WASHINGTON (CNN) – Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democrat turned independent who backed Republican Sen. John McCain for president, will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to discuss Lieberman’s future with the Democratic caucus, according to two congressional sources familiar with the matter.
At stake is Lieberman’s chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and possibly his other committee assignments. Reid could also ask Lieberman to leave the Democratic caucus altogether.
Lieberman’s support of McCain – and harshly critical words of President-elect Barack Obama during the campaign - angered many Senate Democrats but Reid was reluctant to act against the Connecticut senator earlier because Democratic control of the Senate relied on Lieberman’s decision to organize with the Democrats.
But after picking up multiple Democratic seats on Election Day, Reid is politically empowered to strip Lieberman of the coveted chairmanship if he chooses. The full Democratic caucus would have to approve any action Reid takes when it meets on Capitol Hill in two weeks.
Democratic leadership aides would not say what Reid will do at the highly-anticipated meeting which is expected to take place in Reid’s leadership suite off the Senate floor. Reid has not been shy in the past about expressing his frustration with Lieberman who just eight years ago was the Democrats’ nominee for Vice President. But he’s also repeatedly said he values Lieberman’s membership in the caucus because on most issues Lieberman votes with the Democrats.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
have a cup of Joe with Joe? Not likely. So long lieberman. You're a filthy crook and a liar.
Lieberman needs to get out of the Dem caucus. He took a bet that McCain would win, and hitched his wagon to the ticket in the hopes of being on the winning side. I bet he was gunning for the VP slot, and afterward was hoping for a cabinet position. Lieberman is no longer needed for a Democratic majority and he needs to be booted from the caucus.
Should be a short meeting. If Lieberman has any honor he will accept the fact he is a Republican at heart and announcing his departure tothe red side of the aisle. As a Democrat, I say "Joe, don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out."
Great example of reaching across the aisle – banish anyone that dares to criticize the new administration. Get ready for much more of this silencing of dissent.
Say it aint so, Joe – you reap what you sow!
Lieberman's political life is in dissaray – just like the GOP.
Hopefully Joe will punch him in the mouth.
I don't care for Joe Lieberman anymore. He crossed over to the dark side and he should be gone. His values have changed and he is no longer worth talking to. I just wish he would go away. Who needs him?
Joe L. need to join Joe the plummer. He has no loyalty to the democratic party, give him the boot.
Lieberman should be jettisoned from the democratic caucus. He needs the democrats more than they need him. And I'm pretty sure his constituents would like to see him step back from his previous statements.
Let him explain his his 'independent' votes to his constituents.
Let's hear all the great calls for Unity from the Obomunists.
Yes you can!
They need to kick him out. He is no longer a Dem and has admitted this. He need to embrace his new party fully and stop toeing the line.
how can liebermann turn his back against the democratic party that gave him a shot at being a veepee in 2000?!
it's time for liebermann to pay the piper........this man does not represent jews; he only represent judas!!!!
Throw the bum out. Turncoat!!! Let him stick with his fellow war hawks in the GOP. Hopefully Connecticut can come up with a strong truly Democrat candidate to kick him out of politics for good!!!
Time to Pay the Piper. You disparaged the President-elect of the United States of America.
Lieberman must be punished so that others know that the Democrats are not to be taken for wussy punks.
Joe Lieberman can save himself by overcompensating on the liberal side of policies. Although democrat / independent in name, by backing McCain, he's shown himself to be a republican. There are no republican members of Congress from New England.
Joe, you don't have long to save yourself.
He didn't drink the kool aid and now it's time to pay...
Make this the first act of healing, don't do anything to Joe. He lost, he knows it, we dont need to punish him further. Besides, John really is a good man, nobody should be punished for supporting him. Ried should send the message that the democrats are ready to start the healing, this is an oportunity people, Obama Supporters Unite for practicing what we preached.
I think Joe the Lieberman has made it clear that he has little use for his old friends, the Democrats. I say show him the door!
After the way Joe Lieberman rebuffed the Democratic presidential nominee during the Republican convention was deplorable. The way he stood behind John McCain while Senator Obama was called a socialist deplorable. Boosting him out of the democratic caucus...priceless.
Give him the boot.
It was 8 years ago he was the VP nominee. Great reporting, CNN.
John Edwards was the Vice-Presidential nominee four years ago.
First of all, Reid is a pathetic character who has a lower approval rating than President Bush. Only Pelossi has a lower rating. Second, if Reid is petty enough to do this to Joe, it will send a clear signal to Republicans that the Democratic talk of bipartisanship is simple talk. I have a feeling that Obama, Pelossi, and Reid's idea of uniting simply involves the destruction of all dissenting voices. Insert hateful Obamite remarks here......
Lieberman was the nominee 8 years ago, not 4. Also, while I don't like Lieberman going and advocating for McCain and trashing Obama, I also think that the Democratic party needs to realize that differing opinions are welcomed and make the party stronger, not weaker.
See ya joe!