How's that for Joementum: Holy Joe is now the Most Powerful Man in American

[JCMach1]

:puke:

He will be the linchpin to leadership and any close votes in the Senate... :(

From primary defeat to owning the world! Hats off to Joe...

[oc2002]

1. no, although people here think he will be, do not understand the Senate.

LIEberman will be the same old dried peice of shit he was before the elections.

[JCMach1]

4. Not at all! HE COULD change his leadership vote at ANY time

:(

He holds the balance of power in the Senate.

[Bozita]

2. just heard Ralph Nader say "his self-importance grows by the hour"

Nader was with Amy Goodman.

[JCMach1]

5. LOL... that's saying alot from Nader

[quiet.american]

3. "Most powerful man" -- think that's reaching a bit.

Especially since it looks like we may take Montana and Virginia senate seats.

[deadparrot]

7. MT+VA+Sanders=51, right?

As I don't think Bernie will be voting with Republican anytime soon, I'd say that we can do without him if we have to.

[Toots]

9. Think again

if he switches sides it will be 50-50 and Cheney will be the tie breaker so in effect they take back the majority. Believe me they are making Joe some offers right now....

[Jacobin]

6. Bodes well for the warmongers

One step at a time, everyone. One step at a time. We can't get rid of the whole can of maggots at one time.

[wholetruth00]

8. Sickening that such a neocon hold this power.

[LeftishBrit]

10. Not exactly, IMO

In countries with a multi-party system (like many in Europe), it's quite routine for the major parties to have to make deals with tiny weird parties in order to keep overall control. As I understand, it can be a right pain and inhibit progress to some degree; but it doesn't make the weird-party leaders the most powerful people in the world. Similar here, IMO.

[Elidor]

11. Yes, plus there's the matter of committee assignments

If Joe wants to enjoy any pretense at power, he is still dependent on the leadership. If he thwarts them, they can smack him down. It's not exactly in his best interest to be bucking the leadership. His position is not nearly as strong as the OP thinks.

[theboss]

12. He's not going to switch parties

But his vote is going to be extremely valuable in the coming months.

I will never understand why we went down this road with Lamont. Anyone with any political sense could see this result.

[julialnyc]

13. but if we hold MT and VA then aren't we okay without him?

We have a very reliable independent (Sanders)

[fishwax]

15. It would be 50-50 w/o him, and cheney would break the tie

so repubs would take back the leadership (though they may incorporate some sort of power sharing arrangement as they did previously)

[kentuck]

14. He's not as powerful as he thinks, because...

Many Repubs in the Senate will try to present a much more moderate image after this election and many will agree with the Democrats on many issues. Few issues will come down to straight Party division, in my opinion.

[grizmaster]

16. after the majority vote LIEberman will be irrelevant

[JCMach1]

17. Yes, but he can switch ANY TIME!