Obama Hasn't Talked With Lieberman Since Filibuster Threat

President Barack Obama has not reached out to Sen. Joseph Lieberman in the week since the Connecticut Independent announced that he would potentially filibuster health care reform.

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, in response to a question from the Huffington Post, told reporters on Tuesday that he was aware "of neither meetings nor phone calls" between "the president and Senator Lieberman." Last Tuesday, Lieberman told reporters that he would side with Republicans in sustaining a filibuster of health care legislation if it included a public option for insurance coverage.

The statement instantly made the senator a key player in the legislative process. Democrats in the Senate cannot spare one defection of a caucusing member if they hope to sustain the 60 votes needed to get legislation to an up-or-down vote.

That Obama has not reached out to the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee suggests any number of possibilities. The president, for instance, could be content to leave the wooing of Lieberman to the Democratic leadership in Congress. The White House could also view the senator's opposition as ephemeral and believes it is simply best to marginalize his voice.

By contrast, the president is scheduled to meet on Tuesday with another public option skeptic -- one who has been far less vocal than Lieberman. As Talking Points Memo reported, Obama and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) will have a sit down in the White House around 5:00 p.m. this evening.

"This is the only meeting today," a White House aide told the Huffington Post. "Tomorrow [Obama] is in Wisconsin."

Comments

[ebbtide]

Obama campaigned for Lieberman against Lamont right? So did Bill Clinton. Right? enuf said.

[linzy]

Again, it is time for Obama to use the office to get some leverage. He doesn't need to "reach out" to this Howdy Doody, but needs to call him into the principal's office for a good stern reprimand and reminder of just what Lieberman owes the Democrats for allowing him to have a committee chairmanship. Stop playing nice; even Dr. Spock realized there are times for stern measures when dealing with unruly children.

[jerryfromcalifornia]

I hope the President NEVER talks to him again.
jerry belairca

[Horus45]

His support of a Republican filibuster will ensure his loss of his chair of the Homeland Security committee.
It will not be tolerated this time!

[gumbo1049]

Joe's priorities= Israel and Insurance companies

[nomobull]

the media should follow his lead.

[Ventura Co California]

Maybe Obama should just try his ole Chitown politics on him.

[rissole]

Maybe Joe Lieberman should take all the money he got from lobbyists and go to live in Israel.

[plaidsportcoat]

obama you look so WEAK
you talk about diplomacy but you can't get your own party - yes, YOUR PARTY-- together on anything.

[Ventura Co California]

A TRUE leader would be able to.

[hardlyhikin]

C'mon Elton! What would you know about leadership?

[jerryfromcalifornia]

I'm sorry that I have to agree with that. And I'm a Democrate. Come on O grow a pair.
jerry belairca

[ebbtide]

From the looks of it, to this ordinary citizen, Obama does not affiliate with any party. Swell

[MountainPenelope]

Joe who?

[Balzac]

It's time for Joe Lieberman to reintegrate into society. He made some very unpopular choices, but he's been one consistently existing personality.

Here's my new theory on society, politics and psychology. Personality matters a lot. That means Joe Lieberman still matters, regardless of how annoying he can be.

Now here comes a weird twist. Joe Lieberman should be celebrated because he's a strange kind of bureaucratic mensch. He's taken it upon himself to be a kind of political "semi-conductor".

I'm not sure how conscious he is of this role, but he's never revealed himself to be stark-raving mad, even while bridging a lot of political chasms. Joe Lieberman needs to come out of the political trance. He doesn't need to "threaten" a filibuster, he needs to have a face-to-face without Obama getting railed against by "angstivists".

At some point we're going to need to have a "code freeze" on the new medical legislation and that conversation is going to need to happen. Joe just has to recognize that he's not the ultimate political svengali on this deal. He should be helpful to the president and show us that old Joe Lieberman smile.

[Balzac]

I'm only saying this because so many commentators have expressed their desire to punch Joe Lieberman in the face. He has really gotten under people's skin with his croaking voice and chiding everyone about how disappointed he is in everyone. He knows how to push people's buttons.

Well, he deserves credit for having a massive ego. It's really incredible how he takes such unpopular stands against the common good, thereby creating a bridge to the anti-social political wing and preventing a decisive legislative victory.

I'd put him on the spot and force him comply with the progressive legislation, or else I'd say "you've reached the end of the road, Joe. You're going to get taken out in the primary, and this time you're not going to be protected by Bill Clinton or Barack Obama. You're persona non grata if you don't play ball". It'll be easier for people to forgive him when his political career is over.

[Fred Hood]

I don't trust either side of the isle as they like to say. I feel they are all trying to find some way to protect the lobby money and perks they all receive from the corporations that feed on us..........

[kilgary]

I don't understand why no one is talking about Reconciliation anymore. The Democrats need 50 votes, not 60, to move the bill (which is a budgetary bill) to a vote. Stop empowering Lieberman and Snowe. Strip Lieberman of his chairmanship, don't allow him to caucus with the Democrats and pass a bill with a robust Public Option tied to Medicare rates. If we lose a couple Blue Dogs to pass real reform, so be it. If Republicans can use Reconciliation to lower taxes on the wealthy, surely Democrats can use it to save 45,000 lives a year?

[ohiotechie]

You got it! Of course, it would take some political will and Reid is a spineless jellyfish. It would require our elected officials to turn their backs on special interest money and vote their conscience.

The problem is that I'm not sure there are 50 people with a conscience in the Senate regardless of political affiliation.

[Bankerrkt]

So Mr. Bipartisan, Mr Hands Across the Aisle won't talk to Lieberman ..... no surprise to me. That's what I have come to expect from the Cry Baby In Chief.

[MoreDimensions]

Benedict Arnold Lieberman does not deserve a call from the President.

[Ventura Co California]

Looks like Lieberman hit a nerve with you.

[ThankGodhesgone]

Maybe he's tired of having his hand bitten everytime he tries to reach across the aisle.

Do you have any examples where the repuplicans have helped the Obama administration?

[BPCentrisAmerican]

None.

[Fred Hood]

O bashing is so easy.........when you extend your had and it is bitten too many times you learn....he is learning who goes on which list.....when the list is complete you will see a different person.......I like to think of it as pit bull O.........got anything else besides the bashing thing?

[tel8034]

I don't see ANY rethug wanting bipartisanship.

The GOP is the party of NO, the party of NO IDEAS, and the party of BEING DIVISIVE.

Joe The Snake Lieberman doesn't deserve ANY attention from anyone including the President.

If he wants to lay down with dogs, then he deserves the fleas that will bite him.

[Democrates Lives]

Lieberman the Gollum? Similar life styles produce similar appearances, me thinks. Who has the Ring now???