Lieberman: Call me a Democrat

[sabra]

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/index.html

Lieberman: Call me a Democrat

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Joe Lieberman, who won re-election as an independent, has a message for his Senate colleagues in the next Congress: Call me a Democrat.

The three-term Connecticut lawmaker defied party leaders when he launched his independent bid after losing to Democrat Ned Lamont in the August primary. During the campaign, he vowed to be an "independent-minded Democrat" if he were re-elected.

...

In an e-mail message late Thursday, Lieberman spokesman Dan Gerstein said the senator will begin his new term as a Democrat.

[gfnrob]

1. I, for one, will call him Democrat.

[NJ Democrats]

10. As will I

[jackbourassa]

26. The Republicans must feel like big idiots!

You know, here we were. We had just nominated Lamont over Lieberman, and then Lieberman decides to run as an independent - assuring a division of the Democratic vote in Democratic Connecticut. A potential Republican pick-up right? Especially since Jody Rell, the Republican Governor, was polling very high, right?

Well you know what the Republicans did? This is funny...they actually supported one of the Democrats and threw their own Republican nominee under the bus.

Well, that Democrat won the election and...this is even funnier...the Republicans, who held a 55-45 Senate majority, LOST their control of the Senate by a single vote.

Thanks dumb asses for saving us from a potential catastrophe.

People say Karl Rove is a genius. I don't think he's a genius. In fact, I don't think he's even all that smart.

JackBourassa

P.S. I'm glad Lieberman won.

[The Backlash Cometh]

134. Be sure to check back with me whenever Lieberman votes for the Republicans.

1996 He voted to override Clinton's veto which tried to give stockholders accountability over CEO's decisions. That was about 1996, and soon after, the stock market started crashing. Coinky dinky? I don't think so.

1998 He was one of the first to turn his back on Clinton over the Lewinsky matter, and thus, weakened your party further for the 2000 elections.

2000 He didn't put up a fight and certainly didn't help Gore during that election. And the fact that he kept his Senate seat while he was running for VP should tell you something about his commitment.

2002 When he was majority speaker, he decided to hold off using his subpoena power until after the 2002 election, when he thought he'd get more support. But we all know the Senate went to the Republicans and, because of it, we had to wait another four years to reach this point again.

2003-2006 He gave full support to Bush over the Iraq War.

2006 He voted to stop the filibuster and allowed another right-wing judge on the bench.

And I too will call him a DemocRAT.

[Hieronymus]

154. You're right.

We don't need Lieberman.:toast:

[Politicub]

29. Me, too

We have enough room in our party for a multitude of viewpoints.

[Telly Savalas]

109. "Primaries are to be ignored" seems to be one of them.

[0007]

43. Sign me on!

[Laelth]

55. I'll be holding my nose, but I'll do it.

:puke:

-Laelth

[DemExpat]

82. I am glad to hear that he has said this too....

:kick:

DemEx

[Ferret Annica]

114. He's still a variation of the term mud to me.

I do not like the Republican wolf in sheep's clothing. His behavior merits no quarter to be given him.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Hey, Joe, how about you act like one. Then we'll call you one.

[Tight_rope]

8. Damn...you took the words righ outta my mouth!

:headbang:

[Kierkegaard]

15. Exactly.

Pretty hard to call yourself a Democrat with all those Republican dollars sticking out of your pockets.

[ihelpu2see]

Ditto, but I will still never vote Joe again.... $390,000 slush fund nt

[Copperred]

34. here here to that.....

He is more than welcome in the Democratic camp...just act like one and it will be done, act differently and it wont....this is not rocket science.

[Mad_Dem_X]

138. Zing!

Good advice!

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

3. He's a scumbag...but I guess its better to have a Democratic scumbag

then a Republican one...

:shrug:

[rodeodance]

31. yeah, i shake my head!!

[onehandle]

4. We'll be watching your votes. Then we'll talk. nt

[xultar]

79. He voted 23 out of 25 times with the Dems this year. That makes him

a Dem in my book.

[onehandle]

80. I agree. I expect him to continue that ratio.

I know his record.

Now he needs to do more than just vote with us.

He needs to vote against them.

Especially, Him.

No more warm embraces. The House will investigate and he better not stand against their efforts.

[noahmijo]

5. I told you holy joe was going to do what was best for holy joe

at this point it is entirely in holy joe's interest to pledge loyalty to the democrats.

[Texifornia]

6. I will not.

Turncoat piece of shit.

Fuck you

Fuck you

Fuck you.

[Iwasthere]

7. Asshole!

[Warren Stupidity]

9. For caucusing purposes fine.

If he votes the way he voted on foreign policy issues in the past, I will continue to despise him. Some of his other domestic positions are pretty awful too. Damn I hate that he beat Lamont.

[tridim]

11. Can I still call you an asshole Joe?

Maybe he'll wise up a bit and start acting like a Democrat in the new Senate.

[Donnachaidh]

12. Joe the Weathervane

If the voting had been different he'd be calling himself a Republican.

He's the true example of what is WRONG with Congress.

NO special seats for this TRAITOR.

[Cha]

111. Right...ol pontificatin' joe goes where

the power is..Now, he'll be seen smackin' up to hillary or whoever is Majority Leader? lieman smooching harry reid?

[bluestateguy]

13. I think we need to let cooler heads prevail

We won, but that's dependent on him staying a Democrat and giving him the Homeland Security chairmanship. That's one chairmanship out of over 20. The alternative is that he caucuses as a Republican, and we control no chairmanships in the Senate. Keep in mind, we will control the House Homeland Security Committee, which will be chaired by Mississippi's Bennie Thompson. So even if there is no oversight from Lieberman in the Senate, we can get it from Thompson in the House.

[Demeter]

24. Only Until Craig Thomas (Wy) IS Replaced By Democratic Governor

Then Joe Baby can pound sand.

[Zhade]

95. What's the deal with that, anyway?

All I know is the guy's sick.

[Boojatta]

121. With such a slim margin, do you really think it would be wise to tell Joe

to pound sand? What if he's later needed again?

[Demeter]

152. In 2008 the Margin Will Increase

If Democrats do the job they are supposed to, and don't fritter and fart away their public respect on toadying to Lieberman.

[meegbear]

14. Joe inserts tip of index finger in mouth ...

moistens it with his tounge. Removes finger from mouth and holds finger extended in air. Rotates hand until finger feels circulating air. Moves hand down and turns body in the direction of circulating air.

Utters "Call me a Democrat".

[Jim Warren]

20. Right

Begin his new term as a dem but how will he end it?

[katsy]

16. No, joe, you're an opportunistic scumbag with a

disdain for your base.

You slapped CT Democrats in the face and denied them their voice... denied them their choice of Representative.

Fuck you joe. You are an example of the diseased maglignant representatives we need to replace eventually.

[Polesitter]

50. So the issue is - to whom Joe owes his secondary loyalty,

His primary loyalty of course being to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Is it

1. The United States, Connecticut constituents and then the Democratic Party,

or conversely,

2. The United States, the Democratic Party and then his Connecticut constituents?

Nobody has yet to make a compelling case for ANYONE to put party loyalty above his or her state. If anyone has one, please post it - I'd love to read it.

Joe was elected by a majority of his state's voters and that's who brought him to the dance. The seat belongs to Connecticut's voters and is the property of ANY party.

The alternative is Republican control of the Senate and he could have any position he wanted as long as he brings majority status. Anybody want that?

I'm backing him 100%.

[katsy]

78. I don't think I'm the one that can make that compelling case...

First of all, I'm not that smart.

So, where does the "representative" part kick in? At the primaries or general election?

If not the primaries... why hold them at all?

On a side... if joe is in charge of homeland security, can we expect more of the same violations of privacy rights? A republican could do that just as well as holy joe. Forgive me, but I'll wait to see the difference between republican control of homeland security and holy joe's control.

[raebrek]

135. A republican could do that just as well as holy joe

If a republican was in charge of home land security then the republicans would also be in control of the senate. Stick with Joe, at least he tips the balance the right way.

[Name removed]

145. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[waldnorm]

17. So He Wants to be This Again?

All I can hear is "bow wow wow bow wow wow"

IMG SRC=""

[bamacrat]

18. Joe sucks.

Its not democracy when you can get elected even though you were defeated in an earlier primary. All he did was get republicans to vote for him to supplement the loss of dems.

[JudyM]

23. Yes but if his votes align with ours it's not a tragedy. Just a bad example.

[Zhade]

96. Mighty big if.

He bailed on THE most important issues last time (like the Cheney energy bill).

[JudyM]

142. It'll be interesting to see where his allegiance lies now. I'm betting on the blue wave. nt

[Straight Shooter]

19. Try to get your foreign policy more in line with Democratic ideals, Joe.

Until then, you're still the same old Joe, the Senator from Connecticut.

[pissedoffprogressive]

21. He will sleep with who ever asks YUK

:mad:

[bullimiami]

22. hey joe. then act like a democrat.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[IndianaGreen]

27. Strom Thurmond, Lester Maddox, and Orval Faubus were also Democrats

as was Colorado's Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Alabama's Richard Selby, and Georgia's Zell Miller.

Lieberman is in fine company!

[theboss]

32. Because when I think segregationists, I think Lieberman

That is such a ridiculous comparison.

[FredScuttle]

35. Ben Nighthorse Campbell was a segregationist?

News to me.

Perhaps you didn't pick up on IG's very salient point that Joementum calling himself a Democrat is as an atrocity on par with the examples mentioned.

[theboss]

37. Would you rather he caucus with the Repubs?

This is the question all the anti-Lieberman crowd has to answer.

Do you hate Lieberman more than you love being in the majority?

I love being in the majority. I would accept Jesse Helms back into the party if it meant that Jay Rockefeller chaired the Intelligence Committee.

I would rather have 5 bad Democrats in the Party and be in charge as opposed to be ideologically pure and being in the minority.

We have the Senate again, kids. And Joe's part of the reason why. Good times, I say. Good times.

[FredScuttle]

39. What price have you put on your soul?

What's that saying about power corrupting? You'd welcome back a racist with open arms just to keep the majority....congratulations. Forgive me if choose to side with those with a conscience.

Taking back the House was good enough for me and we didn't have to kowtow to a traitor like Joementum to do it. We should win on the merits and not give this rat keys to the fucking broom closet.

[theboss]

41. The needs of the many outnumber the needs of the few

Spock said that.

And yes...if welcoming a Helms into the Party meant that 50 good Democrats set the agenda for the next year, I would do that. Why not? It's not like he's going to get his way.

Joe's stance on Iraq is meaningless right now. He's out-voted 50-1. Let him have his opinion. Who gives a shit?

[FredScuttle]

44. I've heard all I need to hear

You're quoting Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan to me. Uh-huh.

You're conveniently forgetting that the price Joementum will extort from Senate Dems will be chairmanship of Homeland Security. Remember, this is the sterling public servant who gave "Heckuva Job" Brownie a free pass.

[barb162]

73. Maybe the Senate should be GOP controlled then?

Will that be satisfactory to you?

[IndianaGreen]

51. That's the rationale that gave us DOMA and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell!"

The now defunct Bill of Rights placed limits on what a majority could do.

LGBTs have experienced in their lives the betrayal of the likes of Bill Clinton and other Democrats that back stabbed LGBTs on the altar of political expediency.

[theboss]

59. I'm not even in the neighborhood of following that line of thought

So...it would be better for LGBTs to have a Republican majority that will certainly pass laws that harm them or a Democratic majority that will protect them most of the time?

Keep in mind, we don't live in a country where some magically enlightened progressive party is going to sweep to a 60-seat victory in the House.

Clinton's biggest mistake with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" wasn't the policy. It was the timing of the policy. He was stupid for making it his first initiative. If he had waited until the middle of his first year, he might have saved half of his original agenda AND maybe gotten the original policy of lifting the ban passed.

[Zhade]

97. Thank you for soeaking up for us.

Too many "liberals" forget the betrayal that was DOMA.

[Lurking Dem]

42. What price have you put on yours?

More people dying because of lack of research funding? More kids going without healthcare? Rummy playing Risk with real live soldiers?

All that would be okay with you to preserve some sort of political ideology? Are you fucking kidding me?

[FredScuttle]

47. I didn't see where I was advocating against all that...

but don't let that stop you from throwing out one red herring after another.

By the way, that would be Gates, not Rummy, playing Risk. He resigned, you know.

[Lurking Dem]

48. Would he have?

If the Dems (including Lieberman) didn't win the senate? Seriously?

And you are advocating exactly that by saying the Republicans should retain their majority instead of the Dems accepting Liebermen back into the fold.

[FredScuttle]

52. Where did I say the Republicans should retain their majority?

there is the possibility of one of Wyoming's Senate seats being vacated and filled by the Democratic governor. In that case, we don't need Joe and can rightly tell him to go jerk himself off in the antechamber.

[theboss]

54. So...you are willing to take the bet of a man dying versus losing the majority

And I'm the cold one?

Anyway, we have it now with Joe. A bird in hand and all that cal.

[FredScuttle]

57. Until Joementum stabs us in the back again

which he will do. Out of spite.

[IndianaGreen]

69. Judas Joe owes a big debt to NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Bloomberg is thinking of running for President as an independent in 2008.

[Zhade]

98. FYI, the man doesn't have to die to retire.

No one is calling for the man's death (no one I've seen anyway, and I hope no one period).

[fujiyama]

125. You do realize

that if we drove Lieberman away, we'd get the likes of Infofe chairing the environmental committee. Guess who would chair it with Dems in power?

Barbara Boxer.

I'm sorry, but Joe is a power hungry self serving prick, but politics sometimes requires requires making deals with such people.

I for one don't want Inhofe, Bunning, Stevens, McConnell, Lott, or other real psychopath racist ass holes (all even more power hungry, sanctimonious, self righteous, and nasty in all ways than Joe) chairing committees and deciding the agenda of the senate.

If you really believe winning the House was "enough", you're mistaken.

We have congress. We decide the agenda. Without Joe, that doesn't happen. Simple as that.

[Silvermint]

146. It's intolerant sniping like this...

... that often makes me feel like leaving DemocraticUnderground behind once and for all. I've been reading this site happily for years - it gave me both information and solace at a time when this country seemed unable to offer me either. And yet, here we are, just days after becoming the DemocraticAboveground, and we're still more concerned with ideologically-rabid punishment than with using our new majority to finally make progress on those issues we all hold dear. I don't like Lieberman any more than the rest of you (I cheered when Lamont won the primary), but I'm not going to insult my fellow democrats simply because they'd rather stomach a guy who voted with the Dems 92% of the time than watch this country spiral further into a darkness totally unchecked.

[FredScuttle]

150. Remind me again...

who was the DEMOCRATIC candidate for the Connecticut Senate seat?

[Laelth]

63. No, Joe's not the reason why.

The American people put Democrats in the majority despite Joe Lieberman. Republicans put Joe Lieberman in office this time.

-Laelth

[Telly Savalas]

110. Joe is not part of the reason why.

If he were a Democrat, he would have accepted the results of the primary, stepped aside, and Lamont would have won on Tuesday. So since the seat was ours anyway, Lieberman didn't do anything to help us get the Senate.

Obviously we're better off with him caucusing with us as opposed to the GOP, but that still doesn't make him any less of an asshole.

[citizen snips]

155. that is a BS statement

Those people left the democratic party and went over the republicans until Lieberman does that you are wrong.

[Debi]

28. Did he run as a Democrat?

:shrug:

[martymar64]

129. No, he didn't

I will let him caucus with us and wil even let him chair a committee. But he cannot go without some form of punishment. My sentence for Holy Joe is that since he ran as an independent, he receive not one dime of Democratic Party money for the duration of this Senate term for any purpose and that he not be invited to any Party functions, soirees, conferences, etc. outside of actual governing. He will effectively be on double secret probation. If, in 2012, he has been completely reliable and vote with the Party 95% of the time or better on the IMPORTANT issues, then we should let him back into the fold. Until then, no fucking way. He seriously dissed the PArty and he needs to regain our trust.

[Moochy]

30. Can we add adjectives to the title?

Like Crappy Democrat? Pro-War Democrat? Uncharismatic Democrat?

[sweetheart]

33. "Some years ago -- never mind how long precisely..."

..having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular
to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the
asinine part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and
regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the
mouth; whenever it is a damp, 2000 November in my soul; whenever I find
myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the
rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an
upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me
from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking
republicans's hats off--then, I account it high time to get to polls
as soon as I can.

[MeasureTwice]

36. No, I don't think so, not me.

I realize that if he left for the republicans, it would cause trouble, but the seats we picked up in the senate were picked up from doing the right thing, not the politically expedient thing.
We need to walk away from the DLC concepts of running in the middle, and giving in enough to get re-elected, and do what's right. Joe did not do what's right. He attacked democrats for thier principled positions, accepted the lies of the administration, and voted against the concience of the majority of his supporters and party most of the time.
We decided that Joe needed to go, and nothing's changed with any of those reasons. Joe didn't win his seat against a republican, so we don't even have that to thank him for. He, with the help of the republicans, won his seat from OUR candidate.
Realistically speaking, we lost this race. If Joe wants to continue to play games, he will continue to play games, but we don't have to and shouldn't.

We need to do what's right according to our principles, or we lose our credibility.
If we lose control of the senate over it, we never had control of the senate anyway.

[theboss]

38. That is the dumbest goddamn thing I've ever read here

You are willing to give up the Majority and all that entails because of some problem with Lieberman.

Jesus H. Tapdancing Christ. Dick Daley and Joe Kennedy are spinning in their graves. And I'm not sure they ever really died.

[FredScuttle]

40. Why the fuck should we care about Richard Daley and Joe Kennedy?

Interesting figures you should choose to cite as inspirations. Neither of them had a conscience either.

[theboss]

46. And I love them both

Look...politics is tough. You can take your idealism and your beliefs and your marches and your placards, put them in a pile as high as the Washington Monument, and it doesn't mean a goddamn thing unless you got the votes.

You know what assholes like Daley and Old Man Joe and Lyndon Johnson got us? Victories.

And you know what those victories got us?

Civil Rights Act.
Voting Rights Act.
The Great Society.
Anti-Poverty Legislation.
The Space Program.
(AndVietnambutletsnottalkaboutthatrightnowifyoudon'tmind).

These things matter. And you can only pass these things by having the seats.

So yea....I'll take a few thugs on my side if it gets the job done. Politics is a street fight. It ain't a ballet.

[FredScuttle]

49. You must be joking

You list all the achievements of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations and then mention Joe Sr. and Daley as deserving credit? Are you smoking crack?

You got it right that Joe Sr. and Daley were assholes, but they did a hell of lot more wrong than they did right.

As for all your armchair machismo about being "tough" in politics, what do you think a old school party boss like Daley would have done with a guy who abandoned the party like Lieberman, eh? Kissed his cheek and given him a plum assignment?

[theboss]

53. No, he wouldn't have

But he also would have had Lamont's legs broken before this became an issue. I didn't have a dog in the CT fight. As long as a Dem won the general election, I was fine with whoever won.

And you are totally missing my point. Without Old Man Joe and Daley, Nixon wins in 1960, and none of those things happen. Are you getting it yet?

Elections matter. Dems winning matters. Numbers matter.

[Solon]

56. Newsflash slim, the ONLY dem in that election lost. n/t

[theboss]

60. If he caucuses with us, he's a Dem

I consider Sanders a Dem too. Even though he might actually be a Martian for all I know.

[Solon]

66. Unlike Joe, Sanders was chosen by the Party through the primary process...

He didn't face off against a Democrat in the election, hell, he won the Democratic Primary with about 60% of the vote. Granted he didn't accept the nomination, through an agreement with Dean, but still, it does show that he represents not only most of the voters in Vermont, but most Democrats as well.

[FredScuttle]

65. you are laughable

you are aware, are you not, that there were allegations of vote fraud on both sides in 1960, right? Besides, I think we, of all people, would be above celebrating vote fraud (real or alleged) to win elections.

[theboss]

68. Um......I wouldn't exactly celebrate it per se

But I do recall that my biggest complaint in 2000 was that Democrats had forgotten how to bend the rules.

Anyway, I'm not talking about voter fraud anyway. The only real cheating that took place in 1960 was during the WV Primary (which my grandfather may or may not have been involved in. Everyone is very hush-hush about that).

I'm talking about winning an election. Daley, Joe Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson managed to get an Irish Catholic elected president in an era where outside of a few big cities, you would have a hard time getting an Irish Catholic elected dog catcher. And Lyndon Johnson managed to get the most important legislation of the last century passed in a climate where recommending such a bill could get you killed. And he did it my intimidating the hell out of his caucus.

[martymar64]

132. JFK won in 1960 with the help of Sam Giancana more than Joe K.

And when he then appointed Bobby as AG, who then went after Giancana, things like Dealey Plaza happened.
That's what happens when you compromise your principles and dance with the Devil.

[Zhade]

100. And you wouldn't have had a problem with him breaking Lamont's legs?

NT!

[Pyrzqxgl]

91. If he won yeah.

Daley was no fool.

[Solon]

64. I figured you Moderates hated the Civil and Voting Rights Act...

I mean, given that "electability" argument we here so much about, the Civil Rights act is the reason Repukes have the South to count on for elections to this day. Its also the reason for the Great Society and other programs being eviscerated, if you get technical about it.

Look, given the attitude of Moderates today, I would imagine that if an act came up similar to the Civil Rights Act, and we had the votes to pass it, you would vote no because it would cost us the majority, for a generation or two at least. Isn't that a shining example of principle over politics?

[theboss]

70. Oh grow up

First of all, someone who has basically advocated leg breaking to win a debate should hardly be called a "moderate." I'm actually pretty darned liberal. But I'm more interested in realpolitik than in endless ideological debates.

Give me a big enough majority, and I'll pass a bill outlawing war.

[Solon]

71. I'll hold you to that...

Actually, this brings up a good point, if, in 2 years, we keep the majority in Congress, increase it, and get the Presidency, would the DLC and other moderates support a "DOGM"(Defense of Gay Marriage) act? For some reason, I strongly doubt it, but then again, I could be wrong.

[theboss]

72. I would support it

I think it would be a big risk politically, but I think you could probably find a time to get it passed and lessen the political fall-out. I certainly wouldn't do it this session though.

[Solon]

75. We don't have a veto proof majority(yet)...

But, when we do control two out of three branches of the government, it becomes possible, but, as I said, moderates may stand in the way. This is why I get so pissed off at "political expediency" arguments, like when the MCA was passed, the pro-torture and anti-habeas corpus bill. All these people were DEFENDING the vote for political expediency purposes, my basic question is this, if we actually have to be pro-torture just to win VOTES, then how fucking far down has this country spiraled? If being against torture is all of the sudden a "leftist" thing, Jesus fucking Christ, I really wish I could leave the country, the humanity in it is dead.

[Zhade]

102. Hammer, meet nail.

The amorality some express here is stunning.

[Pyrzqxgl]

90. Finally somebody is saying something reasonable

I got into politics during a time when all the Southern Democrats, and quite a few of the Northern ones took positions that sometimes turned my stomach but anything was better than Nixon and the Republicans. Politicians (even Democrats) aren't all Saints and if you want to go to the dance, you're not always going to be able to leave with the guy what brung yuh.

[martymar64]

130. FACT: Joe Kennedy was a Nazi sympathizer

Look at his statements while he was ambassador to the UK. (Sorry, Ted. I love you, but the truth is the truth)

FACT: Dick Daley and the Chicago police were responsible for the riots at the 1968 Convention, and the televising of this helped to usher in Nixon and 5 more years of death in Vietnam.

Read your history before spouting off names, please.

[eauclaireliberal]

45. Ho Liberman is one pathetic SOB

Picked up his toys and walked away crying like a little bitch. Screw him.

[Pastiche423]

58. Democrat is not the word

I think of when I think of Holy Joe.

He should have lost all senority when he ran as an Independent against a Democrat.

[Strawman]

61. If Jim Jeffords could have seniority, so can he if he caucuses with us

But I don't have to call him a Democrat. Besides he's already proven that he doesn't care what the grassroots of the party thinks. Why does he give a fuck what I call him? He won, but he can't have his cake and eat it too.

[Bethany Rockafella]

62. I'd like to call Lieberman something else but I digress.

:)

[Xenotime]

67. Joe just doesn't want to be taken down with Rummy

[belab13]

74. How about if we call you a Jackass and leave it at that!

eom..

[sebastianj333]

76. and what of Zell Miller?

Is he still around?
If so, can that ass please change parties?

[brentspeak]

86. No comparison

Lieberman actually votes along with the Democrats the majority of the time; Miller never did.

[Alexander]

77. I will call Joe a self-serving wanker who will CAUCUS with the Dems.

I can't stand that guy. His behavior, particularly since 2000, has been absolutely despicable, and the respect I used to have for him as a "maverick" has long since gone.

However, we need that 51-49 majority. And unless and until Senator Thomas resigns, we need Lieberman.

Hopefully, Thomas will resign, get better, and get a new perspective on life. If the majority's 52-48, we don't need Lieberman's democracy-hating ass, and can strip him of his precious "seniority".

But not until then.

BTW, I hope Lamont runs again; he did a good job despite running against a Connecticut icon. I'd like to see him run against Chris Shays in 2008, sending Shays into retirement.

That would make every Representative in New England a DEMOCRAT!

:-)

[against all enemies]

88. What's up with Sen Thomas? And why would Wyoming elect a

Democrat? Also I'm worried about Sen Byrd - if anything happens to him how is his replacement picked?

[Alexander]

101. Thomas has leukemia, and WY's governor Freudenthal is a (D).

There would be no election. If Thomas steps down for whatever reason, or - heaven forbid - croaks on the job, Dave Freudenthal would choose his replacement.

There might be a special election in two years, but in two years I'm hoping Sununu and Coleman will be knocked off as well (hopefully by Jeanne Shaheen and Al Franken, respectively). So the Senate would be 50-48-2 in favor of the Dems, and Lieberman's kingmaker position would vanish.

The same thing would happen with Byrd, again in our favor - Joe Manchin's a D, and would pick Byrd's replacement for the duration, at least until a special election, or the next one.

It's kind of grisly to be talking like this, but we have to face facts - both Sens. Thomas and Byrd are old and sick, and while I don't wish ill on either of them, I much prefer that the governors of West Virginia and Wyoming are both Democrats at the moment.

[against all enemies]

113. Thanks, good info.

[Bridget Burke]

81. OK. But that's not all I'll call him. n/t

[cosmicdot]

83. a Democrat would have accepted the party's primary choice

instead of dividing the party to win with GOP dollars, endorsements and votes

I really rather not have him in a position to chair any committee which may have investigations to do.

[Stephanie]

117. But the fact is that he won fair and square.

So what is the alternative? Would you prefer he switch to Republican? How does that help us?

[brentspeak]

84. I'll take him at his word, and call him a Democrat

[Rose Siding]

85. Hmm, maybe with an asterisk: Lieberman(D*)

[bigdarryl]

87. He pissed me off but we need him lets face it

[Pyrzqxgl]

93. Yawn

[tabasco]

89. Let me be the first to tell you Joe:

Democrats don't support illegal wars on bullshit evidence.

Now let's talk about getting the hell out of Iraq and catching Bin Laden !

IT IS TIME TO GET BIN LADEN. HE MASTERMINDED 9-11. IT IS TIME TO END THE CORPORATE WARS FOR PROFIT AND CATCH BIN LADEN.

TIME TO GET OUT OF IRAQ AND GET BIN LADEN.

[Sewsojm]

92. I'll call him what he is,

WORTHLESS TRAITOR!

[Stephanie]

118. Hillary Clinton did the same thing.

.

[tabasco]

140. Don't like her either.

But you make a good point. I would like to see all the Democrats who gave a loaded gun to a madman be kicked to the curb. Both of my senators (Sarbanes, Mikulski) were wise enough to vote no.

Joe L. is just another chickenhawk schmuck who doesn't give a shit about innocent people being killed. He apparently doesn't care about catching Bin Laden either. I'm really sorry to see the People of Connecticut pick him over Lamont. Joe L. is better than a repuke, no doubt about it, but I really dislike him intensely.

[Zhade]

94. No. He is not a Democrat.

It's one thing to work with him, it's another to fulfill his vanity demands.

He ran, and regrettably won, as an independent. He is NOT a Democrat, and he does not deserve the title.

(Oh, and: I TOLD YOU SO. He's already making demands.)

[Raine]

99. He IS a Democrat

as long as he has the D after his name...so he counts as another one on our side. Anyway though personally he is not a favorite of mine he has always voted at least 90% with the Democrats. Anyone (as in the rePUKEs that gave him money) were STUPID to think he was not going to line up on the D side.

[raebrek]

136. Question

Does anyone know how often the rest of the elected Dems voted with or against the party? All the info on Joe's voting record has made me curious? Mind you not curious enough to actually look the info up myself yet. But curious enough to ask if some else has the information.

[zreosumgame]

103. nope, still calling you an asshole

[stop the bleeding]

104. Act like one, then maybe you can change your name form independent

some time down the road, but first you must prove yourself to US.

[Rex]

105. Just stay away from your 'good friend' Karl Rove.

I heard you say you liked and admired Sean Hannity, Joe. WTF? The man would turn you into dogfood for a nickle! Stay with the party, Joe. No more kissing up on Bush.

[antonialee839]

106. Call me a Democrat....

Yeah right, tell that to Lamont you two bit whore. I am really beginning to dislike this asshole.

[CTLawGuy]

107. I'll call him an independent

I don't care what he does, if he flips, it'll be a shame, but it won't be on my conscience. He is the most petulant selfish little whiner ever.

He said he would die a democrat, if he wants to fuck over his party a second time, then not only would he be a real turd, but a liar as well.

[Pachamama]

128. I'll call him a self-serving narcissist...

He can call himself anything he wants, but we all know that Joe does what is good for Joe....

[Cha]

108. I'll call him a fucking indy

asshole..or just a warmongerin', bushlickin', blood on your hands, sob.

[David Zephyr]

112. Listen, flame me, but after opposing Joe, I'm glad to have him with us.

He didn't have to caucus with us. He did.

[Stephanie]

115. I thank him for it.

Thanks Joe. You're doing the right thing.

[nicknameless]

116. I think he meant "Democratic party INFILTRATOR"

:puke:

[Maven]

119. Joe knows he can't get reelected as a Repub

It's a smart move for him, self-preservation-wise. And let's face it, that's all he was ever interested in anyway.

[alittlelark]

120. My reply below

:puke: :mad: :eyes: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[4theheart]

124. Remember the past, but take advantage of opportunity

Yes he did many things that I didn't like, and yeah he fucked up. But if no one wanted to work with another person ever again because of their mistakes NOTHING would get done for anyone. Because we all make mistakes, what's variable is how BADLY we mess up, whether we admit we mess up or not, and whether the offended party accepts forgiveness or not .I'll tell you one thing though, he said he'd caucus with the democrats and he's honoring his word, when he could have been spiteful, THAT is a step in the right direction(despite any motivation you can attribute to this). Healing has to start somewhere, and for the good of the country and to position ourselves to let 49 other hard working men and women advance the ideals of the democratic party I won't reject his offer to caucus with us. He can call himself what ever he wants, it's his freedom of speech, even if I disagree with it.

[0rganism]

122. Love Me, I'm A Liberal

Love Me, I'm a Liberal (Phil Ochs)
I cried when they shot Medgar Evers
Tears ran down my spine
I cried when they shot Mr. Kennedy
As though I'd lost a father of mine
But Malcolm X got what was coming
He got what he asked for this time
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

I go to civil rights rallies
And I put down the old D.A.R.
I love Harry and Sidney and Sammy
I hope every colored boy becomes a star
But don't talk about revolution
That's going a little bit too far
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

I cheered when Humphrey was chosen
My faith in the system restored
I'm glad the commies were thrown out
of the A.F.L. C.I.O. board
I love Puerto Ricans and Negros
as long as they don't move next door
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

The people of old Mississippi
Should all hang their heads in shame
I can't understand how their minds work
What's the matter don't they watch Les Crain?
But if you ask me to bus my children
I hope the cops take down your name
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

I read New republic and Nation
I've learned to take every view
You know, I've memorized Lerner and Golden
I feel like I'm almost a Jew
But when it comes to times like Korea
There's no one more red, white and blue
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

I vote for the democratic party
They want the U.N. to be strong
I go to all the Pete Seeger concerts
He sure gets me singing those songs
I'll send all the money you ask for
But don't ask me to come on along
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

Once I was young and impulsive
I wore every conceivable pin
Even went to the socialist meetings
Learned all the old union hymns
But I've grown older and wiser
And that's why I'm turning you in
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

[martymar64]

133. Phil Ochs knew how to hit the nail on the head

I always loved "Small Circle of Friends"

[immerlinks]

123. I'm relieved

I was afraid he was going to abstain in the leadership votes come January, which would not be good. I'm of two minds about committee assignments, he certainly shouldn't be rewarded for his refusal to accept the will of the party but the Senate leadership shouldn't be too generous in case it encourages others to put themselves above the party (and of course by logical extension, the country).

[fujiyama]

126. Joe, people will call you whatever they want

What's important is you standing up for Democratic principals and not undercutting the party's message when you go on TV.

Bipartisanship is great, but only when you don't give up what you have fought for.

I for one welcome Joe caucusing with us. Because I know if he doesn't, we get the following committee chairs:

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/e_one_section_no_teasers/org_chart.htm

Chambliss - Agriculture

Chocran - Appropriations

Warner - Armed Forces

Shelby - Banking

Gregg - Budget

Stevens - Commerce

Anyways, I could go on, but by now if you don't get the idea, you're a fuckin idiot.

I'll take Boxer, Biden, Leahy (God over Hatch for God's sakes!), etc presiding over committees.

[Skittles]

127. he can call himself a fire hydrant but that don't make him one

he can f***ing go to hell

[Name removed]

131. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[stlsaxman]

137. Dear Joe, thanks but, no thanks. You two-faced sumbitch.

I am over you.

Sure is nice to run with the winners, isn't it? You keep your committee seats and all that great seniority even after you abandoned the Democrat Party. How nice for you!

In the words of the great John (Johnny Rotten) Lydon "Did you ever have the feeling you've been cheated?"

[Cookie wookie]

139. In the 109th Congress, Lieberman voted with the Republicans

9/28/06 Vote 259: S 3930: S. 3930 As Amended; Military Commissions Act of 2006 Yes
9/19/06 Vote 250: H R 5684: H.R. 5684; United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
7/26/06 Vote 217: On the Cloture Motion: Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to S. 3711; A bill to enhance the energy independence and security of the United States by providing for exploration, development, and production activities for mineral resources in the Gulf of Mexico, and for other purposes. No
7/11/06 Vote 193: H R 5441: Clinton Amdt No. 4563; To establish the Federal Emergency Management Agency as an independent agency, and for other purposes. No
6/15/06 Vote 172: S 2766: Santorum Amdt. No. 4234; To authorize, with an offset, assistance for prodemocracy programs and activities inside and outside Iran, to make clear that the United States supports the ability of the people of Iran to exercise self-determination over their form of government, and to make enhancements to the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act of 1996. Yes


He did not bother to help the Democrats by voting on:
9/7/06 Vote 239: H R 5631: H.R. 5631 As Amended; Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2007
9/7/06 Vote 238: H R 5631: Reed Amdt. No. 4911; To make available an additional $65,400,000 for additional appropriations for Aircraft Procurement, Air Force, for the procurement of Predators for Special Operations forces, and to designate the amount as an emergency requirement.
9/7/06 Vote 237: H R 5631: Motion to Table Schumer Amdt. No. 4897; To make available up to an additional $700,000,000 for Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities to combat the growth of poppies in Afghanistan, to eliminate the production and trade of opium, and heroin, and to prevent terrorists from using the proceeds for terrorist activities in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere, and to designate the additional amount as emergency spending.
9/7/06 Vote 236: H R 5631: Motion to Table Menendez Amdt. No. 4909; To prohibit the use of funds for a public relations program designed to monitor news media in the United States and the Middle East and create a database of news stories to promote positive coverage of the war in Iraq.
9/7/06 Vote 235: H R 5631: Conrad Amdt. No. 4907; To enhance intelligence community efforts to bring Osama bin Laden and other key leaders of al Qaeda to the justice they deserve.
9/6/06 Vote 234: H R 5631: Motion to Table Mikulski Amdt. No. 4895; To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into or carry out a contract for the performance by a contractor of any base operation support service at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital pursuant to a private-public competition conducted under Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76 that was initiated on June 13, 2000, and has the solicitation number DADA 10-03-R-0001
9/6/06 Vote 233: H R 5631: Motion to Table Kennedy Amdt. No. 4885; To include information on civil war in Iraq in the quarterly reports on progress toward military and political stability in Iraq.
9/6/06 Vote 232: H R 5631: Feinstein Amdt. No. 4882; To protect civilian lives from unexploded cluster munitions.
9/5/06 Vote 231: On the Nomination: Confirmation Kimberly Ann Moore, of Virginia, to be U.S. Circuit Judge
8/3/06 Vote 230: H R 4: H.R.4; A bill to provide economic security for all Americans, and for otherpurposes.
8/3/06 Vote 229: On the Cloture Motion: Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to Consider H.R.5970; Estate Tax and Extension of Tax Relief Act of 2006
8/3/06 Vote 228: H R 5631: Menendez Amdt. No. 4863; To make available from Operation and Maintenance, Navy, up to an additional $3,000,000 to fund improvements to physical security at Navy recruiting stations and to improve data security.
8/3/06 Vote 227: H R 5631: Sessions Amdt. No. 4844; To make available from Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Navy, up to $77,000,000 for the Conventional Trident Modification Program.
8/3/06 Vote 226: H R 5631: Coburn Amdt. No. 4848; To require notice to Congress and the public on earmarks of funds available to the Department of Defense.
8/3/06 Vote 225: H R 5631: Boxer Amdt. No. 4858; To prohibit the use of funds by the United States Government to enter into an agreement with the Government of Iraq that would subject members of the Armed Forces to the jurisdiction of Iraq criminal courts or punishment under Iraq law.
8/3/06 Vote 224: H R 5631: Coburn Amdt. No. 4785, As Modified; To ensure the fiscal integrity of travel payments made by the Department of Defense.
8/3/06 Vote 223: H R 5631: Motion to Table Coburn Amdt. No. 4787; To limit the funds available to the Department of Defense for expenses relating to conferences.
8/2/06 Vote 222: H R 5631: Motion to Table Durbin Amdt. No. 4781 As Modified; To appropriate, with an offset, an additional $2,000,000 for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army for the improvement of imaging for traumatic brain injuries
8/2/06 Vote 221: H R 5631: Dodd Amdt. No. 4819; To make available an additional $6,700,000,000 to fund equipment reset requirements resulting from continuing combat operations, including repair, depot, and procurement activities.
8/2/06 Vote 220: H R 5631: Sessions Amdt. No. 4775 as Amended and Modified; To provide $1,829,100,000 for the Army National Guard for the construction of 370 miles of triple-layered fencing, and 461 miles of vehicle barriers along the southwest border.
8/1/06 Vote 219: S 3711: S. 3711; Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006
7/31/06 Vote 218: On the Cloture Motion: Motion to Invoke Cloture on S. 3711; Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006
7/25/06 Vote 213: On the Nomination: Confirmation Jerome A. Holmes, of Oklahoma, to be US Circuit Judge
6/22/06 Vote 186: S 2766: S. 2766 As Amended; National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007
6/22/06 Vote 187: On the Nomination: Confirmation: Andrew J. Guilford, of California, to be U.S. District Judge

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/l000304/votes/

[jazzjunkysue]

141. Stupid Freepers were had by Joe Loserman , if this holds.

Which I doubt.

The big question is: With the repubs out of power, what incentive does Joe really have to carry their water anymore?

Why would he protect B* anymore? What good would that do him? Honestly. Can anyone tell me, what's in it for Joe if he keeps protecting the simeon?

On the other hand, does he intend to run again in 6 years? Maybe he knows this is his last campaign anyway, so, he won't care what anyone thinks of his votes.

Will he vote to impeach? If I had to put money on it, I'd guess no.

So, does anyone know if Lieberman has private investment holdings/military contract companies/oil shares/defense contractors to protect?

What's in it for him, now that the repugs are out of power?

[Pithy Cherub]

143. NFW Sore Loserman! He's a CFL whore

who is bought and paid for by the republicans.

[goforit]

144. Go to hell Joe!!!!

[TankLV]

147. Mind if I call you "TRAITOR" and "REPUKE ASS KISSER" instead?

after all I'm not having to compromise my ideals, unlike you, you fucking SCUM!

NEVER will I refer to you, asshole, as a "democrat"...

But to insure you keep the senate Democratic, I'll be willing to put your feet in concrete shoes instead, OK asshole?

[lovuian]

148. He may say in the Senate he is a Democrat but he isn't

a democrat to his constituents the people who voted him into Congress

He is a TRAITOR to the DEMOCRATIC PARTY
and a TRAITOR who set up Gore for Failure

The Bush Kiss said it all

[w4rma]

149. Fine. (nt)

[bobbie]

151. I'll decide what to call you, based on your actions...you little snot-faced weasel

fart bag ass whipe stench bucket waste of skin.

[PretzelzRule]

153. I'll call him many things

but "Democrat" won't be one of them until I start seeing him support more of the Democrats' positions, especially the ones aimed at stopping the ambitions of his kissy-buddy in the WH!

[MsMagnificent]

156. He's no Dem

The Dem's booted him, they didn't want him representing them.
He has no right in the world, now or evermore, to be called a Democrat.

It's still always about Joe. He just wanted to be associated with the 'winners'. If the ReNAMBLAcan's had kept their majority, he'd be saying to call him either an "Independent-Democrat" or Independent. Perhaps even R since they did so very much for him...

By his own actions he lost those privileges himself.
Too bad, boo-hoo-hoo for him, & good riddance :cry: :eyes: