Dean: Keeping Lieberman As Chairman Is Shrewd Move

DNC Chair Howard Dean welcomed the decision to keep Senator Joseph Lieberman as head of the Homeland Security Committee and, consequently, in the Democratic Caucus, saying the move was pragmatic, magnanimous and politically shrewd.

Speaking to the Huffington Post just moments after it was announced that Democrats in the Senate had voted to keep Lieberman as committee chair, Dean said the party had done the right thing by not giving into urges for retribution.

"You know, the desire of revenge is great, of course. But the truth is public policy doesn't run on revenge very well," he said. "And when you see the trouble this country has gotten into in terms of foreign policy, where Bush basically ran a foreign policy based on petulance because he was mad at, for example, Mexico, for abstaining on the Security Council when the Iraq War came up, if you have to actually run the country, it is best not to do it based on feeling of anger towards your enemies."

The Democratic Party chair, who will be leaving his post this January, went on to applaud Barack Obama for putting hurt feelings aside and welcoming the Connecticut Independent back into the party fray. He also predicted that the caucus would benefit from keeping Lieberman, who spent the past year campaigning alongside John McCain, often criticizing Obama and the Democratic Party.

"My point of view is that Barack won," Dean said. "He can afford to be magnanimous. And if we happen to win both recounts and Georgia, Joe is the 60th vote. And the truth is -- and I certainly don't have to defend Joe Lieberman because, you know, we have an interesting history -- but the fact is, he does vote 90 percent of the time with the Democrats. And no, he shouldn't have said all those things. But why not clean the slate? Why not start all over again? Why not allow him to vote with us on the 90 percent of the stuff? He will be a good vote on climate change -- and this matters. He may be a good vote on election reform, which I hope we will get to. So, you know, he may end up - though it is a little against the odds -- he may end up being the vote that allows us to conduct business when Mitch McConnell decides we shouldn't."

Comments

[bascombe]

talking points!

now the dems have them too.

[thatvisionthing]

Lieberman is a slime. Why are we accommodating this slime, rather than reaching out to some honorable Republicans for the votes we need? I believe the change we voted for gets past divisive partisanship and unites us all, Rs and Ds, once again on common grounds and common values. Like, we're all Americans. Like, the Constitution. Like, the planet. Dean is saying, what, that if we don't keep the slime in a position of power he may change his vote? So we suck up to a blackmailer? Whose vote could go the other way anyway, he's already a traitor? And this is change we can believe in? I believe I spit.

[sepiasiren]

Change is not to use Plain-eque revenge tactics because we don't like someone--

I think Obama has a prime strategy and we will see the sense of this as time wears on...

[BunnyMama]

Here's what the local internet news in CT is saying about Lieberman's future:
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2008/11/post_403.php

[markkraft]

I think that's good and right, specifically because it's at the local level, where it won't reflect on Obama or the national Democrats, but rather on the will of the people of Connecticut, who will no doubt replace their Senator the next time they get a chance.

But I've been saying for awhile... 58 senators doesn't guarantee legislation will get passed. That;s how many senators Bill Clinton had when he tried passing healthcare the first time, and that was a massive failure, largely because of corporate fearmongering ads.

Do you think that Obama *won't* get corporate ads, trying to scare voters off from change? Do you think that Big Oil will give way to Big Green without a fight? The fact is, we *need* every vote we can get, because even amongst Democrats, there are those who can't afford to go against oil, coal, healthcare profits, etc.

The truth is, every additional vote up to a point is actually *MORE* valuable to get, because it's more likely to be the one that gives you victory.

We as Democrats need to stop with the quarrelling, and keep our eyes on the prize... getting legislation passed and instituting real, permanent changes in America that will save lives, revitalize our economy, and save the middle class thousands a year!

That's what all this is about... not sour grapes about Joe L.

[Wide Stance]

It's a politically savvy move. The beauty of it is that Lieberman is actually indebted to the Democrats. (I still want to fry Lieberman, but this gives us something to look forward to in four years--donating to his opponent.)

[ProudNeoCon]

Keeping Lieberman and bringing in Clinton.. hmm... seems to me Obama is more centrist than I though...

[markkraft]

Yep. He's going to be the most popular, most successful president in modern history, and will permanently institute major changes in this country which will leave the Republican establishment not pulling their hair out, but shaking their heads in despair...

...because the old days of fearmongering for the Republican Party are ending, and many within the party won't know how to win in such an environment.

[FearlessFreep]

You hope.

[ProudNeoCon]

How about we let him achieve something before we will call him the most successfull president

[IDIOTA]

Yes - Obama is a centrist. That is why he was elected president of the Harvard Law Review; he had the support of the conservatives with whom he had engaged in dialogue, to the dismay of his friends on the left. Obama recognizes that Lieberman is also a centrist, and Obama has the capital to save him. Obama looks magnanimous when he is just being practical.

[ajax2]

IDIOTA, " ...Lieberm­an is also a centrist..­. "
Lieberman supported GW Bush, McCain, Palin, torture, wars of aggression, and warrantless spying. This could hardly be called the center. Our country may have moved to the right but it still has a constitution.

[mcfried]

Of course he is. I'm left of him on some issues, right on others. I did and still strongly support him. What did you actually fall for the Marxist BS Rush was spewing ... silly rabbit.

[ProudNeoCon]

I have actually read Obama's books, listen to his speaches and did pretty extensive research. If you read my prior comments you will notice that I never thought that the world will end if Obama is elected. However, in my analysis I overweight is younger speaches/views. It seems that he got more practical as he got more experience­... Lets see how he does...

[GingerB]

If you read his website, listened to his online Q&A sessions, and listened to his speeches, you'd have known long ago that Obama is a centrist. This liberal came in to the center to help elect him. I think everyone needs to come to the center long enough to pull this nation out of the BushCo ditch. We HAVE to come together to get things done.

[StillIRise]

He may be more centrist than YOU thought, but most of his informed supporters recognized long before we cast our vote for him that Obama is centrist, and he will govern accordingly. He doesn't belong to the left, and he isn't beholden to the right, but he IS the President-Elect of America, which means all of us. Unlike Bush, he will NOT be a partisan president, but an American President. After 8 years of Bush, I know it's hard for some of us to understand that we've elected a President who will lead ALL of us as one nation, and not just some of us in a divided nation.

Also unlike Bush, he's an intelligent and astute politician who knows what he's doing, and it's understandable that those who are neither intelligent nor politically astute would comprehend the complexity of President-Elect Obama's decisions. But it's okay ... that's why he's the President-Elect, and you're not.

[ProudNeoCon]

I am not President-Elect because I was not born in this country and as such can nto run. What is your excuse? :)

For the person who preach "one nation" you need to learn to talk to other side without being condesendi­ng...

[LetJoeStay]

I love Howard Dean (and not only because he went to Einstein Medical School... go Pelham Pkwy!!), To say I am happy right now would be a great understatement. Sens. Reid, Dodd and others ignored the few, but loud, angry voices calling for retribution against Senator Lieberman and instead decided no to punish Joe for endorsing and supporting his friend, John McCain. We, the netroots community in support of Joe, congratulate him on his recent victory. Way to go, Joe!

http://letjoestay.blogspot.com/

[Teas]

We'll let the people of Ct. decide his future in his next reelection attempt.

[Patton]

Dean forgot a little caveat that Obama has placed on Lieberman's chairmanship. He has to wear Sarah Palin's disguarded campaign wardrobe during committee meanings. .... I like Dean and if the Dems had balls and the media wasn't in the pocket of the GOP he would have been the nominee back in 2004. However , rewarding Lieberman for his disgraceful behaviour is one thing, it's his imcompetence that is really troubling and in that case this move looks like something Bush would agree with. Hope there's more to this than meets the eye.

[TimberGhost]

OMG

Get a clean up and sanitizing crew over to Dean headquarters ASAP. Someone is tainting his water supply with koolade.

This has nothing to do with revenge. Dumping LIEberman is just cleaning moldy leftovers out of the refrigerator of democracy. If left in there, he will certainly spoil whatever he touches.

I expect Reid and his ilk to kowtow to LIEberman but not Dean.

This is not good news.

[pupbayer]

LOL!!!! Howard is a dork.

[ChiGuy]

Dean is spot on.
If Obama wants him untouched, he has his strategic reasons. Bet on it.

[Beninn]

Obama has his reasons, why? Because you can't believe you have been duped so badly?

There can't possibly be change for the better that we'd hoped for when the same people are holding the keys to the controls.

There has to be investigations & hearings, a full accounting & transparency. All the people named to date & who are being talked about for posts in the Democratic Party and the Obama Administration were the losers in this election. Howard Dean's 50-state strategy won over Rahm Emanuel's targeted congressional campaign strategy, & Howard Dean's out of a job. Hillary Clinton lost, she voted for the war & for a war in Iran, & she's being considered for the plum job of SoS? Joe Lieberman cost the Democrats seats up & down the ticket, questioned not only Obama's patriotism but Democrats who supported him as Marxists, he has covered up Bush's tracks as the chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, & he's being given a scarce plum job that usually goes to earners? Bob Gates stays as SoD?

I haven't heard a word about Obama reconsidering his FISA vote, or anyone on the left being brought into this regime.

Hope & Change? We hoped Obama would change. It doesn't look like it's going to happen. And why would he when we're as spineless as those in Congress we complain about. Why would he when we give him & Democrats the benefit of the doubt. "Keep your friends close and

[thatvisionthing]

"I haven't heard a word about Obama reconsidering his FISA vote, or anyone on the left being brought into this regime." BINGO.

[Beninn]

Obama has his reasons, why? Because you can't believe you have been duped so badly?

There can't possibly be change for the better that we'd hoped for when the same people are holding the keys to the controls. There has to be investigations & hearings, a full accounting & transparency. All the people named to date & who are being talked about for posts in the Democratic Party and the Obama Administration were the losers in this election.

Howard Dean's 50-state strategy won over Rahm Emanuel's targeted congressional campaign strategy, & Howard Dean's out of a job. Hillary Clinton lost, she voted for the war & for a war in Iran, & she's being considered for the plum job of SoS? Joe Lieberman cost the Democrats seats up & down the ticket, questioned not only Obama's patriotism but Democrats who supported him as Marxists, he has covered up Bush's tracks as the chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, & he's being given a scarce plum job that usually goes to earners? Bob Gates stays as SoD?

I haven't heard a word about Obama reconsidering his FISA vote, or anyone on the left being brought into this regime. Hope & Change? We hoped Obama would change. It doesn't look like it's going to happen. And why would he when we're as spineless as those in Congress we complain about. Why would he when we give him & Democrats the benefit of the doubt. "Keep your friends close and

[Hoisin]

" There has to be investigations & hearings, a full accounting & transparen­cy." I agree. When are people going to demand jail time for Clinton's aid, Sandy Berger, who stole classified documents that showed a clear link between Bill Clinton’s failure to take terrorism seriously and the attacks of September 11th. Of course the "conservative" mainstream media covered up this story well, yet made sure to note Burglars comments that it was an "honest mistake" that he stole classified documents, stuffed them in his pants and hid them under a trailer.

[sepiasiren]

There was a vote people--Obama had nothing to do with this--he can't just run all over the voting senate--this is not a dictatorship

[Beninn]

I haven't heard a word about Obama reconsidering his FISA vote, or anyone on the left being brought into this regime. Hope & Change? We hoped Obama would change. It doesn't look like it's going to happen. And why would he when we're as spineless as those in Congress we complain about. Why would he when we give him & Democrats the benefit of the doubt. "Keep your friends close and enemies closer"? We lie to ourselves continually.

[ChiGuy]

You were so proud of your rant you had to post it 3 times?

The man hasn't even taken the oath of office yet, and some of you people are already throwing him under the bus with your baseless assumptions.

How pathetic.

[GingerB]

Can we at least get him inaugurated before tearing him to shreds? Give him a friggin' break.

[Beninn]

In Chris Cilizza's column today: Asked what it would mean if Lieberman kept his chairmanship, one Senate Democratic aide said bluntly: "The left has been foiled again. They can rant and rage but they still do not put the fear into folks to actually change their votes. Their influence would be in question."

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/11/the_lieberman_vote.html

The DLC is making the move and blowing off the base of the party. The DLC wants to consolidate its gains in this election and take advantage of the split and disarray within the Republican Party. There is no other way to explain DLCer Rahm Emanuel's move to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Howard Dean's departure from the DNC after his successful 50-state strategy (over Rahm Emanuel's targeted Congressional districts strategy), DLCer Hillary Clinton as SoS, and DLCer Joe Lieberman keeping the chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee after his performance in the post which blocked all investigations into the Bush administration's inept performances during catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina and the continuing secret no-bid sweetheart deal contracts costing taxpayers in excess of $50 BILLION (and, with the Paulson $700 billion bailout, still counting).

Face it, people, we got took.

OBAMA - Change that we hope we find in our pockets.

[GingerB]

I lived in cynicism for far too long. Can we at least get him inaugurated before tearing him to shreds? Give him a friggin' break.

[nomadrick]

The apt statement of the day is... Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Too many are too HOT!!! to understand.

[thatvisionthing]

Khan said that. Wrath of Khan, Star Trek II. And then Kirk blew him up. Yayyyyyyy!!!! Just saying. You can have Khan and Lieberman, give me Captain Kirk, PLEEEEEAAASSEEE, please NOW.

Thanks for the memory.

[flabingo]

Predictions
1. Reading Friedman’s book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded, we learn that there is an inverse correlation between freedom and the price of oil. If the price of oil stays low, Iran’s nuclear ambitions will disappear, the financial support of the Taliban will be gone, Russia will have much less power and the USA will sign the Kyoto accord.
2. Using our powerful computers we will confirm that people from mixed races are not only better athletes, but much better Presidents. Sperm banks will replace breeding farms in Kentucky. Kenyan men will be worth more than the greatest stallions in the world. They will spend their winters in Argentina
3. An expose will show that Mel Brooks was in charge of picking the attorney general for Obama in order to promote his rerun of Blazing Saddles on Broadway.

[mdmpo]

If the Dems NEED Lieberman, we're more f*cked up than I thought.

[markkraft]

Lieberman's 58th vote is more valuable than vote #51, because there almost always will be a Democrat..­. or several... who can't vote for a given issue, because of their state's ties to oil, coal, agriculture, healthcare, etc.

Bill Clinton had 58 senators, and couldn't get healthcare passed... so just because there are Democrats, doesn't mean you have the votes, especially when facing opposition from corporations who are afraid of change. Big Oil won't give way to Big Green without a fight. They might flood the air with ads scaring people about higher energy bills... and national healthcare will be hard to pass, with similar corporate opposition to last time.

Lots of big companies don't want change. So yeah, every vote in the Senate counts!

[FebM]

Lets keep him for the vote and dish him in the ballot.