Reading the Lieberman Tea Leaves

It's being reported that there was no conclusion reached in the meeting between Lieberman and Reid yesterday regarding the weaselly one's future as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

The same sources who told about the substance of yesterday's agenda indicated that Reid is not kicking Joe out yet because there are several Senate seats still to be decided.  If by some miracle Franken wins the recounts, Chambliss loses the runoff (which would probably only happen if Obama campaigned for him), and the extremely questionable election in Alaska comes down in favor of Begich, that makes Lieberman the 60th vote in the Senate.

Unlikely.

So what are Lieberman's options at this point?

1)  Remain in the caucus stripped of his seniority, sulk away and suck it up.  Hard to imagine from a guy who has used bitterness over his 2006 primary loss as rocket fuel, and whose sole political ideology seems to be revenge against the party.

2)  Switch parties.  The Republicans would love to have him, but they have no power, and neither would Joe.  Further, he'd be giving up any chance of winning the seat again in 2012 because he's already trailing Ned Lamont by 10 points in the polls, and his chances of winning as a Republican in Connecticut are about zero.

3)  Resign.  This was essentially what bitterman was threatening the Democratic caucus with in his press conference yesterday, when he said he was "weighing his options."  Republican governor Jody Rell then appoints Rob Simmons, and the seat threatens to  turn into a solid "R."

4)  Fight like a mofo to retain his seniority.

As long as 4) is an option, Lieberman will take it.

Reid doesn't want to bear the sole burden of that decision himself, so he's punting to the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, whose members make recommendations for committee chairs. 

Right now Lieberman has his friends in the caucus lobbying Reid to keep him in his committee chair.  (Is Boxer showing up for Joe again?  Salazar?  Dodd?)  So even if the Steering and Outreach Committee does the right thing and recommends stripping Lieberman, someone could object.  In which case it may head for a full vote in the caucus - which would probably happen in two weeks. 

You can sign a letter to the members of the Steering and Outreach Committee letting them know -- Joe Must Go.

Jane Hamsher blogs at firedoglake.com

 

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Comments

[mrcontinental]

Kick Lieberman to the curb and ignore his resignation threats. The Mossad will not allow him to resign.

[weatherwaxx]

Read the article. If Lieberman resigns -- as he's apparently threatened -- the (R) Gov of CT will appoint a republican for the next 4 years. I don't think he should be allowed to keep the chair, either, but I'm stil hoping for Franken to pull out a win.

How long does it take for a recall election, and can Connecticut do it?

[Sebastos]

I would love to see an expert legal opinion on the feasibility of recall (I'm not a lawyer myself); but I think the answer is that no, Senator Lieberman can't be recalled:

http://www.10zenmonkeys.com/2008/07/11/can-senator-lieberman-be-recalled/

http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2007/01/does-connecticut-have-recall-statute.html

The possibly relevant portions of the Constitution that I can find are sections 3, 4, and 5 of Article I (basic rules about the Senate); Article V (amending the Constitution); Article VI (supremacy of federal law over state law); and the 17th Amendment (direct election of Senators).

And unfortunately, even Republican Governor M. Jodi Rell can't be recalled under Connecticut law, although the US Constitution would not prohibit it:

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legismgt/elect/recallprovision.htm

and although Gov. Rell might deserve it:

http://connecticutlocalpolitics.blogspot.com/2007/01/ken-krayeske-arrest-police-report-and.html

[krabby]

You sold out Joe. Plain and simple. We don't want you and we don't need you.

[mikebell90]

I've figured out the solution:

A new cabinet post - Court Jester.

And appoint Liberman.

Win-win...­.

[STG 44]

Joe, become a Republican. Our party has lots of pro-Israel people, both Jewish and Gentile in it.

[LightningJoe]

Pretty desperate, aren't you, STG? Would you take ANYONE in your party right now? That's what this says, to me.

[brynn6]

This bears re-posting here in the comments section.

Go here and sign the petition to strip him of his committee chairmanship.

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/petition/nomorejoe

[harpen1]

Let him go, he surely was willing to let the Dems go fast enough.

[Tulka2]

Lieberman is a little fish flopping on the shore. He is the Senator from Connecticut, as you say, and MUST remain Democratic or retire. He is useful on social issues as he always votes with Dems.

[weatherwaxx]

Must remain Democratic? Not at all. Remember, the Dems dumped him in the last election, so he took Republican money and ran as a so-called "Independe­nt." He's playing both sides for himself.

[lynjs]

As much as the Dems need him, he's not worth it. The election of 2006 should have told everybody where his loyalties lie. He lost the Democratic nomination to the Senate in favor of Ned Lamont. Instead of taking a beating and going home to rise again another day, he got mad and decided to run as an independent and won. I bet those that gave him the win over Ned Lamont now wish they hadn't.

As much as there is a need for unity in all quarters of government after the acidity that has been spread for eight years, this time I feel that Senator Lieberman is a rattlesnake waiting to strike. You don't know if he is going to just hiss at you or bite the crap out of you. So no, I'd get rid of him so fast he'd think DC Comics' Flash was wisping by.

[Sebastos]

There's polling evidence (from back in July) to support your statement "I bet those that gave him the win over Ned Lamont now wish they hadn't":

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/07/03/lieberman_would_be_crushed_today.html

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/3/11710/38088/218/545921

More recently, Lieberman has been repudiated by the "Connecticut for Lieberman" party that he created(!):

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/10/07/liebermans_party_turns_against_him.html

I doubt that Lieberman could be elected dogcatcher in Connecticut today.

[weatherwaxx]

RECALL ELECTION TIME!

[billw8017]

Lieberman was the major Democratic beneficiary of Enron. The Senate has to confront Republican obstructionism and defy a filibuster. A new ethics bill may be the one to take a stand on. If Republicans are denied pork, their lobbyist friends and fundraisers will abandon them. Pork is, after all, the one significant Republican principle.

[JonW]

Joe can't be counted on anything but that which favors Joe. Harry Reed--please take away that Chairmanship from this snake for the sake of your Party and the Country. You can find Republicans with
infinitely more honor and self respect to go along on Democrats on important issues than LieberCain.

[Sebastos]

Hasn't anyone heard? Everyone seems to assume that Lieberman can be relied on as the 60th vote, if we can somehow round up the first 59. But Lieberman himself is now on record to the contrary! He vehemently opposes the Democrats' goal of a 60-vote, filibuster-proof Senate supermajority, and has even expressed doubt as to whether the country would survive if that goal were attained. Scroll to the bottom of the page in this transcript of his participation in a radio talk show:

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/196/17707/

For a liberal perspective on this radio interview, check out:

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/11/04/lieberman-caucus-dems/

Counting on Lieberman for the 60th vote is truly a case of setting the fox to guard the chicken coop. And since the illusory hope of a 60th vote was really the only remaining argument for keeping Lieberman, there is now nothing whatsoever to be gained by tolerating his numerous perfidies. I've signed the "Joe must go" petition; any other liberal who had any doubts can now sign with a clear conscience.

[Artos]

Sebastos,

Lieberman, expressed doubts that the country would survive a Democratic majority? How interesting. I wonder why he didn't feel that way when the Republicans had the majority. I suppose he felt that they were just little angels. I suppose that what has become of America while in their charge is the epitomy of good government. What a Loser he is.

[trunk65]

In my 61 years, I have watched those on the right become nastier, tell bigger lies, and exhibit more and more contempt for those they represent in office. The neo-cons have made an exact science out of abuse of power, and they will hurt anyone as badly as they can if that person is in their way. They won or stole elections at the expense of American ideals, and they will do it again if they see the slightest opening. These are bad people, and this election was about more than who became president. Instead of letting them beat us into submission again, we finally got our s@#$t together, and they're on the run. To allow someone who endorses and condones their sick and twisted methods to keep his own political life viable in the Democratic caucus is inconceivable, not to mention unforgivable. Send him to the den of vipers, where he belongs

[Artos]

trunk65,

I am wholly in agreement with you in your assessment of the Republicans because I evaluate them the same way. Vipers who shouldn't be allowed another chance to rule.

[LisaJeanM]

There is a Petition to sign to throw Lieberman OUT:

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/petition/nomorejoe

[Phillyska]

Good G_d, cut him loose. It's not worth the 60 votes to have this dishonorable man in our midst. He doesn't represent the Democratic Party. Drop him from all committees and let the GOP have him.

[KBinIA]

I'll second that. In my mind, Joe will always be joined at the hip with McCain. Pathetic.

[kimleehan]

Lieberman is waiting to see what McCains going to do, than he's going to ride McCain's shirt tails in. Lieberman still thinks McCain's got Obama right were he wants him.