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

[chicagomike]

Why is HuffPo removing my posts (2 now) on this thread???

[MrsPeel]

That's what they do...

[OregonGary]

I'm proud of Jeff Merkley. And I'm very happy to have voted for him here in Oregon.

[fiorastar]

Me too! I can't wait to see what he brings to the Senate.

[WestCoastWoman]

Ditto! I live in Portland, Oregon... voted Merkely and can't wait to see him help turn things around! DEMS are GEMS! America woke up!

[ArmyCentrist]

Ugh, I tried and tried to stay with ya Harry, but now you gotta go, there's a new breed of Democrats coming in, and they don't care about their "buddies" feelings getting hurt! Harry and Nancy, get a backbone or get OUT!

[Meggie]

YES. Agree completely. Time they started doing what they were elected to do.
This is not a liberal/co­nservative thing. It is a dem housekeeping thing. Lieberman should have gone and a deserving Dem should have gotten that spot.

[chicagomike]

This evening, I feel like I can never again vote for a Democrat. What a HUGE disappointment. No "change," just politics as usual.

[CharliePSP]

Well....I can't say I agree with you ArmyCentrist. I disagree that this is lack of backbone. I think there were a lot of behind the scenes pressure on Lieberman. Besides, Merkley is too new to be throwing his "weight" around. I bet Joey will be a better democrat in the near future. Trust me, there will not be a wholesale transformation in the Senate. It just doesn't work that way.

[OKF]

Exactly why i voted FOR Merkley. Finally...­. a Democrat with a spine. I just hope Al Franken in gets in there too next.

[Meggie]

Yes. We need more Dems with this attitude. Time to work at replacing some of these old ones next. Bernie Sanders is correct in his assessment. Lieberman should have been voted out. Does anyone really think he'd start voting like a republican? He's already on shaky ground for reelection in CT. It would be the last straw!

[lynettema]

Senate Seats
57 - Alaska
58 - Minnesota
59 - Georgia
60 - Lieberman
(all questionable)
This is the reason and the only reason.

[MrsPeel]

And after all this Lieberman will hew to Obama's foreign policy?

[hotstuff]

He'll have to or they will relief him of his duty, for dialect of doing his job to the satisfaction of the senate and President! Lliebermen is on notice!

[Meggie]

What makes you think that the conservati­ve-leaning dems, mostly from southern states, will vote with the dems on everything? They haven't so far. And what makes you think some republicans trying to hold their seats in more moderate states wouldn't make up that 60 votes just as easily as passifying that self-centered creepy senator from CT?

[MrsPeel]

Yes!

[MagicalPossibilities]

I'll take that and raise you two Republican Senators from Vermont...

[Carolab]

We just picked up Alaska!

[Beninn]

There is no need to keep Lieberman in the Dem tent.

The Myth of the Democratic Filibuster-Proof Senate

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/editorblog/143

With Obama's blessing, what the Senate Democrats did today was about sending the message to the base of the Democratic Party that lefties are dispensible, replaceable by moderate Republicans.

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

[Beninn]

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.

[StephenDedalus82]

Wouldn't you people rather have Lieberman placated and licking Obama's boots for endorsing him to maintain his chairmanship than pissed off and flirting with the Republican caucus?

[DeniseD]

He should be kissing Obama's a**. Sorry to be so vulgar, but that is what I think of this whole thing.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

If anybody is placated, if anybody is licking somebody's boots, it is not Lieberman.

[PhilipTaylor]

I am with you Merkley!

If Obama wants him to get 60, I guess we can all learn to live with it for the GREATER GOOD!

But we will all be watching Lieberman's votes!

[CharliePSP]

Yes. This is pragmatic politics.

[NWBrunette]

Kudos to Mr. Merkley. An strong, auspicious beginning amongst a crowd of wimps. You make Oregonians proud.

[TommyMcCarthy]

Anyone disagree that a new Senate Majority Leader is needed now.

Q: Forget Lieberman.­....Is Harry Reid "Change We can believe in"??
tm

[hotstuff]

I wouldn't mind seeing Reid go , or Polosi! I want bipartisen, and these two have more trouble than liebermen!

[MrsPeel]

Please use spell check.

[LeeCalif]

Way to stand up, Jeff !!

A proud supporter.

[eden4barack08]

Hmm, Merkley was the only running Senator who actually got an ad cut for him directly from Obama.
Sounds like he'll be a promising future. I wish we had elected more fresh blood in that Reid-rotten Senate. Judas would've gotten the boot for sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-UkAR81gmk

[socratiskiss]

I am so "profoundly" disappointed in my party.

[holyhandgrenaid]

I like this guy. I look forward to hearing from Merkley for the next long while, he's got promise

[CatoTheCensor]

"Lieberman's words and actions this year were profoundly hurtful?"

Oh, dear God. Message control, please, people. It's your image. Unlike Madonna, you only get one.

[jemamosa]

Two years ago democrats tried to get rid of Lieberman, because he didn't agree with getting out of Iraq. So we put up a totally unqualified contender in the primary. Lieberman ran as an Independent and won. So, technically he is not a democrat. He supported McCain because he had reservations about Obama. Lots of people did. Some valid, some not. I believe Obama can be an absolutely terrific president - because he is open to opposing points of view. I think he may do many things that disappoint me and I'm sure he is going to disappoint many of his far-left supporters who so vigorously worked for him. This is why I think (hope) he will be an absolutely magnificent president. I have a few very good friends who did not support him, and still do not trust him - they are still my very good friends.