After RNC Speech, Republicans Court Lieberman to Make the Switch Official

[ccharles000]

When Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman returns to work this week, he can expect some arm-twisting from his Republican friends and the cold shoulder from some Democrats.

Lieberman, the Democrats’ vice presidential nominee in 2000, promoted a Republican for president last week in a prime time speech at the GOP’s national convention, raising questions about whether — and when — there might be retribution.

Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and other senior Democrats want Lieberman, I-Conn., to lay out his political plans and to soften his attacks on Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, the Democratic presidential nominee.

Reid was “very disappointed in Sen. Lieberman, especially when he went out of his way to distort Sen. Obama’s record of bipartisan achievements,” said Jim Manley, a Reid spokesman. “I assume that the caucus will want to revisit the situation with Sen. Lieberman after the elections in November.”

Lieberman has been caucusing with Democrats, who in turn have honored his seniority and permitted him to serve as chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, a senior Republican, said he intended to try to pry Lieberman from the Democratic fold, beginning with Monday’s cloture vote on a motion to proceed to the fiscal 2009 defense authorization bill (S 3001).

“I would like to see him vote with Republicans in September,” Specter said. “He’s practically there. That would have the consequence of giving us a Republican Senate.”

Specter said he’s ready to renew a months-long discussion with Lieberman about switching parties.

Lieberman says he still considers himself a Democrat.

“I remain a Democrat. A disappointed Democrat, but a Democrat,” he said Sept. 3, hours after his speech at the Republican National Convention on behalf of his close friend, GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

Win or lose in November, Republicans are betting Lieberman will be on their side next year — either as a Cabinet member in a McCain administration or as part of a powerful band of centrist rebels who could help to block the priorities of an Obama administration.

Lieberman did little to quell speculation that he might join a McCain Cabinet, which would allow Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell , a Republican, to appoint his successor.

Whether he makes a big move or not, Lieberman seems sure to remain a thorn in the Democrats’ side. As a top McCain surrogate on security and foreign policy, he portrays expedited troop withdrawal time lines and Democratic opposition to free-trade deals as misguided.

After RNC Speech, Republicans Court Lieberman to Make the Switch Official
Eye on Retribution
For months, Reid has refrained from rebuking or threatening Lieberman. He simply insisted that there be no surprises in the unusual McCain-Lieberman partnership.

Lieberman called Reid about two weeks ago, according to Manley, to let the leader know that he would accept an invitation to speak at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. Manley said he did not think the two men had spoken since then.

The day after Lieberman took swipes at Obama in his speech to Republicans, he addressed his eight-year journey from Democratic vice presidential nominee to McCain sidekick in a forum at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

“Obviously, part of this is John McCain . Our close working relationship. The trust we have. We’ve worked on national security, climate change, lobbying efforts,” Lieberman said.

Then he referred to his growing discomfort with Democrats on trade and other issues.

“The Democratic Party has changed,” Lieberman said. He specifically cited the party’s drift away from the North American Free Trade Agreement (PL 103-182) and toward opposing similar deals with Colombia and other countries.

Lieberman seemed ready for a backlash, and some of his Senate GOP pals gave every appearance of enjoying the possibilities.

“People admire Joe. If you refuse to work with a guy like Joe, it will catch up with you,” said Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, another of McCain’s closest allies.

“If they’re smart, they’ll treat him fairly,” added Charles E. Grassley of Iowa.

Longtime friend Olympia J. Snowe of Maine said it will be up to Lieberman what happens next. “His role will be what he decides it will be,” Snowe said.

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002944762

[Miss Chybil]

1. How many Dems should we pick up in the Senate this election?

Surely enough to make the loss of Lieberman at least a wash, right? I say we send him packing.

[renate]

2. with more than four months until the new D congress is seated

I think it's an unfortunate fact of life that we still have to suck up to Joe. And in a weird way that makes me feel kinda dirty, I am grateful to him for keeping the Senate in Democratic hands. It's maybe a touch of Stockholm Syndrome....

[The Shadow]

3. Can An Independent Switch Parties?

I Know a Dem or a repug can denounce their party and become an independent while in office, but can they switch from independent to one of the others? Doesn't seem fair to the voters if they can. I would thin that if they did that someone would run on one platform to garner votes only to turncoat after the election.

[Rectangle]

7. I would think the people of Conn. would want a new election!! n/t

[book_worm]

12. of course. It was his choice to sit with the dem caucus and it would be his choice to sit with the

republicans if he decides to.

[stolivodka]

4. They would be stupid enough to take that deadweight off our hands?

OK, so what do we have to give up, in exchange? Our first born? If they are serious, I wanna talk! :rofl:

[Raine]

5. I'll be so glad when we control Congress and

can throw that traitor POS right into the repig party where he belongs. :mad:

[curious one]

6. Somewhere I read that he likes to stay with dems. Maybe he likes his chairmanship. Or maybe he

wants to get something out the trade. They can have him.

[ikojo]

8. He's power hungry.

I can't believe Connecticut voters returned this traitorous POS to the Senate.

What fools they be!

[Eurobabe]

9. Reid is "disappointed" (WTF) with LIEberman???

He ought to be hopping MAD at that asswipe. :grr: :mad: :grr:

[bedazzled]

10. maybe they'll get on their knees and offer an engagement ring

why would they want him? he pretends not to be
a dem half the time. it's expedient for them to
make him feel wanted right now. once there's a
majority either way joe's persona non grata. it
won't even be worth it to get the thugs to vote
for him in connecticut anymore.

can't wait

[moondust]

11. Joe, go quickly into that dark night.

While somebody still wants you.

[book_worm]

13. Just go, Joe.