Democrats' Lieberman Letter: Apologize

Connecticut Democrats want Sen. Joe Lieberman to apologize to President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden for comments he made during the campaign criticizing both men and questioning their ability to govern.

The request was made in a Jan. 16 letter from Nancy DiNardo, chairwoman of the state party, on behalf of the Democratic State Central Committee.

"We hope and expect that you will work constructively with the new Democratic president and Congress, and will give your full and active support to the Democratic agenda to help enact the policies and reforms so badly needed to get America headed in the right direction," she wrote.

Some top Connecticut Democrats, angry with Lieberman over his public support of Republican Sen. John McCain for president, originally wanted the state party to censure the senator. But after much debate, they decided DiNardo should write Lieberman a letter outlining their concerns.

The one-page letter chastises the longtime Democrat, who won re-election in 2006 as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, for speaking at the Republican National Convention on behalf of McCain.

It says Lieberman's appearance undermined the efforts of Democratic candidates in Connecticut and across the country.

Lieberman, the Democrats' nominee for vice president in 2000, plans to respond to DiNardo's letter. It was unclear whether he'll issue an apology.

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"Sen. Lieberman believes that this is not the time to look backward, but rather to unite behind the leadership of our new president to address the challenges facing Connecticut and our nation," said Marshall Wittmann, a Lieberman spokesman.

"Sen. Lieberman agrees with what President Obama so eloquently stated [Tuesday] that we must put an end to the politics of recrimination -- now is the time for unity, not for division," he said.

Lieberman and DiNardo met privately late last month, shortly after the state central committee agreed to send him the letter. DiNardo had called the meeting "very thoughtful and productive."

The state Democrats' letter also criticizes Lieberman for supporting controversial pastor John Hagee, a Texas evangelical preacher who has referred to the Roman Catholic Church as "the great whore" and called it a "false cult system."

"Your support of Republican candidates and of the views of Rev. John Hagee sent a message that you supported the failed policies of the past and supported views that are considered at best anti-Catholic and anti-gay," according to the letter. "These allegiances represent a fundamental deviation from the values that our candidates and supporters of the Democratic Party hold dear."

Comments

[Lahonda]

Judas Lieberman!

[Querent]

"It was unclear whether he'll issue an apology."

Only to those who know nothing about Lieberman.

[ColoradoCool]

Seems like wanting to look forward and not back is the rationalization du jour.

[dukeitout]

One reason I became an independent is because the democrats have not really thrown this guy out of the party. They have no shame. Next we'll be reading he intends to seek Harry Reids' position------and he would no doubt get a lot of democratic support. To the Connecticut democratic party I ask--- why should he apologize to the democratic nominees for president and V.P. for not supporting them? He's not a democrat. He supported the party of his choice. He wasn't being disloyal.

[traveler501]

re: "why should he apologize to the democratic nominees for president and V.P. for not supporting them? He's not a democrat."

because he wants to caucus with Democrats, and hold committe chairmanships under the Democratic control. and they expect some basic loyalty in return for those plums.

[CeeLee]

I live in CT and LIeberman has been a CONSTANT no show on EVERYTHING a U.S. Senator is supposed to be "on point" about. He is MOSTLY interested in having his head buried in the back of ANY Republican politico for his OWN PERSONAL interests. NOT the interests of the citizens of the State of Connecticut. He DOES NOTHING for Connecticut except when it happens to be an election year, then he :"reaches across party lines" to kiss up to the Republican Party and this disasterous war in Iraq.

[panhandlebabe]

Wow, thanks for the inside scoop. What a rat!

[Rockwell]

There's insane campaign rehtoric and then there's the toxic waste that Libermann puked.

But since the democrats won, Joe has paid a heavy price for backing the wrong horse. . . oh, wait. No, actually he's been coddled and stroked by Obama and the democrats. Ok, but now he's gotten a stern letter from Connecticut democrats. Ha ha! Take that, Joe!

Let's hope the Connecticut voters do their civic duty and send this piece of work into retirement.

[AbbieXHoffman]

Lieberman's constituents will decide if he is to be punished by voting him out or not. That's how the system works and it's for the best.

[mick8535]

whatta joke, I think he ought to be tarred and feathered and run out of town - yesterday or sooner.
We cannot afford to be courting a Judas at this time.
Things are much too tight in DC.

Obama should issue a statement telling Big L that this town ain't big enough for two of us (I know, I know, Lieberman's from Connecticut... I know) -
I would go like this: "Son, ya got until sundown, after that, I'ma gonna come gunnin' fer ya"

[aquarius2001]

LMAO!!!

""Son, ya got until sundown, after that, I'ma gonna come gunnin' fer ya""

[indiematrix]

Guys you had your chance when you were going to vote to remove his a$$ from the homeland security post and you CAVED. Someone needed to give Reid a pair. That ship has sailed. It's Conn. citizens turn to deal with him.

[Catjya]

This bozo infidel was going to be Mccain's Sec of State,every muslim country would be gunning for America. LIEberman is a hawkish warmonger like Mccain,

[krechsd]

Good for Conn.

[loudyk]

Connecticut voters can deal with Lieberman at the next election by voting him out of office. I hope the turncoat never steps foot back into politics after that.

[dolphy]

"THE LOVERS"

[aloha43]

If that is the case, then Sarah Palin has a lot of apologizing to do. She was worse than anyone.

[1Troubles]

I pray you are correct-I can't stand to watch him talk, mush less listen to what he says!