Sen. Reid Backs Lieberman for Homeland Security Chairmanship

[Don_1967]

Newly re-elected Sen. Joe Lieberman has been promised by Sen. Harry Reid – who is in line to become the next Senate Majority Leader – that he will support Lieberman’s efforts to become chairman of the powerful Homeland Security Committee.

In a private phone call on Wednesday, Nevada’s Reid told Lieberman that he would recognize Lieberman as the senior Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which would facilitate Lieberman’s move into the post.

Lieberman was the ranking Democrat on the committee, but he lost the Democratic primary in Connecticut and ran successfully as an independent. That leaves Carl Levin of Michigan as the senior committee member elected as a Democrat.

However, Lieberman had promised – before the election – that if he won he would continue voting with the Democratic Senate Caucus. Reid is evidently seeking to reward Lieberman for his loyalty with the chairmanship.

Reportedly, Reid told Lieberman that if an unexpected challenge is made against him for the chairman’s post, Reid will side with Lieberman.

Lieberman was first elected to the Senate in 1988, won re-election in a landslide in 1994 and won again in 2000 even as he ran for vice president.

Lieberman was chairman of then then-named Governmental Affairs Committee in 2001. It was Lieberman who first called for the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, an idea that was later embraced by the Bush administration.

http://newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/11/9/171950.shtml?s=ic

[stevedeshazer]

1. Harry's got no choice

Joe has the power now. If he flips, it could mean disaster.

God, how Harry must hate having to suck up to Joe.

[rpannier]

2. And...

if he'll shut up about leaving his options open on caucusing with the republikkans I'm fine with him being chairman.

[usregimechange]

3. He does have to but I sure wish he didn't.

[Raine]

4. Lieberman

the blackmailer. x(

[MethuenProgressive]

5. This is to "buy" Lieberman's promise to be a Dem.

Personally, I'd kick Joe to the curb.

[LSdemocrat]

6. Let the baby have his bottle

Small price to pay for having Democrats chair every other committee

[AnnInLa]

8. I agree.....then, if LIEbermann gets pissed off at the Dems'

push on Iraq, he can't switch parties without losing that plum committee chair.

Also, isn't this one of the committees that goes by seniority? Oh, nevermind, Joe isn't a Dem anymore, he's an Independent (r).

[niallmac]

7. Ewww this gives me the creeps. I really do not like DHS and

now my least favorite Dem in charge of it.
What do people in DHS do every day?
We will never know.
DHS makes me feel safe and secure
like The Ministry of Truth made Winston feel safe and secure.

[Olney Blue]

9. Reid's gotta do what it takes to keep Joe with the Dems.

(and he's probably holding his nose while doing it)

[blondeatlast]

10. It's a smart move as long as he holds his nose. And NEWSMAX? nt

[KharmaTrain]

11. The Perfect Choice For An Agency That Needs Demolition

I'd rather see him on that committee than on the Judiciary or Armed Services.

I still cringe with the third-reich sound of "Homeland Security"...and how ineffective this agency has been. The Katrina fiasco is best addressed by dismantling this massive agency...first by restoring FEMA's independent status and then doing a full audit of the agency to find all the other corruption.

[bobbolink]

13. You think he'll do a "hellova job"?

:)

[Pithy Cherub]

12. Traitor Joe now has to work to keep his undeserved

chairmanship. Can Holy Joe stay out of trouble and not have a challenge in six months or so...:evilgrin: