Joe Lieberman wants to keep his status and committees and caucus with the Democrats. He has been a fear-monger and someone who has promoted a dangerous, reckless false choice between American relations with Israel and other parts of the Middle East. He is a devout neoconservative who has been a key enabler of many of the most nefarious groups that promoted the Iraq War and who want a series of new wars in the region.
But more than that, he strongly supported someone a heartbeat away from the presidency who knew virtually nothing about America's place in the world, who knew nothing of American history and its leaders and conventions and founders.
Lieberman is dangerous on so many levels -- and he has not apologized for any of his positions or offered any explanation that should make Americans feel comfortable with this Senator in the next four years as Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security.
If Dems would like to keep Joe Lieberman in the caucus, give him responsibility for education policy, telecom policy, health care -- but the price for the Dems keeping this fearmonger is that he be removed from any position with key responsibility for national security or domestic security matters.
It is useful to refresh the memory of what Joe Lieberman said about Sarah Palin, on stage with her, and what he remained on stage listening to as Sarah Palin talked about "Barack Obama's terrorist friends. . ."
This from TNR's Michael Crowley:
It was jarring, however, to hear Lieberman's full-throated endorsement of Sarah Palin, a woman with whom he has no prior relationship, and whose policy credentials you have to think the wonky 20-year Senator would find suspect in any other context."She's so strong, she's so capable, she's so competent," Lieberman told the cheering crowd. Emphasizing her "faith," he added that she is someone who "with your help--and God's help--will be the next vice president of the United States." More big cheers.
The religiousity continued when Palin bounded onstage. She commented right away on the number of American flags in the crowd, declaring: "God bless America--you guys get it!"
And then it was on with the attacks on Obama: "There are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are some candidates, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change," Palin said. She went on to reiterate charges that Obama is friendly with terrorists (Bill Ayers), wants America to lose in Iraq, and smears US troops in Afghanistan.
-- Steve Clemons publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note
He claims his intrinsic sense of duty prevents him from voting any way but in alignment with his principles.
then he claims he might join the Republicans if he is kicked off the CHS.
But surely he would never ever vote with republicans on anything other than keeping American troops in Iraq. He must remain true to his principles, after all. But Joe's principles seem fairly flexible. They certainly allow him to do things like supporting Palin all the way to the Whitehouse.
If the Dems truly don't think Joe's principles are worth spit, they could keep him in nominal positions but undermine him in oh, so many ways. If he obstructs he could be punished, if he delivers he could be rewarded - like Pavlov did with his dogs.
Then again, perhaps we should just throw him out, the way the Republicans undoubtedly will should he ever cross them.
Lieberman can earn his way back by voting for Obama's programs - one by one by one!
Joe Lieberman must be removed from the Homeland Security chairmanship - no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Its a new day and its about getting things done to move America forward, not continue same old bitter partisan politics.
It ain't over just because they've been voted out of power. Until January, young Mr. Bush is still commander in chief and Dick Cheney is still in charge. Surge architect Fred Kagan is putting the finishing touches on the "resurgence" strategy, and the neocons have two months left to do that voodoo that they do so well.
A former professor of military history at West Point, Fred knows the components of a classic advance-to-the-rear maneuver: the main body backs down toward safe haven where it can regroup for the counter-offensive, leaving skirmishers in its wake to mine, booby trap, burn bridges and otherwise harass the advancing enemy.
The Southern Strategy Comes of Age
http://www.harpers.org/archive/2008/11/hbc-90003804
"This will be a transformative election... But I believe the longer-term consequences can be seen in what has happened to the Republican Party....
"The nation"s political pendulum swings constantly, and the Republican Party will reshape itself and will come to power again. But the Republicans hold on to a final redoubt that offers them little sustenance and little hope for an easy rally and return. This reveals the serious miscalculation of a master tactician. It is the legacy of Karl Rove."
Instead of simply becoming anti-Roves, we must grow our more perfect Union the exact same way the sun shines, the earth orbits, and all beings grow: from within!
http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,178688,00.html
Obama ran an excellent campaign by involving the PEOPLE, and we have seen that it works. I am always emailing or calling my representative's office when important issues are in the balance. They will react, because, as any politician, they want to be reelected by us: THE PEOPLE.
The Democrats will hedge their bets, and wait until the last senatorial elections are "in", but if we press them hard enough, they just might get rid of Lieberman. As so many mentioned before me: His behavior at the RNC and with McCain/Palin was inexcusable. On social issues he is somewhat liberal, but we have enough of "secret trials, being spyed upon by our own government, war under false pretenses..... And yes, he was elected by the constituents of Connecticut not Israel. The USA will always be a friend to Israel - and we don't need Lieberman anymore.
Even worse, he gave the Bush Administration a huge pass on the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. There was plenty of evidence which proved that the Bush administration knew that the levees had broken on Monday and yet did nothing about it. The fact that they acted surprised on Tuesday afternoon when the flood waters had finally reached downtown means that they are covering something up.