Our Agenda More Important Than Revenge on Lieberman

[Truth Teller]

I share the anger toward Holy Joe and would love to see him replaced by a Democrat in the Senate.

Until then, I'll stomach him in the party caucus IF that helps advance our agenda. I'd love a little revenge, but I'm for doing whatever gets us the support and votes President Obama and his team need in the long run.

[tularetom]

1. Very true but it might be easier to pick up some wavering repub votes

than to continue to kiss Loserman's wrinkly pasty ass.

[Truth Teller]

4. Thanks, the guy isn't worth it

Let's not cut off our nose in spite of our agenda.

We've waited too long!

[DJ13]

2. If Joe's voting record has been 90% Dem

Then his party affiliation shouldnt matter if he votes his conscience.

[Poll_Blind]

3. Is this the same Joe Lieberman who endorsed McCain at the REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION?

Cause if that's the Joe Lieberman you're talking about- he can get fucked in his goaty Joe Lieberman ass as far as I'm concerned.

PB

[Truth Teller]

5. Is our anger more important than our cause?

I say no.

Peace.

[Poll_Blind]

10. Ya, but Joe ain't spending any time supporting OUR cause.

  So, what's the big deal with kicking his ass to the curb?

PB

[Ichingcarpenter]

12. So your cause is to support Joe in his chairmanship?

Your 'our cause' stuff is a little suspect right now with me.

[JDPriestly]

14. It is not a matter of anger, it is a matter of strategy,

Sooner or later, Lieberman and the Democratic Party are going to break up. It is just a matter of when. And, it is probably better now than later. Right now, the Democratic Party is strong, united and popular. Lieberman can cause us a lot of trouble. He should be set aside gently and now. He can have some other job that he might like but his current chairmanships should be filled by real Democrats.

It is one thing to be bipartisan. It is another to be spineless and yet another (and much worse) to invite a traitor into your midst. Lieberman is likely to spy on Democrats in Congress and convey information on the caucus to the Republicans. Lieberman is a traitor. We must keep repeating that.

[Ichingcarpenter]

8. Is this the same Joe Lieberman who supported Norm Coleman against Franken?

In Minnesota editorials?

SO WE CAN GET THOSE FRICKIN 60 VOTES IN THE SENATE?

[JDPriestly]

15. Yes, and it is the same Lieberman who refused to filibuster and

caved to Republicans on the Supreme Court appointments. The guy may vote with Democrats, but he is not a Democrat.

[TankLV]

6. Suuuure ya do - and what's with the "we" business?

WE seriously doubt you're part of "us"...

but enjoy your short stay here...

and "thanks" for your "concern"...

[Poll_Blind]

11. I think he's got a mouse in his pocket. Maybe it's a mole.

PB

[DS1]

7. No. It isn't

Opportunistic Backstabbers like Lieberman need to understand that there will be consequences for their actions. Otherwise, we'll still be the same old 'bend over and take it' party.


Fuck that. Fuck Joe. Kick his ass out. Make sure he's kicked at the top of some very tall stairwells.

[Political Tiger]

9. I do agree but...

Damn, I'd like some revenge on that traitor! ;)

[JDPriestly]

13. Is our agenda also going to be more important than prosecuting

members of the current administration?

Kindness to Lieberman will be perceived as weakness. And Lieberman showed himself to be a traitor to the Democratic party, \a snake in the Democratic grass. I predict that, if Democrats don't push Lieberman to the sidelines or out of the party, he will lash out at Democrats at some point in the future when Democrats' popularity is much lower and his lashing out harms Democrats much more.

We need to get rid of Lieberman and then find a more suitable job for Reid. We need a pitbull in charge of the Democrats in the Senate.

[clear eye]

16. Our agenda is more important than making nice to Lieberman

There are two issues at play concerning Lieberman. First is whether he remains in the party caucus, and second, and more important, is if he retains his one committee and two subcommittee chair positions. He can be removed from chairing committees and still caucus with the Democrats. He currently chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. His leadership, especially compared with that of Rep. Waxman who chairs the equivalent committee in the House, has been less than stellar. While Waxman has urged a number of serious investigations into the performance of the Dept. of Homeland Security and the failures of regulation re: Wall St. with the hope of instituting important reforms*, Lieberman has not.

Our Democratic agenda, especially vis a vis regulation of the large financial institutions, the abuses of Blackwater, and more require a united Congress. Informative investigations in the Senate would have to be led by just that committee that oversees Governmental Affairs that Lieberman currently heads. Leaving Lieberman in that position makes it unlikely its important work would be carried out.

Furthermore, if Dems remove Lieberman from his chairs and he goes off in a huff and voluntarily leaves the Democratic caucus we won't have lost as much as it may appear. He has already publicly stated opposition to a filibuster-proof Democratic Senate. There is great likelihood that he would vote against cloture at just the times when Democrats want it most, like for passing Obama legislation for withdrawal from Iraq.

We need pro-active Democrats leading important committees and subcommittees to carry out Obama initiatives and move along the Democratic agenda. There are a number of senior Democratic Senators worthy of being rewarded with those positions.

*http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/house_oversight_committee_will.php and http://oversight.house.gov/investigations.asp?ID=234

[Sarah Ibarruri]

17. I say it's time to give him the old flusheroo nt