Online Left

Quote of the [Yester]day

My hope is that he becomes a Democrat again.

Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, following the vote to let Lieberman keep his chairmanship

Dems Need 70 Seats

Senate Democrats could prove hazardous to your health.

On a day that Democrats throughout the country should be free to celebrate the victory of Anchorage Mayor, Mark Begich, over the honesty-challenged Ted Stevens, they instead have to blink while pulling the finger of Joe Lieberman out of their eyes. Even if Senate Democrats were lucky enough to come up with the 60 seats, it wouldn't be enough to create a filibuster-proof majority. If there's no discipline within the Democratic Caucus, what chance would they have of getting all the Democrats to vote together on a cloture vote?

How does Lieberman get away with this shit?

No leadership, no discipline.

Duhh!

And yes, I'm disappointed, frustrated, and just a little pissed. Notice, I didn't say surprised? As I wrote last night, Joe Lieberman got away with trolling for McCain-Palin all over the world. If McCain had won the presidency, it's likely we'd be discussing Lieberman's nomination as Secretary of State, rather than Hillary's. Instead, McCain lost and Lieberman returns to the Senate with no punishment of any consequence. On a reported 42-13 vote, Senate Democrats told the American people that the Independent-Democrat doesn't answer to anyone -- but himself, and possibly Lindsey Graham.

The Democrats of Connecticut rejected Lieberman in the Democratic primary and voted for Ned Lamont as their nominee. Lieberman appealed to Republicans and Independents and was re-elected to the United States Senate. Senate Democrats welcomed him back with open arms after he defeated the Democrat.

Lieberman joined with George Bush and John McCain to maintain and increase American presence in a war that was going poorly, spending tremendous sums of money that could have been better used in our own country. Lieberman opposed the position of Senate Democrats, and they welcomed him in the caucus.

Lieberman supported Norm Coleman in Minnesota and Susan Collins in Maine against their Democratic opponents. Lieberman travelled to their states to support their campaigns, and infamously attacked the Democratic nominee for President of the United States at the Republican convention, and yet, only 13 Democrats were offended to the point of seeking discipline within the caucus.

I don't know what a Majority Leader does, apparently. If he doesn't impose discipline when the troops go to the other side, what the heck is his job? There's one thing I do know -- if Lieberman were a member of the House rather than the Senate, Speaker Pelosi would have kicked his ass -- literally! Maybe it's time for Reid to go and let someone else takeover the job he's clearly not capable of performing. Reid can make all the phony speeches expressing frustration with Lieberman he wants. Unless he actually does something, he should just keep his mouth shut.

Even when Republicans lose, they and Independent-Democrats win.

In the meantime, the next time a Democratic fundraiser asks me to contribute to the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee because they need 60 votes, I'm going to tell them where to go. If you take into account those who are free to do what they want without fear of discipline, it would take at least 70 Democrats to get the 60 needed votes, and I'm not holding my breath waiting for that.

It's been a frustrating day.

Lieberman Likely to Avoid Dem Retribution

Several news outlets are reporting that Senator Joe Lieberman will avoid loss of his committee tomorrow, when Senate Democrats meet in caucus.

Lieberman, who faced expulsion from the Democratic caucus, or stripping him of his committee chairmanship, may, instead lose the chairmanship of a subcommittee. Lieberman has apparently agreed to the loss of the subcommittee chairmanship.

Once again, weak-kneed Democrats have caved to Republicans, and Independent-Democrats (also known as Republicans) like Lieberman. No act could be more threatening to a political party than to have its leading members declare his, or her colleagues unqualified, unpatriotic, and untrusthy while that person is permitted to lend aid and comfort to the [political] enemy.

If Lieberman escapes tomorrow with the minor kick in the pants as reported, Democrats should prepare a guidance memo for future occurrences. It's very likely to happen again, and most likely involving Senator Lieberman.

Maybe if they showed spine, they might be able to work together to forge the 60-seat, filibuster-proof, majority. Instead, they'll be stepping lightly, hoping to not take a knife in the back from the Independent-Democrat (Republican) from Connecticut.

Joe [the Senator] Must Go

On Tuesday, Democratic senators will meet and vote by secret ballot whether traitorous Joe Lieberman should be stripped of his chairmanship of the powerful Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Lieberman, who campaigned for the Republican ticket of McCain-Palin, has been approached in recent weeks by Majority Leader Harry Reid to voluntarily give up the Homeland Security Committee and accept lesser committee instead. According to reports, Lieberman has insisted that the change is unacceptable, and would caucus with Republicans rather than take the demotion.

The question of what happens to Lieberman seems basic to many Democratic Senators. If Lieberman can get away with his actions and expect no retribution, what's the point of belonging to a party?

Recently, President-elect Obama called Reid and urged him to not kick Lieberman out of the caucus. Left unreported, is whether Obama favored complete amnesty.

Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana suggests that Lieberman be spared, if he apologizes to the caucus. Many who know Lieberman and his oversized ego realize that's not likely.

What to do with Lieberman? He has to go.

Lieberman, speaking at the Republican National Convention:

Senator Barack Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who I think can do great things for our country in the years ahead, but, my friends, eloquence is no substitute for a record, not in these tough times for America.

In the Senate, during the three-and-a-half years that Senator Obama has been a member, he has not reached across party lines to get accomplish anything significant, nor has he been willing to take on powerful interest groups in the Democratic Party to get something done.

And I'd just ask you to contrast that with John McCain's record of independence and bipartisanship, but let me go one further. And this may make history here at this Republican convention.

Let me contrast Barack Obama's record to the record of the last Democratic president, Bill Clinton, who stood up to some of those same Democratic interest groups, worked with Republicans, and got some important things done, like welfare reform, free trade agreements, and a balanced budget.

Now, I'm honored to say just a word about the great lady that John McCain has selected as his running mate.

Governor Palin, like John McCain, is a reformer. She's taken on the special interests and the political power-brokers in Alaska and reached across party lines to get things done. The truth is, she is a leader we can count on to help John shake up Washington.

That's why -- that's why I sincerely believe that the real ticket for change this year is the McCain-Palin ticket.

Let me tell you, friends, that the Washington bureaucrats and the power-brokers are not going to be able to build a pen that will hold in these two mavericks. It's just not possible.

Together, I think we can count on John and Sarah to fight for America and to fight for you, the American people. And that's what our country needs most right now.

We all know it: These are tough times here at home, and we have dangerous enemies in the world. And what America needs now, frankly, is not more party unity. What we need now is more national unity.

Lieberman, who calls himself an Independent-Democrat argued against party unity while palling around with Republicans. He should expect true Democrats to argue against party unity now. If he gets votes beyond the other Independent-Democrats in the Senate, it will be a slap in the face of every Democrat who worked hard, and contributed to President-elect Obama, and other Democratic candidates who had to fight the Lieberman rhetoric. As we know, the other Independent, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, argued last week that Lieberman should be punished. So much for the Independent vote!

The main number to the Capitol Hill switchboard is 202-224-3121.

Call your Democratic Senators on Monday and ask them to support stripping Lieberman of his Committee Chairmanship. If Lieberman is going to campaign as a Republican, he shouldn't be awarded a seat that comes to Democrats because of their election victories -- that he opposed.

Don't Turn Your Back

Republicans Reach Out to Lieberman

Reports are circulating that Republican Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, has reached out to Senator Joe Lieberman in an effort to convince Lieberman to join the Republican Senate caucus.

“They’ve been talking,” McConnell spokesman Don Stewart said.

Lieberman yesterday met with Majority Leader, Harry Reid, to discuss Lieberman's future. Lieberman, chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee, has argued that he should not be stripped of his committee chair. Reid reportedly informed Lieberman that members of the Democratic causus are urging him to remove Lieberman.

While apparently no final decision has been made, Reid is considering forcing Lieberman from his full committee slot and offering him the chairmanship of a subcommittee, in lieu.

Lieberman infuriated most of his colleagues by appearing at the Republican National Convention and attacking the candidacy of Senator Obama with as much relish as partisan Republicans. He would likely have survived the speech in support of his good friend, John McCain, but Dems were outraged at his support for Vice-Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, unknown to him before McCain's selection, and the Obama attacks.

It is likely Lieberman will return to discussions with McConnell if the Democratic caucus decides to strip Lieberman of his chairmanship, or decides to force him from the caucus.

In the end, Lieberman will do what he considers best for him. He seldom considers anyone else.

Lieberman Holds On -- For Now

"Senator Reid and I have just completed what I would describe as a good conversation between two colleagues and friends," Lieberman said. "I want to spend some time in the next few days thinking about what Senator Reid and I have discussed and what my options are at this point. He promised me that he would do the same and we will continue these conversations."

Read the entire article from The Hill.

Finally, I Agree With Lott

Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) says Senate Republicans should pull out the stops to persuade Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) to join their ranks.

I wish them all the luck. 

Joe the Traitor -- good bye, and good riddance! 

Oh, and leave the keys to the Homeland Security Committee Chairman's office. You won't need them any more.

D.L. Hughley Breaks The News - 10/25/08

Election Facts:

Sarah Palin is the second woman to be nominated for Vice President. The first woman to be nominated was Joe Lieberman.

Lieberman Was Never A Democrat?

Colin Powell’s endorsement of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is a sign that he was never truly a Republican, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) asserted on Sunday. 

“I don’t think you could really have ever been a Republican if you believe raising taxes and increasing spending at this time in our economy is a good idea,” Graham, one of Republican presidential nominee John McCain’s closest allies, said on ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.”

Along with Senator Joe Lieberman, McCain has no closer butt-buddy than Lindsey Graham. Lieberman, infamously endorsed McCain early in the process and has since lent his vocal support to others on the Republican ticket.

If Powell was never a Republican, then surely Lieberman was never a Democrat.