Lieberman as Chair - Damage Control

[Are_grits_groceries]

Following up on the outcome that Lieberman keeps his gavel, some thoughts about mitigating the harm Lieberman might do as Chair of this committee.
Two vitally important things need to happen here:

1) Reid must stack the committee.

2) The Committee Democrats need to alter the rules to check Lieberman's subpoena power
<snip>
Full Committee subpoenas. The Chairman, with the approval of the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee, is authorized to subpoena the attendance of witnesses or the production of memoranda, documents, records, or any other materials at a hearing or deposition, <...> If a subpoena is disapproved by the Ranking Minority Member as provided in this subsection, the subpoena may be authorized by vote of the
Members of the Committee. When the Committee or Chairman authorizes subpoenas, subpoenas may be issued upon the signature of the Chairman or any other Member of the Committee designated by the Chairman.

Naturally for anything partisan such cooperation would not likely happen, so the majority can simply vote out a subpoena if need be. But here, this rule plays right into Lieberman's hands and allows him to subpoena witnesses with only the approval of the GOP ranking member (Collins). I wonder why Lieberman campaigned for her?

I didn't study all of the rules in depth, but this part needs to change. The other Democrats need a veto on his subpoenas. There are probably other tweaks needed to limit Lieberman's ability to insert poison-pills into legislation or unduly delay key priorities.

I don't know if any of this happening is plausible, but Reid is said to be a parliamentarian master. It would be a smart move. Lieberman will not bolt the caucus over this stuff, it's inside baseball he would look really petulant if he did. Reid could essentially make Lieberman toothless (or at least knock out a few teeth). He would get his precious gavel and prime parking space, and some extra staff, but all with a leash. Otherwise he is effectively handing the Republicans effective control over a key committee.

http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=03CC0A2D1DCD689D09BD99312D4E05B1?diaryId=9994

This is why we were worried. Reid better have lots of tricks up his sleeve!

[mdmc]

1. Joementum will have Obama's back, as long as he hawks it up

Obama will make Joe proud

[BlooInBloo]

2. If they had the balls to do that, they would've just removed him.

Since giving Joe a *broken* toy is even more ballsy than not giving him a toy in the first place.