July 10, 2008
Posted: July 10th, 2008 04:30 PM ET

From

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was non-committal Thursday when asked if he would like to retain Sen. Joe Lieberman as chairman of a key Senate committee next year if Democrats retain control.

Liberal bloggers, who are angry with the former Democrat for supporting Republican Sen. John McCain for president, have started a campaign to pressure lawmakers to strip him of his job leading the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Asked about that drive, Reid first praised Lieberman for voting with Democrats on many key issues but made no promises the Connecticut senator would keep his chairmanship next year.

“Let’s talk about this year,” Reid initially responded. “Anytime we have a problem here, with the exception of Iraq, Joe Lieberman is with us. So I wish people would leave him alone.”

But what about next year, a reporter asked, when Democrats are expected to expand their majority which is currently razor-thin?

“Well, next year we’ll get to next year when we get there,” he said with a shrug.

“Sounds like you're open to a change,” a reporter pressed.

Responded Reid, “I’m not open to anything. I’m just waiting to get through this year, when I have a 51 vote majority.”

Filed under: Harry Reid • Joe Lieberman


TonyinKentucky   July 10th, 2008 9:26 pm ET

Hey AJ in Fla, you're way doesn't work.

Fascist social platform, trickle down "let them eat crumbs" economics, and hawkish interventionism foreign policy ain't exactly "mom and apple pie" either.

If you got a new plan we're happy, no overjoyed to listen but if you're trying to roll out the same insanity on a different day then bring on your worst fears because history shows Americans will stand behind Stalin to rid the world of Hitler. We did it before and we'll do it again, without batting an eye.

Socialism is soooooo the lesser of two evils in contrast to fascism.

Happily Independent   July 10th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

Lieberman has decided to go his own way. Now, the Democrats can go their own way next year when the Democrats strip him of his chairmanship and not let him become a part of their caucus.

km   July 10th, 2008 9:13 pm ET

I don't like lieberman, but I wish the majority in government were independent of the republican and democratic party.

Rob indetroit   July 10th, 2008 9:11 pm ET

"Bye bye" traitor.

Joyce Becker   July 10th, 2008 9:02 pm ET

Strip Leiberman of any leadership roles, he is a traitor to the Democratic Party, and to think I used to like him, perhaps he should be sent back to Minsk along with Gramm.

Joe's the man   July 10th, 2008 8:56 pm ET

I'm am (or should I say was) a Democrat much in the same mold as Joe Lieberman was. The crazy libs in the party can't stand the fact that he beat them as an independent and now want revenge in the only way they know how. The crazy Kos crowd is the reason I am an independed today. Give'em hell Joe, just like you did in 2006 and let them eat cake!

fred   July 10th, 2008 8:50 pm ET

joe's gotta go

Agnes   July 10th, 2008 8:40 pm ET

Just good old fashioned Tammany Hall tactics.

William   July 10th, 2008 8:36 pm ET

We need him like we need a hole in the head, lets get someone who can make a decision before the snow falls.

NoBushThirdTerm.com   July 10th, 2008 8:33 pm ET

We won't need the party jumper Lieberman come next year anyway.

AJ in Fla: get over yourself. God's not against anyone, except haters.

Patrick: if you respect Chuck Hagel, you won't vote for McCain. Hagel wouldn't.

Ridgeway: Organized religions of EVERY flavor are the original terrorists. Christianity has a pretty awful history. Of course, you'd have some sense of history to understand that; most brainwashed Jesus freaks don't. They just believe in a book put together 400 yrs after Jesus died, leaving out anything that didn't fit their morally corrupt, misogynist principles.

Jesus was a radical, dude. He wouldn't approve of Hagee OR Wright OR most of the so-called 'leaders' of faiths.

Nick - Arlington, VA   July 10th, 2008 8:32 pm ET

Liebermanmustgo.com – sign the petition.

REG   July 10th, 2008 8:28 pm ET

LIEBERMAN WANTS TO WHIPOUT IRAN AND THE WHOLE MID EAST FOR THE STATE OF ISREAL THAT IS WHY HE SOPORT MCSANE

Sharon Minnesota   July 10th, 2008 8:21 pm ET

After reading several posts on these CNN blogslately it looks like my suggestion is working. Mostly Obama supporters ranting here. Thanks CNN for posting your own downfall.

If you are a supporter of any other candidate than Barack Obama, you should probably give the CNN blogs over to the Obamabots so they can talk to themselves. That's why you haven't heard from me for awhile. There are other news websites that are more unbiased and filter out posts that are just plain nasty. My suggestion to all who are anti-Obama is to stop watching the CNN network and stop using the CNN website until they start reporting and posting unbiased and fair news. And until they stop posting attack type blogs from pro-Obama people against people like Freida and Sharon Minnesota.

Boycott CNN who most likely won't post this!

Tom   July 10th, 2008 8:14 pm ET

Joe Lieberman has to be relagated to the "cheap seats". All his power should be stripped away and he should be left to lobby for Israel from the parking lot.

On second thought maybe McBush could tap him for VP???

Marc PDX   July 10th, 2008 8:14 pm ET

Bad mouth "turncoat" Lieberman but carefully defend the rights of the poor mistreated souls at Guatanamo Bay. I couldn't write a funnier movie than what real life in liberal America looks like. No wonder it's the party of comedians (Franken, Alec Baldwin, et al).

Michelle from Colorado   July 10th, 2008 8:14 pm ET

Lieberman is a big fat 0. He was a 0 the minute he dared to think he should do us all a favor and run as an Independent. McCain doesn't need him and the Dems don't want him. Get off the stage, Joe. Your 15 minutes of fame are over.

Sarah   July 10th, 2008 8:12 pm ET

Joe is a traitor and a pretty dumb one to boot. He shouldn't be in charge of any committee with authority extending beyond donuts and coffee.

M.S. Indiana   July 10th, 2008 8:03 pm ET

Griff, you are not watching the news ??? so far the repukes have lost the senate and the house and are loosing seat let and right this year..

And a guy like McCain is the best you got ?? i am still laughing and watching rush l. every night is even more funny now that Obama is the man...

Another old white woman for Obama   July 10th, 2008 8:03 pm ET

Lieberman is not an American. He is an Israeli and should move there. Permanently!

Marc PDX   July 10th, 2008 8:01 pm ET

The party of compasion has no problem killing a problem child it would appear. Let's have a spelling bee! How do you spell "hypocrit"? L-I-B-E-R-A-L

Linda of Atlanta   July 10th, 2008 7:57 pm ET

Ridgemway, where did you get your information, the last KKK meeting you robed up for?

Walt   July 10th, 2008 7:48 pm ET

Lieberman is an opportunist and hypocrite. Throw him under the same bus he has thrown others.

And God help AJ in Fla who seems to be apparently stuck in a Joe McCarthy hearing.

Monica for Obama in Indiana   July 10th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

Dish Him, he is in the same category as rove, black and the rest.

Down with the republicans

Neal   July 10th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

Lieberman must go.

Joydev@msn.com   July 10th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

As much as democrats would like to throw Lieberman "under the bus", they need him to maintain their 51-49 advantage in the Senate. This whole Lieberman story demonstrates how cynical politics is. Lieberman is using his relationship with McCain in order to appear that he carries more gravitas than he does in reality. In order to gain a few more minutes in the spotlight, he is doing his party (and country) a great deal of harm.

paul oregon   July 10th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

reid must be losing his marbles lieberman is not a democrat
he should not be in charge of anything reid sounds like he shouldnt be in charge of any thing either.

Patrick   July 10th, 2008 7:31 pm ET

Actually, can we go ahead and get Reid out of there too? I'm in favor of kicking Lieberman, Reid, and Pelosi out. If we can do that and maintain Democratic majorities, I'll be ecstatic.

SENIOR DAY!!!   July 10th, 2008 7:26 pm ET

SENIOR ALERT......YOU NOTICE HOW John McCain ,Joe Lieberman,
Phil GRAMM ......Hang Out .......as in the blind leading the blind ....and one repeating what was said because one can hear well and They all look alike !!!! ...........WHAT's UP John .....HUH.... WHAT you SAY .....Oh I thought you were JOE.........TIME TO GO TO THE HOUSE!!!!!!!

R.S.-St. Paul   July 10th, 2008 7:21 pm ET

Harry Reid-you think you can mess with Joe Lieberman's career in politics because he is not falling in line with your stupid democrat colleagues, the "bully-bunch"!???? Well, karma's gonna get ya' if you don't watch out!!!! Look what happened to stupid Kennedy with his brain tumor! Hateful, power hungry, pro-death politicians better look at what they're supporting and how they are not emulating the morals our Country has depended on to make it the great Country it has been. The problem with our Country is there are too many Harry Reid's in Washington. Too many power hungry sheisters who don't care about the American citizens, only care about getting kick backs and bullying people in the Senate/Washington. I hope Harry Reid gets his!

PCS / North Carolina   July 10th, 2008 7:19 pm ET

Joe Lieberman is a traitor, he probably has affiliations to Israel. His main agenda is the well being of Israel, just like the other iranian mole who gave ideas to GWB to attack Iraq, so that iran could take over iraqs power base. Which is what had essentialy happened. If McCain gets to power, Joe will be running the show.

whiner   July 10th, 2008 7:17 pm ET

i dont mean to whine,but,my children are hungry.....

Robert in Seattle   July 10th, 2008 7:16 pm ET

Feeling lonely yet Joe? A one member party is pretty sad, even Nader and Barr have more, and they are on the edge of lunacy!

Goodbye Joe Lieberman, I hope you enjoy your retirement.

Jan   July 10th, 2008 7:14 pm ET

What is wrong with someone who wants to work with both parties? Obama promotes bipartisinism–do you dems not want what your Messiah wants? He started out leftist–but, now has gone to the center-you can't have it both ways–follow the Messiah –or not!

Ridgeway   July 10th, 2008 7:14 pm ET

lieberman is an independent republican ,now.reid should do his party duty,and get rid of him.

AJ in Fla   July 10th, 2008 7:11 pm ET

I suspect the Mr. Reid will choose a typical Democrat, Socialist w/ communist tendencies Liberal,Anarchyst, perhaps someone from Vermont " The pedophilia state",. or someone from California w/San Francisco values ie: In favor of gay marriage, abortion on demand,
and all the rest, etc....!!!!! but most likely one of our outstanding politically and morally corrupt politicians.

God help us...!!!!!

Jan from Michigan   July 10th, 2008 7:10 pm ET

Vote for the man who walks the walk–not the man who talks the talk–vote McCain! You won't regret it1

Larry Buchas   July 10th, 2008 7:09 pm ET

Hey Ridgeway,

You are a loser. Maybe you can do your part and help pay for bushie's war?

Patrick   July 10th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

hillary supporters should all vote for mccain.girls should like the maverick.he knows behind every man is a worman.

LYNETTE IN CA   July 10th, 2008 7:06 pm ET

Lieberman just needs to come out the closet and be the republican that he is!

Griff   July 10th, 2008 7:01 pm ET

hillary is throwing her supporters under the bus campaigning for obama.her supporters should desert her,but,what do you expect from a bunch of female banshees? just vote for mccain,grils.at least he has good taste in girls.

WORST PERSON!!!!   July 10th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

Griff….. The Democrats are finished, in any office, of Government of the USA..........REPUBLICANS are BUSHED AS IN OVER, FINISHED .....
AS IN STICK A FORK IN EM' THEY ARE DONE !!!!
****************************************************************************
BARACK OBAMA PRESIDENT of UNITED STATES OF America
COME on*** GRIFF the PRESIDENT PROMISED HIS GIRLS A DOG**

Doris,Memphis,TN   July 10th, 2008 6:59 pm ET

Griff, common sense is not so common.

vick   July 10th, 2008 6:59 pm ET

Libermen is a looser. two face trater!!!!!!!

Charlotte   July 10th, 2008 6:57 pm ET

Lieberman is an Independent, he votes his conscience dictates, he is not obligated to support Obama.. Neither am I Iwill write Hillary on my ballot in November, as is my conscience.

AT   July 10th, 2008 6:55 pm ET

JOE LIBERMANN is unethical. H ecares more about ISRAEL than America. As an Army Recruiter in NYC, no Israeli Americans ever join the Army. In Northern New jesrsey, all I keep getting was, I would rather join the Isreli Army than the US. The Israeli's want us to do their dirty work in the Middle East. We went into Iraq worried about Saddam been a threat to his neigbours, now we are using the same logic to go after Iran, then it will be Syria, then Saudi Arabia. American's need to wake up, we are been used as idiots to do ISRAEL dirty games. ISRAEL HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPONS, WHY ISN'T THAT A PROBLEM. SAUDI ARABIA SHOULD GET SOME TOO, I bet there won't be any UPROAR about that either!!

OBAMA-CLINTON for AMERICA STRONG!

Citizens For America First   July 10th, 2008 6:53 pm ET

REID, WE ARE THE FOLKS KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON.

LIBERFOOL SERVES ONLY HIS LOBBYISTS. HE SPENDS

TENS OF MILLIONS OF OUR, OUR DOLLARS A YEAR

JERKING AROND THE GLOBE MAKING A FOOL AOUT

OF EVERY CITIZEN OF THIS NATION. IF THE SCUM BAGS

HE REPRESENTS WANT TO PAY HI WAY, LET THEM. WE

DO NOT. AND WE HAVE EVERY INTENSION OF MAKING

AN ISSUE OFF IT.

Vera Butler   July 10th, 2008 6:44 pm ET

Ask the question next year. No need to dwell on hypotheticals.

Griff   July 10th, 2008 6:41 pm ET

1979 when Harold Wison was Murdered by the Conservatives so they could Win that Election Under Maggie the Terrible......

Young Conservative   July 10th, 2008 6:41 pm ET

Just like liberals....can't have descent. Anyone who descends from the Democrat Party is a "Judas." In a time where bipartisan support and united action is what the American people want, you all cry foul at TRUE Bipartisanship. Lieberman, a former Democrat, has voted on many issues with the Democrats but feels that McCain, regardless of his party, is the best man fit for the presidency.

Ula Nejad- Sacramento Ca   July 10th, 2008 6:41 pm ET

You see...try displacing Lieberman and democrats can call it good-bye. They should remove Pelosi first.

grant   July 10th, 2008 6:41 pm ET

Lieberman should be running for a seat in the Knesset, not chairing Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He is more concerned with the welfare of Isreal than he is for the United States.

beverly   July 10th, 2008 6:40 pm ET

absolutely not , liberman can't be trusted he step out side the box, i wouldn't trust him under no circumstances. he a republican evey where mccain is there is liberman, he's like a little mutt. heel, now sit, now roll over, that's what he good for.

RCH, St. Paul, MN   July 10th, 2008 6:38 pm ET

Lieberman is nothing more than a Republican toad, who leaps at whatever flies they offer. He shouldn't be in charge of picking his own wardrobe, much less any government office!

John, Brooklyn, New York   July 10th, 2008 6:38 pm ET

Like him or hate him, we need him until we reach 60 seats (2010 is likely). So....keep him in the chairmanship, then campaign like hell for his Democratic opponent in 2012.

What?   July 10th, 2008 6:35 pm ET

This doesn't interest me. Who cares?

LIEBERMAN is a TRADER   July 10th, 2008 6:34 pm ET

STRIP HIM OF EVERYTHING ... WE DON'T NEED THIS WAR CRAZED KOOK RUNNING OUR HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

Walt, Belton,TX   July 10th, 2008 6:32 pm ET

I'm in total rapture over Reid's comments, or is that rupture.......... For a Senate and House that promised wonderful reforms and cleaning out two years ago, this Congress has done little if not nothing that it can honestly brag about. But that's what you have to expect when you have two doofuses running two houses of do nothings. It has nothing to do with party lines, these gomers just continued the traditions established almost 20 years ago!

Dr.Mimi De La Cruz   July 10th, 2008 6:29 pm ET

REID. I SAY HELL NO.

LIEBERFOOL CAN BE GIVEN THE CHAIRMANSHIP

OF THE JANITORIAL SERVICES COMITY. IF YOU

DON'T HAVE ONE, I'LL HELP SET IT UP, FREE OF CHARGE.

Patrick   July 10th, 2008 6:28 pm ET

People complain about congress not working together but they are sure fast to throw Lieberman under a bus when he tried to work with the other party. We need more of this from Washington. I applaud senators Lieberman and Hagel for standing up to their own parties. This is why I'm voting for McCain.

Traitor   July 10th, 2008 6:25 pm ET

CNN) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was non-committal Thursday when asked if he would like to retain Sen. Joe Lieberman as chairman of a key Senate committee next year if Democrats retain contro......Lieberman is a Traitor a Benedick Arnold....feed him beans

DJ, LA, CA   July 10th, 2008 6:24 pm ET

Yes Joe has got to go. He is a warmongerer and confused on what party he belongs to.

american   July 10th, 2008 6:22 pm ET

if you dont get rid of him,we will get rid of you too.'a change is a comin' and you may become a big part of it,if you fail democrats with this party traitor.HE IS A REPUBLICAN NOW!

The Surly Scholar   July 10th, 2008 6:21 pm ET

Joe Lieberman is, and always has been, a tool of chokingly unsubtle proportions. He regularly employs the lowest and most vile form of fear-mongering politics, such as a few weeks ago when he he said that "terrorists will test the next president," and expressed his belief that McCain would be more qualified to handle the situation. By all the protocols of Orwellian codewording employed by him and his treasonous ilk, this translates to "vote for McCain or else." Apparently fear is the only maneuver left in the republican playbook, and boy have they played it out.

I'm most put off by Lieberman's apparently absolute certainty that terrorists will attack us in 2009. Just how WOULD he know that, anyway?

Ridgeway   July 10th, 2008 6:21 pm ET

Yeah, Reid! Turn power over to a real Democrat who can lead. Oops, there aren't any. Or you could turn it over to a real public servant, Lieberman. Libs are just ineffectual crack pots. I hope all you Obamanites get a real dose of Islam if he wins. He's a political Jihadest.

Larry Buchas   July 10th, 2008 6:20 pm ET

A message to Harry:

Joe Lieberman is NOT A DEMOCRAT! We did you a favor and threw him out of the party. Remember?

Now do your part and give this Benedict Arnold the boot!

Sam   July 10th, 2008 6:17 pm ET

Lieberman is probably one of the most shameles persons in this country. Not only should he not be allowed any committee chairmanship, he should not even be allowed to caucus with the Democrats.

Dems be dopes   July 10th, 2008 6:16 pm ET

One sane Democrat among so many fools.....

Maybe, just maybe if Obama wins the election the Dems could double their Congressional approval rate to maybe , 20%?

Dusacre   July 10th, 2008 6:16 pm ET

Joe is "worse" than a republican. At least you know from the start that a republican is in opposition, but with Joe, you find it out when it is too late.

Franky   July 10th, 2008 6:16 pm ET

Lieberman is not gonna get "whacked", he's gonna 'sleep with the fishes", LOL!!! Get it? Get it? LOL!!!

McCain=the draft   July 10th, 2008 6:15 pm ET

LIEberman is a disgrace!

bernj   July 10th, 2008 6:12 pm ET

With us? What us is he with Harry? Not the Democratic Party us. Not the American People us. I really wish these career politicians could live like ordinary folks for a few years. I bet ole Harry would understand the definition of "us" a good bit better. Joe Lieberman is trying to get McCain elected. How in hades does that help "us" Mr. Majority Leader?

NW   July 10th, 2008 6:09 pm ET

Majority Leader Harry Reid you must listen to the people of your party instead of trying to backing up Liberman. We know that he is absolutely agaisnt every issues proposed by the Democrats why can't you see that? Are you worried about that man not hanging on behind your pants? Common man... Think carefully for the people not for that man.

Cat   July 10th, 2008 6:06 pm ET

Why do we not vote people into these positions? Instead of politicians playing musical chairs, let's "we the people" decide who runs our government and what office they hold!

NotFallingInLine.org   July 10th, 2008 6:01 pm ET

Reid, you're worse than Daschle, and that really bad. For the sake of the Democratic Party, give it up and turn over power to a real leader.

Saad from NJ   July 10th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

Is Lieberman part of Senator Reid's family? Or part of any other Democrat's family? Only in a family, you cannot just let go of a son/daughter/father/mother if they become morons. But if teh person is not family and turns moron one day because he is eating wrong food or drinking wrong type of alcohol, you gotta just let him go.

Thank him for anything good he has done in the past but just let him go.... part ways... that's only the wise thing to do.

james   July 10th, 2008 5:57 pm ET

Harry reid can leave with the judas leiberman

BT, Houston, Tx   July 10th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

CNN....I AM TIRED OF SEEING NOTHING BUT MCSAME ON THIS PAGE EVERYDAY... HAS SOME EONE STATED THEY NEED HIM HERE EVERYDAY...USE TO SEE OBAMA...BUT APPEARS YOU ARE CATCHING PRESSURE FROM SOMEONE...IF I CONTINUE TO SEE MCSAME EVERYDAY...I WILL JUST STOP TUNNING IN...THIS MAN IS NOT A NICE SIGHT TO LOOK AT AND HE IS ABSOLUTELY BORING AND LIKE BUSH...A BIG LIAR...

skunkrat The Marine   July 10th, 2008 5:54 pm ET

Sweet Joe is so undeserving of a Chairmanship. The Repukes can making him a ranking member. Joe is confused and he must suffer the consequences of his actions. DUMP THE CLOWN.

Griff   July 10th, 2008 5:53 pm ET

You People? Where do you get this garbage thought from... The Democrats are finished, in any office, of Government of the USA.
Finished! When Obama loses the Election,and he will!
Democrats will be diving for cover,,,,

McSameMcCain on myspace   July 10th, 2008 5:49 pm ET

Strip Joe of his leadership no matter what the outcome of the November election. Then throw lard butt Rove in jail and haul President Bush back up on war crimes (and Cheney and Rumsfield)

Doris,Memphis,TN   July 10th, 2008 5:48 pm ET

No, Joe Lieberman is a traitor!
Put him under the bus!

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