that a filibuster proof Democratic majority was dangerous for America. He was actively campaigning against ALL Democrats using Rovian smear tactics...that IS unacceptable.

[Audrey704]

It is not his speech at the RNC that is problematic...it is his active participation in the outrageous smears and behavior on the campaign trail.

[eden4barack08]

It's much, much more than just speaking at the RNC. If you're his fan, you'd never understand, so I'll abstain from wasting an explanation.

But reading this might help:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-11-10/liebermans-empty-promises/1/

[nikky]

I THINL HIS STATE WILL TAKE CARE OF HIM TO THE NEXT ELECTION

[eden4barack08]

2012? We can't wait that long. In the mean time, he loses the chairmanship.

[Julznbillzca]

I think that we should all go over to change.gove and say how you feel and why, I also think that we need to e mail our senators, and let them know also. If we want things to change, we need to speak up, and be a part of the change we want. I think Joe should go, He has always done what ever he thought benifitted his ambitions. If the repubs want him, let him go, he will not think twice about stabbing them in the back either.

No more Joe six pack
No more Joe the plumber :-D
No more Joe Lieberman

[nikky]

AMEN

[Okieborn]

Sen. Dorgan is one of the hardest working a HONEST Senators we have !!
Please Sen. Dorgan Please Don't give up the fight for what is RIGHT !!
NO Lieberman !! No Lieberman !!!!!

[flifishun]

Always liked Dorgan.

[mspink]

It is up to the voters of CT to deal with Lieberman.

[RJII]

I'm not sure the Dems have the b=alls to strip Lieberman of his chairmanship. They gave Bush everything he wanted, eventhough the people spoke loud and clear to get us out of Iraq. They are whimps.

[shadow322]

Joe must Go! The integrity of the new administration rides on this issue right now. It is either business as usual on the hill or we really can expect "Change." Lip service is no longer acceptable and our politicians will be graded on their actions - not excuses.