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
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Benedict...
Loyalty has no place in leadership truly. If Joe can do the job then so be it. To be honest, it would be a symbolic gesture of bipartisanship to keep him around.
Loyalty for Joe should be to his constituents and concience. If that put him at odds with the democrats then such is life. I think using the new power voted the democrats to destroy the man would probably be a very petty first act.
I think Lieberman is a single-issue person: Israel. His only interest is keeping the US engaged militarily and every other way in the Mideast, as this plays to the safety and purposes of Israel. That is why he is so pro-war.
In many things, the US SHOULD support Israel. However, Lieberman is a US Senator, and he should not be putting any other nation's interests ahead of our own.
That said, he will complete at least his current term. As long as he is there, if he's any good at his committee work leave him be, there is no value in appearing to be vindictive.
I think the only reason he should be kicked out is if he wants to display open hostility towards the head of his party, Barack Obama. Dissent is fine. You liked McCain better, fine, you guys WERE good friends beforehand. But its over, if you want to be a Democrat, fine. Fight for different solutions when you disagree with Obama. That's America. However, if he wants to be a Republican in Democrat clothing, the Democratic leadership HAS the right to strip him of high level DEMOCRATIC committees and chairs. I'm all for Obama. Joe can go where he wants, he should just be honest about what he believes, talk to Reid and make a decision. Its a legitimate question to ask him who's team he's on now.
Buh-bye Joe. I hear McCain could use another VP...
Reid's an idiot, I hope Liberman pokes him in the eye.
It's time to let Lieberman go I don't believe he can be trusted.
Screw Lieberman, he is a traitor to the democratic cause, he flips between parties to appease what ever best suits his best interests. He is a hack, and people from Conneticut should be ashamed that they have re-elected time and time again. Pull your heads out of your arses and don't let this ever happen again. Reid force this shmuck to go Republican, and then lets see where his re-elction hopes are at in 2 years. I am Jewish and I am ashamed that I share a religion with Deputy Dog.
PS. PLEASE SEN. REID ASK LIEberman to retire! He, sir, is NO Democrat!
Let's see how fast the President-elect's promise to be "everyone's" president falls by the wayside.
You can't trust Lieberman anymore. He will not work for or with Obama. I can't wait for Lieberman to be voted out of office.
This is no small matter. Demo for Mccain. Joe Lieberman made his choice,but too say those harsh words about a fellow Demo,that's running for the higest office in this Country. That clearly is a team changer. You don't need the Demo party anymore, we heard you loud and clear. Goodbye Joe,Thanks for the memories.
I hope Joe Liebeman gets shown the door along with Joe the plumber and Joe Six-Pack.
And Eva,
We're not all that quick to judge. Let's wait and see if Harry is tempered or brash.
Send Lieberman packing to along with his buddy, John McCain. He gambled on John McCain and lost and now he must pay the cost.
One could say that Joe lost the VP bid twice – 8 years ago, and again last Tuesday. But if McCain won, did anyone truly think Sarah Palin was going to have any real #2 duties, given her views and with the country so split? Joe Lieberman was going to be the "sidekick maverick" in an attempt by McCain to help steer the Republican party to the center. I believe McCain's grand plan was to form coalitions with fiscal conservatives of both parties, while marginalizing each party's social extremes – it was perhaps the only way he could have governed anyway.
But McCain lost – no, ceded – control of his campaign for perceived short-term opportunism. In the end, that's what the majority of voters saw, with no long-term vision on anything. Too bad for him that he did not stick to his higher principles.
Yep you Dems. throw Liberman under the bus because he can't have a different point of view in politics. If I were Joe I would run out of that liberal nut party as fast as I can.
Differing opinions should and are welcome. We do not need to be like the Bush adminstration that lived in a bubble and did not hear anyone or anything that did not fall in line with their desires.
Leiberman however was dishonest. That is the real problem in politics today. The Hannity, limbaugh, Oriely crowd can be as Bias as they want, the problem is all the lieing.
Todays replublican agenda simply does not exist without lieing. Honesty should be our goal, and especially so when our policies or ideas are found to be wrong. Both sides need to strive to be fair and Honest, not fair and Balanced. Life is not balanced andthe news is not balanced the only way to report it "Balanced" is to lie. That is what killed the republican party. We are going to need the help of honest conservatives to fix the problems we face today. It is in everyones best interset that the Republican party cleans itself of the hate radio and the lieing and becomes the once proud party it was. Yes together we can!
He is a traitor and should not be rewarded for his disloyalty. He is a backstabber. Fire him!!!!!!
Throw the bum out and go build bridges in Alaska.
As a proud Republican, I have to say it's funny to watch all the liberals on this site over-reach. You are not only sore losers, but also sore winners.
Let it go. What happened to reaching across the isle? For your information, it is incumbent upon the winners to reach out, not the losers.
KICK 'EM TO THE CURB"…. along with GUILIANI, LIMBAUGH, ROVE AND HANNITY!!!
Lieberman was wrong with his attacks on Obama after promising he would not engage in them, but he had every right to support the candidate of his choice. Reid should allow Lieberman to stay in the caucus – if that's what Lieberman wants. Committee chairmanship is a different story, and needs to be renegotiated. Booting Lieberman will not only make Obama look like a fraud, but will also make the conservative Democrats in the Senate very neervous. Allow dissent without punishment, rebuke for breaking his word.
Oh no Joe say it ain't so heheheheh LOL so off you go you turn coat. How could you turn your back on the Democrats the way you did you are toast politically as the Maverick has more of my respect then you..... Peace Out!
I AM SO GLAD I TURNED INDEPENDENT! I DID IT FOR THIS REASON , THE WAY THE DEMS TREAT THEIR OWN, AND THE REST OF THE SENATORS ETC WHO ARENT ON BOARD. NANCY PELOSI IS ONE OF THE HARSHIST OF THEM ALL. LIEBERMAN AND MCCAIN ARE BEST FRIENDS FOR ONE. MCCAIN IS A GOOD LEADER AND TO PENAILZE HIM FOR HIS CHOICE IS RIDICULOUS... WHAT DOES OBAMA SAY: ALL OF THE PEOPLE. YOU TRUE BELEIVERS SHOULD LOOK TO YOUR NEW LEADER FOR GUIDANCE, CAUSE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS QUITE FRANKLY VERY SICK OF YOU.