Cheerful Lieberman: I Wasn't Punished At All

Joe Lieberman sat down with Katie Couric of CBS to talk about the Senate Democratic caucus vote in his favor. Asked to respond to critics who are angry at how little punishment Lieberman received for campaigning against Barack Obama in the election, the Connecticut Independent pointed to Barack Obama's appeal against retribution. He added that he thought the Democratic message on the subject was, "it's time for us to reconcile, to close ranks." He added he was "very grateful" and "in some senses feeling closer to the Senate Democratic caucus than i have since the 2000 election." Watch:

Watch CBS Videos Online

Politico also caught up with Lieberman today, who was pretty cheerful:

As critics complain that he got off with a "slap on the wrist," Joe Lieberman said Wednesday that he doesn't regard his loss of a spot on the Environment and Public Works Committee as punishment for backing John McCain over Barack Obama in the presidential race.

"I don't view it as a sanction," a relaxed and genial Lieberman told Politico as he walked through the Capitol Wednesday.

Instead, Lieberman suggested he relinquished his seat on the committee voluntarily -- "in the spirit of cooperation" -- after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid asked him to help free up room for the committee for incoming senators.

Lieberman was also asked by Couric about his response to a question posed to him during the campaign, "Is Barack Obama a Marxist?" At the time he said "it's a good question to ask." Watch him try to explain his answer.

WATCH:

Comments

[Wallysmom]

A word to the wise, Joe, enjoy your committee chair for now. It will be the last light of the political stage you will have after 2012. The constituants of CT are not sending you back to spend your twilight years in the Senate. They have short memories and your grinning support of McCain and comments about Obama being "marxist" will not be forgotten that quickly.

[Digeeedad]

Lieberman time after time stood behind McCain and Palin at campaign rallys, grinning broadly and nodding his head like some senseless geriatric puppet, as they hatefully attacked and smeared the next President. And.... he gets to keep his job???? Another example of how Washington can't be trusted, because something's fishy here!

[mergina]

YEEEECH! Dear Independent Party. Please get strong and powerful so we all have someone else to vote for other than the gutless Democratic Party who bowed to this YEEEECH!

[cdbk]

Obama's generosity has put him in a box,he will be a nice boy hence forth,after all the Democrats can have another vote anytime they want.The worst thing to happen as far as he is concerned was for Gore to have picked him as his choice for VP,he got addicted to the spotlight,just ignore him and he will not seek another term and slither away quietly.

[marko77]

You can't blame Joe Lieberman for being allowed to hold his post. His "fellow Democrats" have made this decision.

Mr. Lieberman has not hesitated to stab Democratic Party in the Front with great vigor and glee. He's never tried to hide his disdain for Democrats - at least not in public - obviously he must be amiable on the inside. Also, Mr. Lieberman is a fan of the "Rapture Ready" crowd and considers "Reverand" Hagee "the new Moses." This type of thinking is warped.

[1differentdrummer]

Will he be returned to the Senate next time he runs?

[wanked]

Not if this CT resident can help it....Ther­e's a movement growing now to be sure that DOESN'T happen.

[cdbk]

Obama's generosity has put Lieberman in a box,he will be a nice boy hence forth.The media just needs to ignore him, the worst thing to happen as for as he is comcerned was for Gore to select him as his VP candidate,he became addicted to the media spotlight,he just needs to be ignored.

[Academic]

This man is a sychophantic opportunist of the worst kind. A characteristic flaw that's made even more apparent by the magnanimous attitude directed undeservingly towards him by Barack Obama and the rest of the Democrats who he so cynically betrayed.

Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore.

[Judyisacutie]

Of course he feels closer to the Democrats now. They're holding him upside down.

[Tobiason]

He said since 2006, not 2000.

[fodel]

We need every vote in congress to help obama undo the 8 miserable years of bush. next election, expect to see lieberman the weasel voted out of office, disgraced, and then you'll hear the true feelings of what his colleagues think of him.

[Frenbar]

Of course he feels close to them, he's standing right up behind them, with their pants down.

[Tobiason]

Everytime Joe talks it makes me think Obama is genius. Are you seeing what I'm seeing?

[SwingVoter]

There is a possibility Lieberman may be re-elected in 2012. How, you ask? Obama is also up for re-election that year. I can see the snake coming out early announcing his support for the President's re-election.

[KaLaPa111]

I don't really care about Lieberman one way or the other but dammit his face irks the crap outta me.

[Wilkei]

LMAO!

[DrDemon]

Ditto !