Thank you, Joe Lieberman

[Onlooker]

Like most people here, I wanted Lamont, not Lieberman. But, unlike some, I never felt Lieberman was that bad. His voting record is certainly mixed, but he's quite liberal on most social issues. He was not and is not the only the only Democrat to support the war, and was not and is not the only Democrat to oppose a filibuster of Alito. But, now, I'm genuinely pleased with Lieberman. He could have reached out to the Republicans and said, if you give me a top committee assignment, I'll switch allegiances. He could have made greater demands on the Democrats for a better committee chairmanship than Homeland Security. He could have wielded his power and left Democratic control a question. But, he didn't. From the start, he said he would caucus with the Democrats, and he is apparently remaining true to his word. I for one thank him for that.

[MoonRiver]

1. Yes, he's behaving honorably. Like a Democrat!

It's time to work together to straighten out *'s mess.

[TechBear_Seattle]

14. He gave a huge "F-U!" to the voters in the Democratic Primary

And then won because of the full support of the Repuglican Party, who didn't bother supporting their own candidate.

Yup, just like a Democrat.

[MoonRiver]

17. I was referring to his recent behavior.

I was adamantly against him during the primary. But how does it help now to keep bashing Lieberman? We need him, and he seems to be honoring his committment to caucus with the Dems.

[QuestionAll...]

39. behaving honorably? you just must be kidding....

he is honoring himself and his little personal ass ticket for 18 or so years and he'll slip side anyway he can to continue the legacy. Zel Liebermans, who needs those waffling Belgians! (monty python reference)

[Toots]

2. Well IMO Chairmanship of Homeland Security is a punishment and not a reward

It is the one place there is bound to be massive problems no matter who runs it. It just was not designed well.

[IndyOp]

7. And now what the Dems need to do is pass legislation

that breaks the department up so Lieberman is working on an itty-bitty agency.

I despise the term "Homeland" -- it is of Nazi origin. Right after 9/11 Bush actually used the term "Fatherland" but it did not stick, so they modified it to "Homeland" which was also used by Hitler and the rest of the Nazi scum.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. I Was Thinking Of That Myself

But there's really no good name for that department..

Domestic Security sounds Orwellian too...

[Toots]

13. How about National Security Agency?

Hmmmm amazing we already have one of those but it was led by a Bush* crony (Condi) and was clueless and impotent when it was truly needed.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

18. That's Not A Cabinet Level Position Although Arguably More Powerful

That sounds scary like domestic security.

Homeland security sounds more hokey than omninous...

[theboss]

34. It sounds like we are guarding corn to me

But I don't think any name would work.

[The Wielding Truth]

25. Anyone remember the Civil Defense program? It was very efficient.

Local leaders with evacuation info and Geiger counters.

[Rosemary2205]

33. They came up with some really funny stuff too.

curling up under the desk is right up there with duct tape and plastic.

[The Wielding Truth]

36. That was somewhat pointless, I agree, but I liked the grass roots

approach and the network of informed communities. Wouldn't it be nice to have neighbors who could connect with each other during an emergency?

[Richard Steele]

35. Exactly what I was thinking. Put TurncoatJoe in charge...

...and then shrink the entire agency until it
will fit into his desk drawer, so he can look
at it whenever he wants.

Meanwhile, return power to the REAL professionals
who actually work at keeping the nation secure.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. I Never Joined The "Hate Lieberman" Crowd...

People here have called him a hawk, a Bush enabler, and an Iraq War supporter...

All true...


But many people said Joe was a dishonorable liar who wouldn't honor his pledge to caucus with the Dems. That was wrong. Joe is wrong on a lot of things like the Iraq War and the bankruptcy bill but he was not and is not a liar...

[trumad]

10. He ran a nasty disingenuous campaign against Lamont

He sent thugs out to harass Lamont. He used Rove tactics and for that, it will take a long long time for me to forgive him.

[Hutzpa]

20. I did and I'm proud of it.....

we need to stop back-tracking here, I'm glad I spoke up against his voting, views, policies, his dancing with the enemy, supporting them when everyone else wasn't, if that can help change his views so be it, at least it probably helped changed his attitude, thats why I stood up against him and I still do until he start being a Democrat once again.

I'm not impress by his win, for all I know it could have been a voting error.....Florida and Ohio comes to mind, any ho thats my 2 cents on that, God alone knows what happen at CT for him to have this miraculous victory. Only time will tell, and I don't agree with Dem's kissing his so-called ring or ass either.




:mad:

[IndyOp]

4. I am hoping that he just needed a 'humbling'

to move back toward the right track.

His "win" is still a bitter, bitter pill to swallow - he betrayed us by running against OUR nominee.

:thumbsdown:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. I Would Have Done The Same Thing.

I 'm not referring to the Iraq War vote but I wouldn't go gently into that good night. It's not part of my DNA...

[IndyOp]

26. It wasn't just about him giving up - he got lots of R voters to the polls

and thereby damaged the Democratic Party in CT.

I can understand 'never saying die' -- unless it damages the team I say I care about.

:thumbsdown:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. I Can Forgive Him On Ailito But I Can't Forgive Any Dem That Voted For The Bankruptcy Bill

It's a step removed from debtors prison...

[JDPriestly]

6. True. Being a Democrat means not having to say you agree

with other Democrats about everything. In my view, Lieberman is wrong on a lot of issues, but he is a right on too many to be a Republican.

The problem for Lieberman is going to be that he was elected by Republicans. It's just a strange fact. T don't know whether a Democrat has so clearly been elected by Republican voters in the past. His challenge will be to work with Democrats in his state. He may find himself changing stances on a few things because he will need the support of Democrats in his state. Although Republicans in his state supported him in the election, they don't really support his stances on many things. They will look for an opportunity to replace him with one of their own. He will be scrutinized and criticized by both sides. On the other hand, he will have the pressure of being the deciding vote -- the most powerful person in the Senate -- on many issues. I wonder how long he will be able to stand the pressure and stay in office.

[zanne]

9. He didn't come by his election victory honestly.

Legally, yes. Honestly, no. I could never admire anyone like that.

[still_one]

12. Though some would like to paint Lieberman as a right wing republican

Lieberman's record has mostly been progressive to moderate

He always supported a woman's right to choose, and stem cell research

Even during the campaign, he has shifted his views on Iraq. Whether it was for political expediency or a true change in philosophy may not matter

What does matter is that the message has come loud and clear, not only from Connecticut, but the rest of the country, and that message is we have to end our involvement in Iraq

The Lamont run also helped drive this point across, and I believe he heard the message

[The Count]

23. Maybe the Fox van putting signs for him, of Cheney canpaigning for him

threw us off...But thanks for setting us straight. War, secret tribunals - minor blips on a stellar record, I know.

[jtm111]

15. very similar to Wellstone in one sense

Wellstone was immensely popular - even among conservatives - because you knew exactly where he stood, and you knew he meant it.

Joe Lieberman is a very good man, and I never doubted he would keep his word.

It sounds stranage to place Lieberman and Wellstone together, but they share underlying character.

[never_get_over_it]

24. Joe LIEberman is a VERY GOOD MAN

Please whatever you're smoking please share it with us.

and you should be ashamed of yourself for mentioning Paul Wellstone and Joe LIEberman in the same breath.

Get this folks - Joe LIEberman LOST the PRIMARY and then turned around and said a BIG FUCK YOU to the primary voters - something Paul Wellstone would have not done.

Joe LIEberman has no honor and he has blood on his hands for all his war mongering - HE IS NOT A GOOD MAN....

[SwingVoter2006]

40. If Joe sucks, why did he get re-elected?

It's not like Republican voters magically loved him.

Obviously, there were a lot of Dem voters who sided with Joe over Ned when it came down to it.

Love him or hate him, *HIS* people wanted him: left, center, and right.

[The Wielding Truth]

27. I don't think Wellstone kissed any rings of powerful to retain leadership.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

28. Neither Did Lieberman.

He had to know kissing Bush and supporting his policies wouldn't endear him to Democrats.


One is then left to conclude he's masochistic or he believed in what he's doing...

[The Wielding Truth]

32. What? He sided with * on Iraq and took his help to stay in power.

[never_get_over_it]

16. Here is the problem with your theory

If he caucused with the repunks the Senate would be tied and he would have to share committee chairmanship - by caucusing with the Dems he gets the chairmanship all to himself - and himself is all he really cares about

He sucks - he is a selfish war mongering ass and does now and will always DISGUST me....

[Hutzpa]

22. Here Here!!!! n/t

[WI_DEM]

30. No he wouldn't have to share committee chairmanship because

Cheney would break the tie and the GOP would be in control of the Senate, that's how it works and why the VP is the President of the Senate when these types of things happen.

[antonialee839]

37. Exactly, Joe looking out for Joe. What a punk.

[Dogmudgeon]

19. Lieberman's punishment and rehabilitation

To the Gulag with Comrade Lieberman!

Well, maybe not ...

Lieberman knows that there will have to be some kind of "consequences" for his action, even though he is still a valuable team player in most issues. I would look for Joe to make some kind of symbolic mea culpa and dine on some crow in front of a TV camera. It's also possible -- likely -- that he will move more to the left. Once America is informed about the depth of the lies that Bush has told the nation and the Legislature, there will be no reason for Lieberman to continue to act as if the Cylons, dressed as eeevil A-rabbs, have just launched an attack.

It's time we Democrats began to turn our anger into constructive action. I'm sure that most of us, even the most left-wing of us, would rather have a convert than a convict among our own. Recovering the "blue dogs" should be one of our behind-the-scenes projects. The Joe-bashing is a wasteful indulgence; why not try a little positive brainwashing instead? (Or am I just talking mishegoss*?)

:evilgrin:

--p!
* Mishegoss; Yiddish, Craziness (noun). Also see meshuggah, meshugganer.

[The Count]

21. His recent behavior? Press conference same time as Pelosi's? Yup. Claaaasy!

If you feel the need to kiss his a*. you'll find that it's as productive as ..."bipartizanship"
Lie to yourself as much as you need, but this was the Dick Cheney/Fox/PNAC candidate.
I for one wait for Wyoming governor to name a Democratic senator, so "decent" Joe can't blackmail us the way Zell used to.

[Jacobin]

29. Why would he want to join the minority party?

This is all about Joe...nothing else. He's a neo-con enabling warmonger traitor who takes every opportunity to slam the democratic party.

Keep him on a 100 foot leash.

[WI_DEM]

31. I would have had more respect for him had he respected the will

of the voters and gracefully conceded after the primary. He could have come back, maybe run for Governor of CT in 2010.

[PassingFair]

38. Unclear on the concept?

"He could have reached out to the Republicans and said, if you give me a top committee assignment, I'll switch allegiances."

The republicans are in NO POSITION to be handing out committee assignments.

Lick his butt with your OWN tongue, please.

Leave us out of it.