Bush wants Lieberman for position in Cabinet

[spotbird]

WASHINGTON — President Bush is courting Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, D-Conn., a former Democratic vice presidential can-didate, for a Cabinet post, presumably sec-retary of homeland security.
Lieberman couldn’t be reached for com-ment Sunday, but an aide said that if Lieberman were asked to accept a nomination, it would most likely be the homeland secu-rity post.

*skip*

In recent weeks the New Haven Democrat said repeatedly he has not been contacted, nor did he expect to be, but that if he were asked, he would consider any request.

As the top Democrat on the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, a panel charged with oversight of the executive branch, Lieberman co-authored both the bill that established the Department of Home-land Security, and pending legislation that would reorganize the U.S. intelligence com-munity. The bill is awaiting Bush’s signature.


http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13542816&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=517515&rfi=6

And the Republican governor gets to appoint his replacment.

[underpants]

1. How delicately can I put this-HMS chief doesn't need to take Saturdays off

Lieberman is very devout in his observation of the Jewish Sabbath. I respect that but the HMS chief is a 24/7/365 job. I'm just saying.

[stellanoir]

4. Having been exposed to some

Judaism, it's my understanding that there is an all purpose caveat having to do with strict observance of the Sabbath. It is that one always puts preservation of life first. That consideration would certainly apply to HMS.

Personally, I think he'd be nuts to take a position with this administration.

[KlatooBNikto]

6. All he needs to do is to carry the color coded alert charts. Unless

Tom Ridge took it home with him and now Joe will have to make it allover again! The hassles one has to put up with to save our nation from evildoers!

[Sterling]

37. Can't he get a sabbath goy to do that stuff?

Don't know how to spell it but I know what it is, lol. I wish Bush would ask Loserman to chair the RNC. That would make the most people happy, Loserman inculded.

I know I would have a party if hey switched over to his true party.

[Tacos al Carbon]

38. That's not particularly delicate

But it is the very same logic used by Syria, Egypt, The Soviet Union, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and others in 1973 ...

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/73_War.html

It was wrong 31 years ago, it's wrong now.

[ixion]

2. LIEberman enters the ranks of Zell Miller

why are these schmucks allowed to remain dems? It's obvious that they no longer support the foundations of the party.

[ramapo]

5. Can't say no to the Prez

Just say no is not an option in the mind of most when the big guy calls.
Clinton tapped Cohen across the aisle, he couldn't say no.

I think Lieberman is too lame to be head of anything but this is an interesting political move. I'd say unprecedented...just think the guy who should be the VP will be in the cabinet of the guy who shouldn't be president.

And to the point that Lieberman isn't qualified because of the Saturday issue. That to put it delicately is religious bigotry. If events demanded it, Lieberman could "work" on Saturday, it is allowed. To say the dept. can't function without his presence on Saturday is ridiculous.

[Zero Gravitas]

17. Just Say No

Lieberman should tell Emperor Bush to fuck off, or he should leave teh Democratic party. No more Mr. Nice Guy with these fascist scum.

[ixion]

31. As * is so fond of saying

everything has changed. This is not a typical repug admin, in which case I would agree with your point.

This is a group of extremist ideologues who have seized control of our republic. Anyone who serves them serves their cause, IMO.

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. Yet Lieberman had a more LIBERAL voting record than Edwards last year

[Larkspur]

25. But Lieberman would rather preen himself on the bill O'Reilly show

than promote "liberal" or progressive policices.

[Freddie Stubbs]

30. Dennis Kucinich was on O'Reilly last night

[Larkspur]

36. But at least he has openly defended progressive issues

Lieberman would rather dodge those issues, especially the ones which attack corporate crooks who donate to Lieberman's and the DNC coffers.

[bluestateguy]

3. At the very least

At the very least, Lieberman should demand that Governor Rell (herself an un-elected governor) appoint a Democrat to fill the seat, at least until a new election is held.

Lieberman is setting himself up for a huge fall. Not only will he wreck any future he has in Democratic politics, who do you think BushCo will make as the fall guy when the next major terror attack takes place on US soil?

[Jack The Tab]

8. DING DING DING DING We have a winner!

You have truly seen the truth!

And IMO, we are screwed either way. Joe is to the right of the Neocons as far as this fucked up occupation is concerned.

[alittlelark]

15. The first thing I thought as well.

Lieberman would be wise to 'just say no'

[spotbird]

21. You hit the nail on the head.

It's harder to blame Clinton these days, so bring in a new fall guy for the coming disaster.

Lieberman won't see through it though, he'll think the appointment is due to his unwaivering support for a militaristic approach to all problems in the ME.

[Old and In the Way]

24. I agree. Joe's biggest asset to Bush. Another Republican Senate

seat.

Joe, if you are a Democrat, please resist the temptation.

If Bush wants to show bi-partisanship, he should choose Gary Hart....

[Norquist Nemesis]

26. Yep! This has all the signs of a set up

and then some. Even if there would be successes under a Lieberman, it's not like he can hold a press conference and toot his horn!

IMO, ALL Congressional Democrats should just say no to any Cabinet post 'courting'. Let Georgie dig into his vast pool of Pioneers and Rangers for his homeland posse police chief.

I also have to wonder about all of the face time that Lieberman got with the recent Intelligence Bill; no doubt, his co-writing it would be front and center for Bush to be saying what a great Patriot he is. Puhleeze!!! :eyes:

Nope! I don't care about the coming attacks by DeLay, Frist, and Dole that Democrats are playing partisan politics when Georgie's just trying to reach across the aisle. The fact is, Rove doesn't approve of such things without motive...and it's not the best interest of Democrats (or the citizens of the USA) that he puts priority #1 with.

[nashville_brook]

7. pay back for lieb helping to defeat gore n/t

[BamaBecky]

9. This makes no sense to me - Why Liberman of all people?

Is Joe Liberman a card carrying Neocon? Is this an action to reduce the number of Democratic Senators? I just don't get it!:shrug:

[Ivan Sputnik]

16. It's all about getting another Repub in the Senate

I think. W and Company may think of Homeland Security Secretary as basically a figurehead position (with the agency actually run by the White House). Would he have wanted a bully-boy doofus like Kerik otherwise?

[Norquist Nemesis]

28. It's not about Lieberman...

#1 Reduces Senate seat Dems by 1
#2 Makes Georgie look good and non-partisan
#3 Sets up a patsy for when/if another major attack occurs
#4 Makes Georgie look good and non-partisan
#5 Regardless of who is DHS head, he/she cannot reveal successes...but we all learn about failures with breaking news.
#6 Makes Georgie look good and non-partisan


Finally, #7 I'm not sure about, but it has to do with committee chairs and seniority. Lieberman is ranking member on the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. Who would replace him?

oh and #8...it makes George look good and non-partisan

[BamaBecky]

40. Hummmm.....interesting.........thanks......n/t

[blm]

10. Actually, folks, I'd rather have Lieberman than ANY Rethug. He has a very

strong civil liberties record.

My first choice would be Gary Hart who steered the Hart-Rudman report on Global Terror that Bush REFUSED to read when it was handed to him on Jan.30, 2001.

[Gregorian]

11. Oh, he's really reaching to the progressive left, there.

God, I hope he doesn't have much media publicity in his assignment. I can't tolerate the Liberwhore mumble any more than Bush's hypocrite's snicker.

[Freddie Stubbs]

23. But John Edwards has a more conservative voting record than Lieberman

Were you able to tolerate him during the campaign?

[Gregorian]

35. No. I didn't like Edwards.

Just my opinion. Not based on anything. I'm an idiot. Like most voters, I go by gut feeling, and general record, unless I know nothing about them. I only know that edwards was a good guy in the court room. But four kids mean he doesn't have a clue. Population is the problem that is driving all of it. I'm looking for people who understand that. Like Clinton.

Edit- "hated" changed to "didn't like". Don't want to get too much venom back on my post.

[muriel_volestrangler]

13. dupe

of http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1069400&mesg_id=1069400

[Larkspur]

14. This cartoon says it all...

http://www.buzzflash.com/bradenton/04/12/bra04116.html

[xultar]

18. True DAT! n/t

[quiet.american]

19. Brilliant Chess Move

Am I too cynical?

So, it's been said over and over again that there WILL be another terrorist attack on U.S. soil, and even though the Bush-ites despicably tied it to the election of John Kerry to office, one or two Repubs have said it will happen no matter who is in office.

So, the Bush-ites now have their goal of holding on to the Presidency. What to do about this terrorist attack that WILL happen?

Put a Democrat in charge of Homeland Security and blame it on them.

SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT A DEMOCRAT IN CHARGE OF KEEPING THE HOMELAND SECURE!!!, they will scream as the smoke rises.

No one would expect Bush to assume any reponsibility for the matter, so it will be a done deal in sealing the carefully-crafted Repug image that Democrats are weaker on national security EVEN though 9/11 happened on Bush's watch!

With Hannity and Limbaugh given their marching orders to crow about how Democrats do not know how to keep the nation secure, that should lock in Republican rule for the next 30 or 40 years.

But perhaps I'm too cynical.

[mefoolonhill]

22. Lieberman

I spotted this on a blog somewhere-

"Joe Lieberman loves to make a very public display of struggling with his conscience. Unfortunately, his conscience always seems to lose the struggle."

[Swamp Rat]

34. Lizards don't have a conscience

[genieroze]

20. Lieberman the DINO. eom

[MidwestTransplant]

27. Here's what we should do....

Send a letter to his office signed by all DU members and I suppose mos MoveOn people would support it too. The letter should say that if he thinks this is a springboard to run for president again he is sadly mistaken and we will work 24/7 tirelessly to insure he never gets the nomination so he may as well stay in the Senate because his political career will be over in 4 years otherwise.

[Norquist Nemesis]

29. Agreed, but send it to Reed and Pelosi

copy Lieberman's office.

[necso]

32. We can't afford to lose the Senate seat...

or give the appearance that ours is any sort of "coalition" government.

These are barking-at-the-moon crazy, totally unscrupulous extremists and traitors. If the Senator cares to join them, well then, he is self defining.

I am , however, thoroughly sick of all the so-called Dems bashing Lieberman for sport. If you can't accept diversity within the Party -- or wish to "Daschle" another Democratic senator because he doesn't agree with you, then maybe you aren't a Dem.

[bif]

33. It should read like this...

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, D-Conn., a former Democrat...

[The Animator]

39. My spidey senses are tingling...

Norquist Nemisis you beat me too it.

#3 Sets up a patsy for when/if another major attack occurs.

I'm actally thinking it's going to be # 1 though.

1. (Speculation) There probably will be another major terror attack in the U.S. before the end of 2005.

2. The sheeple will say to themselves, "Hey wait didn't Bush say we were safer now?"

3. Bush will say, "Hey it wasn't me! It was this Democrat over here! I put him in charge of Homeland security, and he blew it... and he's Jewish too!"

4. The sheeple will call for Lieberman's resignation, and Bush will have no qualms about firing him because he's a Dem. "We can never trust a Democrat to the security of our nation again." Bush will say. "Plus, he's Jewish too!"

5. The sheeple will buy it, again. They will rally round the burning Bush, again. They will demand retaliation against some random country with oil, again.

6. Bush will start two more wars. Bush will eliminate more civil liberties, and incarcerate more brown people indefinitley.

7. Liberal bashings will increase sharply. Boycotts against liberal buisness owners will begin (sponsored by Walmart).

8. Conflict will devolved further into a pure Christian vs Muslim war. As a result, Christianity will become the unofficial, official religion of the U.S.

9. Lawmakers will begin to incorporate Biblical influences into our laws with an increasingly alarming lack of subtley.

10. People who disagree with Bush's policies, and have the gall to voices their opinions publicly, will be labeled enemy combatants, and sent to Guantanamo. Those who back up their claims with facts, and hard evidence will be "vanished" in larger numbers.

11. The additional two wars will fail as dismally as the first two, even with the full draft instituted to support it.

12. Rumsfeld will suggest that it might be much easier to just Nuke all the brown people and start over. Cheney will agree. And if Cheney says "Hey George, I dare you to Nuke Iran!" Bush will do it.

13. The U.N. will object, again. We'll go ahead anyway, and piss off the rest of the world, again.

14. Bush will declare himself Emperor of the World. The media will say it's a good idea. The Sheeple will agree. The U.S. is now a dicatorship, but since it had been gradually turning into one since 2001, no one will really notice.

15. The whole of the Earth will unite against us as we invade Poland (cause heaven forbid we forget Poland).

[BUSHOUT]

41. Sure. Now that another attack is an absolute certainty...put a dem where

you can blame him.

Smirk, the best thing you could do to make the homeland secure is apologize to the people of Iraq and resign.