How Many Here Are Willing to Back Off on Joe Lieberman With Me?

[David Zephyr]

I mean good grief. How many times must we beat that dog?

No one, and I mean no one, posted more against Joe than I did here and for a longer time.

But the facts are that he ran as an Independent and beat my choice Ned Lamont, and in doing so drove me crazy. Yes, he drove me crazy.

That said, Joe Lieberman is not compelled to caucus with our Party, the same Party that he fought with his entire life. He chose to stay with us.

He was wrong on Iraq. Really wrong. He voted for the Iraqi War Resolution. So did Dianne Feinstein, John Kerry, John Edwards, Hillary Clinton.

Lieberman has a better record on the environment, protecting a woman's reproductive rights, gay and lesbian civil rights, and a host of other progressive issues than a lot of the Democrats that we are all celebrating having won earlier this month.

It took a big man to stick with his party after the way I and a lot of us beat up on him. I am glad that our Democratic Senators gave him a warm welcome back today.

Without Joe we would not have control of the Senate and all that comes with that.

Is anyone else appreciative of the fact that he stayed with our Party? I hope that I am not alone.

[SpiralHawk]

1. Take that, Lieberman, you republicon crony in Demo clothing, you

You step out of line one more time, Mr. Flip Flop, an you will go to your room for the rest of your weasly little life.

[Mythsaje]

2. I'm not thrilled with what he's done

but we do, unfortunately, need him.

Better to play ball with him than have him playing ball with the other side.

Dammitall.

Still leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

[Phredicles]

3. "How many times must we beat that dog?"-I'm not sure I can count that high.

Seriously, Joe being Joe, how confident can we really be that we have control of the Senate now?

[Richard Steele]

4. Joe didn't "stay with" anyone but JOE.

He knows perfectly well the 2008 elections will make
the Repubs a minority with or without him, so he's
sticking with the party that will have the power.

Probably sticking with it.

At least until the Repubs have something he wants more.

Or until the political winds shift.

Or he REALLY, REALLY FEELS like it.......

[John Q. Citizen]

5. This is about politics, not about appreciation. At this point, we both need

each other.

So I'm willing to shut up and and take what we can get, if that's what you mean.

[David Zephyr]

37. Sensible.

I think Americans are also watching the new civility that we are bringing to Congress. They like it.

[John Q. Citizen]

44. Thank you. I've always thought of myself as passionate, yet pragmatic

:-)

[MoonRiver]

6. I'm ready. This issue has definitely run its course.

He's in the Senate and we just need to let it go. We don't know what he's going to do, but I'm sure the backlash (against him and the Republican Party) will be huge if he turns. But the fact is, we cannot control his actions and gnashing our teeth day and night, either worrying or getting prematurely mad, about the possibility is pointless.

[AlinPA]

14. ....plus we need to get on with adding to our majority. We have other fish to fry.

Sorry for the cliche.

[MoonRiver]

18. It's true.

We need to get deal with the people's business and not worry about stuff we cannot change.

[David Zephyr]

39. I'm ready, too.

Having the Senate will make Bush's war come to and end sooner than later.

[bluescribbler]

7. I'm with you

Although, and it may sound heretical for me to say this, I think the nation and the party would have been better off in the long run if the senate had remained in GOP hands.

Follow my reasoning please.

If the Conference Committee is composed of roughly equal numbers of Dems and Repubs, any bill which makes it to Chimpy's desk will more likely be something he can live with, and thus, something the people can live with.

We have to work with those guys for the next two years. Let's try to show the country and the world that we can succeed at it.

[David Zephyr]

45. The world.

You are right. The entire world is now putting their hopes in our Party to turn the last six years around.

I think that Harry and Nancy are going to do just that.

[Hav]

8. .

Without Joe's act, we'd have the Senate control with Lamont ;).

Seriously though, of course I'm glad that he stays with the Dems. He will hopefully secure a Senate majority and the Dems will chair all these important committees.
I just hope that when it counts, when it's about issues that are important to us, that he will vote with the Ds most of the time.

[TabulaRasa]

9. Are you kidding?

He has continuously threatened us with defection since it was clear he was going to win. And we're supposed to be appreciative, or even grateful, that because the Democratic leadership has kissed his traitorous ass well enough so far, he has not yet decided to leave us? Yet, he'll continue to be cute about it for the rest of his term as long as there's more to gain. The man is one of the most despicable politicians I have ever seen in my life. He has neither principle, nor integrity. He does everything in his power to stab us in the back, even when it doesn't benefit him. It's like his cup of coffee in the morning ... stabbing the Democrats in the back. One look at his ugly mug is enough to make me retch. Does that answer your question?

[ewagner]

10. If and only if

we hold the proverbial "Sword of Damocles" over his head.....if he screws us he pays BIGTIME!

[William Bloode]

11. Fuck Joe!

He's not on our side, he is for himself and no one else. Last i heard he had left the door open on who he'll side with.

[MoonRiver]

20. There's nothing we can do about it!

Let's focus on important things we can actually change.

[William Bloode]

38. Oh i 'm all about focus.

But that does not mean i won't relish every opportunity to trash Mr. Joementum. He's a skunk in our party, and should be reminded often. Let the big wigs coddle him, i have no such inclination.

[Alexander]

12. His veiled threats to switch to an (R) get very tiresome.

[JerseygirlCT]

54. Tiresome, but unfortunately not at all surprising nt

[Alexander]

67. What is surprising is how many DUers still defend this guy.

Sure, the Senate leadership has to kiss his ass to ensure a majority. Doesn't mean we have to.

[mac56]

78. And it DOESN'T mean we have to like it.

And it DOESN'T mean we have to leave Joe with the impression that all is forgiven, and everything is ducky-wucky peachy-keen.

[AtomicKitten]

13. enough IMO

[movonne]

15. NO!!!

[WI_DEM]

16. I was willing to give him another chance until he said this weekend

that if (in effect) the Democrats didn't make him comfortable he might take a walk over to the GOP caucus. It's a two way street--yes, we gotta welcome him back and be happy he's with us but on the other hand I don't appreciate him making veiled threats.

[bpeale]

17. lieberman is a boil on the ass of humanity

i will only back off if he backs off the cliff

[nini]

19. the reaction is here is proof how many people here don't understand...

..the game of politics.

Hate him all you want, but we need him to stay on our side.

Control of the Senate is a must - if 'welcoming' him back to our side is what we have to do, then so be it.

Personally, he pisses me off, BUT I understand the strategy going on too. I prefer having control of the Senate than to keep the hate-joe fest going.

[AtomicKitten]

21. You have that exactly right IMO.

:)

[nini]

29. It's really pretty simple

:D


thanks

[David Zephyr]

51. I like you.

:)

[nini]

60. why thanks!

back atcha! :hi:

[mac56]

82. sooo.......since the general consensus is that we HAVE to KISS HIS ASS

I'm sure the hell not gonna do it with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. And he's gonna know that I DON'T LIKE IT.

[Generic Other]

22. Wait! That's not fair! He has to stop first!

Most of us who are maddest at him once gave him our vote.

When he starts voting with Democrats, quits backing Bush at every turn, defends our interests, I will lead a parade for the guy. But not until.

[boolean]

23. I fully expect the Dems to kiss his ass, for the good of the country

I'm not gonna, though.

Fuck him.

[Beelzebud]

24. As an average citizen, that really has no say over this, I'll back off nothing.

No matter what I write here on DU, no matter what me and my friends talk about, I am not a representative of the Democratic party. As a citizen, I'll choose to like or dislike any politician I see fit.

I understand the Democratic majority needs to work with Joe. Thats fine. I'm not irrational. I'm also not so delusional as to think my opinion makes any effect on what Holy Joe decides to do in the next few years.

[David Zephyr]

52. I think you are most rationale, Beelzebud.

:thumbsup:

[Zodiak]

88. I agree Beelzebud

Your position is mine exactly.

The Dems have to act like Joe is a good friend. I certainly do not have to, nor should I be expected to give lip service to it or shut up about it.

I do not believe it will take long before Joe disappoints us all once again.

[Individualist]

25. HELL no!

The only thing worse than a neocon is a neocon enabler. :puke:

[zreosumgame]

26. nothing he has said so far brings me closer to him

[MoonRiver]

30. It's not a matter of getting closer to him.

I hate that DINO. But the point is we can't do anything about the situation. It's a waste of time and energy to keep obsessing about him. Frankly, he's not worth it.

[Greyhound]

27. "If you negotiate with terrorists, you only encourage more terrorism"

if you give in to blackmail, you guarantee more and greater demands in the future. Let's see what happens, maybe he can swing the total elimination of federal taxes for all corporations based in CT, and a government guarantee to cover any losses they may suffer.

[MoonRiver]

32. Hopefully our Senate Dems won't fall for those shenanigans, if they occur.

[stepnw1f]

28. With Allies Like Lieberman, Who Needs Enemies

nobody trusts him.... especially me.

[Vanje]

31. You write as if Joe Lieberman .....

....gave a shit what anyone here thought, as if he gave a shit how anyone in his erst-while party, thought.
I dont think Joe Lieberman loses any sleep whether you , or I, support him or not.
He's not working for us.

[mmonk]

33. I have a long memory.

But I'm not starting any anti-Joe threads.

[David Zephyr]

53. Well, never say never...

but for now....

[RiverStone]

34. Rather then "back off", how about simply ignore Joe as best we can.

Hard to do given the current configuration of the Senate; but we at DU can (unless your a Senator).

So much rage - most of it spent now. There are far more compelling issues to focus on then Joe. But until people quit bringing him up (as we are doing right now) - the fire keeps being fed.

No more Joe talk K?

[Old and In the Way]

35. Sure...I can count the votes...and we need him.

I'll be happy to count Joe's participation in our caucus to get the majority. True, we'll have to suffer the hypocritical prig's self-serving baloney until we can get a majority independent of his vote, but, right now, he needs us as much as we need him. He won't risk his personal career by caucusing with Republicans. He values a chairmanship too much.

[Captain Hilts]

36. Agreed. nt

[lapfog_1]

40. He did a hell of a lot more than just vote a war resolution

But we need him, so yeah, let's give it a "rest". But don't expect me to ever start singing his praises, but I also won't condemn our Senators that work with him now. Or withhold my financial support to THEIR campaigns...

And we need to find a way so that we don't need him anymore (55-45 majority in the Senate would be nice).

[Imagevision]

41. Back off?!! - Traitor Joe already said he may switch to repuke party

If Dems get too liberal?

[Kelly Rupert]

42. I like Joe Lieberman.

I get that's an unpopular opinion here. But you're not the only one.

[BlueStater]

43. We'll just have to grin and bear him for now

I personally think the guy is a sleazebag but I realize we need him to maintain a majority so I'll grudginly put up with his constant Bush-loving.

[Orsino]

46. When he backs off on the whoring.

Perhaps a Democratic majority can give the man some spine.

[Individualist]

47. He'll never back off the whoring,

and the DLC cheerleaders will never stop pushing for his support. They're elated that he collaborates with the reich wing.

[bigtree]

48. joe lieberman doesn't know who the hell WE are

He needs to start acting like a Democrat before anyone can treat him like one. I expect him to. I also expect him to start acting like a republican too. Go figure.

[Buck Rabbit]

49. The Dem reps we elected can kiss his ass so we don't have to.

Isn't representative government great! No need for us to ease up on him, that's why they get the big bucks, so we can keep our lips clean.

Anyway let them pander to him for two years at which time 2 Republican Senators come up for reelection for every Democrat. Get a real majority and shun his ass over to whats left of the Republicans.

[TSIAS]

50. Only 2 more years

If we gain a more sizable majority, kick his self-righteous, pompous ass out for good.

[seabeyond]

55. i did the day he was elected. ELECTED all. voice of the people

that is the way this country works. unfortunately a whole party doesn't get it.... the repugs. not so hard for me.

[DireStrike]

56. He's a senator. If we can keep him, let's do it.

I still say he's a republican, but if he wants to vote with us sometimes, and count towards a majority, that's great. Unfortunately we have to give him what he wants. =/

[Monk06]

57. JL saw a no lose opportunity and grabbed it. The Repugs paid

for his campaign. The smart Demos saw what
was coming and endorsed him even though he
ran as an independent.

As I said on a pre-election post. He's
a very smart guy with 18 years in the
Senate. Now he's the gatekeeper and
everyone; Dems and R's included have to
kiss his ring.

While Bernie Sanders cancels Lieberman,
in that close vote situation Cheney breaks
the tie and Lieberman knows it.

[mac56]

58. No.

Piss on him.

[BrightKnight]

59. While he caucuses and votes w/ us attacking him should be banned.

Like it or not he is a strategic partner. Attacking him is attacking the party. Inflaming anti Lieberman sentiment only serves the Repugs.

It does not follow the the deal is off every single time he votes against on an issue.

Open season does not start until we get close to the next election. It is essentially the same as what happens after the primary season.

--
Everyone knows that the net-roots does not really like him. He will have to run without our help.

[jgraz]

61. I will

Oh wait -- I thought you said "back over"...nevermind..

[upi402]

62. reporting for duty

:patriot:

[DeepModem Mom]

63. To continue to trash him is lunacy. Do we want the Senate, or not?

Do we want Webb and Tester and the rest, who fought hard battles and won, sitting powerless among the minority in a GOP Senate? Do we want no say in future Bush Supreme Court appointments? Do we really want to drive Joe out of the party??? Let's use our heads.

[Hippo_Tron]

65. Joe isn't going to bolt the party because a bunch of people on a website trash him

The ONLY reason he will do it is if Reid doesn't give him all the perks that he will negotiate for. Reid should give him the perks that he wants but I don't want Joe thinking for a second that somehow those of us who are against the war have forgiven him. He has no party loyalty whatsoever and I will continue to trash him as long as he is in office.

[DeepModem Mom]

66. I meant we here as part of the collective Democratic party.

As much as we might abhor Lieberman, it does not serve the interest of any Dem, from Harry Reid to a poster on DU, to drive him out of the party.

[Hippo_Tron]

69. Sorry, but I disagree

I don't want Joe to have the satisfaction of being universally loved in the party and I certainly don't want him to think we have reconciled to he will think he might have a shot at running for President again.

I agree that strategically it's good for Reid to pacify him. But as far as the rest of the party is concerned, Joe has told us to go fuck ourselves and frankly I think that we should return the favor.

[DeepModem Mom]

73. I can't disagree that that feels a lot better!

:D

[mac56]

74. DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER!

:thumbsup:

[Hippo_Tron]

64. No, he's staying in the party to benefit himself and he's milking it for all it's worth, FUCK HIM

The fact that Lieberman said that he now wants to be referred to as an "Independent" first and the fact that he's threatening to bolt so that Reid will give him extra perks to stay in the party means that he has no interest in making up with us. As far as I'm concerned Reid should do whatever it takes to keep him in the party but he can continue to take as much abuse from us as we give him.

[Clarkie1]

68. We should be grateful Lieberman is caucusing with us.

I cannnot comprehend the lack of appreciation for that here.

[donheld]

70. If he takes his lips from *'s behind

I'll be glad to back off.

[Jed Dilligan]

81. you mean *'s * ?

:)

[saracat]

71. He has publicly stated that he has NOT ruled out switching!

He hasn't chosen to stay anywhere but on his own side! And he didn't stick with his party, he betrayed it and became a party of his own.Screw him.

[Clarkie1]

72. Uh...so let me get this straight.

When a Democrat "doesn't rule out switching" instead of trying to convince them to stay we turn our backs on them and thus increase their likelihood of switching.

Yeah, makes perfect sense.

:sarcasm:

[mac56]

75. Uh...so let me get this straight.

When a petulant jerk thumbs his nose at the voters in "his party", runs as an independent, and (incredibly) holds out veiled threats that he may still jump ship...we kiss his ass?!

Yeah, makes perfect sense.

:sarcasm:

[Clarkie1]

89. Yes! That's politics! nt

[w4rma]

76. I will exactly when he does. (nt)

[MiniMe]

77. Back off for now-yes. Keep a very close eye on him-yes.

The election is over, time to back off. However, keeping a very close eye on him would be prudent.

[mac56]

80. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

nm

[terrya]

79. I sure am.

It's time to move on.

[Buzz Clik]

83. It doesn't matter what we think. The Senate Dems need Lieberman. Period.

[trumad]

84. Fools... all fools

I'm laughing my ass off at you guys who think he'll stay a Dem or who think he'll not stab us in the back.

The dude is void of decency and character. He's sold his soul and the devil will soon be calling his marker.

FUCK JOE LIEBERMAN AND FUCK HIM GOOD!

[BlooInBloo]

85. "It took took a big man to stick with his party." HIS party?

HE'S NOT A DEMOCRAT - and only a complete jackass of an idiot thinks he is. Like, for example, a whole bunch of CT voters.

And then we have genius DUers who are more than happy to lie about Lieberman, making him look like a stalwart companion, when everyone KNOWS he's a lying self-serving fucktard always looking for a chance to further betray the Democratic Party.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=lieberman+won%27t+rule+out+switching&btnG=Google+Search

Lie: Lieberman stuck "with his party".
Truth: Lieberman won't rule out going to the GOP.

I don't know why DUers even try that sort of mendaciousness. Do they think everyone is as stupid as they are? (shrug).

[lectrobyte]

86. Me! oh wait, you said "back off." Never mind.

[kentuck]

87. I have a hunch Repubs are fishing in other waters...

While we are focused on Lieberman, Repubs may be courting one or two more Senators. Why would they give up the Senate without trying to coax over one or two of our more "moderate" Democrats. I'm not ready to say the Democrats will be the majority on January 21st, 2007...