NYT: Enter, Pariah: Now It’s Hugs for Lieberman

[primavera]

I can't believe this guy has the audacity to feel personally wounded that nobody supported him in defecting from the party! And he's the aggrieved party!? How can anyone be so clueless?

Enter, Pariah: Now It’s Hugs for Lieberman
By MARK LEIBOVICH
The New York Times
November 15, 2006

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 — Senator Joseph I. Lieberman strode into a Democratic caucus gathering like he owned the place or, at the very least, like someone who is a flight risk and could leave at any minute, taking the Democrats’ new majority with him.

In other words, everyone was extra-special nice to the wayward Democrat on Tuesday.

<snip>

Indeed, it is hard to imagine how Mr. Lieberman could have emerged better from last week’s election. He was re-elected comfortably, and the Democratic Party he still belongs to is now in the majority, assuring him the chairmanship of the powerful Homeland Security Committee.

Yet that majority is slim enough, 51 to 49, to turn Mr. Lieberman into arguably the Senate’s most influential member. If he defects, the Senate would effectively be under Republican control because Vice President Dick Cheney would cast tie-breaking votes.

“It was very painful to him to have all these people he thought were his friends embrace his opponent,” Ms. Collins said. “They just threw him overboard. But now, not only is he re-elected resoundingly, but he is also the key to which party controls the Senate.”

[rodeodance]

1. He is essentially BlackMailing the Dems to be nice to him....or else......

[Demeter]

4. If That's the Only Way He Gets "Friends" Then I Feel Sorry For Him

this is too much like The Godfather for my comfort--predators circling each other, looking for an opening to stick in the knife. And it seems the Democratic Governor of Wyoming wouldn't be able to appoint a Democrat if Senator Thomas calls it quits. Maybe some other GOP Senator will take an unexpected retirement? All it takes is one, and Lieberman is yesterday's newspaper, only good for wrapping garbage.

[Bonobo]

2. He's like the kid you hate, but who has all the best toys...

So you play with him anyway...

[Phredicles]

3. Gawd, I HATE that guy.

Maybe we have to work with the dipshit to get stuff done, but I still fucking hate the slimy shameless donkey-fucker. :puke:

And the SECOND we get one more Democratic senator, we should find a really spectacular way of throwing him under the bus...

[Demeter]

5. I Fully Expect Joe Will Throw Himself Under the Bus Himself

based on his record.

[oasis]

6. "They (Dems) just threw him overboard". Get a clue Sen. Collins.

Joe was not only rocking the boat, he was boring holes in the hull.

[AndyTiedye]

7. The Dems in CT Threw Him Overboard in the Primary

[crikkett]

8. He's the Republican's Wild-card.

We have subpoena power only as long as he is allowed to maintain the Dem. majority.

All your congress are NOT belong to us.

[saigon68]

9. He is a selfish evil troll

Who will bow to his masters

You know who they are

[aquart]

10. And part of me can't wait till he does it.

If he changes the balance of Congress, do we still have to be nice to him?

I hope he itches. Every day. Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.