Hi, I'm Joe Lieberman. Now, May I Punk You?

(CBS)

It doesn't get much better than this. Really.

During the 2008 elections, Joe Lieberman attended the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. and
pulled a Zell Miller, delivering a rousing speech - for Lieberman, that is - supporting supporting John McCain over Barack Obama for president.

Back in the old days, such an act of party disloyalty would have been automatic justification for banishment to political Siberia. But after their election victory in November, the Democratic leadership held its collective nose and cut a pragmatic deal: Lieberman, now a self-styled "independent minded Democrat" got to keep his chairmanship in the caucus, his chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and his seniority - thanks in no small part to support from then President-elect Obama. In return, the Democrats wanted Lieberman to remain loyal in case they ever needed to derail a Republican filibuster.

Now we know how that worked out. On Tuesday, the Connecticut Senator became the first Democrat to warn that he would not support cloture if any health care reform legislation includes a public option. (One day earlier, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he would do just that.)

"I think that a lot of people may think that the public option is free. It's not," Lieberman said. "It's going to cost the taxpayers and people that have health insurance now, and if it doesn't, it's going to add terribly to our national debt."

So on the eve of arguably, the biggest public policy decision of his young administration, the president now might wonder why he didn't listen to fellow liberals last fall. Instead, he stuck his neck out for Lieberman and got punked in return.

UPDATE:

(After I posted the blog entry, Lieberman's office sent me the following statement attributed to the Senator:)

"I am strongly inclined to vote for cloture to bring the health insurance bill up because we need to have a debate. I want to vote for health insurance reform this year because we need it, but I will not vote for health care reform if it jeopardizes the recovery from the economic recession or adds to the national debt. And because I'm convinced that creating a government run health insurance company will add to the national debt, increase taxes, and probably increase health insurance premiums, I can't vote at the end for a bill that has such a government run insurance company in it."

[isanyonefair]

As an independent I don't see an issue with him breaking ranks (although we don't know if any deals were made that he might have broken).

However, for people have received funds from the health care industry should recuse themselves. We expect judges to do this in the judiciary. In the legislature its the reverse. How can guys like Lieberman and Bayh who have padded their wallets be trusted to legislate for the good of the people?

[noloyalisti]

Should not the citizens of CT start a recall or impeachment of this guy?

[noloyalisti]

He should give up his Congressional public option and go get health care with Cigna, Humana or United.

[doc_holliday76]

by matuliska:
"Considering that polling of his state shows 2:1 support in favor of a public option, this is likely being done for the same reason Joe does everything: for himself."
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Yep....this is absolute proof that traitor joe is punking his constituents that support the public option 2:1, for his corporate masters in the for-profit insurance industry and himself. This WARmonger and mcpalin lover is a complete disgrace!

[noloyalisti]

What were these fools in CT thinking? Voting for a corporatist war monger who supported more of the McSame. OMG, how low can you go? And what were the Dems thinking, running this traitor for VP. I am almost happy they lost, just because of him.

There's no excuse for being a Republican anymore.

[sl3_007]

We need more independent reps like Lieberman. We have too many in DC who just do what they are told by the democrats and republicans. Most don't read the bills they are voting on. We need some reform, but not more bills like the so-called stimulus thrown together in backrooms with no debate or oversight.

[matuliska]

Considering that polling of his state shows 2:1 support in favor of a public option, this is likely being done for the same reason Joe does everything: for himself. He wants the national attention, the airtime, and the bargaining power that comes from this position.

[gthog]

But he is just "moving toward the center"

Isn't that the prescription you leftists have for Republicans?

Maybe you need to implement a loyalty oath for the Democratic party - nobody but lefty kooks need apply.

Why should he be "loyal"? The democrats tried to beat him last time.

[excoachken]

Government turned upside down, Lieberman is of the Corporate Lobbyists, by the Corporate Lobbyists, and by the Corporate Lobbyists. An empty suit whose pockets are stuffed with CASH!

[stn_sage]

Personally, I don't think he has ANY loyalty to his party, his state, the U.S. Government, or the principle of democracy!

Which begs the question: what's he loyal to? Answer...

HIMSELF?

[doc_holliday76]

by stn_sage:
"Which begs the question: what's he loyal to? Answer..."
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Come now.....that POS is only loyal to the for-profit insurance industry that resides in the state of CT. Follow the MONEY!

[stn_sage]

To doc_holiday76:

You hold him in higher esteem than I do...that is, YOU believe he's loyal to someone or something...other than HIMSELF! :)