TPM: It's Official: Full Dem Caucus Will Vote On Lieberman's Fate

[sabra]

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/11/its_official_full_dem_caucus_w.php

The full Democratic caucus will vote on whether Joe Lieberman is allowed to keep his chairmanship of the Homeland Security committee at its caucus meeting next week, a leadership aide confirms to us.

Previously, Reid's office had held this possibility out but hadn't made a final decision on whether to throw Lieberman's fate to the full Dem caucus for a vote.

In the wake of Obama's statement today that he doesn't hold any "grudges" against Lieberman and his decision not to take a position on whether Lieberman keeps his chairmanship, I emailed a leadership aide to ask whether the vote would definitely go forward. His response:

"Yes -- this is a decision that will be made by the caucus next week. Absent a stunning series of events there will be a vote next week in the caucus on whether to strip Senator Lieberman of the chairmanship."

That would appear to make it official.

The news comes amid signs that Lieberman is losing support among his fellow Senators. The Huffington Post reports, for instance, that the Clintons are not making any calls on Lieberman's behalf. And Senators Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin are reported to be hoping that Lieberman is given the push.

[BootinUp]

1. He's done then. nt

[corkhead]

2. I wonder if it will be a secret ballot

[gkhouston]

5. Yes. According to one of the MSNBC shows I dozed through last night. n/t

[democrattotheend]

6. I believe it is

I believe leadership/committee assignment votes are usually by secret ballot.

[John Q. Citizen]

8. That's what i read.

[wyldwolf]

3. Bill Clinton: "Joe, I've kept that knife you pushed in my back for something special..."

[bigwillq]

4. Good idea.

I hope they do the right thing and kick him out.

[Olney Blue]

7. We don't need a warmonger in this post. I hope I can find out how

my senators vote, because it is important to me that he gets taken down as chair.

[Gin]

11. "Joe the X-chairman"....hope he gets voted out....

[blogslut]

9. Here's hoping they vote him out of chairmanship

Put Carl Levin is as head. Anybody but turncoat Joe.

[RagAss]

10. Joementum !...hahahahahahahaa

[kentuck]

12. He's gone!

And not a day too soon. He should have been voted out when he ran against the Democrat in the general election after he was defeated in the primary.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

13. It's important that the caucus do this

that way Obama is "above the fray"--and the repigs can't use LIEberman's ouster as an excuse to villefy him.

[budkin]

14. Buh-bye

[IndianaGreen]

15. List of senators to call

We have included a sample script and phone numbers below for you to use, and we ask that you be polite when you explain why Lieberman Must Go.

Senator _________, my name is _________. I'm a registered Democrat and a resident. I urge you to vote to strip Joe Lieberman of his committee chairmanship when the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee meets to discuss his future. A man who spent the entire election season demeaning Senator Obama's patriotism and his qualifications for office cannot be trusted with oversight authority over the Obama administration. Joe Lieberman is not a Democrat, and he should not enjoy the privileges of being a member of the majority party. Will you vote to strip Lieberman of his committee chairmanship?

Senator Debbie Stabenow, Michigan, Chair
[phone]

Senator Harry Reid, Nevada
[phone]

Senator John Kerry, Massachusetts
[phone]

Senator Daniel Inouye, West Virginia
[phone]

Senator Robert Byrd
[phone]

Senator Edward Kennedy, Massachusetts
[phone]

Senator Joseph Biden, Delaware
[phone]

Senator Patrick Leahy, Vermont
[phone]

Senator Christopher Dodd, Connecticut
[phone]

Senator Tom Harkin, Iowa
[phone]

Senator Max Baucus, Montana
[phone]
Senator Richard Durbin, Illinois
[phone]

Senator Kent Conrad, North Dakota
[phone]

Senator Carl Levin, Michigan
[phone]

Senator Herbert Kohl, Wisconsin
[phone]

Senator Barbara Boxer, California
[phone]

Senator Hillary Clinton, New York
[phone]

Senator Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico
[phone]

Senator Mark Pryor, Arkansas
[phone]

Make the call today, then let us know you did and send this e-mail to your friends and colleagues (and don't forget to Digg it!). Let Democratic leaders know Lieberman represents an impediment to real change in Washington, and that is why Lieberman Must Go!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-greenwald/do-you-want-lieberman-to_b_142998.html

[Fleshdancer]

16. I'm going to be pissed if they vote to keep him

To deny an actual Democrat the opportunity at that post because of, what, cronyism? No. Obama campaigned on CHANGE and I want it.

[thenam]

17. Do not be surprised if Lieberman stays

This same Dem party has shown little backbone since it took control of Congress. Are we sure that things will be different this time?