HuffPost Reporter Sam Stein: Lot Of People 'Kicking Themselves' For Being Nice To Lieberman (VIDEO)

HuffPost reporter Sam Stein was a guest on The Ed Show tonight to discuss the latest news about health care reform, including Senator Joe Lieberman's announcement that he would join a GOP filibuster to torpedo a reform bill that includes a public option.

Host Ed Schultz asked Stein what Lieberman wants out of all this. Stein replied,

Relevancy? I mean that would be the first start. You know this was sort of bound to happen; you could sense it coming up. Once Harry Reid went with the opt-out provision we knew that there were 57 senators roughly who would support it, and we were waiting to see who the other three were. Lieberman was the first out of the gate and I think what he's done is essentially put himself in a position where he can make demands. It's what you do when you're someone who sits on the fence. You're gonna move the legislation in a direction that he wants.

Schultz noted that since Lieberman has been on the record for awhile now against any kind of government run plan, why is he just not a Republican. Stein said there is an argument to be made that when Lieberman was welcomed back into the party it was understood that he would be a more reliable vote than he has been, but that has not been the case: "I think a lot of people are sort of kicking themselves when they look back at the rationale for letting him retain his committee chairmanship. It doesn't really make much sense now."

WATCH: (Skip to 10:43 in the video for Stein's segment)

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Comments

[rgilley]

Republicans have historically been for states rights. Although when the public option becomes a right of the states to take it or leave it they come out swinging. Now why would they do that? Pretty obvious I suspect, they are protecting the people who put them in office....big insurance and big business. They are despicably obvious.

[HenryGuo]

2500 years ago A Chinese philosopher said something like “Why should a man have joy over long life, and have sorrow over short life? Everyone is but a transient dust in the infinite universe.” Someone may think it is passive. Someone may think it kind of means that we should enjoy each day, for each day is a gift. With a good and detached mood you do whatever you want to do, opposing health care reform bill or supporting it.
[e-mail])

[GreatTruthsSeeker]

Very nice post. Thank you.

I still think that there are lots of stories about wingnut zombies today. Maybe they will soon gather together for a food fight, each believing that only they are the main course and slinging each other to oblivion.

Peace brother.

[THE JEDI 69]

backpfeifengesicht= face that should be slapped..Lieberman..thanks Norman Lear I learned a new word

[attilathehoneycom]

Liberals really make me laugh. When Senator Olympia Snowe inched over to the Health Care Hell Plan, all the liberals clapped their little hands in glee and said, "Hey! what a great American!" Now that Senator Lieberman has stepped up to the plate and won't endorse the public option - he's just dog do. I thought his answer was rather insightful when asked why he wanted to join the GOP filibuster to torpedo a reform bill that included public option. His answer:" Relevancy would be a good first start."
The Democrats treated him in a shameful way when he ran for reelection - but instead of just lying down and dying - he ran as an Independent and won. So now he's an Independent and all the crybabies are saying, "why oh why oh why? Don't you wike us anymore?"
It's really none of anyone's business why he isn't a Republican because all the voters care about is that he's not an idiot like many in the House and Senate that are pushing bills through that haven't been read. They should call it the two Houses of DUH!
attilathehoneycom

[rgilley]

Lieberman managed to get elected with the help of big insurance company money. Lieberman is now protecting big insurance companies......any questions?

[Bronxdude]

John “take the money” Boehner, the United States Senator from UnitedHealthcare.
Tom “where’s my check” Coburn, the United States Senator from Cigna.
Jon “no maternity care” Kyl, the United States Senator from Blue Cross / Blue Shield
Mitch “show me the money” McConnell, the United States Senator from Aetna.
Blanche “let’em eat cake” Lincoln, the United States Senator from WellPoint.
Joe “not for the people” Lieberman, the United States Senator from MetLife.

[hungryjack]

You forgot to blame George W. Bush,come on,stop slacking.

[JohnDrake6]

You forgot Mary "no free lunch, except mine" Landrieu.

[rgilley]

Ok it was Goerge Bush and Ronald Reagan who made it ok for the rich to take advantage of the working class and be as greedy as possible, so it was the republicans that got us where we are.

[aview999]

Oh Ed! You outdid yourself tonight! Good going! Keep the PRESSURE up! (esp loved your direct questioning of these unpatrioticAmericans in Washington!)

[Rastaman1967]

To all my progressive friends, we will get this done. I am not convince that we're going to allow Joe, mary or ben to destroy the most important bill in many of our life time. I think These three senators are giving the American people more ammunition to fight. If we allow three senators to stop this Bill, then we deserve what we get. Listen, we've quiet the voices of Republicans, we will do the same for Joe and any other senators who wants to get tin the way of progress.

I think Joe has basically given up his seat in CT.

[balloonloon]

All ye have to do is don thy finest "pair of boots" and kick ye old Leiberman's
arse out of office. Me thinks this will fix thy problem.

[laurasworldnet]

Leiberman is a republican plant. He's there for only one reason, and that is to obstruct the progress of the democratic party and keep them from doing what needs to be done. It's sad that the party did not strip him of his influence when they had the chance. He's been quite clear in what he's about for quite some time.

[ncsteeler]

Harry Reid should have a little talk with Joe and explain that Joe can either vote for cloture or see if the GOP will have him and enjoy life as a minority member. If all else fails then force GOP to actually filibuster 24/7 right through the holidays if necessary and see how many bills are held up by the GOP and just keep holding press conferences and running sob story ads about people who lost their health care and couldn't get chemo. Too often the threat of a filibuster is enough. In the 60's during the civil rights votes the Dixicrates and GOP were forced to really filibuster and eventaully cracked. Reid needs to show he has the stones to push this through. If he does, Nevada voters will see him as a leader and he'll win re-election; if not he'll be seen as weak and even if he squeaks through against lackluster GOP opposition he'll face a challenge for majority leader. Obama should also start twisting arms - he needs to channel LBJ not just JFK.

[Needawinner]

Lieberman is a snake and he should suffer the consequences if be votes against cloture---He should be BARRED from the Dem Caucus and have his chairmanship taken away. Let him be a real independent.The Dems need to show spine and and drop this guy. I still can't believe they welcomed him back after he spoke at the Regressive convention.



Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/28/reid-durbin-open-to-major_n_336626.html

[Roose]

Once again, Joementum is on the Democrat's S list until another "more important" vote comes up and once again he's forgiven. Dump that Rethug now.

[nolabels]

The bill is set up with the ultimate opt-out. Anybody who doesn't want the public insurance doesn't have to sign up for it.

[NetLoa]

He should have been kicked to the curb a long time ago. Maybe NOW people will wise up.

[ctman47]

Hey this is a guy who believed Sarah Palin a heartbeat away from the Oval Office was a great idea.
A lot of people said Reid letting him retain his chairmanship was going to cost Reid his seat.
Well here we are.