Lieberman's Gambit: Health care for readmission into the Democratic Party

[WonderGrunion]

I think I've finally figured out what Lieberman's trying to do with his posturing on the filibuster of health care reform. He wants the ability to run as the Democratic senator from Connecticut next time he is up for election. I didn't realize until reading on DU a couple of weeks ago that his vanity independent party has basically kicked him out and is running without him now. Lieberman could just run as an independent candidate again by creating (another) new party, but he really wants to be able to run with the party apparatus of the Connecticut Democratic party at his back.

I think the last election taught him a valuable lesson. No, not the one we wanted him to learn. The lesson Holy Joe learned is that running for the senate is very expensive when you don't have other people paying your way through. I have read several columnists say that Lieberman is better treated with carrots rather than sticks. That wascally wabbit is looking at the biggest carrot in the garden right now. He wants back into the party. He's just using health care as the blackmail point to let him back in.

If my hypothesis is correct, I say we should give in to his demands. Health care is too important to let get shot down over a vanity fight with Lieberman. And, as the adage goes, it's better to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Lieberman would be more controllable within the party structure than as a rogue independent candidate. He would still be an insufferable douchebag, but he would be our insufferable douchebag. And after he votes "aye" on health care reform, we can always primary his ass next election.

[ChicagoSuz219]

1. He should run as a Tea Party candidate... nt

[zbdent]

7. That would "legitimize" the party's status ...

Like what happened in 2006, there would be no "Republican" candidate supported in CT, and the "liberal media" would probably still polish that turd into a sparkling smelly ingot ...

[bluestateguy]

2. The party honchos can let Lieberman back in

But what rank and file Democratic primary voters do is another matter.

[WonderGrunion]

11. I agree

Party leaders need to promise him what he wants. They can't speak for the electorate though.

[aquart]

3. He could just apologize.

I don't want him on the Democratic ticket. I'm not too thrilled about sharing a planet with him, lately.

[dkf]

5. Yeah I vote for sending him to the moon too.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

4. We should say that we'll give in to his demands

and then not.

Fuck him.

[countmyvote4real]

6. Dump Lieberman ASAP.

Any drama that concerns him is not worth our time or his salary.

Flush twice for best results.

[Toots]

8. Anyone that has been paying attention know that already is the case.

All the big wig democrats will support him just as they did the last time even though he ran as an Independent. They will support him even if he does indeed filibuster the bill. They are an elite club and will stick together through thick and thin..If that were not the case he would not be chairing any huge committee.

[ddeclue]

9. Joe Lieberman (HIMSELF-CT)

Holy Joe is only out for himself and shouldn't be trusted to do anything right for anyone else - his state, the Democratic Party, the Republican Party for that matter, Israel, OR the American people. I'd call him a weasel or a snake in the grass but both metaphors just seem like insults to members of the mustelas and serpentes families which actually have to work hard to earn their living.

[WonderGrunion]

18. I don't trust him at all

I just say to dangle readmission out there as reward for allowing HCR to go through.

[Buns_of_Fire]

10. "...Lieberman is better treated with carrots rather than sticks."

Okay, fine. Take him out back and whup him with carrots, then. (Who says I'm not open to compromise?:evilgrin:)

[WonderGrunion]

12. You're bad.

Funny, but very bad.

[DireStrike]

13. I am in favor of public bribery of senators

Unfortunately we can't give them as much as the ultra-rich can.

[hfojvt]

14. that's kind of a strange gambit

"I am going to join a Republican fillibuster on one of the Democrats signature issues unless you let me back in the party." Wouldn't it make more sense to act like a Democrat if you wanted to get back in the Democratic Party?

It seems more like he's getting ready to switch to the Republican party after Republicans re=take the Senate in 2010 (is that latter thing possible?)

[WonderGrunion]

15. The Republic party in Connecticut

doesn't have the resources to serve him the way the Democratic party does. How is this behavior any different from that of an abusive spouse? I think we should check his wife for bruises.

[The Magistrate]

16. By All Means, Sir, Say Whatever is Necessary, And Then, Renege Publicly....

The low cur will understand; it is what he does, after all, and so simply an application of the golden rule in extremis....

"Promise her anything, but give her Arpege."

[WonderGrunion]

17. Thank you Magistrate

I always think my OPs gain a level of class whenever you respond.