New Dem Senator Merkley "Profoundly Hurt" By Lieberman

Aides to Senator-elect Jeff Merkley said the newly elected Oregonian Democrat was "profoundly hurt" by Joe Lieberman's conduct during the 2008 presidential campaign and added that being a committee chair was an honor that came with certain responsibilities.

Nevertheless, they added, the Senator-elect would respect the secrecy of the Tuesday vote that kept Lieberman in his post as Homeland Security chair.

"He did speak at the meeting," said Julie Edwards, Merkley's communications director. "He is someone who cheered for Joe Lieberman in 2000 and Lieberman's words and actions this year were profoundly hurtful to him... The committee chairmanship is a privilege and not a entitlement and Senator-elect Merkley believes that being a member of the leadership comes with certain responsibilities. But at this point he does look forward to putting this behind us."

Sources familiar with today's meeting say that Merkley was one of the few Senators to speak out critically about Lieberman's campaign antics. Both Senators from Vermont -- Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders -- also expressed criticism of the Connecticut independent

"I spoke against the Lieberman motion and voted against it," read a statement from Sanders. "For me, the bottom line is that millions of Americans, with unprecedented energy, worked day and night to get Barack Obama elected and to move our country in a very new direction. I think it's a slap in the face to these activists that someone who opposed those efforts in a very prominent way is awarded with a major committee. Having said that, there is an enormous amount of work that is facing the Senate and we all have to move on and work together to address these issues."

Ultimately, however, Lieberman's fate as a caucusing Democrat was secured as the majority of his colleagues voted to keep him atop the homeland security committee. The resolution agreed upon - which stripped the Senator of his position on an environmental and public works subcommittee - was passed by a 42-13 margin. Addressing reporters after the vote, Majority Leader Harry Reid said of Lieberman: "He's part of this caucus... We are not looking back. We are looking forward."

Senator Dianne Feinstein, meanwhile said her "hope" for Lieberman was "that he becomes a Democrat again."

Comments

[ajax2]

"Shall we only threaten and be angry for an hour?
When the storm is ended shall we find
How softly but how swiftly they have sidled back to power
By the favour and contrivance of their kind?"

[bmora]

Hate the Game not the Player!

[fkk501]

Let's have the list published as to which Senators voted for Lieberman.

Then, let's all vote these people out. This unfortunately is the only language they understand - their self interest, not principle.

If Obama wants to support Lieberman, then let's vote him out too after his first term. That's the trouble with politics - abandonment of principles for political expediency. That's how we got to where we are now. 'To believe in a different result by doing the same things over and over again is sheer stupidity'­..........­Lincoln, I believe.

[Independent voter]

Completely agree. Show us who the traitorous dogs are.


I didn't take long for Obama to abandon principles, did it?

[lthuedk 1]

Homeland Security must be abolished and it's workforce given different jobs rebuilding the infrastructure. We don't need such a strong arm, totalitarian device to further erode our freedoms. Controlling terrorism requires nothing more than coordinated policing-not the worlds biggest and most dangerous military and it's intelligence apparatus. Obviously.

Fire Michael Chertoff to kick things off.

[Tobiason]

I have a feeling they might just abolish DHS. That may be one of the reasons they kept Liarman on the charmanship. Wouldn't that be the smartest move ever?

[barnamink]

He's new, give him some time. He still has backbone, but nothing erases backbone faster than serving a few terms in D.C.

[StephCaster]

"Senator Dianne Feinstein, meanwhile said her 'hope' for Lieberman was 'that he becomes a Democrat again.'"

On a number of issues, such as the Iraq War and support for the fat cats, I hope the same thing for Feinstein.

[irisda]

Oh they did what they had to but. but I urge his constituents to drive him out of office at the next election. Don't let this be forgotten - ever!

[Cookie100]

Poor Jeff, they're always catching him with his mouth open! I volunteered for him, don't get me wrong, I love the guy. He did a good job as Speaker of the House in Oregon.
He was in O's office in Portland, so he had a lot of volunteers.
He'll do a good job, he's very devoted to O, and also worked during the primaries to make sure Clinton DID NOT WIN!
Good luck Jeff, we all voted for you and we're delighted Gordon is gone, FINALLY!

OVER 20% OF OREGONIAN (more now) rely on a food bank to feed their families, while Gordon Smith hires illegals to work in his food processing plant, AND GORDON BOUGHT A $1.20 MILLION DOLLAR SET OF GOLF CLUBS WHILE OREGONIANS ARE SUFFERING!

That's what I told Smith's office in DC even before the count was finished, that is WHY SMITH LOST!
He's is the real OUT-OF-TOUCH ELITIST! How can anyone that wealthy know what it's like not to be able to afford to eat!

[LiberalnChicago]

Telling me everything will be all ponies and puppies after a shtuping is not gonna work for me this time.

For shame. Lieberman is unethical and imcompetent. Move forward? Really.

[JohnShank]

It sure didn't take the Democrats long to roll over for Lieberman. Unbelievable! What CAN'T a person do to warrant any outrage from the Democratic leadership? Pelosi won't go for impeachment, Reid never saw a foe he couldn't roll over for fast enough, and now Lieberman, who actually campaigned AGAINST the Democratic candidate, not to mention backing Bush's ridiculous war, gets to keep his committee. Wow! That's extra-strength spineless. I guess the only thing that Democrats really hate is a Clinton!

[FirstShirt]

Liebermans nose was bloodied after democrats turned their backs on him. It is payback. Now the slate is clean. Accept the fact that even democrats may think for themselves once and awhile and move on.

[JohnShank]

Yeah... a bloody nose should make up for Lieberman's backing a stupid war that has so far cost thousands upon thousands of lives and billions of dollars... That sounds about like the spineless congressional Democratic response. They always bring a butter knife to a gun fight.... gimme a break!

[Independent voter]

It is spineless. But it started with Obama wanting to keep Lieberman. If Obama wanted him gone, I'm sure he would be toast.

[philosopherkingtomas]

we need 60 votes so get over it!

[michael429]

not gonna happen with Leiberman...he has repeatedly said that he believes in the filibuster...so don't count on it.....the other option for the dems if they had the brass would be to use the same hammer that the republican thugs threatened and go for the nuclear option......that ain't gonna happen either.....the senate is a club and these guys are truly bi-partisan after all is said and done.....the words don't matter....the behavior doesn't matter.....they take care of each other...had Stevens been re-elected they would have welcomed him back as well.....

i'm looking around for some signs of "Change"....anyone out there seeing any?

[DuPageDem]

Really? Why is it, then, that the Rethugs ran the Senate these past two years with only 49?

[Independent voter]

That's incredibly naive.

The Democrats gave Lieberman a free ride when he couldn't get re-elected as a Democrat 2 years ago. They ley him keep his charimanship, his big office, his massive ego etc.

After all of their a.ss. kissing and but.t suc.k.ing, Lieberman told the Democrats to pound sand and was glued to McCain's nip.ple for the last 18 months

Now somehow Joew is magically transformed into one of the good guys? Har!

[isom74]

Get over it Merkley. You just got here.

[FirstShirt]

He has to practice the democratic "whine". It takes awhile.

[zonafan51]

Now they need to abolish the Homeland Security Committee (really . . . what have they accomplished??) when he takes office. No committee . . . no need for a chair . . . no need for Joe "The Snake" Lieberman.

[chf2go]

As much as Lieberman turns my stomach, I think they did the right thing. He's going to get kicked out by his constituents the next election anyway, they may as well dangle his feet in the fire for the next few years and get some usefulness out of his sorry self.

[JonathanStuartLeibowitz]

Ditto. Fully agree.

[Avembe]

Uh is it possible to anticipate the elections especially for lieberman, JUST for him, Just for his seat...?
can we do that?Any lawyer here? can we...?
Yes ...i hope we can!!!

[FirstShirt]

"He's going to get kicked out by his constituents the next election anyway, "

They tried before, remember? The republicans saved him. And will do so again.

[Independent voter]

How are they puttiong his feet to the fire by letting him keep his fiefdom??

[Horus45]

This article must be wrong, Sanders does not get a vote because he is an Independent.

[unstuffedshirt]

Common misperception. Sanders does get a vote on leadership issues.