Obama is keeping his promise of changing the tone in Washington

[Fuzz]

That's why Lieberman is still head of the Homeland Security committee. That's why he met with McCain. That's why he's considering Clinton as Secretary of State.

Had he given the word, Joe would be out on his ass.

But throughout the campaign he said he was not about business as usual. He was not going to play those games of retribution. He said he wanted to bring the country together. He is starting to do that NOW.

Would I rather see Lieberman out as chairman? Yes, yes I would.

But this signal is strong. It shows Obama is a man of his word. And it shows that when the Republicans start getting small and petty, and you know they will, he will embarrass them. Obama is looking to get things done. Will it work? God I hope so.

[GodlessBiker]

1. Always a silver lining. I hope you're right.

[Randomthought]

2. Hope

that it all works out and it doesn't come back and bite Obama in the butt.

[lapfog_1]

3. We'll see.

When the first vote comes up to repeal the Patriot Act (assuming that the Dems even SUBMIT a bill to repeal it), will Obama support it? And if there is a filibuster in the Senate, how will Joementum vote on cloture?

[rurallib]

4. Ihave no doubt to show his thanks, Joe will stab Dems in the back

at the first opportunity. Proving yet again some people can't change.

[goforit]

5. Not with Lieberman and Hillary and emmanuel!!!!

I voted for Obama....but this doesn't give ya a free ticket to be beholdant to the NEOCONS!!!

[Fuzz]

8. Obama won't be. The Democrats have the numbers, and Obama

is taking the high road with attitude, but will fight for what he campaigned on.

[HereSince1628]

6. Huh? It still rings with the Greek Chorus of Dem Invertebratae

[Fuzz]

9. Patience Grasshopper

[HereSince1628]

13. Right. like I've not been watching them keep the powder dry since 2006.

[Chulanowa]

33. Some of us have been patient for three decades

Not me, I've only been on this boat for one. But I know that there are lots of Democrats - and plenty of posters here on DU - who have been patient for over a quarter of a century, since the days of St. Ronnie the Incontinent, for the Democrats in DC to do something Democratic-ish

Preaching patience to democrats is sort of like telling Gandhi how to fast. That said, fasting wasn't too healthy for the guy, and Democrats constantly being patient, and waiting, and being patient some more, is a part of why we're in the mess we're in. Letting or party's "leadership" wander around like aimless buffoons with admonitions that the voter be patient, or explanations that htey're "keeping their powder dry" or any such nonsense, is folly.

I don't think the Democrats - or many of the people who vote for themselves - understand the reality of politics, especially with that "keeping the powder dry" thing.

[LynneSin]

16. That's because you want the game that Bush played when he was in office

Open your eyes - there's a new man with a new plan and a new attitude coming to town. I'm tired of this cattiness and assumption that "they did it so we should do it"

Lieberman had a mid-80s rating with voting with democrats. Sure that other 15%(Give or take) was what really hurt us. But I know when it comes to Choice, Environment, Labor and Healthcare - Joe has been someone we could count on.

[dflprincess]

19. He's surrounding himself with DLC neocons

that doesn't sound like change to me.

[LynneSin]

21. we're talking 3 people so far - how many posts does he have

and again - the man is open to all people. This is not Bush. I trust Obama, he's only been elected for 2 weeks and well personally, I'd like to give him a chance.

[HereSince1628]

20. Thank-you for expressing what is in my mind. How did you get in there?

I would say that is a far miss of my intent.

BTW if you are tired you might consider taking a break; maybe with a short cat-nap.

[BlueCaliDem]

7. I don't see any tone change in Washington. Looks like the same 'good ol' boys' schtick to me.

Do you think Lieberman would've said the things he's said, campaigned the way he had with the Repubs had he known there'd be "change" in Washington?

So I disagree. There's no "change" in Washington. It's just the same-o, same-o "ol' pals club" - the same that campaigned for him against Ned Lamont.

[jaxx]

10. I agree.

But you're pretty much fighting a losing battle here today. ;-)

[Fuzz]

11. I know!

:)

I can see Obama's strategy in the long term. Patience is a virtue.

Edit:

Hell, he's not even President yet!

[gravity]

12. It is sad to see everyone so cynical politics

Hopefully Obama will change this attitude, so we can actually accomplish something meaningful in government for once

[JHB]

32. Actually, it's cynicism that gets things done.

The proper way to treat a politician is to shake one hand for the cameras, while twisting the other behind his back. That "motivates" them to accomplish things.

[Caliman73]

14. I am all for changing the tone in Washington

but Lieberman has consistently stated his intent to be an obstructionist within the Senate. The worst thing Hillary called PE Obama is "Naive". Lieberman has questioned PE Obama's loyalty to the nation, his service to the nation, and engaged in smear tactics throughout the campaign. He also stated that he would be using his chairmanship to watch the President which he FAILED to do in the past several years as Bush and his cronies have bungled time and again.

PE Obama is a man of his word, but he should have let his colleagues in the Senate handle their own business. I think that interfering with Congressional house cleaning is not the signal you want to send right now. There is a difference between speaking out and making sure that the Dems don't go on a rampage against Republican Senators, and dealing with an open traitor.

[LynneSin]

15. You said this way better than I would

Had Obama not asked us to take the high road on Lieberman, I would probably be pissed too. I'm tired of this 'Republicans played this game now we need to play it back mentality'. If we are ever to change the mentality of our politicians in DC it has to start from the top down and not the bottom up.

I would think Obama would be the first to ask Reid to boot Lieberman from his committee chair if Lieberman goes in there and abuses this reprieve he gave him.

Democrats were not voting for Lieberman, they were supporting their president-elect. I respect them for that.

[KoKo]

17. The President Elect only said that it would be good to keep Joe in Caucus.

To allow a person who campaigned with the Candidate of the opposing party to keep a prized and influencial Chairmanship is on the back's of those Senators who voted to allow him to keep it.

[misanthrope]

27. Well, judging from Lieberman's past words and deeds...

...He most certainly will abuse this reprieve but he won't do it right away. Lieberman will wait until a key moment to turn on his former party once again.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

18. He ran as a Centrist, he's behaving like a Centrist. Triangulation redux.

Politics as usual.

[Gold Metal Flake]

22. Lieberman runs interference for Bush.

Allowing him to continue to do that is not change.

There is no change here.

[Winterblues]

23. Right, keeping the same people in the same positions is changing the tone

:rofl:

[ixion]

24. my thoughts exactly... changing the tone by keeping the same players

:rofl:

[Fuzz]

25. Think long term. Think policy over nitpicking politics.

Think of something that works.

[dflprincess]

28. How does keeping the same people in power change policy? (eom)

[Fuzz]

30. Obama will set the policy.

Those who use the old tactics will end up being embarrassed.

[Hawkowl]

26. BULLSHIT!

Changing the tone by keeping Lieberman? Changing the tone by picking Clinton as SOS so she can be a lightning rod of hate to all the rw wingnuts? As if they don't hate Obama enough?

Does he want to president and rule or does he want to be Ghandi?

[HEyHEY]

38. Do you recall the talk to end partisan shit that is unproductive?

[Stuckinthebush]

29. The voice of reason? On DU?

:)

I actually have been laughing out loud at the pulling of hair and gnashing of teeth here about Lieberman and Clinton. Now we have people complaining about Holder.

And I thought DU would be irrelevant after Obama won. :D

[JHB]

31. Sorry, I'll believe that when it actually happens.

For a man who ran on "Change", I haven't seen Obama surround himself with too many people who have actually worked for change (and a number who've worked for bad changes). He's been saddled with the aftermath of actual, actionable criminality by the previous administration and by major operatives of the Republican Party, and so far all the signals point to him doing the same thing Clinton did upon taking office in 93: nothing, in the name of a "bipartisanship" that the wingnut-base-driven Republicans never even considered reciprocating.

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but so far it's all talk talk talk, and no actual "getting things done" in any sort of direction we'd like things to go in. But I've heard it before, and "hope" isn't enough.

No matter what a swell guy he may be, Obama is a politician. Once upon a time, I would have made a spitting noise when saying the "politician" part of that phrase, but Oaf-in-Office has taught us all there are worse things. But even so...

FDR said "I want to do it. Now go out and make me do it. Reagan said "Trust, but verify."
So, for Obama... hope, but don't just hope. Do everything you can to twist his arm, and the arms of every congressperson you have any contact with. Let the history books call them leaders, as long as they have no choice but to do the right things.

[leftofthedial]

34. kumbaya

prozac

I guess that's a sort of "tone."


He's already getting things done. He's managed to abandon everyone in America to the left of the ghost of Richard Nixon.

[depakid]

35. What a utterly distorted view of reality

He's NOT changing the tone ONE IOTA- but instead continuing the process of the past 15 years of coddling DINO's who cross over and support or vote with the far right.

It's just MORE OF THE SAME embarrassingly dysfunctional appeasment that hasn't worked in the past and won't work in the future.

[Generator]

36. If it doesn't work I just hope he has a plan B

Gutting them like a fish.

[HEyHEY]

37. This IS reaching across the aisle, to a total assbag, but reaching nonetheless!

[Pastiche423]

39. Change = More of the Same