Lieberman May Support Republicans in 2010

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Democrats

(AP/Lauren Victoria Burke)

Sen. Joe Lieberman took another step farther away from the Senate Democratic caucus this week, when he said he may support some Republican candidates in the 2010 elections and may not run as a Democrat when he is up for reelection in 2012.

"I probably will support some Republican candidates for Congress or Senate in the election in 2010. I'm going to call them as I see them," Lieberman join a Republican filibuster against the Democrats' health care bill as it is currently written. Lieberman opposes the bill's government-run health insurance plan.

At least one Democratic leader on health care, however, thinks Lieberman will change his tune on the issue.

"When it comes down to getting the 60 votes necessary to pass this bill, I do not believe that Joe Lieberman would want to be the one person who caucuses with the Democrats … to bring this bill down. I don't think he wants to go down in history like that," Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) told reporters Thursday. "He still wants to be a part of the Democratic Party although he is a registered independent. He wants to caucus with us and, of course, he enjoys his chairmanship of the [Homeland Security] committee because of the indulgence of the Democratic Caucus. So, I'm sure all of those things will cross his mind before the final vote."

Lieberman also told ABC he will support Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd's reelection campaign in Connecticut next year.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by proudmilvet October 30, 2009 9:55 PM EDT: Either that or just switch parties. You're like an old Borscht Belt Comedian whose "Schtick" is getting Old!; Reply to this comment


by proudmilvet October 30, 2009 9:35 PM EDT: So, he want's to see the right thing done, & Want's something good done for our Country? Then RESIGN, you Greedy SOB!; Reply to this comment


by cattiej October 30, 2009 7:19 PM EDT: Since Joe Liberman has government health insurance, why doesn't he want the American taxpayer's to have it. When Obama spoke in the house a few months ago, everyone one of those politicans in that room HAVE GOVERNMENT HEALTH INSURANCE. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me. Some of you senior's who don't want government health insurance, if you have Medicare, cancel your Medicare and then let's see what insurance company will pick you up as a customer. I'm waiting to see the list of these companiess who will take you on and how much they will charge you per month, what they won't pay for, what the amount of your deductible will be and how long before they pay off your bill..We lived in Alabama, we had a hurricane, our insurance paid some folks 10cents on the dollar in value, then they canceled our insurance...what do you think will happen to the cost of your healthcare, if you are able to get any??? Joe Liberman is a traitor to America and the American people.; Reply to this comment

by WafflingJoe October 30, 2009 5:42 PM EDT

I will be for the measure unless I can draw more attention to myself by being against it, then I'll see how much more the Insurance Companies will give my campaign but if they don't give enough I'll be back on the other side. Why do I feel like I'm about to get thrown under the bus?

I will stomp my foot if you take away my chairmanship and be for the Republican candidates....er, wait...I'll be for the Republican candidates anyway. I'm the true definition of Rogue.

Sincerely,

WafflingJoe........

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by WafflingJoe October 30, 2009 5:59 PM EDT: WafflingJoe is a real "Drama Queen".


by stn_sage October 30, 2009 5:08 PM EDT: Today he's thinking about 'flipping' to the Republicans...

Give him another day...

Tomorrow he'll be thinking about 'flopping' back to the Dems...

Depending upon, obcourse, as the 'offers' get better...!; Reply to this comment

by jsilver2th October 30, 2009 3:37 PM EDT

Now just don't say he supported McCain-

Please! He supported McCain & Palin!

Like he did them any good- loosers all three.

In his seasoned judgment Sarah Palin is qualified to be President!

So Joe will be campaigning for Republicans- will Palin?

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by inketolstoy October 30, 2009 3:53 PM EDT: So in your seasoned judgement, Joe Biden makes a good potential President? As scary as the idea of President Palin is, it doesn't scare me near as much as the idea of President Biden.