Lieberman Dodges Bullet For Backing McCain

Senate Democrats Vote 42-13 To Allow Independent Senator To Keep Powerful Committee Chairmanship

(CBS/AP)  Sen. Joe Lieberman will keep his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee despite hard feelings over his support for GOP nominee John McCain during the presidential campaign.

The Connecticut independent will lose a post on the Environment and Public Works panel as punishment for criticizing Obama this fall.

Lieberman's colleagues in the Democratic caucus voted 42-13 Tuesday to approve a resolution condemning statements made by Lieberman during the campaign but allowing him to keep the Homeland Security Committee gavel.

Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he had been very angry about Lieberman's actions but that "we're looking forward, we're not looking back."

Added Reid: "This was not a time for retribution, it was a time for moving forward on the problems of this country."

Lieberman's grasp on his chairmanship had gotten stronger since President-elect Barack Obama signaled to Democratic leaders that he's not interested in punishing Lieberman for boosting McCain and criticizing the Democratic nominee during the long campaign.

"This is the beginning of a new chapter, and I know that my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus were moved not only by the kind words that Senator Reid said about my longtime record, but by the appeal from President-elect Obama himself that the nation now unite to confront our very serious problems," Lieberman said after the vote.

"This vote will anger many progressives and party faithful who felt Lieberman's support of the Republican nominee was tantamount to party treason," said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "But while it may have been tempting to punish him for his transgression, it’s also a nod to reality."

"The Connecticut senator has remained a reliable Democratic vote on most issues outside of some national security matters since becoming an independent and is still one that the party will need to pass some major legislation in the coming four years. President-elect Obama's support for him keeping his chairmanship was reflective of that."

Anger toward Lieberman seems to have softened since Election Day, and Democrats didn't want to drive him from the Democratic caucus by taking away his chairmanship, and as a result send the wrong signals as Mr. Obama takes office on a pledge to unite the country. Lieberman had indicated it would be unacceptable for him to lose his chairmanship.

Lieberman, who was Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore's running mate in 2000, was re-elected in 2006 as an independent after losing his state's Democratic primary to Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont amid intense anti-war sentiment. Lieberman is a strong supporter of the war.

One senator, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private, said Lieberman spoke openly about the rejection he faced in 2006, when many Democrats supported his opponent during the Connecticut Senate race.

"He spoke earnestly of the pain he felt when he was rejected by the Democratic Party in his re-election and in turn, the rejection he felt from many in the caucus who campaigned against him after decades and decades of friendship," the lawmaker said. "And that put him in a very different place approaching the 2008 election and John McCain was the only candidate for president who asked for his support."

The senator added: "He apologized for crossing the line in a few instances."

He remains a registered Democrat and aligns with the party inside the Senate, where he supports the party position on most issues other than the war.

But Lieberman angered colleagues by signing onto McCain's campaign, touring the country on McCain's campaign plane and speaking on his behalf at the GOP convention in September. Democrats were particularly upset that he had attacked Mr. Obama rather than simply saying positive things about McCain.

"There are some (statements) that I made that I wish I had not," Lieberman told reporters. "In the heat of campaigns, that happens to all of us, but I regret that. And now it's time to move on."

"It's time to unite our country," said Lieberman supporter Ken Salazar, D-Colo., said upon entering the meeting.

Salazar added afterwards: "It was very clear people want Senator Lieberman to be part of the caucus."

"I was concerned and was upset about what happened earlier this year," Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said on "Fox News Sunday." "But you know what? We turn the page."

On the other side were senators who feel that one requirement to be installed in a leadership position is party loyalty.

Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Pat Leahy, D-Vt., spoke against allowing Lieberman keep the Homeland Security and Government Affairs post. Reid, Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and John Kerry, D-Mass., were among those speaking in his favor, according to a Democratic aide, who spoke anonymously to discuss a private meeting.

Some, like Iowan Tom Harkin, still harbor hard feelings for statements Lieberman made during the campaign. Harkin took particular offense when Lieberman said a vote against funding the war in Iraq without a deadline for a troop withdrawal meant Mr. Obama had voted to cut off funding for troops in harm's way.

"That's outrageous, what he said," Harkin complained.

"To reward Senator Lieberman with a major committee chairmanship would be a slap in the face of millions of Americans who worked tirelessly for Barack Obama and who want to see real change in our country," Sanders said in a statement on Friday. "Appointing someone to a major post who led the opposition to everything we are fighting for is not 'change we can believe in.'"

[rjstolba]

Reid and his croniea are a bunch of GUTLESS wonders. No wonder the COngress has a lower approval rating than Bush. As far as the speeking up for what he believes in--bull hocky!!! This scumbag will do or say anything to get what he wants. He tried for VP in both parties and lost. Senate Democrats should give him what he really needs--a long term rest without any reponsibilities.

[chitown4716]

Well, if things go bad for Liebermen, at least he has a future as a cartoon voice-over.....

[briannorwood]

I''m trying real hard to follow Obama''s lead and forgive this little weasle...but I just don''t think I have it in me.

[chitown4716]

I''''m trying real hard to follow Obama''''s lead and forgive this little weasle...but I just don''''t think I have it in me.


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

Posted by briannorwood

Agreed, I remember the democratic party embracing Senator Lieberman when he became their nominee for vice-president under Al Gore. The millions of democrats who voted for Al Gore were also placing a vote for Lieberman to be one heart beat away from the highest office in the land, slamming Obama at the Republican Convention is how Lieberman repays those Democrats who once supported him.....

[tazmjam]

Oh for pete''''s sakes!!!! The whiney little bastward democraps THINK THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO SANCTION AN ELECTED OFFICIAL because they''''re peeved that he stood for what he thought was RIGHT?
Posted by Rowdydfw


I agree this is ridiculous...people in this country are tired of the partisanship that goes on in Washington; this little side show proves nothing is going to change on that score anytime soon. Evidently the color of your nose matters more than experience in Washington. If you have a mind of your own and use it the powers that be get offended...you wouldn%u2019t want anybody who doesn%u2019t do exactly what their told sitting on a committee where they might make suggestions that doesn%u2019t follow the script. Personally if anyone is going to be sanctioned, Nancy (bird face)Pelosi and Barney(Elmer Fudd)Frank would be good choices...you would be hard pressed to find two more annoying insiders. Democrats your partisanship is showing...use your time wisely...two years is not such a long time in which to get your shiit together.

[chitown4716]

Oh for pete''''''''s sakes!!!! The whiney little bastward democraps THINK THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO SANCTION AN ELECTED OFFICIAL because they''''''''re peeved that he stood for what he thought was RIGHT?
Posted by Rowdydfw

Well, they do have a right to take his chairmenship away. That chairmenship should be in the hands of a Democrat, not a untrustworthy phony like Lieberman.

At least Lieberman had the guts to stand up for what he thought was RIGHT! These commie baswards are the biggest JOKE I''''ve ever seen.

Posted by Rowdydfw at 09:45 AM : Nov 18, 2008

Wow! Rowdydfw.. You are SOOO smart! It appears that Lieberman wants to ASSOCIATE and remain with these "Commies" that you refer to. Let''s see? Doesn''t that make him a commie or, at least, a commie sympathizer?

[mechengr9]

Clearly you are neophytes at politics. It''s called a caucus for a reason. It''s a group of like minded individuals. If someone in your group lobbies for a different candidate other than the caucus'' candidate it generally goes against the grain. That''s why Lieberman is being reprimanded.

[cbs_oliver]

Harry Reid and the rest of the jerks did it. They rewarded the Independent Lieberman!

Appointing someone to a major post who actually obtained his position running against the Democratic party nominee and who led the opposition to everything we are fighting for is not "change we can believe in."

Harry Reid and President Elect Obama need to reach accross the isle once in a while to Democrats rather than Republicans and Independents if they really want "change we can believe in!"

[shingles1]

mechengr9, exactly.
People seem to have a hard time understanding how Congress works. The party in control gets to pick the chairpeople of the various committees. When Republicans were in control, they picked loyal Republicans - you didn''t see them picking Democrats or Independents - that would be crazy. Democrats have the right to sanction any member of their caucus, just like the Republicans did when they were in power.

[gangesdak]

My impulse is to give a swift kick to the hind end of Liberman. But I understand why he is allow to stay. He is a loser; and for sure he lost my respect.

[evian_ycnan]

for now...

Lieberman will receive his voting instructions in a less-than-famous 3AM phone call.

[trillion1]

This is what passes for our goverment.

[evian_ycnan]

Lieberman is Obama-by-Proxy

Obama won`t be the first President who has a mole in the Senate.

[neoconrcrazy]

lieberman should dust off his israeli passport and go home along with all his friends like Wolfowitz, Perleman - this *** has contributed to the biggest lie ever sold to the American people!

[actornaught]

...Posted by Obama_Dkhed

I see english isn''t your first language, since you''re struggling with it. Where are you from?

[blondchic]

He is a TRAITOR!!!
here we are, afraid to P iss him off so we give in to him. What''s next? Will he start demanding other perks?? What a sellout, I hope the people vote him out and at that point he will have to go fleeing to the other side because Democrats won%u2019t give him the time of day! What a piece of c rap he is.

[actornaught]

Posted by DaVicar1 at 12:27 PM : Nov 18, 2008

Loosen your tinfoil hat neck strap, it''s cutting off oxygen to your brain...

[harbinger09]

Based on the recent actions and mindset of Obama and the Democrats....

1. Future Presidents and others will lie, torture and start illegal wars with impunity.

2. Democrats will continue to turn on and backstab each other and still stay in power (those Reagan Dems, Lieberman, etc) and the Dems will NEVER have party cohesion

3. Obama will rue the day he ensconced his enemies with trusted positions as they work to undermine him and impede him

4. Illegal immigration will continue to get worse.

Every parent knows that when acts are not censured or adequately punished--you give the green light for more of the same and even worse--this is no different.

Dems appear too weak to lead--they want to be liked--so taxpayer money for all--and no punishment to deter evil---perfect recipe for chaos.

[lochlan-2009]

"The Connecticut senator lost the Democratic nomination for his re-election bid two years ago"

This guy is a piece of *** traitor to America, and the people paying attention in Conn., and who are trying to stop corruption in Washington, did everything we could to get this scumbag out of office. Almost got him to, just too many people voting who don''t know, don''t care, or are reaping the rewards off the corruption that voted for him. The majority of Americans are so uninformed and care little about what their representatives have done while in office, (and the media are not going to tell them) as they complain about getting raped by corporate America with bill after bill and no consumer, and now civil, rights.

Here''s the problem, if only 20% of us in this country know and study what these corrupt criminals have done, and are doing, how do we get the other 80% to listen and understand the issues, and who they are voting for (the media refuses to tell them). Now when these people vote for more corruption, because they don''t know they are voting for more of the same, what happens to the country that the 20% of us are trying to protect and save.

America is a lie and the people have no shame in knowing nothing about their choices and decissions here.


These people are the moron gunner blasting holes in the bottom of your ship. What''s going to happen to you?

[torva-2009]

Hmmmm...it appears that the Senate Democrats are sincere in trying to breach the partisan divide.

Although I have mixed feelings about Lieberman, especially after going independent and then supporting McCain, I must admit that I am a little relieved that the Senate Democrats kept him in their caucus...this way they have clearly demonstrated that they are maintaining the high road - at least concerning partisan divisions...more so than the Republican Senators ever did!

Now it will be up to the voters of Connecticut to decide his fate when he is up for re-election in 4 years...then we will have a chance to truly pay him back for his actions!

[harbinger09]

Oh for pete''''s sakes!!!! The whiney little bastward democraps THINK THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO SANCTION AN ELECTED OFFICIAL because they''''re peeved that he stood for what he thought was RIGHT?

WHAT THE HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL?????

Who the hell unleashed these commie bastwards on this country?

Posted by Rowdydfw at 09:30 AM : Nov 18, 2008


The Dems have the right to decide who heads any of their committees while they are in charge--just like every other party. They are not trying to drum Lieberman out of the Senate but they do have the right to remove him as head of any of their committees. They have the right--but obviously not the ballz.

That is one thing, eternally slimey about the Democrats--their incessant need to kiss azz and placate their enemies--then their surprise when their enemies stab them in the back. They are too weak to lead--if this had been reversed, the GOP would have tried to ruin the defector--that''s a given.

[jtdev1]

He must really know who shot JR...

[summarex]

Why does this piece of scum get to switch sides and stay in positions of power? He should be told off and ignored for the rest of his stay in the senate.

[barbaraf4]

This is one of the biggest problems with our society. No consequence.

[edward1975-2009]

The fact that the Democratic party was even considering action, goes to show just how spineless and without ethics they are. If anyone in this party needs to be removed, it''s the idiot Pelosi, she''s almost as embarassing as Kennedy. And that says alot.

[iesean]

LIEBERMAN KEEPS HIS GAVEL

Alright. Let us take a step back and look at this from a different point of view. I, like most of my fellow posters, want to see the Lieberman issue in terms of a %u201Cyou*re-either-with-*em-or-you*re-again-*em strategy.%u201D It*s a simple metric: Lieberman challenged %u201Cour guy%u201D in the election, now off the plank he goes. That is a feel good reaction that will last until the next wave of bad news hits the nation. In the current climate that*s about 8 hours. Then what?

Whether you are on the right or the left, this is just one more opportunity for the purveyors of the status quo to practice the time-tested tactic of divide and conquer. It*s based on a belief that people*s mistrust and resentment will outweigh their instincts to act in their own interest. Unfortunately, it works really well.

But challenge yourself to think strategically here. What does the new administration need from the Congress? Bipartisan support? The 60-vote super majority isn*t necessary when you have cooperation across the isle. Plus, we are just beginning to experience the full effects the last time one party had complete the control. Split government is a good thing, when you have good government.

[iesean]

Getting back to my point%u2026.

So ask yourself this question. If you were the incoming president and you needed a Senate that had the capacity for bipartisanship, what would you look for? Would you look to see where you had a strong link between members of the right and of the left, so to speak? Wouldn*t Lieberman on the Dem side and McCain on the Rep side be exactly what you want %u2013 two veteran senators on opposite sides of the isle with a close rapport and knowledge of how the body works who have a history of working together, despite the pressure of the status quo? My God, it*s perfect!

Punishing Lieberman and thereby sending him to caucus with the Republicans would destroy the bipartisanship that this country desperately need. Lieberman*s constituents are the ones to exact punishment in the next election, if they feel so inclined. For now, let*s just seize this extraordinary opportunity.

This kind of strategy is perplexing for most of us who have been weaned on the political thinking of Atwater and Rove. But this is what pragmatism looks like. It*s about keeping your eye on the greater good while rising above the pettiness of revenge. There*s an old saying that has little relevance to political climate of the recent past: Discretion is the better part of Valor. We need to all challenge ourselves to cling to that. Stop fighting to prove your right, and just do right.

Read complete post at http://baselesscritique.blogspot.com/

[bjcone8559]

This forgiving spirit worries me a little. Now I am concerned that I may not get the pleasure of watching Bush and Cheney stand before a firing squad.

[shemara-2009]

You all can''t see it, but the democrats know what they are doing. You will see how it turns out once things get going. Remember the saying you catch flys with honey. They won''t forget what Lieberman has done but with all the things at hand, they need his vote so they kept him, for now.

[usclimey]

It''s sure going to be a long 8 years listening to all these repukes showing just what a$$holes they really are. I''d rather have him lined up with the dems than giving the repukes a senate majority for even six weeks. It''s going to be hard to stop Shrub from ruining the country even further out of spite for these last six weeks without giving him a blank check from the senate to help him.

[mytoosense]

Not punishing Sen. Joe Lieberman is a necessary step toward a filibuster proof majority in the Senate.

It is not evidence that Joe Lieberman is not a traitorist ******.

If he knows what''s good for him, Joe''s days of independant thinking better be over for a while.

[noloyalisti]

I agree with Voltaire777. The crimes of the Republican Party of death and spending does NOT relieve the Democrats from their role in turning America into a fascist country.

This is why We the People must wake the heck up and shut off the TV and quite driving our SUVs to the malls. We must be vigilant to force Obama and the Democrats to return our government for the people.

[superdem]

It''s always "time to move forward" when doing the right thing involves a real cost. This is absolute cowardice among the Democrats, but the fact remains that Senator Lieberman is the most hated man in the Senate. There will never be a bigger act of treason to the Party that we will ever see. He not only trashed Obama to the Nation from the other party''s podium, he traveled the nation stumping against Democratic candidates, and spoke in favor of the filibuster to stop Democratic initiatives. He is absolutely despicable, and gets to smile his way through. The people of Connecticut must be very proud of themselves.

[koko1998a]

Why is Lieberman getting off easy? Simple, he is Jewish and Obama is still trying to build bridges to that political island. Firing Lieberman would only make Obama seem partisan and vindictive.

[usclimey]

Posted by superdem

Before jumping to conclusions read iesean''s posts on the previous page. I think there is method in what initially seems to be madness.

[yongamerica]

Lieberman is going up for reelection. I hope the voters don''t forget this Republican dressed in Democrat clothing.

[rlsantucijr]

I''m very encouraged by this. No one should be punished for their beliefs. And Joe is too valuable to lose to petty politics. Good job, Dems & President-Elect Obama!

[usclimey]

You are correct, and we the people, who put these cowards into office must now punish them for failing to take action. I believe we should single out one of the democrats in congress for the punishment that Lieberman deserved but did not get. If we organize a watchdog group for the democrats, we can start telling them what to do. Obviously, this is a party that is extremely easy to push around, I mean, slap around.

Posted by Voltaire777

You''re sounding like a terrorist - "We''ll execute one prisoner for ......" That''s what repukes do, not dems. You can bet Liebermann didn''t get an attaboy from these guys - I''ll bet he had to promise to be the most loyal dem in the Senate for the next 4 years. It''s also not always bad tactics to have someone in your camp who''s buddies with an opposite number.

[torva-2009]

Leadership is often confronted with unpopular choices. Making an unpopular choice is a mark of a leader. The Senate Democrats clearly showed that they have opted to be leaders into today''s political environment by deciding to let bygones by bygones and moving forward to address the nations issues.

Let us not forget how when the Republican Senators in Shrub''s early day did not show any tolerance toward dissent in their ranks and it cost them control of the senate from 2001 through 2002...you all recall Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords who stood on principal would not be bullied by the NEOCON(victs) in the Senate...

The Democrats didn''t mind having an Independent Jeffords in the caucus until he retired from the senate in January 2007, why should they mind Lieberman until he is either voted out by Connecticut voters or he retires?!?!?

[anonbychoice]

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.......

[torva-2009]

Insulting people because of their political beliefs has accomplished what?

Have we learned nothing from the last 8 years under GOPer oppression?

[briannorwood]

Joe Lieberman should be kissing Obama''s sweet behind right now. It is only because Barak is a better man than him that he gets to keep his precious chair.

But believe you me, "Joe the Weasel" will never win another election!

[olivia4441]

They are spinless, ( Democrats) and the truth is always ignored, by the people for the people and by the media..it is rather pathetic. You all who voted fro them will get what is coming, and NO ONE wants to hear your whining when you realize you made a grave error in judgement, BOO HOO

[oldguy4truth]

Lieberman is going up for reelection. I hope the voters don''''t forget this Republican dressed in Democrat clothing.

His approval rating as of this am, was 38%. In conn. I can''t see him getting re-elected there.

[oldguy4truth]

Joe Lieberman should be kissing Obama''''s sweet behind right now.
he is.

[gtttrades]

In light of the current administration efforts over the last 7 1/2 years to wreck everything that is good and decent about America in the name of greed, I think we can cut the new president elect some slack and give him some time before you all start whining.

[paidgopshill]

Of course the AIPAC member was allowed to hold on to the trappings of power.

If the change President-elect Obama has promised includes a halt to America%u2019s wars of aggression and an end to the rip-off of taxpayers by powerful financial interests, what explains Obama%u2019s choice of foreign and economic policy advisors? Indeed, Obama%u2019s selection of Rahm Israel Emanuel as White House chief of staff is a signal that change ended with Obama%u2019s election. The only thing different about the new administration will be the faces.

Rahm Israel Emanuel is a supporter of Bush%u2019s invasion of Iraq. Emanuel rose to prominence in the Democratic Party as a result of his fundraising connections to AIPAC. A strong supporter of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, he comes from a terrorist family. His father was a member of Irgun, a Jewish terrorist organization that used violence to drive the British and Palestinians out of Palestine in order to create the Jewish state. During the 1991 Gulf War, Rahm Israel Emanuel volunteered to serve in the Israel Defense Forces. He was a member of the Freddie Mac board of directors and received $231,655 in directors fees in 2001

In "Hail to the Chief of Staff," Alexander Cockburn describes Emanuel as "a super-Likudnik hawk," who as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2006 "made great efforts to knock out antiwar Democratic candidates."

[credibility2]

Nothing like a party being ticked off that someone that used to be part of their party and then changed had the temerity to be independent in thought and action. The Dems want utter control of every thought, word and deed.

[credibility2]

Lieberman is a former Dem. He''s now an Independent, thankfully.