Lieberman Could Defect To GOP Over War

Connecticut Independent's Party Switch Would Wrest Senate Control From Democrats

(The Politico)  By The Politico's Carrie Budoff.

---

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut told the Politico on Thursday that he has no immediate plans to switch parties, but suggested Democratic opposition to funding the war in Iraq might change his mind.

Lieberman, a registered independent who caucuses with Democrats, has been among the strongest supporters of the war and President Bush’s plan to send another 21,500 combat troops into Iraq to help quell the violence there.

"I have no desire to change parties," Lieberman said in a telephone interview. "If that ever happens, it is because I feel the majority of Democrats have gone in a direction that I don't feel comfortable with."

Asked whether that hasn't already happened with Iraq, Lieberman said: "We will see how that plays out in the coming months" — specifically how the party approaches the issue of continued funding for the war.

He suggested, however, that the forthcoming showdown over new funding could be a deciding factor that would lure him to the Republican Party.

"I hope we don't get to that point," Lieberman said. "That's about all I will say on it today. That would hurt."

Republicans have long targeted Lieberman to switch — a move that would give them control of the Senate. And Time magazine is set to report Friday that there is a "remote" chance Lieberman would join the GOP.

[clemenhagen1]

My understanding of the rules of the Senate is that the original designation of caucus and thus majority control of committees and chair positions holds for the entire term. According to that rule, even if Lieberman switched to the Republican caucus, control of the Senate and the chair positions would not change until after the term expires (i.e. after the next election). Can anyone clarify if this is accurate?

[perception5]

"I have no desire to change parties. If that ever happens, it is because I feel the majority of Democrats have gone in a direction that I don't feel comfortable with."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn

.......well Joe I hate to tell you this but your party has taken a sharp turn to the "left" and that's not good for anyone..... Like Ronald Reagan always said..."Welll.... I didn't leave the Democratic Party .......the Democratic Party "left" me.....

[jsilver2th]

I tell you all of this has really gone to his head and he's scaming on a way to get to be President.

[scott4261]

That's true, frankly6, but with Lieberman currewntly caucusing with the Democrats, the count is 50 Democrats-49 Republicans - that is if you are not considering So. Dakota Senator Tim Johnson (he's getting better, but he won't be voting for a while). If Joe joins the GOP, the count will be 50 Republicans-49 Democrats. This would effectively give Republicans a majority with D i c k Cheney running roughshod over party line votes in the Senate.

Don't get me wrong, Lieberman IS already a really a Republican. I'm just trying to keep our focus on the reality here.

[formrusmcsgt]

Lieberman is not even a Democrat in name only, he is a Republican in Independent clothing....

[sharncedar]

He is an ugly individual. Prancing around, parading his betrayal of first one party and then another, as if he is proud, it is a lewd and shameful dance, all of us are diminished.

[formrusmcsgt]

Finally, we have proof that Lieberman's true alegience is to Israel and not the American soldiers.
Posted by Kaliveotin at 06:24 PM : Feb 22, 2007

Considering all the times he's endorsed Bush's boondoggle you had doubts?

[aaabee-2009]

Joe blows wherever it best suits Joe. He has dumped his party before to run on an independent ticket. To hear he will dump the Dems again illicts only chuckles and quite a few of those little hand waves reserved for the departure of those nasty houseguests you are finally getting rid of.

Bye bye Joe (smile, wave)

[scott4261]

And he'd fit in perfectly as a northeastern Republican (except some of them are against this insane war). Good riddance, Joe!

[vincan-2009]

The faster the lying republican Lieberman makes himself officially a republican the better. He wouldn't be back in the senate at all except for Connecticut republicans full support. The Democrats there were tired of all his bowing and scrapping to his holy bush. He lied right along with bush/cheney in every way he could.

[anvilheadsix]

Lieberman used to be a decent moderate(a little overzealous on his denouncement of the firts amendment in my opinion) but if he still supports the war then he is as delusional as Bush and belongs in the Republican Party. Enjoy all the perks from the big corporations Joe!!!

[aaabee-2009]

"I have no desire to change parties."
Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn.

What did you say, Mr. I-Conn?

[aaabee-2009]

THERE WILL BE A HUGE PEACE RALLY IN WASHINGTON ON MARCH 17. 41 STATES HAVE ORGANIZATIONS CHARTERING BUSES ETC. IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT THE CAUSE GO TO www.impeachbush.org
Posted by dallison7 at 04:03 PM : Feb 22, 2007

FYI

[lieberman181]

Bravo, Joe.

Considering Pelosi's as usual asinine remark about supporting the troops not the mission, you would get a warm welcome from those of us who do not subscribe to surrender monkey policies or yearn for Sharia.

Time was when an American Senator or Congressman not only said that they support the troops - they also SUPPORTED THE MISSION - and MEANT what they said.

Botox Girl, Prune Face Reid and the rest of the Dems are, if not traitors skipping along the lines of such. It is time to call a spade a spade.

I just wonder what our millionaress ILLEGAL hiring Princess would have done in 1942 when the casualty counts came in from New Guinea, Guadalacanal, the Philippines, North Africa and the Atlantic. Her and her buddies would have joined their fascist friends Henry Ford and Charley Lindbergh in advocating a surrender agreement with Hitler.

If we weren't speaking German or Japanese, my guess is they let Europe go - and the chimneys of Auschwitz would have gone full blast till all of the Jews, Slavs, Gypsies and other "undesirables" would have been killed.

And Botox girl would have said she was advocating the American way.

Sick. But that's what you Dems and Bozo Fascists really are.

Give it to them, Joe!

[starleo146]

Joe L. MY OH MY you and Bush and Mc Cain if you think any one will believe you again you are wrong OOPS you did it again!!!!

[formrusmcsgt]

Time was when an American Senator or Congressman not only said that they support the troops - they also SUPPORTED THE MISSION - and MEANT what they said.

Posted by Lieberman181 at 07:19 PM : Feb 22, 2007

You (obviously) refer to a time when presidents didn't intentionally lie to the Congress to get their authorizations for war.

[lieberman181]

That is where your face is located Ex.

So do us all a favor, Bozo Fascist and Sharia lover - STICK IT WHERE THE SUN DOESN'T SHINE.

By revealing what a bigot and anti-Semite, anti-Christian and anti-American you really are, you're history...and pretty bad history at that.

LOL

[formrusmcsgt]

And as for being "un-Marine" as you put it:

Lars,,, Here's a statement from one of our troops in Iraq, currently there are over 1,000 petitioning Congress on the Iraq War.

"Just because we volunteered for the military doesn't mean we volunteered to put our lives in unnecessary harm and to carry out missions that are illogical and immoral."

Marine Sgt. Liam Madden

Posted by j-whitman at 07:03 PM : Feb 22, 2007

I guess, in your opinion anyway, Madden isn't a Marine either.

[formrusmcsgt]

you're history...

Posted by Lieberman181 at 07:34 PM : Feb 22, 2007

Watch me shake and tremble.....the reserve reject says I'm history.

What lieberman, I'm history because you say so?

You ARE deluded.

[Syndicate]

Carrie Budoff are you Ignorant? Lieberman has said this many times and you are just now writting an article on it? Wait let me check the date I know how you guys a CBS reuse articles. OK yea your Ignorant. Go find some new news.

[scott4261]

This feeds into right wing denial. A Republican Joe Lieberman re-enforces their twisted denial that they are going to elect Rudy Gulianni as President, win back the congress, and save the country from those errant liberal Democrats! Fits into their US VS. THEM, politics as sports mentality.

Oh, neo-cons....when are you ever going to learn? There is no THEM. There's only US. The UNITED STATES of America.

[j0hnwi11iams]

Thanks CT for 6 more years of this fossil.

[tuckerndfw]

Lieberman is an Israel firster. His primary allegiance is to Israel.

If he wants to follow his conscience, he should move to Israel, renounce his US citizenship and run for a seat with the Likud party, or some other extremist right wing war mongering Israeli political party.

The vast majority of Americans want the occupation of Iraq ended, yet Lieberman, like Bush, claims his personal judgment is more important than what Americans want.

Thanks, Connecticut. You gave us the Bush crime family starting with Senator Prescott Bush and now you have given us Joe Lieberman.

[j0hnwi11iams]

It's all about Lieberman. The senate couldn't even pass a NON-BINDING resolution against the escalation. This *** called the Iraq occupation is ALL YOURS, NEOCONS. I am sure you are looking forward to losing even more seats in '08. Maybe that is enough time to hatch the final destruction of the constitution and the privatization of everything in the known universe. You eliminate the competition and in the end you eliminate everything.

[moxford0]

Half a democrat is better than none at all I guess.

[wizest]

He has always been a Republican in Democratic Clothing.

[pakaal]

Didn't this guy defect just prior to last November? What's the big deal now?

[MizQue]

FYI: Lieberman did not run as an Independent. After losing the Democratic primary, Joe Blow ran under the banner of a party he created for himself - a party on one called "Connecticut for Lieberman". In most states, this would have been illegal. He is not an Independent, and the Independent party is tired of being slimed by association with him. He lets the Independent label stick to make people forget his rogue third party candidacy.

[wogerwabbit]

Old news.

[jdweymouth]

The Dems, and libs didn't mind when Bernard Sanders (I-VT) defected to the independent party. He was originally a republican, but went defected to the Independent Party immediately after the race, and gave the dems the control of the Senate until 2002. How do you like a dose of your own medicine? At least Lieberman would only do it because he thinks the Democrats are acting like traitors (they are). If he did this, it doesn't mean his only loyalty is to Israel. It means that he thinks a move such as cutting off funding would endanger the troops, and spell failure for Iraq. He is a true nationalistic patriot, and I know you libs don't like Nationalists or American success.

You people love your country as much as Pelosi loves Bush.

[jdweymouth]

By the way, why do you people hate Israel so much, and love the "Palestinians" so much? Thousands of years ago, the Israelis conquered the land that is those two countries. The people they conquered it from no longer exists, and the Arabs (Palestinians) don't have any business, historically, being there. They originated is the Arabian Peninsula. The people of Israel actually originated in present day Israel. What is your people's problem?

[eeodonnell]

Joe would go with the devil himself if it would get him more power and recognition. I think George Bush would give a much more realistic assessment of his strengths and weaknesses than Joe Lieberman could of his. Contrary to the pious aura he gives off, he's one of the most amoral, dishonorable people in the Senate. Anyone who supports him for anything is bound to be disappointed in the end. His "maverick stance" keeps him continually where he wants to be - in the headlines.

[cbville72]

Why is it that they want to give a free handout to everybody?
Why are most of their staunchest supporters hollywood actors who have made millions without having to do a hard days work in their self important ways?

[cbville72]

Why is it that they cry about being "disenfranchised" after presidential elections they lose?

[fascistusa]

Why don't they just put Israel's Flag behind him?

It's more to the Truth.

I don't even like OUR Flag anymore. America is more a Fascist Prison State then a Free Country.

[cbville72]

I don't even like OUR Flag anymore. America is more a Fascist Prison State then a Free Country.


Posted by fascistusa at 11:34 PM : Feb 22, 2007

And you are a piece of liberal shhit. Your pathetic rants smack of a 3 year old that just got his hand smacked. Why don't you leave the *** king country and go somewhere else. Stop crying youpussy

[jdweymouth]

fascistusa:

Enlighten us, oh mighty one! Explain to us mere mortals how the U.S. is a fascist state.

[zykracosmos]

Does Lieberman really think the people of Connecticut put him in office to become a Republican? (they had a Republican in the race already!) They punished him in the primary and he didn't learn anything. I agree with the guy down the list who noticed his resemblence to the two-faced senator in Star Wars who would become the Emperor. I can't look at Lieberman now without thinking about it. It wouldn't register so strongly if he didn't play the part. Scary. Still, I don't think there's a chance he'll jump ship. He wouldn't be served a cup of coffee in his home state if he did.

[tuckerndfw]

"He is a true nationalistic patriot, and I know you libs don't like Nationalists or American success."

Posted by jdweymouth at 10:29 PM : Feb 22, 2007

Nearly 70% of Americans must be "libs (who) don't like Nationalists or American success" since that is the number of Americans who oppose the continued occupation of Iraq.

The majority of the minority that supports the wasteful and pointless occupation of Iraq are Israel firsters whose primary allegiance is to Israel. Such as Israel First B4 the US Joe Lieberman.

And they should demonstrate real courage and leadership by moving to Israel, renouncing their US citizenship (NO "dual citizenship"), and joining the Likud or some other extremist right wing war mongering Israeli political party.

BTW, the Roman Empire threw "Jews" out of Palestine nearly 2,000 years ago. At which time "Jews" lost any legal claim to land in the Middle East. The creation of Israel by the UN (US & UK) in 1947 was a violation of international law (Hague Conventions) that prohibits appropriating land as the result of war.

Israel is a failed nation state and was a stupid idea in 1947 and is a stupid idea today. The majority of "Jews" live outside Israel, which menas they don't even support the stupid idea of a "Jewish state." So, why should anyone else?

[MizQue]

Lieberman is an ego driven dangerous man. He couldn't care less about the will of the people; it's all about what he wants. His latest insanity is suggesting leveling a "terrorism" tax on all of us so that we can all share the burden of fighting terrorism. Haven't the billions of our tax dollars spent on this war, and the erosion of our personal freedoms been sacrifice enough? He is setting himself up as a possible Vice Presidential running mate of Senator John McCain. Mark my words, he learned no humility from his loss in the Connecticut Democratic primary. His thirst for power and higher office is stronger than ever. Blame Connecticut Republicans for Joe Blowviator. The Democrats booted him out in the primary.

[bluestardad]

Lieberman has demonstrated many times that he does not care for the people of Connecticut or America by constantly supporting policies of Israel over the greater good of America and her people who voted him in office. However you may have noticed the coming surge of American public opinion against using our military to promote the agenda of other Countries! For years no one would say anything against promoting the Israeli agenda for fear of being labeled an anti-Semitist but now America is learning it is also acceptable to disagree with Israeli promoters like AIPAC members Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and William Kristol of the Weekly Standard who would gladly sell thousands of American soldiers lives to promote Israeli interest! Now these same policies and neocons are pushing our soldiers toward another war in Iran. American military is made to protect American interest not fight proxy wars in the interest of other countries! American blood and treasure should be spent only in American interest! The Current Vice President of the United States felt the need to jump on a plane on a moments notice and fly to Saudi Arabia at the beckon call of the house of Saudi. He showed the world by his actions who his true masters were! As for the Rest of us Americans, The Statue of Liberty Stands in New York Harbor and is not Kneeling in the desert of the Middle East!

[jdweymouth]

tuckerndfw:

Re: %u201CIsrael was formed as a violation of international law%u201D

-If that is the case, then the land belongs to the British and the French, not the Arabs. The Arabs (Palestine) were given that land as a result of war as well? Do you advocate throwing the Arabs out as well? Anyway the Israelis have paid for the land they control now in blood. Their war of independence against the Arabs, the Six Days war against the Arabs, and the Yom Kippur war. All of these wars were Arab instigated, and Six days was a case when a nation (Israel) was forced to make a preemptive strike. This tells me we should be venting anger against the Arabs, not the Israelis.

-We did not establish Israel as an independent state, they declared independence in 1948, and we recognized them soon after. We sponsored the allocation of land, we did not grant them independence.

Re: %u201CNearly 70% of Americans must be "libs (who) don't like Nationalists or American success" since that is the number of Americans who oppose the continued occupation of Iraq.%u201D

-70% of the population believes that we should leave Iraq; it doesn't mean that they were against the war from the beginning. By the way, only polls done by the Census Bureau are absolute.

Re: %u201CThe Israelis have lost their claim in the Middle East because the Romans kicked them out.%u201D

-We kicked Native Americans out of their land, so do you advocate scattering them abroad? Do you like the idea of reservations?

[jdweymouth]

tuckerdndfw:

Re: %u201CThe majority of the minority that supports the wasteful and pointless occupation of Iraq are Israel firsters whose primary allegiance is to Israel. Such as Israel First B4 the US Joe Lieberman.%u201D

-So those of us for continued perseverance in Iraq have a loyalty to Israel first? I could say the same thing about you. I could say those who were against the war from the start are people who put Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Iran first. Would you disagree with my assessment?

But, That%u2019s not exactly my opinion, my opinion is that you (liberals) don%u2019t like the United States being powerful, and you want our military to be used as a global peace keeping force. In other words, I believe you%u2019re internationalists. That doesn%u2019t necessarily mean you%u2019re traitors, but internationalism is indeed a breeding ground for traitors.

We (conservatives) like the United States being powerful, and we it when we exert our will. We don%u2019t want to be aggressors, but we want to keep people from aggressing against us, and if it%u2019s 10 of them for one of us, then so be it. We%u2019re nationalists. I know you have it in you%u2019re head that you%u2019re someone who believes in the United States before all else, but I disagree. If you were, you%u2019d accept the fact that Israel is the U.S.%u2019 ally, and you%u2019d deal with it. You wouldn%u2019t embrace our enemy (Arabs), and shun our allies (Israel) for the mere sake of it.

[cbs4me3]

My concern: Why isn't Lieberman concerned with doing his job as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security? Last year as Vice Chairman of this committee, he wrote his own blistering report about the administration's stonewalling of the Senate's investigation into Katrina mismanagement. Now as Chairman, nothing. Yet, he persists in attacking Democrats on Iraq. Why? The answer is as obvious as the nose on his face. Put America first rather than that other country.

[bluestardad]

America first! We have spent 50 years of Treasure trying to civilize the Middle East. They do not want it. And any elected representative or individual that supports another country, yes even Israel, over America but chooses to live in America under her protection should be removed and sent to that country. Any individual who advocates the interest of any other country while serving in an public elected public office of America within the borders of America should be hung for Treason!

Email your senators and representatives and tell them your views! http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_in
formation/senators_cfm.cfm or http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

[tuckerndfw]

jdweymouth,

Nothing you wrote refuted what I stated.

The Hague Conventions specifically prohibit appropriating land as an outcome of war.

The allies appropriated land in the Middle East as an outcome of both WWI and WWII. That land was unlawfully used to provide a "homeland" for immigrants from Europe and Asia, most of whom were atheists, including David Gruen, aka David Ben Gurion, who claimed to be "Jews."

Who in turn claimed the land they were unlawfully given was their very own state.

No, it isn't. It belonged to the indigenous people ("Palestinians") in 1947 and it belongs to them now.

Regardless how Israelis attempt to justify murdering people and stealing their land, the fact remains Israel has no legitimate right to exist as a nation state in the location it exists.

If the US & UK want to give Jews free land, they need to give Jews land the US or UK actually and legally own. Palestine does not fit that requirement.

But, in the meantine, Israel firsters holding US citizenship and/or living in the US need to relocate to Israel and renounce their US citizenship. A person cannot be loyal to two different nations at the same time.

Israel Firsters need to make their choice and AIPAC needs to close its doors. It is a subversive organization.

[agnim]

"Agnim: I see... You just proved you're hypocrtical, and that you don't want American success.
Posted by jdweymouth at 11:15 PM : Feb 22, 2007"

I would want your 'success' if you were the allowing yourself and Lie-berman to return in body bags or with missing limbs. In this way, we could relieve the guys who are honoring their commitment to duty to follow orders, even foul orders.

[agnim]

If Al Bore thinks that things are hot on the globe now, he should just wait until he dies and gets to that special place. LOL

We have the dumb Al Bore to thank for imposing this delusional Jewdas, Lie-berman, on America!

Since Al Bore mindlessly chose Lie-berman as his running mate, this ugly and senile old fool believes that he can play Americans on behalf of a foreign govern that regularly engages in state terrorism.

[bluestardad]

War with Iran is not in American interest it is the Israeli and Saudi Arabian Governments that Want America to fight Iran! Israel and Saudi pushed us to fight in Iraq which cost America over 3000 soldier%u2019s lives and Billions of tax dollars. America needs to put America interest first! The REAL ENEMY ARE THESE FOREIGN GOVERNMENT INTEREST GROUPS that throw money to our corrupt politicians in an effort to direct American foreign policy in line with their Foreign Government interest. America has spent 50 years of Treasure trying to civilize the Middle East. They do not want it. And any elected representative or individual that supports another country, yes even Israel, over America but chooses to live in America under her protection should be removed and sent to that country. Any individual who advocates the interest of any other country while serving in a public elected office of American leadership within the borders of America should be tried in Court for Treason!

Email your senators and representatives and tell them your views! http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_in
formation/senators_cfm.cfm or http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

[jdweymouth]

tuckerndfw: Please tell me where it says that it the Hague Conventions, because I'm at a lost to find it.

Also, I want to know when you consider land legally belonging to a certain people. Then I'll argue with you.