(CNN) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made clear Friday he's not happy with Joe Lieberman over the onetime Democrat's avid support of John McCain's White House bid, but told CNN the Connecticut independent has a strong record of voting with the Democrats.
Watch: Reid torn over Lieberman
"Joe Lieberman has done something that I think was improper, wrong, and I'd like if we weren't on television, I'd use a stronger word of describing what he did," Reid told CNN's John King. "But Joe Lieberman votes with me a lot more than a lot of my senators. He didn't support us on military stuff and he didn't support us on Iraq stuff. You look at his record, it's pretty good."
Sources tell CNN Reid wants to strip Lieberman of his Homeland Security Committee chairmanship and offer him the chairmanship of a less high-profile committee. Lieberman reportedly called the proposal "not acceptable."
The full interview with Reid airs on CNN's Late Edition, Sunday at 11 a.m. ET.
From CNN Politics
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Dang... the Dems will eat their own young...
The guy disagrees with you on one major issue and you slam him for having an opinion... I guess freedom to disagree isn't a Dem priority.
Best wishes Joe...
"not acceptable" .... ha, that's rich. Joe L is the most fork-tongued politician there is. I wish we could just kick him out of the senate.
Hey Joe, see how fast the GOP loves your voting record on abortion, etc. They'll marginalize you once you're in their house......
Can a man have his own mind?
That dweeb from Nevada needs to let go of whatever Anguish Joe has caused him.
Dump Lieberman, let him go be a Republican.
the,,,,,,,,,,,,kind,,,,,,,,,,of,,,,,,,,,,,change,,,,,,,,,,,,,obama,,,,,,,,,,,,,is,,,,,,,,,,,,
bringing,,,,,,,,,nothing,,,,,,,,,,but,,,,,,,,,,trash,,,,,,,,,,,politics
What He Did Was Not Acceptable And He Should Be Striped Of His Chair!
Lieberman's career is in dire straights. Can he really be trusted as a Republican since the only reason he'd go that way is to stay in power? Can he be trusted as a Democrat since he's already betrayed his party with his support of McCain and Obama bashing? Lieberman needs to step down along with McCain and Stevens.
Well, he started....Now take your beating like a man Joe! No whining!!!
I used to like Joe Lieberman, but he was a turn-coat in this election.
My attitude is I don't really care if he thinks the proposal is "not acceptable". He's the one who turned his back on the party. He's not the one calling the shots on this deal. I say Reid should strip him of the HSC chairmanship.
He lost the election as a democrat, ran as an independent and Gop Voters elected him as an independent. He may be friends with MCCain but he was looking for a job and thats what he was doing. Let him go to the republicans, The next election if the the dems and moderate republicans do the job, he will be gone anyway.
throw him under the bus
I am reminded of the ridicule President-Elect Obama had to endure from the Republican Party at their convention. They made fun of President-Elect Obama for being a community organizer. Well, I guess it paid off. After all, Jesus was a community organizer, Pontus Pilate was governor. Lieberman should be kicked out. He is a traitor.
Yep – definitely "wrong" (or stronger word!)to act on principle over party line. You get him, Harry!
Come on Harry, whose running the show, you or Lieberman. You man up and tell Lieberman he's not acceptable.
Joe – at least Harry's going to let you caucus with the Senate Democrats and still have a chairmanship. You don't hold the cards – Harry does and it's his game.
Don't get too pig headed because you might find yourself left out in the cold as a caucus of ONE.
Harry Reid as the determiner of what is proper and improper in politics.
Something wrong with this world.
The Democratic Party ran another candidate against Senator Lieberman when he was a still a Democrat. In response, Senator Lieberman ran as an Independent, won, but still supports the Democrats. Now Senator Reid has the absolute gall to say that an Independent Senator Lieberman did something "improper" to support Senator McCain? Just typical of this petty, mean spirited, small person that Senator Reid continues to prove himself to be. Hardly in keeping with President Elect Obama's call for bipartisan unity.
Reid: You're an idiot and always will be. You know NOTHING!
What ; not toeing the Democrat line ? Reid is the dumbest loser in the party! And the list is long !!!
Hey Joe ... don't let the door hit you in the ___ on the way across the aisle!
Hopefully your former party will work with you on a bipartisan effort to fix things ... but only with you stripped of your chairmanship!
You played both parties against each other. And lost. Hopefully you're out in 2012 so we can forget you were ever a part of the Senate.
Harry Reid is a fool and sucks big time. The man needs to disapear.
look i don't even know this guy but if i knew him i would tell forget, forget, and move on who cares about doing something wrong as long as you say sorry.
-alyssa
So basically what Reid is saying is that Americans shouldn't have the choice to support the candidate they want even if it means crossing party lines. Are we allowed to impeach the Senate Majority Leader?
Bitter partisan politics at its worse..., no change here.
John November 7th, 2008 4:31 pm ET
Can a man have his own mind?
That dweeb from Nevada needs to let go of whatever Anguish Joe has caused him.
WELL SAID!
Thow the trader out!
This is insane. We are still a democracy, correct? You mean to tell me that a sitting Senator cannot endorse and vote for whomever he feels would best lead this country? Obama has all along talked about getting rid of this partisanness and yet Reid is threatening to take Leiberman's chairmanship away. OMG this is digusting! I'm not a big fan of Leiberman but the way Reid is acting and leading is disturbing.
I agree with Senator Reid. Joe L. quit being a Dem a while ago.No offers should be extended for chairmanship to an independent who left his party during the primary. In contrast, Sen. Hagel supported PE Obama quietly and deserves credit for not damaging the GOP hopeful's reputation.
Lieberman should be in no position to dictate what he will and will not accept. He aligned himself with the vanquished candidate...since when does the loser get to determine his fate?
Harry Reid: The only man left in America with a worse rating than Bush.
I agree.. Joe Lieberman is a maveric operating against party whenever he sees a bandwagon to jump on. He did it against Gore when he demaded military votes be counted in the Recount, and he did by being Mccain's side-kick thinking he was going to win. He's simply an opportunist when it comes to his shady politics. Lieberman is a politician that we can seriously do without.
Reid's definition of improper being anything that supports the U.S. troops or what America stands for. Lieberman should have been a good little Democrat, like Reid would want, and bash them as murderers committing genocide (thank you Barrack, Murtha, and Kerry), vote to not give them the protection they need.
Joe, the reason you are 'improper' in Reid's eyes is because you value the American soldier as more than dirt, and don't want them to fail. Shame on you!
Please pay him his 30 pieces of silver and send him on his way...
It is incredible to me that Lieberman thinks that the chairmanship of a less high-profile committee is "not acceptable". I think he is lucky to be offered that. Since he was elected as an independent, he has been courted by both sides. Apparently his ego is like a sponge and he just can't get enough attention. What made me angry at the GOP national convention was when he made the comment that "as a democrat" he was proud to support John McCain. He should have said that "as an independent". He is no democrat.
I agree with Reid
Oh I see. So if you supported the other candidate, lost, and then said you are in full support of the one elected because it's the right thing to do, then apparently it's not good enough for Senator Reid.
I guess, according ro Reid's remarks, it's ok to have thoughts, but only thoughts that are just like his.
And we wonder why Congress's approval rating is lowest in history?
The only thing improper here is Mr reid trying to punish Mr Liberman for not supporting OBAMA. It is disgraceful and fully shows how childish these politicans are.
This punishment from t he most ineffective speaker in history? Maybe Harry should be thrown out of the Dem caucus.
Send him to the rethuglicans. Joe "Judas" Lieberman. Anyone notice that the first three letters of Lieberman are L-I-E.
Joe Lieberman is an arrogant Israeli agent.
Principles, sir.
Expel him from the caucus.
Attacking people already, can't we just get along.
Lieberman can't win re-electin in 2012 as a Republican running at the same time as a popular President Obama.
Pick your poison Joe ... spend 4 years as a REpublican and be done or redeem yourself with the Democrats.
I agree with Reid....I think Reid is correct in doing what is proper as a response to what Lieberman did. Come on people just think about this for one second.
I think if Lieberman would have just supported McCain and talk about why he picked McCain over Obama that would be fair game, but when he goes out and criticizes Obama in a way that disrespects him, I think that's crossing the line and he should be reprimanded for that action. The analogy is like if a kid continues to do something even after you have told him to stop several times. Somethings got to be done to show that kind of behaviour is unacceptable. He should be punished and strip of certain positions that he has.
If he doesn't like it...fine...go join the other party because you backstab your own collegue...now you can go and backstap the other party too.
This is definitely fair...
It wasn't his support of John McCain that angered the Dems, it was his negative remarks about Obama at the GOP convention.
Senator Lieberman thought McCain would win so he wanted to set himself up with the GOP. Loser.
Someone commented on Obama SHOWING off his ECONOMIC political thing and commented on how they are from the past....
First and foremost, the past is the future. If you understand the past, you will understand the future. We are humans and we make the same mistakes.
Obama needs people from the past, to fulfill the future. It is interconnected.
Reid so did you, Pelosi, Dodd and Franks when you didn't step in sooner on this mortgage/banking meltdown. Let's call for a little investigation shall we?
Using that reference of Obama and Palin is getting ridiculous.
It's like saying Pickens is an oilman or that Obama is a lawyer.
There are good and bad in every field, including "hold your breath"
COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS.
Just like in that area, there are a few winners and a whole bunch of losers.
It's one thing to endorse someone outside a party who you feel is a better candidate.
But you take the stage of the opposition's convention, totally trash your parties nominee, and then take to the trail spreading filth about him...is totally another thing.
He should be thankful that he is still allowed to caucus with the majority party.
He is even getting to keep a different chairmanship.
He should take the Veterans chairmanship and feel fortunate he is still in the caucus.
If he caucuses with the GOP he will not get re-elected in CT.
Past administration in new administration... some parts of life requires you to know the past to help the future.
In Computers, you need to know and read binary to understand why technology is the way it is today, so you can move it, to the future.
Hillary Clinton should replace Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leader. Reid has no backbone and lacks decisive leadership abilities.
And LIEberman is a two faced dog who has more allegiance to Israel that to the United States or the Democratic party. Strip him of his chairmanships.
Oh, Lieberman is just upset that he won't get anymore from his mistress, Sarah Palin...
Don't worry Joe – You could always move to AK from CT after you get 'booted' out of office... Or, why not just go after Tina Fey while you're at it... She's just as HOT and funny too...
Lieberman can't be trusted. First he begged Obama to campaign with and for him in 2006, calling Barack "a blessing to the United States Senate, to America, and to our shared hopes for better, safer tomorrows for all our families."
And we all know what happened during this election season.
His actions and his words show that he is as venomous, dangerous, and untrustworthy as a scorpion. So the Dems need to be smart and turn him loose before he spreads even more poison and deceit. Let him go to the Republicans. He will turn on them just as he turned on the Democrats—and then he will have nowhere else to turn.
Kick him (Joe L) to the curb.....The trash (Republicans) was taken out on Nov 4 and was with them!
I voted for Obama. I don't care if he voted with you or not. If he voted Democrat or not. Just get rid of him, please... That guy is a traitor.
i think if i were liberman i`d tell reed to shove where the sun don`t shine and work on a new liberterian party. when this country was still in its young years we had 4 or more parties at a time. it would get rid of the 2 sided politics we have now.
"FREEDOM OF SPEECH" is something I admire about this country. Joe Lieberman decided to speak on behalf of John McCain which is his right. However, when he bashed OBAMA in the most divisive ways at the RNC, he crossed the line big time. There's a difference here folks. Let this "Joe" go find the plumber and live happily ever after!
HARRY REID HAS THE ATTITUDE OF A DICTATOR. ITS CLEAR NOW THAT NO ONE CAN WORK WITH THIS MANIN CONGRESS. . EVERYTHING HAS TO BE HIS WAY OR NO WAY. HE NEEDS TO MOVE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY, BE THE DICTATOR, AND TAKE NANCY PELOSI WITH HIM. HE HAS GOT TO BE A MISERABLE MAN INSIDE.
Revenge is pointless, Dems need Lieberman's vote...you just know that if they push him out and he goes to the Republicans he'll cast the vote that kills some important democratic bill.
Joe was the only one strong enough to quite playing the party game and go with his mind and heart. Politics relies on some unholy alliances, he is free to follow the best route for the american people. We need more politicians to find the strenght to quit playing politics.
If it is "improper" to show a bipartisan attitude, it's no wonder we're in the mess we're in.
Give the guy a break, he's got way more courage than you. He decided to support his friend over his party. I thought the Democrats wanted CHANGE, Harry?
Hey Herbie actually your the idiot, Reid is in the leadership role and has to be the one to make the right decision. It would be like your BROTHER is running for president and you not only supports his opponent but also go out and slam him. Now according to Lieberman Obama is the real great guy, what a joke.
Reid and Pelosi are the core of the rotten Congress.
It will be interesting when they start calling Obama unacceptable when he doesnt bow down before them as they expect.
I lost all respect tha I had for the man when I watched him at the RNC. He talked exactly like all of the rest of the turncoats. Leave him out where he went. And maybe next election, he will get booted out also. Isn'tit nice to get some new people in Congress for a change.
I for one think Joe should go. What he did was unacceptable. You do not cross party lines. What? Did you think PRESIDENT Obama, wasnt going to be in the White House? Ha Ha HA Jokes on YOU. Step Down!
The new White House dog will be a pit bull and it will be named Sarah.
Come on Harry, tell us how you really feel about Lieberman.
Why don't you put him in charge of the Department for Giving Large Sums of Money to Israel, then slash his budget.
While I'm on the subject of Uacceptable, I hope Obama tells Bush that all those environmental deregulations Bush is trying to get made into law (dumping animal guts into streams, disabling the Endangered Species Act) is unacceptable and He, Obama, will reverse them ASAP.
I can't believe that idiot Juan Carlos aka WOW WOW aka Joe Kiloz is STILL blithering about Obama. Hey, fool–there is not a shred of evidence that Obama is remotely involved in this.
Liberman should be left out in the cold, his feelings was hurt some time ago and he denounced the Dem. party. Just like the governor of Ga., the republicans will always take the Dem. leftovers. This is no different, the republicians used him to show that they had a defector from the the DEM party.
Now "Will Rogers" Joe Liberman is LOST IN SPACE with no home.
It's funny how the GOP supporters fault the Dems for being upset with Leiberman. I say, let him stay.. What's that saying, keep your friends close, your enemies closer.
Throw Lieberman under the bus!!! For God's sake, it would only be deserved. How many people has HE thrown under the bus? And think about what Lieberman would have done had McCain won? Lieberman is only for himself, and that's exactly what we are trying to get away from. Throw him out! We don't need him anymore. Make him go to the repubs and then Conn. will find a new (and BETTER) democrat for their state. Why are people from Conn. so stupid to keep this guy in office? He's a disgrace to their state and to ALL JEWS!
One would think that Lieberman is not in a position to decide if another "lesser" chairmanship is acceptable. He is the one going back with his "tail between his legs" to beg for acceptance again in the Democratic Caucus.
Lieberman should have thought it over before going to the 'Dark Side'.
Lieberman's a traitor to his party. It made me sick to see him standing there behind McCain, grinning like a possum in the garbage. He shouldn't be trusted with any important post.
Reid needs to stick to his guns and demote Lieberman. This is not dirty politics, but fair politics. Lieberman is Chair of Homeland Security and this is where he disagrees with Democrats the most, therefore he should be removed from this position and transferred to a position where his views are more alligned with other Democrats. His far right views on Iraq are not the views we voted for.
The only thing disgraceful is Mr Reid trying to dismiss him because he did not support OBAMA. All bow before OBAMA or harry reid will fire you. Liberman is intitled to his own opinion and as far as I know we are free to express our opinions. And it is illegal to discriminate because of someones belief, which is what Mr Reid is doing. Any lawyers want a case. Maybe it does not apply to politics though so we can all hire and fire people based on political affiliation it seems. Very interesting.
Let Lieberman go. He not only supported McCain, but he participated in a kind of politics that is divisive and dishonest in the process.
If he has an ounce of honor left in him, he'll vote with the Dems when he agrees with the policy anyway. If he doesn't, then we don't want him, he's a Republican. Let him hang around toliets with the rest of them.
I say cut Lieberman loose the way he did the Democrats!
"I guess freedom to disagree isn't a Dem priority."
Giving a major address at the opposition's convention is not just "disagreeing."
However, it is delightful to know that the Republicans would tolerate one of their number for doing such a thing.
It is not Lieberman's support for his friend McCain I take issue with, it is the delight he took in bashing Obama. He should have known that could lose him his standing in the Senate. He seems to be on the side of whoever can get him more power.
Senator Reid......stop being so "diplomatic"!!........Senator Leiberman should be stripped of any commitee chairs or subcommittees......If he wants to contribute to our nations economic recovery........let him start with no more perks!!............Maybe he can run for Zell Miller's spot in the next election cycle.
Reid.
Pelosi.
Obama.
God help us if this is the "change" we were promised.
Obama needs to rein this fool in, and send a message to this country that this petty stuff isn't going to go on... Bueller... Bueller...?
I'm not holding my breath.
One would think that Lieberman is NOT in a position to decide if an offer of a "lesser" chairmanship is acceptable. He is the one who abandoned the democrats with the help of the RNC to run as an independent, and beat a quality Democratic Candidate, and he is the one who decided to go to the "Draconian Side" (McCain's campaign).
Cabinet selection...
First and foremost, in life, some positions do not need a lot of experiences, but just someone with really good judgement, vision and patience.
And some positions, will require expertise and heavy duty experience in the arena. You jsut cant learn the trade overnight. In teh case of a Treasury, it's okay to appoint someone skillful.
I trust that Obama has the judgement to know which positions requires quick-witty visionary person that can quickly learn and which positions require a Master.
Lieberman is a leech, who's weasel like rational should be questioned by both sides of the senate. Boot senator Weasel Lieberman off the Homeland Security Chairmanship....pink slip the rodent. I hate to demean the three critters I've used in my descriptive editorial, those three serve a purpose in nature, more than I can say about the senator.
Lieberman is in no position to ask for squat, unless it's chairman of a newly formed Committee to Undo National Traitors. (You do the acronym.)
Good job Harry...
Just the Change in Politics Barry was wanting...
Great job... what a tool
Liarman should return to his own country.
The question should be "Where would Lieberman be if McCain had won?"
I don't think he will be talking to Reid and kissing up to Democrats or even saying that he got caught up in the moment.
Nobody is bashing Lieberman for switiching parties or supporting McCain. He crossed the line when he started questioning Obama's patriotism which really makes the question of his loyalty a valid one.
Well, I see the Repubs in the talkback are chastising the Democrats for disciplining someone who breaks with the party. Hmm...
Hasn't the Republican "Rovian" machine been notorious, for the last 8 years, for "Party Unity"? Don't you think there are some people who have disagreed in the past wth the GOP and been taken to task for it? The difference seems to be that Dems do it in the open, and Repubs do it behind closed doors.
Here here for Backroom Politics!
Seriusly, Lieberman did far more than break with the party – he benefitted from them when it was convenient, then took his businesss elsewhere when it suited his needs. Then he went so far as to insult the Democratic Nominee, and in a VERY public forum, when he could have instead kept a lower profile.
Actions have Consequences, Mr. Lieberman. Trust is earned, and it can be divested as well. You made your bed, now you may lie in it.
Kick him to the curb. No party, no money, no friends... Let's see how far you get in the next election.
Whether Lieberman likes it or not, he MUST BE STRIPPED of his role within the democratic party. It would have been fine for him to support his friend McCain, but what he did and said on the campaign was deplorable. Support is one thing, but to outwardly attack Obama cannot and must not be forgiven that easily. Let him cross over to the republicans. The truth will be told when he runs for reelection in a few years time. No one likes a traitor and what he did was just that. It was not just support he rendered to McCain; it was a betrayal of trust of the democratic party. LIEBERMAN MUST GO!!!
LESSON ONE:
DO NOT allow people to have opinions that are in CONFLICT with THE ONE, OBAMA
If the democrats can't get rid of Joe Lieberman and find someone more deserving of his chairmanships, then they need a new Senate Majority Leader.
I'm all for diversity, but actively campaigning for McCain and speaking at the RNC has to have real consequences.
It doesn't seem to me that Lieberman is in any position to dictate what is – and what is not acceptable here. Harry Reid – do whats right here!
Obama said he wanted to do away with partisanship. Wouldn't leaving Lieberman in place be a nice start?
I used to like Joe Lieberman and I couldn't care less about him deciding to go Independent, but, during the election campaign he chose the wrong party to back. He was just as " dirty " as McCain and Palin and lied just as they did. They lost and so he lost. Game over. His dreams of holding a high office under McCain are done. He cannot now choose what he gets to do, so " not acceptable " is not even something he gets to say. Sorry Joe, accept what is offered to you or just quit. No loss to the American people.
Joe made his choices–now he has to live with them. I think it is OK for him to caucus with whom he chooses. That is not the issue. The big deal is whether the Democrats should give him a leadership position that belongs to their party after what he did during the election. Actions have to have consequences and losing the leadership position is a consequence of openly and actively campaigning agaist your own party's nominee. Maybe the R.s will give him a leadership position with the minority.
What an incompetent fool Harry Reid is.
Let me get this straight.
Many on here are preaching about how Obama and his democrats will unite all people of all backgrounds and work together.
And, your honor, we have exhibit A, Joseph Liebermann.
An independent that leans democrat that sided with a very moderate Republican in John McCain, as opposed to a slightly left Obama.
When the election was over, Liebermann made a statement giving congrats to President-elect Obama and his support. Whether you agree or not, it is time to support him.
To "punish" Joe for not being an Obama supporter, Senator Reid looks to ban him, which is a direct contradiction to this "unity" we keep hearing about from Democrats in power.
Lieberman is no traitor for supporting who the thought was the best candidate.
NEWS FLASH to the sheep on here: it's not about sides. It's about what is best for the country, and we had two choices.
This is not about winning or losing becauase this is no football or soccer game.
You may preach your undying faith to the Democrats or Republicans, but your faith is the reason this country stinks from time to time.
So we are starting to see what is "not acceptable" in the New Order.
Inclusion, reaching across the aisle, unifying the country. I guess the New Order is done with that now.
Now, shut up, and do not question.
Does anyone know what GOP stands for?
Senator Reid -
It's more than obvious that you want to retaliate against Lieberman. Try to resist this urge and the numerous calls from other democrats to take revenge upon Lieberman. Joe is a human being like the rest of us. He had every right to defend and work for his friend McCain during the election. I'll acknowledge that the speech at the GOP convention was over the top, but... just bury the hatchet. Let Lieberman keep his committee chairs. He's a smart man, a fine gentleman, a patriotic American and a loyal democrat (for the most part). The negative consequences of stripping Lieberman of his committee chairs may not be obvious to you in November 08, but in time, this action on your part may come back to bite you in the buttocks.
THE NEXT PET IN THE WHITE HOUSE WILL NO DOUBT BE A TASMANIAN DEVIL NAMED "HARRY".
BUST HIM FROM HIS POST!
Leave him out there to mingle with the other Skunks.
It is not that he supported John McCain. It is that he trashed President-elect Obama at the RNC.
For those of you who have posted for Joe Lieberman, of course Joe L. can have his own mind to disagree w/ Obama, but the ways he had been running around and showed up at almost every McCain campaign and criticized Obama at the RNC convention on national TV, he went way over the line and that was uncalled for and he should not be calling himself a Democrat then. Yes, Joe L. should be kicked out the Democratic caucus.
THE BEGGINING OF OBAMA /POLOSI/ RIED DICTATORSHIP!!!!
It will be very wise to strip him from this party. You already mentioned that he did very improper to this party & thats enough evidence.
Joe, go Red.
Didn't you all hear what Joe said? He was fairly ruthless. Extensive campaigning with McCain. C'mon. You did not see Colin Powel on the road with Obama, nor any of the sitting republican senators. So yes, Joe went above and beyond what common sense would say. He deserves everything he gets. I hope he continues his independence, and votes as he will, but he did strongly go against the party, even promoting the GOP lies about Obama.
His recent change of heart is too little too late for me.
Sorry Joe, Ye Repeath what thou sowest. . .
Yes we Did!!!
Here's the way I see it. He needs to have a good long sit down with Lieberman and find out exactly why he decided where to align himself during the campaign. I agree that party politics are silly, so he should be able to support a republican if he wants to. However, the democrats are in the majority, so if he wants to represent the democrats, then he needs to align himself with them, make it clear he is with them, and all will be well. If he feels he can't do that, then I'm sorry, it's up to the democrats to decide whether they want him around or not.
Hey Lieberman: You think it's "unacceptable" to face the consequences for what you've done? You threaten to bolt the party? Well don't let the door hit you on the way out! You tried to torch your party in one of the most important presidential elections of my lifetime. You beat the drum (and you're still banging) for the Iraq war that has cost countless lives and tons of money. What's unacceptable is your behavior as a so-called "independent Democrat." Either you're a Democrat or you aren't, and you went over the line. Buh-bye!
I don't see what the problem is ... Joe MADE his choice. He's a Republican now. Let him go ...
Old Harry has a little bit of a messiah complex himself. Boy, give him a little power and he decides who lives and who dies apparently. Well, the Dems earned lots of power in this election. It will be interesting to see the real personalities and agendas come out now that they will be unfettered.
So much for reaching across the Isle. So much for that bipartisan out reach we need in Washington. Let's punish the one that did reach across.
Herry Reid's actions are warranted and correct. I respect Lieberman supporting the candidate that he tought would be best to lead the nation, however, when he became one of the clowns, along with Juliano, Romney, et. al. at the Republicanconvention, he stepped across the line. Actions have consequences and He'll have to live with them.
Leiberman is the biggest loser in politics. He gets the nod as the Democrative V.P. candidate and then the Democrats lose. He then loses his Senate bid on the Democratic ticket in Conneticutt, so he has to run as an independent. And after aligning himself with the Republicans during the most recent election they lost. The Democrats should run him out of the caucus, before he makes them lose the White House in 2012.
LIEBERMAN IS A QUISLING.
I AGREE!
Lieberman supported the man he truly believed would be the best President. Since when is it a crime to vote your conscience. I thought this was a free country.. Does this mean that when you hold a government office, you lose your right of free thinking????? Who does Reid think he is???
Joe Lieberman was elected as an Independent, right? If so, even if he caucuses with the Democrats, he is free to endorse whomever. Regardless, though, I do agree that it was improper for him to go at Barack Obama with the kind of gusto that he did. He could have easily supported John McCain and spent his energy talking about all the reasons McCain was his choice, instead of trying to tear down a peer Senator he has caucused with. I think it is good that Lieberman is being reprimanded, but ultimately I believe he should be allowed to continue on in his chairman position as well as in the caucus. I think it would make a great statement as far as burying the hatchet and moving forward.
he needs to go!
This movement isn't about the chance of Lieberman not betray us again (making us look bad). Its about the change I can believe in. Neither of which is Joe the plumber or Joe Lieberman
Let's be serious. The Dems (and I am not one) have in my lifetime been a party that has allowed internal dissent to a greater extent than the Repubs. But when a member of your caucus repeats in public what were transparent lies (in the civil world a slander suit could have been filed) about your candidate, something has to be done or you lose all credibility as a caucus. It's as simple as that.
YES HE DID. EVERYTHING HE DID WAS INAPPROPRIATE.
As much as I felt betrayed by Lieberman's switching sides to support McBush, I don't think stripping him of anything is a good idea at this time. We have the means by which to crush the conservative movement once and for all, and right now, Lieberman is a critical component of our majority. As much as I would like to make him suffer for his lapse in judgment, I personally think this is a good time to let by-gones be by-gones.
Not everybody is a straight party voter-they vote for the man/woman who has they think has the best interest of the United States at heart. He just happened to think that person was McCain this election season.
I'm a democrat and strong Obama supporter.
But Reid is wrong. I'm not a fan of Lieberman. I think he lost for Gore by not helping the ticket.
Yet, Obama needs to step in here and cool the jets. It doesn't matter what party Lieberman affiliates with or supported. My problem is punishing him by removing his chairmanship is not the style Obama preached and it's purely political. He said work together. Just because Lieberman didn't support is no reason to take his chairmanship away. Step up Barack and show us your pledge to be fair and work together.
And while we're at it, why hasn't McCain spoke out in support of Palin. In his traditional style he doesn't know when to speak up. He should be all over the news, even going to Alaska to meet her and do a team interview saying he supports and appreciates her help and put these to rest. Even if they are true, he owes it to her to step in. Instead he remains quiet and let's her die on the vine. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a supporter of Sarah, but what's right is right.
If anyone has followed Senator Lieberman, they know he flip flops like bunny ears. He appears to support things only coming from self-interest versus the interests of America's citizens. I admire Senator Reid in that he sees value in Sen. Lieberman as well as takes into account that Senator Lieberman is like the old regime versus what I think President-Elect Obama envisions as a change with intelligence, vision, objectivism, and healthy and healing direction.
Droopy the dog is part of history.
By all means he has the right to support what ever candidate he so desires. I even say it his right to do it in a fashion that is biggoted and unbecoming of a politician.
But in doing so, it is his responsibility to accept the consequences for his poor judgement. If you show bad judgement, then those in the majority will judge you incompetent in getting the job done in a morally responsible way.
This isn't about spite, he was offered another position on a different committee, that was EXTREMELY Bipartisan after he has proven to be unreliable, unloyal and unpatriotic.
Keep Joe for his vote and let's see if he's on the side of progress when we need to stop a filibuster.
You dems can keep Lieberman (I-Tel Aviv). I don't want him in my republican party. The only issue he agrees with some of us republicans on is Iraq, other than that, he would be a cancer to the GOP.
Send Lieberman to the doghouse. He supposed to represent the people of Connecticut, not himself. It's clear he only thinks of himself and not his constituency. My guess is when he is up for re-election the people of Connecticut will throw him out.
It's one thing to disagree with the Democratic party and support McCain – it's another thing to deliberately slap someone in the face and then smile about it. He slapped the Democrats in the face then smiled – that's not a politician or a statesman, that's a masochistic selfish egomaniac.
Lieberman made his own bed. Now lay on it buddy! This is the same mistake made by Hillary Clinton during the campaign season. They made some very harsh and insulting comments about the President Elect. How is Joe expected to all of a sudden support him after his speech at the RNC? Seems hipocritical to me.
You take care of yourself now Joe.....
so now joe's opportunism is now called 'bipartisanship'. right. good riddance to joe! i never could stomach his whiney sanctimoniousness.
Come on Vegas! Repugs are NOW throwing Palin under the bus! Joe should go. It's bad enough he endorsed McCain. But speaking at the Republican Convention? Lieberman sealed his own fate.
well considering that leiberman isn't even a democrat, who cares. he left the party some time ago and is now an independent. so basically that means he has no ties to either party.
i have no problem with him backing mccain. his guy lost, so now they all have to figure out the balance of power.
reid is right leiberman votes democrat more often than not, so they may as well keep a friendly working relationship. his vote is key when it comes to filibuster.
My personal inclination is to throw Lieberman out of the Democratic caucus. He has been a huge disappointment. He likes to think that he is civil in his demeanor, and that he can reach across party lines from his indepenent position. He is free of partisanship.
His actions show him to be dilusional. He has used the most harsh language to describe Obama. He has stood next to McCain and applauded and cheered as McCain gave speeches that described his most right wing positions. Most of those positions are diometrically opposite of those of Obama – including giving tax breaks to big corporations and the rich. He cheered as McCain called Obama a friend of domestic terrorists. In short, Lieberman completely demonstrated that he has turned on just about every thing the Democrats have stood for since he was first elected. And he has done so in the most negative manner. I have absolutely no respect for Lieberman.
That being said, I buy the arguement ot those who say that it is in Obama's and the country's best interest to find ways to heal the wounds and try to get the political machinery to work together. Lieberman needs to accept that there are wounds and he is the one responsible for them. Hence, he should not be so self absorbed and petty as to think that he does not deserve a demotion. But, The Democrats should not throw him out without offering a olive branch and make a real attempt to start te healing.
Lieberman is not likely to accept any demotion. He is too prideful and foolish. But, if he refuses the olive branch, he looks small and petty. Leaving the Democrats will be his choice and allow the Democrats to claim the high road.
Joe Leiberman is an opportunist of the worst kind. His unyielding support for zionism trumps all of his moderate tendencies (if he really had any to begin with).
Lots of folks are writing that Sen. Lieberman is entitled to speak his mind and act against the Democrats, especially because he was elected as an independent. I certainly agree. The next part of their argument is: therefore Sen. Reid should not be considering taking his committee chair. I don't understand the logic of that second part. Sen. Lieberman felt it was his duty to oppose the Democratic party presidential candidate. Actions have consequences. How can he reasonably expect now be the chair of a vital Senate committee that must work closely with the president after he so clearly demonsted his oppostion? If the oposition party was in power in the Senate, this would make sense, but since the Democratic party is in control, this logic is just silly.
There's no reason why Lieberman can't stay in the caucus and perhaps even have a committee chairmanship. But it would be insane for the Democrats to leave him in his current position. Besides, Lieberman has to take responsibility for his actions. I would think removing him from his high-profile committe chairmanship is a rational approach. If he can't accept it, then he should LEAVE. There is no need for Democrats to toss him. Put the onus on Lieberman to leave. Reid should publicly offer him a lower-profile committee chairmanship and force Lieberman to act.
lieberman is not acceptable.
Lieberman's biggest failing is that he is truly of limited intellect and ability. Sure, he's experienced, and he may be of some use. Forget the "traitor" stuff, he's simply a mental match for McCain–i.e., bufoonish, or dare I say, Palinesque?
Joe Lieberman went beyond disagreeing with his own party when he showed up and spoke at the GOP Convention. Te words Joe Lieberman spoke at that convention are what other Democrats are really upset about and disagreeing with.
If he simply campaigned alongside McCain or was just present at their GOP Convention he would be in a much better position now but when you sink to a level of attacking, mocking, criticizing the Democratic nominee you cross the line.
Anyone who listened to the speakers at the GOP Convention who were not upset by the words coming the people on stage need to give their heads a shake. I watched both conventions and found the GOP convention to be filled with racist bigots. I found these so-called Christians to be very non-Christian in their language and attitude toward President-Elect Barack Obama.
Joe Lieberman should stand up and be a man about this – apologize or cross the floor or accept the demotion offered.
No need to criticize Harry Reid.
This line from one of the comments on here–"You do not cross party lines"–is the embodiment of the hypocritical attitude Obama supporters (not Obama himself, but his supporters) and also Democrat leaders like Reid are displaying. Obama preached UNITY and saying "You do not cross party lines" is the 100% opposite of UNITY.
DICTATORSHIP?
MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY?????
SOUNDS LIKE THIS GUY IS IN LINE WITH DEAN AFTER ALL
WHAT A CHUMP
Joe needs go ASAP...so Mr. Reid please get rid of him sooner and let him side with the GOP, becuase you know the GOP got no love for Joe. They just used him to gain a few more votes...in the end. pres-elect Obama was/is steps head of the entire GOP including Joe. Joe should be ashamed of himself and retire in Isreal!
Senator Liberman was respected and partisen enough to be the partys VP nominee, but when he votes his conscious and happens to disagree with the party he is now garabage. The Democrates should be embaressed by Harry Reid and the rest of the leadership. How can anyone believe they will try to work across party lines when they treat their own like this for not falling in line. Joe Liberman is a great Senator for America and the State of Ct. The Republicans would be lucky to have him. Screw you Senator Reid.
When I was a kid, I got fired for doing something management thought unacceptable: I threw thawing frozen vegetables into the back of a poor pig farmer's truck, instead of the dumpster. Bet that pork was tasty- and I bet it fed a lot of decent people. Lieberman should be the next bag-boy- that wold be acceptable for me.
I think the comments on this blog are a good indication of the "new direction" and "bipartisian" environment that we will be walking into for the next 4 years. It should be a fun time. Hope the country can survive, and afford the "change" in Washington.
To the comment made by Shara:
"HARRY REID HAS THE ATTITUDE OF A DICTATOR. ITS CLEAR NOW THAT NO ONE CAN WORK WITH THIS MANIN CONGRESS. . EVERYTHING HAS TO BE HIS WAY OR NO WAY..." Shara you sound like a sore loser that is bitter about something. Harry Reid is a REAL man. And real men don't tolerate SELL OUTS! Lieberman should deal with the consequences of his disloyalty.
Lieberman should be treated like the traitor he is.
He should not have ANY important posts in the Democratic party, in congress, and should be removed from office.
He is not trustworthy.
Harry, you do not deserve the post of Majority Leader. You should thank Joe to get you there. Be thankful to him. Now you have majority in the senate but do not forget the history. Otherwise it will haunt you. By the way you do not serve to be majority leader. Take it.
Joe Lieberman is a patriot and has a little something we call integrity. He stands by and promotes what he sees as right even when that is unpopular with the extremists on the left. I hope we have ample opportunity to get used to that approach...that would really equal "Change."
Joe must go. Have him call that dude Joe The Plumber and see if he has a job with his false start up company. Let one fake guy hang around another fake dude.
Kick him to the curb
Lieberman lost the democratic primary in Connecticut and being the whiner he is, the only way into the Senate was to run as a independent knowing the republicans would elect him to office – their way of ensuring that a democrat wouldn't get that seat. The GOP threw no support to their candidate and die hard republicans actually had Joey signs on their lawns. Joe has allowed himself to be used by the GOP time and again. He'll also play to whichever side of the aisle will get his dopey face in the news the most. What he deserves is to lose whatever leadership positions he might have in the Senate and to lose the next time he runs for office. The people of Connecticut won't make the same mistake again – what a whiner.
Hey Liberals, here's what to expect out of Obama's administration...
Politics as usual!
No 'Kumbaya'!
No 'We Are the World'!
No 'Change'!
Just plain ol' Dirty Partisan Politics!
Thanks for demonstrating 'tolerance' Reid!
God forbid going against the Party every now and then!
What are you Lieberman, a Maverick!?
Hey Lieberman, I hope you don't have any pet fish!
You may end up with its severed head lying next to you in bed courtesy of Obama's Chief O' Staff, Rahm Emanuel!
Obama is an expert politician and just as slimy!
Kool-Aid drinkers, prepare to have your bubbles burst!
The Party of Tolerance and Lofty Ideals is yesterday's dream.
Today, its back to politics as usual.
Joe Lieberman is "not acceptable".Drop him like a hot potato,along with Pelosi and Reid.Lets' start fresh.Hagel needs a job.
This is exactly the type of attitude that will ruin our country. All of us have the right to vote for who we want to. And we should be able to make that vote without fear of being punished for it. Joe did nothing improper or wrong by voting for who he thought would be the best President. Would you like it if you voted for the losing side only to find out that because of it you would now pay 10% in taxes than the winning side? Party lines should be secondary to what a person thinks is best for our country. Neither side is ever perfect or 100% right on all the issues.
Our first President of the United States, George Washington, wrote about the dangers of political parties and where they would ultimately take our country. He was right with it in the way George Bush behaved politically and he appears to be right with it on how Harry is acting now. When we adopt the attitude that A is always right and B is alway wrong, we will divide our nation and democracy will break down. We will only propigate a revenge mentality which is exactly what Harry Reid is demonstrating here.
Whether John McCain would have been a good President, no one will ever know. Barack will be our President now. Does he and Harry Reid want to set an example to the Republicans of how to truely lead in a non-partisan way or do they want to fall right back into where we have been for the last 8 year? Where after 8 more years of partisanship Americans are sick of the Democrats and the Republicans come back into office and repeat they cycle.
My advice...start focusing on the issues at hand and stop all this stupid partisanship. Let's start working together or we will soon find ourselves exactly where we are heading...to the failure of our great country with no money, no respect, no opportunity. Let's learn from history and realize all great nations have fallen and it usually was from within. We are on the road to that now!
Joe took a gamble, which is his right. But he has no leg to stand on in not accepting the consequences of his actions. If he had picked right, and McCain won, he'd likely be one of the most powerful people in congress. He choose wrong, he burned bridges, and now he needs to face the music. This is the way it has always been in politics.
Why not just switch to the R side Joe? You seem more at home there...
Chairmanship is usually given to a person of the majority party. Lieberman was given the chairmanship as a Democrat. Dems were nice enough to let him keep it, even though he became an Independent. But Lieberman, instead of staying neutral, actively supported his Republican friend. Had he done it with just a verbal commitment...no problem. But he actively demeaned the Dem running for president. Since he cannot be trusted, he should not be rewarded as a leader of any committee. Member of a non high profile committee, no problem. Et tu, Lieberman?
The Democrats ran someone against Joe. They tried to get him out of the Senate, but he ran as an independent and won. He has a long long history of supporting the military and it is the one major issue in which he disagrees with the Dems from time to time. Yet a vast majority of the time he votes with the Democrats. Harry Reid loved him during the last congress when he so desperately needed his vote. And after EVERYTHING the democrats did to him, Joe still supported them.
Now after all that, after the Democrats tried to stab him in the back, he makes a decision to support his long time friend and HE'S the traitor.
President Elect Obama called for an end to this divisive partisanship that has caused so much trouble. I wish Reid would follow Obama's example. I will laugh when President Obama has Republicans serving in his Cabinet (will they be unacceptable to Harry Reid).
Harry Reid oversough one of the least popular congresses in American history. The only reason they won the election was because Barrack Obama inspired the people of the United States with his message of change, The people elected the Obama Democrats not the Pelosi/ Reid Democrats. He is the leader of the party and the country.
Hillary Clinton for Senate Majority Leader!!!!
A trash can for Speaker of the House – still be better at the job then Nancy Pelosi.
What a statesman the Reed is. I can't blame him for being upset but the tone he is setting is alittle chilling. It smacks of totalitarianism, maybe he should send Leiberman to a re-education camp.
I can't wait how he treats other Senators who dare to disagree with him or don't follow the "right thinking policies" he will try to push through.
They will overreach with their new power and even though their friends in the MSM will try to cover, the American will see right through them.
Not acceptable,OK let him go be a republican.we dont trust him nomore
Kick him out! Kick him out!
Harry "dingy" Reid is a disgrace to the Speaker of the House position. He has said just terrible things about the war in Iraq (the war is "lost"), doesn't stand behind our troops, and is just pathetic.
It's hard to believe that the democrats would "throw Liberman under the bus" after he was their parties VP candidate just 8 years ago.
Harry Reid has had his share of "shady" deals in Nevada and really is not one to talk about anyone else.
Liberman, no matter of his recent behavior, is a stand-up, moral, quality guy.
How can you allow this type of person to stay in the caucus. Whatever is said behind closed doors might as well be said directly to the Republicans. How can you trust a person like this? He is a hypocrite, which for me is the lowest form of life.
Senator Harry Reid is a moron a liberal juggernaut. I am amazed at the comments below...vote against our liberal agenda your out. Reid, Pelosi...I would rather spend time with an amoeba than have a conversation with either. I can't imagine cowardly leaders like this leading this country in WWII....nevermind they wouldn't we would be speaking German right now.
Lieberman Schmieberman. The guy blindly supports Israel's expansionist policies and their behavior like not giving Palestinians living in Israel the right to vote. I guarantee you he's going to start throwing tantrums when Obama takes Israel to task for that kind of nonsense. It's 2008, almost 2009. We just elected a black man as POTUS and had already found our way to giving EVERYONE the right to vote for OVER A HALF CENTURY AGO. Yet look at Israel's policies...the ones the media is afraid to talk about in a realistic light. No voting rights based on ethnicity and occupation of land they don't own.
WHY IS IT OK FOR ISRAEL TO VIOLATE HUMAN RIGHTS???
This is not partisan politics. Joe had caucused with the Democrats and kept his status and gained a chairmanship. Then he goes and joins the GOP at the convention in supporting McCain. Then he kept up the GOP platform against down ticket Democrats with his "don't give 60" campaigning. Why should the Democrats keep him in his chair and allow him to caucus with them? Not partisan at all. He chose to campaign against Democrats. Since there will always be a few Republican votes that will support any certain bill the loss of Joe does no harm in the new Congress.
I don't remember what Lieberman said at the Democratic convention.
This is about him totaly trashing Obama at the RNC and in other appearances that he made. It wasnt just him it was alot of repugs.
Now he wants to talk about comming together. They did not run a very respectable campaign.
I don't think Joe should be kicked out of the caucus, but he should be stripped of his Dept. Chair. He endorsed McCain, as was his right as a citizen, but then he said unkind and untrue things about Obama, then went on to stump for Republicans for re-election.... THAT is what he did wrong. And for that, he should be punished. I say strip his Chair. Give it to someone who deserves it and will not slime someone just because he doesn't agree with them.
Joe is a true patriot. Standing up for his country when we're at war is far more honorable than Harry Ried saying "this war is lost" what a joke the democratic leadership has become.
I dont trust him for my security.Hes not working for my country.Dump him now.
pathetic.get over it. no grace even in victory. anyone that believes that any politician is good is in complete denial and needs to get an education in history.
New Senate Position for Joe Lieberman:
'JOE THE PLUMBER' – Toilet Cleaner
TRAITOR!!!!!!! He should be firmly delt with, and made to EAT crow for supporting McSame and his kindergarten side kick.
This man Lieverman is not Democrat or even Republican ,hi is a naif of double edge.He plays with the party that pleases better Israel.He should leave to Israel and play the same game ,he may do better there.
I mean, I don't remember what Lieberman said at the RNC
Harry Reid is the one who should go. Its these type of people who keep partisan rancor alive and well. He should be ashamed of himself. Harry......look at your own voting record, pal.
some people here are missing the point – lieberman was given the freedom to support his good friend mccain. that is NOT the problem!
the problem was that he went out and 'trashed' the democratic nominee as well as the down ticket.
that was lieberman's bobble head going in agreement with all the negative things that mccain and his pitbull in lipstick was saying about obama.
go back and look at any of the rallies!
LIEBERMAN CANNOT BE TRUSTED – and what he did was just plain WRONG!
as someone else said – you can't sleep with my wife and be my best friend at the same time – (i love that quote) you have to choose!
I've been waiting a long for this. Please don't disappoint me, Dems. If he wants to be a Republican, let him. See how that plays in his next election. It only a matter of time before what side of the aisle he sits on is moot.
I think what most of you are saying is wrong. As an Obama supporter I commend Joe for speaking out for what he believes is best for our country. We need more of our politicians to do this. Those of you who are saying he is a traitor and should be punished are why democrats have a bad name. We preach unity and reaching accross the isle only when it benefits us. Stop the hypocracy!
Lie-berman is not trustworthy in this position. He made his decision, he has no loyalty but would like to keep the position so he can plot with the republicans. He should just resign and move on.
Why I do believe the 4 years from now the combined approval ratings of Congress and the President still wouldn't make it past 3 %.
Please.............
I was once a Republican... Now in Ma. I am registered as an independent... I voted for Barack Obama... the best choice in this
election...
What Lieberman did is grounds to be stripped of his chair and also of his seat in the Dem. side of the isle.... caucus with those that you verbally support and leave those that you ridicued to goven...
Yup its that old(69yrs)-retired-white guy from Ma. former republican
Bruce
What gets me is that there were more than a few republican congressmen and senators that thought that obama was the better choice, but they did not trash mccain the way joe trashed obama.
Joe will not have a seat when he is up for re-election. Joe pretty much took a gamble and lost. Its not politics...its human nature to discount someone when they behave in a way that is only going to lead his or own isolationism.
Alot of republicans or not being punished because they dissented with the republican candidate honorably...this is the difference between Joe and everyone else.
I guess the talk about being "bipartison" ended with the vote counting. Lieberman is "one of them" and they want to throw him to the dogs. Imagine what they will do to everyone who is not "one of them".
Joe really bet on the wrong horse ... or he has some sort of animosity towards Obama. Who knows, but my sense is that there is an untold story that underlies all of this. In any event, sending Joe to the dark side doesn't sound like the right result because he really had not alligned with those folks up until the election. Keeping him with the Dems also doesn't seem to make sense since he really tried undermine the party at a critical moment in history - and when there were a boatload of reasons to abandon the Republican ideology that McCain promised to follow.
The heck with Harry Reid. This is America and anyone can support any candidate they want. Who does he think he is? Harry Reid needs to go. He is the most mean spirited, rotten politician in Congress. I can’t wait until he is up for re-election in two years. I plan to vote for the other guy whoever that person may be.
This guy LIE-berman needs to go to Israel and becomes a member of the Knisset rather than a member of the US senate. He loves Israel more than the United States.
Get rid of Leiberman ... he is a traitor.
It's one thing to cross party lines but Leiberman has defected and sold his soul to Bush Inc., McCain and everyone but the Democrats or the average American.
It is a guarantee that he will be elected in the next election cycle and it is a wonder he got re-elected in the first place.
Furthermore, if Gore had made a better choice of his running mate I doubt we would be in the hole we are in. A better choice would have spelled defeat for Bush Inc. in 2000.
Leiberman sucks.
the problems with lieberman go back WAY further than his support of mccain, and it's pretty disingenuous for anyone to say his support of mccain is the sole reason they would like him out of the caucus. remember lieberman was pretty much forced out of the party once before when he lost the democratic senate primary, and had to run as an independent. the same issues that took him there still stand, his wholesale support for the iraq war, george bush's foreign policy, and his disregard for human rights and civil liberties (remember this is the guy that bush kissed on the cheek after his state of the union address). the vitriol in his attacks on obama (as opposed to simply his endorsement of mccain) may have been the final straw, but had the democrats had this majority before now it's more than likely he would've been gone from the caucus long ago.
HARRY REID YOU CAN GO WITH TRAITOR JOE YOU BOTH ARE USELESS.
This guy gat to go, He is a Mole, I mean big time MOLE
He is not for the interest of the people, nation and peace.
We do not need blood suckers, and war mongers any more in this country .
we have enough of these special interest group
This man thinks, he will continue to navigating, tricks every one to propergate zionist and Isreal agenda in America.
-fight everybody, kill every body, invade very other country and occupied them.
wasting Taxing payer's money and ruining people's life.
This man have to go the sooner the better
He is a MOLE AND THE AMERICA PEOPLE AND WORLD KNOWS IT AND GOD KNOWS IT. HE IS a MOLE,
HE IS a MOLE
HE IS a MOLE
HE IS a MOLE
is this not the united states of america? americans are free to vote how they want, joe lieberman included. go over to the gop joe, leave the dictatorship of reid, pelosi, and obama!
Just kick the guy out of the posh Homeland Security Committee chair. He is a traitor. He is a grown and intelligent person but he failed to realize that if McCain loses, he is on his own and obviously in deep water with the democrats. There are usually consequences and benefits for our actions in life. This is not freedom to disagree but simply a traitor when you go out publicly to disparage your party presidential candidate.
he is a mole
Lieberman goes with his conscience and that's 'improper'. Aren't we all sick of people who are partisan to the core and put party before everything else. Lieberman put his country first by supporting the person he felt was best qualified. He should be applauded. Hagel did the same thing the other way. Why is he not a traitor? Where is the lofty bipartisan spirit Obama preached? Maybe it was 'just words'. If someone needs to go it should be Furher Reid. Is the Democratic Party now the KGB? This is like a purge in the old USSR.
Lieberman walked away from the Democratic Party yet he wants the privilege of remaining as chair? If you put this in context of running a business, that would be like Lieberman being a board of director for X corp and then running to Y corp during a hostile take and throwing his support to Y corp. Joe should just be a man and accept that his decision to back turn his back on the Democratic Party and support McCain has consequences.
Lieberman acted "improperly", but former Ku Klux Klan leader Robert Byrd is still feted like a party lion.
The hypocrisy is not surprising.
As a loyal Democrat, I have to support Joe Lieberman's right to make up his mind about who he wanted to support for president. On the other hand, while he COULD have limited his comments to praising the qualifications of John McCain, he CHOSE to engage in the ugly, personal attacks on Barack Obama – along with the rest of the McCain campaign.
What Lieberman (and others on this blog) need to understand is that the RIGHT of free speech comes with the RESPONSIBILITY of living with the consequences of the speech you choose to exercise.
Lieberman's remarks at the RNC were unacceptable. What would be acceptable, on the other hand, would be to strip him of his chairmanship and tell him to go over and caucus with the losers on the other side of the aisle. I think his rhetoric during the RNC and throughout the campaign made it pretty clear that's where he would prefer to be anyway.
Harry, Harry, Harry,
Take a deep breath. You guys tried to cut Joe from the herd once before and his constituents spoke. He’s not a yes man but you can still count on him. Who wants a bunch of yes men anyway? They will talk behind your back. Ask Jesus Christ how that worked out with Judas. Proof is, although Joe ran as an Independent he announced he was still a Democrat. As you said, he votes more your direction as an Independent then your own Democrats. Drive him away, his constituents will follow (it’s been proven) and the Democrats loose support. You’ll tick off Democrats, Republicans and Independents. He is a pretty good man. Few come better. Leave sleeping dogs lie.
Dump Lieberman! He's a turncoat and can't be trusted.
Joe 'Judas' Lieberman is a traitor. He betrayed the Democrats by kissing George W Bush and supporting the GOP. Kick him out of caucus and strip him of all privileges.
Someone who doesn't put the interests of the USA first, is beyond rehabilitation. I will recommend that he moves to Israel. He will be more at ease with his fellow Zionists.
Lieberman has burned bridges. That's all there is to it. You can't blame those who he burned or the bridge itself. The fault lay with Senator Lieberman. He is responsible for his actions. It really is as simple as that.
He has been dragging the dems down for a couple of years now... they need to either dump him or give him a non-consequential job that will get him out of the limelight.
I personally believe that he cares more about Israel than America and, I'm sorry, but that is just not O.K. with me. His own country should come first.
Well, Joe Lieberman is a grown-up. If he did not agree with Democrats in major policies since a year ago, he should not cherish the power Democrats gave to him. Senator Lieberman should have guts to be liable to whatever path he chose.
I don't think Mr. Reid is going to get along with Mr. Emmanuel. It's a bit early in the game for Mr. Reid to start showing how big his... er pen is. Punishing Lieberman is so old school. Reid has had plenty of chances to use his power constructively and he's blown it every time.
This was not about supporting your friend but Liberman went over the top. You can support McCasin but you were alll but calling Obama a traitor to this country.
Lieberman betrayed not only his party but his state his country and his military by supporting a ticket that tried to put Sarah Palin in the Whitehouse. How can anyone in their right mind think that our troops should be put under the leadership of someone who does not know the name of the country or people we are fighting with or against? Not to mention the underliying political, cultural and historical causes and implications of foreign policy decisions that she could have been faced with.
The underlying problem with the GOP and Lieberman is that they believe that their ideology is more important than their qualifications or the future of the nation.
AS LONG AS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ESPOUSES A POLITICAL DOGMA THAT MAINTAINS THAT INTELLIGENCE IS NOT A NECESSARY TRAIT FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP THEY DESERVE NO QUARTER IN THE AMERICAN POLITICAL ARENA!!!
Party has to count for something. Dump him completely, even if he threatens to bolt to the GOP.
harry reid is the scum of the earth ,has a chance to reach out and have country come together.just a political hack and you wonder how a man likes that got to a position of power. With leaders like him and pelosi ,Obama doesn't have much of a chance to succeed.I hope I am wrong for the sake of our country.
The Political Parties, are like families. Just because you disagree with them ... dosen't mean you throw them Under The Bus. Liberman was totally wrong, for Standing Up At The RNC Convention, and "Spewing" out the DISRESPECT that he showed.
FAMILY FIRST
Good Job Reid! Strip him out, kick him out and let him join the party of losers.
Senator Liberman has shown that he is out for himself only. If Senator Reid won't strip him of any and all committee posts than Reid needs to be replaced...matter of fact, just go ahead and replace Reid also.
Who cares what Lieberman thinks is acceptable? He's lucky to be getting offered anything. I'm not a fan of partisanship, but hey, that's how congress works, and Joe hasn't acted in a way that should be rewarded with any chairmanships at all.
The jester has been given. Lieberman should accept this offer or leave the Dem.
No more time needs to be spent on him. We have much more important things to do. Also if he is with the Rep. we will see how much they are ready to work with the Dem.
Joe is not a Democrat. He left the party when he went Independent. He completely left the party when he supported John McCain. I wish him well with his GOP colleagues. We don't need him and we definitely cannot trust him. I will never forget his horrific speech at the RNC.
So, Reid's call for more bi-partisanship in Washington is proven a sham. It seems that his definition of bi-partisanship is that Reid gets what he wants and everything else is negotiable.
He might have a good record, but, he has a mean streak and should not have went to the dark side. It seems to me he was only looking out for himself and that is NOT acceptable. Sure hope he gets voted out. This is a TRUE case of blantent flip-flopping!
I question Harry Reids Patriotism for making such a comment.
Joe Leiberman is a Patriot. Never Doubt his Actions!!!
Truth Hurts
LIEBERMAN FLIP FLOPPER/
BOOT HIM
REASON GORE LOST
Look. Sen Lieberman is the current chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Given his position on the war in Iraq, and his warmongering views in siding with Bush and McCain, I do not believe his views are in line with the rest of the Senate Democratic caucus on issues with which the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs deal. Logical conclusion: Joe loses the chairmanship.
If Sen Reid offers Sen Lieberman the chance to stay with the Democratic caucus, and be a chairman of some committee where he's proven himself to be in line with the rest of the Senate Democratic leadership, then that's fine. But if Sen Lieberman says that losing the chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is unacceptable, then Sen Reid and the rest of the Senate Democrats should throw him out of the Senate Democratic caucus.
Losing a member of your caucus is painful, especially when the Dems are so close to the magical "super-majority" of 60, but on these matters, along with Sen Lieberman's negative campaigning against President-elect Obama, the Dems can't keep Sen Lieberman in his current position, and say they are looking to form that "more perfect union," without being hypocrites.
Sounds logical to me.
So I guess in order to be a democrat, you have to vote the same way and have the same views on everything as every other democrat. I guess just because he's a democrat means he's not allowed to have his own opinion on the war. I guess that's why moderate democrats never get high positions anymore. Think about it. John McCain was a fairly moderate republican. However, Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, etc etc are all far-left liberals. There are no mavericks in the leadership of their party.
This is in response to President elect Obama (yes, it feels great to say that!) referring to himself as a mutt – I don't take that as an insult. It is not an insult but a simple reference to his bi-racial heritage.
My son's are mutts or bi-racial. I am of East-Indian heritage and my gorgeous wife is French and German. Our wonderful children embody the best of brown and white mixing together. They have beautiful chestnut hair, big light brown-eyes that turn gold in the sunshine. They have never needed "sun block" a day in their lives and have beautiful tans all year round. They embody the best of my wife and I. They are the most beautiful children I have ever laid eyes on and they are mutts through and through. And my wife and I are proud to have made them. They are both Canadian and Indian at the same time. They have no issues around color and believe what they see in their home – people from any background can love one another.
I laud President elect Obama (yes, I said it again!) for being able to make a little fun of himself and letting the world know that there is nothing wrong with being bi-racial. In fact you can even grow up to be President
This is a free country people or have you forgotten that? He can support whoever he wants, just like Colin Powell did. Some of the comments on this page, are out right vulgar.
Note to Vegas:
It's obvious you don't have the full picture of what Joe Lieberman did during this election. He was in cahoots with the Republicans in their vile attacks against Barack Obama starting with the unfair comments he made during the Republican National Convention. Disagreeing with the Dems on one major issue (as you put it) is one thing ...and totally acceptable, but throwing darts and venomous, inciteful attacks is another. What addled your brain, Joe????
Do the right thing, Joe. For starters, apologize to Barack. Then to Harry and the rest of the Democratic senators who have been so gracious to you, because you will need them come time for your re-election.
Can someone plus get this little weasel to stop talking? Really, I disagree with virtually everything President-elect Obama wants to do, but he's easy to listen to and very charming. And he's an interesting guy. Reid is a fanatical clown.
what crap. he was support his friend and felt mccain was the right choice for him.
so does this mean all of the other democrats or republicans who choose someone their party did not should lose their jobs or positions as well?
what crap. let the man be, he was put in certain positions and has done his job.
Joe Lieberman is one of the biggest hypocrites in the history the United States.
He critized Calvin Klein ads, video games and the death metal band Cannibal Corpse yet he fully supports wars that kill thousands of people.
He is an old washed up hack. Let the GOP have him. They're a party of old washed up hacks anyways.
Joe deserves the boot. End of story.
Lieberman is a backstabbing flip-flop of the worst kind , and should the Democratic Caucus allow him to remain, he should have as little control as possible.
Though anyone has a right to support the candidate of his/her choice, and there were republicans at the DNC, not one of them trashed their party or candidate McCain in doing so, and that is why Lieberman's wanting to now stay on as a Democratic senator is a very distasteful thought to so many democrats, not just those who hold office.
Like my mother used to say"It's not what you do, it's how you do it" that help form others ideas/opinions of you a person, and to that end,Lieberman was sorely lacking!
It's one thing to disagree with your party on some major issues. I won't begrudge Lieberman that. It's good to think for yourself.
However, by actively promoting the Republican candidate for President over the Democrat, he crossed a line and became no more of a Democrat than Zell Miller, who famously endorsed Bush in '04.
Anybody who honestly thought John McCain and Sarah Palin (my God!) would be a better leadership team for the USA than Obama/Biden needs to take a long look in the mirror and decide if they still want to be a Democrat.
WHERE IS MY COMMENT, CNN?
What's the point of being independent if you can’t be... well, independent. A lot of republicans supported Senator Obama. Does that make them "improper". Senators and all Americans for that matter should be independent thinkers and not lemmings regardless of their party affiliation.
Yikes... the posts here scare me. Must be McCain supporters...
"Sources tell CNN Reid wants to strip Lieberman of his Homeland Security Committee chairmanship and offer him the chairmanship of a less high-profile committee."
Lieberman isn't being thrown out. He used an advantage he had to get a plum position – that's politics. He backed the losing candidate and instead of kicking him out they are offering him a demotion but not much of one he's still the "chair" of a committee. Reid, given the Dem win doesn't need Lieberman.
Now if the dems get up to 59 seats somehow in the next 2 years Lieberman can lobby for his plum position back. He walks in a snit it's over.
Plus the GOP haven't exactly been kind to those who that didn't march in lock-step either like remember the I-Vermont from a few years ago. Liebermann's pro-choice views won't appeal to the GOP. Between a rock and a hard place and he's going with the GOP who don't really have a lot to offer him given their election results.
Lieberman is a turncoat joke. He sunk Gore's chance at a solid win in 2000 making it close enough for the cheaters to steal.
Then, he backs McNutbag and Sarah Palin, the latter who is no more prepared to be president than Joe the Plumber, their hero..
Lieberman is a disgrace on many fronts and I hope he loses his seat..
I'm with Reid on this one. Actually, I think he was rather generous. I would have stripped him of any Committee Chair positions. Let him caucus with the Democrats; let him sit on committees. But no Chair.
Joe can't expect there not to be repurcusions from his actions – unless, of course, he really has gone Republican. He picked the wrong horse, now he has to pay the piper.
Do you want to loose Jews votes? Then kick LIE-berman out of the party.
I AM SO GLAD I LEFT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. I LEFT IT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY TREAT THEIR OWN. THEY TREATED HILARY WITH SUCH DISRESPECT AND JOE LIEBERMAN IS AN INDEPENDENT NOW, BEST FRIENDS WITH JOHN MCCAIN, WHAT DID HARRY REID AND NANCY PELOSI EXPECT HIM TO DO. THEY LIVE IN A DREAM WORLD. TO THEM ITS ALL ABOUT THE PARTY. EVERYTHING FOR THE PARTY. YOUR NOT LIVING IN THE REAL AMERICA, COME INSIDE WHERE WE DONT CARE ABOUT WHAT PARTY YOUR FROM, WE JUST WANT SOME ACTION OUT OF YOU. SOME HARD WORK, AFTER ALL WE DO KEEP YOU IN THE STYLE YOUR GROWN SO ACCUSTOM TOO. EARN YOUR KEEP. WE PAY YOU. YOU WORK FOR ME...
again Dems being mad because someone disagrees with them. What would your great uniter say? You folks are really making me nauseas.
Lieberman wrote the law establishing the Department of Homeland Security. If Reid cared about doing his job, he'd leave the man with the most knowledge of the Department and its intricacies in place. But, instead, he is playing the petty political partisan payback game, punishing Lieberman for being bipartisan. But, wait, I thought the Dem Leader and the Speaker have been pleading for more bipartisanship. Apparently, it only applies as a weapon. Reid's definition of bipartisanship: "I get 100% of what I want, and what you want is negotiable."
Ah, the spoils system is alive and well.
The problem with the spoils system is that when anything spoils it stinks–as does this situation.
After 9/11 everyone was everyone's buddy in Washington and the whole nation was finally a whole nation again. Then we went back to politics as usual. The same thing is happening now in some ways.
It seems like everytime we have a pledge for bipartisanship, the partisanship comes back out more quickly than the last time. Correct me if I am wrong, but the election was this past Tuesday. We saw all the final results Wednesday and all the victory and concession speeches Tuesday night and Wednesday pledged bipartisanshp and working together. Today is Friday and we are already seeing the political throats slit of those who dared defy the victors. Why not just skip the melodrama and get right to the point and say whoever wins is going to shove a knife in the political back of anyone who opposed them and if you step across the aisle to oppose the eventual winner you get it twice.
I realize that politics is a profession where lies, deception, and two-facednes are just a matter of course, but does it not seem worse than it has been in this country since reconstruction? Or is it just me?
I personally think Joe Lieberman will make a lousy Republican–he is conservative by Obama/Reid/Pelosi standards, but he is more still more liberal than most of the "moderate" Republicans. I applauded him for his stand for principle in supporting McCain, but if you are going to make such a stand, you better make sure you are on the winning side. Lieberman was not so lucky, and he would have been in dire straits even if McCain had won what with the number of seats picked up by the Dems in the senate.
I gues it is going to be politics as usual after all. Was there really ever any doubt?
What did Lieberman that was improper. Lieberman endorsed who he thought was the best man for the job; isn't that what we all are supposed to do?
he needs to be booted out of any committee he chairs
Harry "12% approval rating" Reid should work on accomplishing something useful for a change.
I think it is fine that Joe Leiberman supported John McCain. He is welcome to say whatever about whomever. However, I do think it is unwise for the Dems to have him in any chairmanship position. He may vote with the Dems most of the time but that doesn't warrant a chairmanship. There are plenty of other qualified Senators who can serve in those posts. Allow him to caucus with the Dems vote with the Dems, but don't give him anything more than a seat in a committee!
I do not believe his voting record will change much if he is removed from the chairmanship and made a lowly committee member. He will have to account to his constituents for his voting.
so now if we don't support Obama, we are behaving in an improper way. I'm a democrat, I voted a straight Democratic ticket, with the exception of president, I went third party. I don't believe a true Democrat would vote for FISA and I could never support someone who did. I guess I did something improper. I guess democracy and choice are going to be things of the past under this administration. FISA was just the start!
Since when did being a Democrat mean you are required to stop thinking and stop feeling.
I respect Sen. Lieberman for voting his conscious, instead of going against his principles and following a candidate he didn't believe in.
As Americans we should all vote America first and follow our hearts and our conscious.
Any person, or party who is requiring our blind loyalty and asks us to go against our principles .....is NOT worthy of our time or our votes.
It was Lieberman's right to say he supported Mcain for President fbut to be so actively involved in their campaign was wrong and did show a lack of good judgment. We need a person that can be trusted and shows judgment in an important postion like Homeland Security Chairman and I do not feel he is that person. He should agree to accept a lower position.
Liebermann may have upset his party by campaigning for McCain, but Reid needs to be careful with partisan retribution. Obama has called to transcend partisan politics, and if Joe Liebermann chooses his own candidate to support, which by the way is every Americans right, then so be it. Reid should be a gracious winner and extend the olive branch.
Personally I would disagree with Senator Liebermanns positions with regards to Middle East peace. I believe he puts Israel's interests above all others, including America. His support of McCain was entirely about hardline hawkish support of Israel.
Lieberman is NOT a Democrat. He owes the Democrats NOTHING. If he gets what he wants, he'll stay. If not, he'll go to the other side.
That's what being and Independent means.
If you wanted lock-step loyalty, you should have supported his bid for re-election as Democrat in Connecticut.
Grow up, Reid! Stop whining.
let the prick go...good riddance
Who cares what Lieberman's record is? If he votes his conscience, he'll vote with the Dems on most things regardless his party affiliation.
The fact is, he was not a trustworthy member of the Democratic caucus and should be shown the door.
What would it say about Democrats if they were so timid as to give prime committee spots to non-Dems just because they mostly vote Democratic and only occasionally trash the Democratic Party's presidential nominee?
There is one word to describe what Judas Lieberman did :" Treason". And not only that. He spew his venom on a member of his party, Barack Obama, in the most despicable way. All this in order to ingratiate himself with McCain and gain a cushy cabinet position. I say : Get the weasel out, we dont' need him.
I think he got tired of always being a bridesmaid and never the bride so he hitched his wagon to a new horse. Unfortunately he failed to realize the party he'd hitched his horse to aren't about to accept a Jewish person as a number two on their presidental ticket. So once again he would have to accept being a bridesmaid.
The ticket tossed him for what the republican base, the extreme religious right, wanted. A reglious zelot. Enter Palin and once again the religious right sink Republican hopes. Well, 8 years of George W failed policies had 3/4 of their bodies in the grave already, putting the religious right out front as their campaign strong arm slid them all the way in and covered them with dirt.
Either way I can't imagine where he can go from here. He's only useful to Republicans for what he can deliver. They will never ever elect him as a high profile "leader" of their party because he's Jewish. If he can't see that he's crazy. And Joe, you can't really deliver anything for them.
Joe is a great guy. I like him and he did the right thing. Harry is a stupid guy and he should know that he became majority leader because of Joe. Get a life.
LIBERMAN should not be stripped of anything It doesn't mean that his idealogies are not that of a Democrat -McCain is his Friend- there are Several republicans who backed Obama.
You are all funny. none of this matters. OlamO and Mclamo and all of the senators, house & staffers are a joke. Even more of a joke is you for voitng theswe fools around. Where is your father your grandmother, that great uncle...until you start voitng for real peole who are both smart and honest...I laugh at you all.
I agree with Mike from Syracuse. Regardless of whether President-elect Obama, or Senator McCain was the better candidate, Senator Lieberman as willing to cross party lines to support the candidate who he believed was best for America, clearly at great personal political risk. As far as I am concerned not only are Senator Reid's comments disrespectful to a fellow elected representative they also suggest that he his not wiling to accept criticism of the Democratic party nor allow its members to express varied opinions. Senator Lieberman stood up and did what he thought was best for America and for American people not what was best for his party, or for personal gain. I heartily respect that, and wish we had more elected representatives like him.
Joe is just the first of many who will be threatened with demotion or other penalties. Reid and Pelosi were pretty harsh against dissenters the last two years. Now with even more power, I'm not sure there is an adjective to define how they will behave. My guess is the Dems will cower in fear for the first year and give Reid and Pelosi everything they want. Then my hope is there'll be a rebellion. There are several strong moderate to conservative Dems, but it would take all of them working in concert to pull off the rebellion. At some point the partisan politics has got to stop. Our country is dying while they're doing everything possible to hasten death, all in the name of party first.
Oh Joe how low you've fallen. I'm ashamed to say you are one of us.
This doesnt sound like change. Go against the Dems and they will kill you. Just watch what happens as they take the USA in the wrong direction.
Mark
Lieberman is a loser. And to whoever posted about losing Jews' votes, that's ridiculous. He's a politician before one of us, and to play the religion card is unfair. Rahm Emanuel is Jew enough for us
Lieberman spoke the truth... what's wrong with that? The only experience Obama has is running for President. Lieberman's an independent anyway, and if I were him I'd say – screw you Reid!
Well what did joe think, he stopped playing for the blue team, and not only stopped playin for but campaigning against the blue team, even for some down ballot republicans.
Reid needs to rethink his stand and defend Leiberman to the Demo Caucus. Yes, Joe went over the line during the campaign – I understand the animosity. But now that he's been publicly chastised, let it go and move on with solving the real issues the country faces.
Oh how easily you all easily forget how the Democratic party tried to screw Lieberman during his re-election bid. He didn't "leave" the Democrat party. Note the "I" by his name. He ran as an independent and won after the Democratic party tried to put him to pasture.
I used to respect democrats, because they were like Lieberman and did what was right for the country. Unfortunately, now you've all gone wacko.
As an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, I'd also like to say that the toughest enemy I ever fought was the US media. You made my job, and my soldiers' jobs, that much more difficult. I hope you all understand that your blatant lack of support has, and will continue, to cost lives.
Reid is giving Lieberman a one-way ticket to political Siberia.
Sarah Palin will be able to see him from her backyard.
Harry Get over yourself!
Who are you to judge anyone? Yuo have been inaffectual in your position and should be thankful Joe even speaks with you!
Despite what you and other politians think- we are American- not republicans and Democrats!
Oh, just boot him out of the party already.
Harry Reid and that Ding bat Nancy need to step down and allow REAL people to take their place that will actually DO THEIR JOB. So you spew hate on Joe because he didn't agree with your saviors plans and spoke out against him. Is this not what America is all about? FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
I also guess that every Democrat that voted for McCain deserves this hate too huh? Not everyone drank the Kool-Aid that allowed Obama to win.
Go ahead and get rid of Joe, Harry. Then go and disband the Homeland Security while you are at it. Also go ahead with your plans on cutting Military funding too. The Country is safe, there's no more threats of Terrorist ever attacking now that the Messiah is going to be in power.
I voted for the guy who was going to keep this country safe. Too bad he didn't win.
Didn't anyone watch the RNC? When compared to the other speakers Joe was Daniel in the lions den. At one point it appeared as if they were booing him as he was calling for bipartisan politics instead of the usual "us vs them" mentality that goes along with the blindingly white RNC panel. While I think it was politically telling that move he made to back Mccain in the way he did, engaging in petty name-calling only serves to prove the speakers credentials and not the victim of this abuse. A political move camoes with political punishment, this is not the same as corporal punisment but I'm sure some here would like it that way.
I hope he dumps the Dem. party then Reid can SHUT UP
Joe Lieberman made his bed, now let him sleep in that bed, or make a new bed for himself. He holds to his convictions, and I like that about the man. However, when the Majority is handing out Chairmanship Positions, I think those who helped carry the water bucket should get priority over those that went off to cheer for the other team. "Hit'em High – Hit'em Low, Sorry Joe you have to go!"
I thought we had a choice in this country to support whomever we want regardless of party affiliation. Should the dems sanction him then it is politics as usual.
Obama ran on CHANGE and not politics as usual but Reed and Pelosi apparently did not get the message. Come on over Jow L, the right needs you...
Even if it's not acceptable to Liebeman.........we have enough problems with the mess allready we are in get rid of Lieberman
Let me say this again...........NO ONE IS PUNISHING LIEBERMAN FOR SWITCHING PARTIES OR SUPPORTING MCCAIN!
It is called freedom of speech.
What Reid is talking about is Lieberman crossing the line and attacking Obama's character and patriotism.
Obama will unify and work in a bi-partisan manner.....but he does not need to work with drama queens like Lieberman who get emotionally caught up in a campaign.
I say punishment does nothing....but questioning his loyalty is very valid!!
I'm sure the voters of CT are very happy that they returned Joe Lieberman to the Senate. The fact that he hitched his wagon to John McCain - and lost - he is now having to face the consequences. Reid is right, he is no longer a Democrat and should lose his HSC chairmanship. The fact that he thinks the proposal is "not acceptable" is funny - he doesn't have a choice. Let him go vote with his GOP pals, I'm, sure they love to have him. Good riddance!
Joe Lieberman? More like Joe "Benedict Arnold" LIE-berman! I think he's a suitable example of traitors in American history who should burn in hell for their unpatriotic ways and accept the fact that they're lucky that at least they're being offered a position of power instead of saying the demotion is "unacceptable"...THE NERVE!!! He should be strutted around and egged and humiliated in front of the whole nation and its soon-to-be president Obama! And by the way "Vegas," Joe is not a Democrat, he's an Independent.
Joe Lieberman makes me ill...pure and simple..a turncoat if there ever was one
Dump him now. His allegiance is elsewhere (not the USA) anyway. He screwed the Dems the first time when he lost the re-election bid, then again with McCain. Don't tell me you don't see a pattern here.
Joe was Gore's VP running mate in 2000.
Hard to believe.
I can't believe this guy has the jewels to do what he is doing.
When is he up for re-election?
Yes,Liebermann expressed his opinion but would we be having this discussion if Mccain had won?There is an african proverb that says' when you dip your hands in the old lady's food,you must eat it'.Joe Liebermann called the tune,he must dance to it.
If I'm not mistaken this is still a free country and we can say what we want. Too bad for Mr Reid–I'll take honesty any day over party politics. I am an Obama supporter. I'm from Ct and I respect Joe. He's done a good job.
Wow, I'm seriously disappointed with the comments on this forum, they're so spiteful, ugly and they do nothing to help bring this nation together. I also think Harry Reid's comments are arrogant, and again, do nothing to bring both parties and all opinions together for the betterment of the nation. Differing opinions shouldn't be scorned, too many men and woman have died for our right to disagree with each other and have committees made up of individuals with different points of view. Cherish the differences, disagree with the point of view, but don't attack the individual who disagrees with you–it's a fallacy.
Who does Joe Lieberman think he is? "Unacceptable"? Take what you are offered, Joe, or take a hike...or better yet...go become "Joe the Plumber" or perhaps "Joe the former Chairman". As a Democrat who worked hard this election and sweated this out for "real change" in America, I'm disgusted with what you have done and for the audacity you show now in demanding that you retain your Chairmanship. It was you who left the Party, Joe, not the Party leaving you. Signed...."Allen the Real Democrat" who knows loyalty and lives it and doesn't take opportunity at the stake of others when he can take it.
I think Joe Lieberman just wants power. The only reason he ran as an Independent in the first place was because he lost the Democratic nomination for Senate that year. He blows in the wind, trying to align himself with the "winning team". I agree that he should be kicked out of the Democratic Caucus.
I wondered how long it was going to be before the liberal dems like Reid and Pelosi try to get or punish Lieberman for supporting his friend McCain.
Leave Lieberman alone!
I didn't see any dems coming to his help when he lost his seat and was written off. He's where he is today because of his tenacity......and running as an independent.
Hey Liberals, here's what to expect out of Obama's administration…
Politics as usual!
No 'Kumbaya'!
No 'We Are the World'!
No 'Change'!
Just plain ol' Dirty Partisan Politics!
Thanks for demonstrating 'tolerance' Reid!
God forbid going against the Party every now and then!
What are you Lieberman, a Maverick!?
Hey Lieberman, I hope you don't have any pet fish!
You may end up with its severed head lying next to you in bed courtesy of Obama's Chief O' Staff, Rahm Emanuel!
Obama is an expert politician and just as slimy!
Kool-Aid drinkers, prepare to have your bubbles burst!
The Party of Tolerance and Lofty Ideals is yesterday's dream.
Today, its back to politics as usual.
If Mr. lieberman had done that to my party & turned to the other side & their shaky candidates; I'd take him off every chairmanship and tell him to his face why I was doing it. If he wants to be Independent show him the Independent Chairmanship position = It DOESN'T EXIST.
Not only did he disgrace the Democratic party and the democratic candidate ; he has shown he has no backbone & is the voice of the Rich Republican Jew. Let him Change parties if that is who he wishes to continue to represent.
I definitely would not allow him to caucus with Democrats any longer.
He cannot be trusted.
Look guys. I know Pelosi is not everyone's fan, nor may Reid be. But no one can deny that Lieberman had every right to support who is supported.....
But – in the fashion he did, what he said, WHERE he said it. Wrong move. Dems have a touch call here.
Me – I say get rid of him. His comments throughout this thing were way too divisive. Not what was needed.
As a democrat I was shocked by Lieberman's anti-Obama comments in campaigning for McCain. But the democratic party won the election and it can afford to be generous and accept divergent points of view. This would be a step in the right direction for the new, more confident democratic party that represents the majority of Americans.
Leave the backbiting to others, Harry.....
one last thing...Joe, ready some history...Benedict Arnold betrayed his country much as you did your President and your Party...the result being he ended up being a man without a country as he was never received and welcomed in Britain and never trusted and America forever hated him. You are now a man without a political party and it is only human nature to think that the Democrat Party will never again trust you and certainly the Republicans won't either. How could someone so intelligent be so politicially stupid. I wonder what you were promised by McCain that would have led you to make such foolish decisions. No sympathy here, and when you are up for re-election, you need to become "Joe the Defeated".
GET HIM!! he was vile nasty and plain ol ignorant just liek the McCain campainn
Right after the election? Come people, this is getting tiresome and ridiculous. Harry Reid is nothing more than a bitter old fart. He and Nancy Pelosi will be at it again with the politic as usual mentality. Nothing is going to change under the leaderships of these two career politicians. Do the job you are hire to do and stop this gridlock. Do your JOB Reed and Pelosi.
Let's see, Sen. Reid calls legistlative bills "stuff". I guess he was thinking of those earmarks in terms of turkey and what is put inside one - or he was reflecting what he really thinks about a bill - just "stuff", nothing important. Sen Lieberman is an American, first, and a Democratically-leaning Independent second, who, in his own opinion, put country first. He represents the people in his home state and they should decide his future, which they apparently did in the last election in which he defeated his incumbent AND the DNC AND the democratic party's leadership. Why can't Nevada send this un-American, egotistical, self-serving man into retirement?
Repubs have Joe six pack, Joe the plumber, now they have Joe the traitor.
Let by gones be by gones, if he's the best person for the job (which I doubt) let him keep the positon.
I forgot to add that Sen. Reid ought to look in a mirror and consider some of his shady real estate dealings as more "improper" than what Sen. Liebermann did.
How sad that the Senator from Nevada forgets that it was the man
that he wishs to replace, that made him the MAJORITY LEADER.
I'm an Obama man, through and through.
Senator Liberman is an independent, and he should not be forced to support someone he doesn't want to. Last I checked Independent is not Republican or Democrat.
To some it may just seem like petty partisanship but this is how things started with Nazi Germany and Stalin's USSR.
Really is this the "change" people wanted, I doubt it. Kind of ironic that we live in a country where people were encouraged to speak what they believe despite who disagrees. Now it's become a place where if you don't completely agree with someone they'll cut your throat and hang your corpse from the rafters.
How do you deal with a cancer? Get rid of it. Democrats being too generaous to this guy. Please throw him off the bus NOW. This is enemy within the party. Another Zeal miller of Georgia. Remember him.
Harry Reid is a wimp. I love Joe Lieberman for his independence. More politicians should be like him.
Judas Joe Lie-berman is a slug.
The Dems have Al Gore to thank for this traitor, Judas Joe!
Harry Reid has no choice but to de-chair Judas Joe.
There MUST be consequences for Judas Joe's treachery!
No consequence for INCOMPETENT Republi-cons over 911, has emboldened the deceptive and divisive Republicons to even try to make Democrats responsible for their 911, Katrina, Iraq, Recession INCOMPETENCE!
Hello Harry! You continue to have lights on but nobody's at home. You would not support him, so he went INDEPENDENT–and YOU LOST!!!!!!!!. Harry what part of independent is it that you don't understand!
Who cares what "dirty" Harry thinks ?
The Democrats are removing him from Democrat positions. I do not see what the fuss is about, the man is obviously not a Democrat. He's an Independent who supported McCain. He used to be a Democrat but went across the aisel a long time ago. After he supported McCain they were like "ok, time to remove you from your former Democrat duties."
There is nothing partisan, or hateful about it. The guy is not a Democrat, and shouldn't be in their congressional democrat positions. He's free to join the Republicans if he wants. I see nothing at all wrong with what they did.
Joe needs to go period.
Let the Liberal blood letting begin! Hell hath no fury like a Democrat scorned.
I think it's time for maverick McCain and hawk Lieberman to form their own third party and leave the Republican party for Palin and the evangelical conservatives and hatemongers. Lieberman should be stripped of his chairmanship for deserting the Democrats in this most critical election cycle. I, for one, don't believe that the Departnment of Homeland Security should be overseen by someone like Lieberman. We need people in there that respect the Constitution of the United States and don't look at it as something that might get in the way of our support for Israel's wars.
Excuuuuuse me, Mr. Leiberman, but I find your presence in the Senate to be unacceptable, and I won't have to wait but about 2 more years to start working on your removal, and the end of your career.
The people of Connecticutt voted first for a Democrat, then for a so-called Independent. They never voted for a Republican. Do his recent positions really represent the will of the people who voted for him? Can Senators be impeached?
i 'm gonig to call him as he shoud be called he is a rat,a power hungry person he should be stripped out of every chairmanship.i could not stand to see his rat facebehind mccain with an ugly sirk in his face.to tell you the truth i don't trust him he is a traitor who knows what he may do next
Joe Lieberman is a senator who speaks his mind and votes his conscience. He is not swayed by polls. He was abandoned by the Democratic party during a tough primary fight, yet, he agreed to caucus with the Democrats so that they could have a majority. Harry Reid no longer needs his vote so he will punish him for his support of McCain. Harry Reid is a typical partisan hack. I don't know if the Obama Administration will be able to control this power hungry madman and he will stop "change" in its tracks.
It is one thing to endorse John McCain but to spit all the venom Lieberman did, is a REAL big deal! He's obviously very confused going from a Democrat, to a Indepent, then a Republican supporter asking people to cross party lines! He was soooo sure Obama would not get elected! You don't know what his motive was! HE CAN'T BE TRUSTED!!!!!!!!
Lieberman wants to keep his Homeland Security post so he can keep on spying on Americans and feeding it to the Mossad.
It is one thing to endorse John McCain but to spit all the venom Lieberman did, is a REAL big deal! He's obviously very confused going from a Democrat, to a Independent, then a Republican supporter asking people to cross party lines! He was soooo sure Obama would not get elected! You don't know what his motive was! HE CAN'T BE TRUSTED!!!!!!!!
For as long as Harry Reid has been in Washington he should know the meaning of independent. Congress members should represent their districts not the Democratic or Republican parties, and there lies the problem.
Lieberman was sent there by the people he represents - UNDERSTAND THAT!!
Do what you have to do but respect him as an independent.
Interesting to see how Reid is "reaching across the aisle".
I'm sure we'll see more of this wonderful bipartisanship in the months to come. Pelosi's broken promise is now Obama's to break.
Lieberman will get screwed just because he dared speak his mind and act on his beliefs. That's okay – it'll be one step AWAY from the Democrats magic 60 number.
Lieberman needs to be kicked out of his chairmanship role, period. He is no more a Democrat now than George Bush. All the shame in the world should be upon him and his family.
McCain had two Joe:the Plummer and Joe the Pharisee,the traitor,the angry loser.Mr Liberman belongs to the Republicans,I don't want him in my party,he doesn't deserve to be.
He should be purged from the party, so they can consolidate and solidify their power over the American people more efficiently.
Joe Lieberman is a true leader–someone who bucks the party he has aligned himself with for decades to do what is right. It would be nice if there were more LEADERS like Lieberman in D.C. Unfortunately, that is not the case, and for that reason, our country is heading down the toilet. The American people are sick of partisan politics. It's time the Dems and Republicans join together to do WHAT IS RIGHT by the American people.
"But Joe Lieberman votes with me a lot more than a lot of my senators."
"...MY SENATORS..."...?
This PARTISAN crap needs to stop!
Of the party, by the party & for the party ... how about of the PEOPLE?!
Joe Lieberman is the only one who has it correct ... !!
Why is it okay for Republicans to cross the aisle and endorse Democrats, yet you people complain when a Democrat does the same thing? Just wondering.
It doesn't really matter that Lieberman thinks it is unacceptable. It is not his decision to make and I strongly believe that the chairmanship should be taken from him.
Even if he represents the 60th vote he is a turn coat and he can't be counted on.
I say throw the bum out!
Joe's behavior is "not acceptable." He does not deserve to anything from the Dem's. He is a disgrace.
Strip him of the Chairmanship. If he bolts for the Republicans or changes his voting pattern, then let the good citizens of CT deal with him as they see fit.
Okay, seriously folks. I know you're Republicans, and not too sharp, but seriously folks.
Lieberman supported the wrong guy for the presidency. He supported bad policies. And now, he expects no consequences for supporting those bad policies.
Its not a matter of conscience, its a matter of consequences. Lieberman no longer supports the interests of the Democratic party; ergo, why should the Democrats allow him to continue to acct as their representative?
The answer is, quite clearly, that they should not.
They aren't kicking him out of Congress, they're just not giving him power voluntarily.
You're criticizing them, in short, for doing something they're ENTIRELY entitled to do?
And then you're calling THEM dictators?
No, I'm sorry. It is you who are clueless.
Lieberman does not deserve the Democrats' voluntary deference, and anyone who says otherwise is clearly not in touch with reality.
There's nothing wrong with supporting someone other than your own party's candidate, but if you expect your own party to be nice to you after you've done so, then you've got another thing coming.
To "THE END OF AMERICA BY OBAMA" :
"Harry Reid is a fool and sucks big time."
What kind of an argument is that? What if, in the presidential debate, McCain stood up and pointed at Obama, and used "Well this guy sucks, that's why" as an answer?
( I almost used a Palin/Biden debate example there, but I fully expect Palin to do this at some point – right after the "his argument is invalid because he's a buttmunch" attack)
Not only is this hilariously ignorant, but you don't even display any information as to why this man "sucks big time".
Lieberman's a proud Jew but even better a proud Jewish American patriot.
By contrast Harry Reid is a gutless Jew-hater.
Any questions?
Harry Reid's an absolute dolt. Cheers to Lieberman for being his own man, and a smart one at that!!
Democrats aren't "strong-arming" Lieberman. They're removing him from a committee chair because his views are not our party views. The rest is just him throwing a hissy fit. Oust him.
Lieberman can't have it both ways! As an independent he now needs to lie in the bed he made!...And how can someone who was so critical of the democratic ticket be considered an overseer of the policies of the winning platform? It is obvious that his position during this election period was with the republicans, so let him now be apart of the minority party where he belongs!
The fact is that if Lieberman hadn't lost his primary in CT, forcing him to either give in gracefully or become an "independent", he wouldn't have dared to speak at the RNC. Not while calling himself a Democrat.
He needs to decide where he stands. I voted for him in 2K, and now wonder why I did. The man doesn't know whether to crap or get off the pot.
To the Lieberman haters:
If you don't want him, we in the Republican Party will gladly accepted him.
He's an American patriot who thinks of country first. The same cannot be said of your incoming President-elect or Harry the Coward and Bigot Reid.
Maybe he was pulling a Colin Powell...switching allegiances because of the shade of his skin. I guess that is only admirable if you are a Republican...Harry Reid is a nut case!
this guy has got to go. he is a supporter of Israel with absolutely no conditions on them which is very malignant to any peace efforts in the middle east. This bias is what has created so much resentment by the muslims in the area and around the world towards the united states. I have no issues with him supporting someone of a different party, but to support a party that was running the dirtiest campaign is unacceptable.
It's really very simple. The party in the majority chooses who will chair the committees. Period. As an Independent Senator Lieberman was granted a great deal of leeway in keeping chairmanship of a committee in a Democrat controlled Senate. He's intelligent enough to realize that when you flirt with the party across the aisle it may be forgiven, but when you meet with the Democratic caucus and have the chair of a Senate committee you do NOT go on the attack against the Democratic Party candidate, speak at the convention for the party across the aisle and then criss-cross the country stumping for the Republican candidate and expect to retain your chairmanship when the ride is over and you return home. He's been in the Senate long enough to know that.
Throw the (joker) out on his head...he is a "Benedict Arnold" that can't be trusted.....he is a "turn coat" of the worse kind.....he knew what he was doing by "endorsing" Mccain....it wasn't the fact that he supported McCain, but he campaigned with him and said some very nasty things about President-elect Obama...I don't want them to forgive him...but I think they will, because Democratic are not as evil or unforgiving as Republicans....
Your improper mister Reid. Leiberman was just doing what he belived was best for this county. You on the other hand are promoting coal mining in your home state of Nevada. However your colleagues' Obama/Biden are threatening to bankrupt the coal mining industry. When all is said and done Bush is not the only one to blame for all of this. If you and Pelosi would spend more time working things out and not blaming and fighting maybe we could get something done in this country. Also tell Nancy to quit spending so much time adjusting he scarf when she is in session, it looks like she's not really paying attention.
I am a Jew who is on the verge of despair knowing that Joe Lieberman pushed back 50 years the opportunity for a Jewish President & 25 years for another chance at a Jewish Vice-President. Lieberman is exactly what cartoons have portrayed about Jews for a hundred years.
1. You can't trust them.
2. They put themselves first and to hell with everyone else.
3. Support me and if I deem it a wise move, I will support you.
4. Money & the power to turn a buck is all that is important.
Joe, it's too late to say, "It ain't so Joe," because the damage has been done. You supported McCain ONLY in the hopes that you would either be his pick for Vice-President or at the very least grab a position in his cabinet.
SHAME on YOU!
Please crawl back to wherever you belong because it is not in Washington. I hope the Democrats throw you out on your Jewish ear and you scrape your Jewish nose all the way down to those beady eyes and evil lips. I am insulted you even 'look' Jewish.
Dump Benedict Arnold.
Mr. Lieberman went with who he thought would be the winner. He hopped on the proverbial bandwagon and threw his own party under the bus. What he did is inexcusable and he should be sanctioned by the Democratic party. I'd like to see him dismissed.
You nasty Dem's take the cake.
Now that Reid does not need Joe, he is ready and willing to toss him aside. Well if The Great One and his two lap dogs don't get the job done, Harry may need him again in 2010. Maybe Joe will have shorter memory than Harry, then again maybe not.
Joe was the only Dem with the bravery to stand up in Senate and tell the world that Clinton was a philandering sinner and that he was an embarrasment to the country. All of the other Dem's just kept their heads down and tried to shrink into the carpet. Joe has earned respect for his principled stands that might be unpopular with his Democratic union brotherhood but has almost always had the country's dignity at heart. Those of you who brand him a traitor, can't see past party lines.
WHERE IS CAFFERTY FILE?
some sarcastic sick questions pleeeease?
Yea you rotten us like that.
Remember those of you who call Lieberman a traitor.
The same can easily be said for Harry Reid, and yes, your incoming President who knew how to sit in a hate-filled pew for 20 years yet never had the cojones to get up and walk out. Or really serve America ala Colin Powell.
It will be a great day when that Judas LIEberman is voted out of office.
I dont think Lieberman did anything "improper". He just exercised his individual will – hardly "improper". That said, I disagree with what he did, but he could have done MUCH worse. At least he's not hanging out in bathroom stalls...
Hey, Reid - YOU and your cohorts caused the economy to tank. YOU should all be run out of the Senate and House !!!!!!!!!!!!
Dump (Benedict Arnold) Joe Leiberman.
As usual Harry gets it wrong. Sen. Liberman didn't do anything improper, he mearly followed his conscience. Nothing improper about that. What Harry hates is that Liberman didn't hew the Dem line despite being back stabbed by the very same party when he was up for reelection. Harry doesn't seem to understand that if you betray someone, that someone will not feel obligated in the future to please you. Harry needs to grow up!
He deserves a chairmanship on a committee where he agrees with the majority party. He does not enjoy the latitude to push the minority agenda given his lack of loyalty.
His tone on the campaign trail was terrible. He needs to indicate where his allegiances lie.
Jon Stewart had the best of all takes on Lieberman right after his speech at the Republican convention when the Daily Show was juxtaposing him with shots of the old cartoon character Droopy Dog....
I can't take the guy seriously anymore after that....
That's right shoot Joe in the back because he didn't do everything that the deomocrats wanted him to do. This is the same attitude that the dem's have towards the rep's call them names spit in there face & expect them to invite you over for dinner. I can see how polite the next 4 years will be.
Harry Reid did exactly the correct thing. By offering Lieberman a lessor chairmanship he shifted the decision to Lieberman wether to stay with the Democrats or bolt to the Republicans.
Lieberman did not anger the Democrats as much with his endorsement of McCain as his comments about Obama and the speech at the Repubican Convention. He made his choice, but there are consequences. He can't expect to do what he did and then come back as if nothing happened. Reid made an offer. Lieberman can accept or not.
If he declines I guess we will see how much of a man of conscious he is. If he is a man of conscious, of his beliefs, he will vote with the Democrats on most issues. If he doesn't........ Well there you have it.
Political prostitutes like Lieberman have no place among decent, progressive people. Kick him out of the Dem caucus now.
Crap like this is why the congress has such low approval ratings. Dumb partisanship and little actual thinking.
Not worst that what Reid and Pelosi have done to the country.
Billions of dollars gave away to Big Wall St companies and banks, and now all these companies are giving year-end BONUSES to their executives.
Mr Reid, you were the one wanting our money to go to these jerks at Wall ST. what about that ????
Yes, I think Liberman should loose his Chairmanship, he is not part of the majority party and he was not wise enough to stand up and get behind President Obama. I certainly don't trust Liberman with my security. Time for Change...
Now lets see if Obama keeps to his promises. My feelings are he will go the way of the best of them – empty promises and blame it on others
Give the chair to a LOYAL Dem. If Joe still wants to caucus with the Dems, fine. I have to laugh at the GOP'ers on this site whining about Bi-partisanship. What in the world do they know about that? Joe chose, he chose wrong and now he has to suffer the consequences. It's all about taking responsibility for your actions. Something the Repubs are always whining about. Hypocrites!
Bye, Joe the Judas
Bye Bye, Joe the Judas
Obama promised to work across party lines, but just a few days after the election we are seeing one of his main senators posturing on how to "punish" another American citizen (Lieberman) for supporting the presidential candidate of his choice.
I'm ashamed that Lieberman belongs to my people. American Jews like myself deserve better representation in Congress. I'm sure he'd work for the Spanish Inquisition if it were politically convenient.
Get rid of this two timer; cannot be trusted
Reid is a moron and should be shown the door when he is up for re-election. Under his leadership, congress has earned lower appoval ratings than Bush.
It is not about party, it is about the nation.
I commend Lieberman for standing up for his beliefs. If more politicians did and not worry about the next election or who is power maybe we can they can get something done for the good of all.
Lieberman will give his allegiance to whatever Party that he feels will benefit him. He had no problem with supporting the Democrats when he was picked by Gore to be V.P. so now he runs to the Republicans looking for a better political position.
It is quite fair to relieve Lieberman of his chairmanship. He campaigned on behalf of the GOP (the opposition). That was his choice, but the party leadership is certainly correct to give that plum committee position to a more loyal Democrat. Think about it. It's not dirty politics. It does make sense and should be expected.
Kick him out...
It's time for Lieberman to go! Yes, he's sucking up now, but you do not know what to expect next. You didn't expect this. What makes you think he will vote w/Dems now???
J oe Liberman was on the ticket with Al Gore in 2000, so he actuly
go were he thinks is best for him that is sad McCain Joe Liberman
they are all for them selfs
I thought Lieberman was a part of the Likud party?
This guy is about one thing- himself. He keeps putting himself front and center, and I, for one, am sick of him. He needs to get over himself. I'll be happy when he takes his fence-sitting, prima donna self back to where ever he came from.
Poor Joe...and you lose your chairmanships over a group of people that would hang you from the same tree they'd like to hang President-elect Obama from. Pathetic.
Lieberman should switch to the republicans as he won't be trusted any more.
He;s done with the democratic party.
And there should be no room for him in an Obama administration. Period.
Joe Lieberman is a weasel! He weaseled himself back to the Senate by "jumping ship," declaring himself an Independent. Then he sided with Republicans, it appears, primarily because of John McCain's support for Mr. Bush's policy in Iraq. I question his real motivation here. Now he speaks out, suggesting that we "unite" and move forward (kind of like Rodney King's query: "Why can't we all just be friends?" I believe that Joe Lieberman's loyalty is based on a different agenda and a divided loyalty. He needs to get it clear in his head that although we have interests and friends in the Middle East, we need to support policy that puts the interests of the US before the interests of others, sometimes even our friends.
Get rid of Lieberman
This is typical liberal behavior. "How dare you believe something we don't!'
Similar to branding all republicans war mongers, racists and bible thumpers. And what is sad, the people of the USA are allowing it.
Now they want to eliminate talk radio, labeling it porn. And the media just let's it go.
I thought liberals were supposed to be open and inclusive to everyone. Clearly, that is not the case. It is their way or the highway. The highway being taking away prominent positions.
This sickness is going to become even more open and vile in the next four years.
To all politicians: Don't go say or do anything contrary to Reid or Pelosi. Or else they will belittle you in public!
I'm from Conn, supported Obama and voted for Joe every time. He didn't sink Gore, Gore sunk Gore. Gore was a crummy choice for Pres. . I applaud Joe for his honesty. He tells it like he sees it, you may not agree with him but this is freedom of speech or does that only apply when you say what that dolt Reid and Pelosi have to agree upon. Go Joe Go– be honest!! MAybe Chris Dodd can give up all his chairmaen ships since he has not been honest about the Country Wide loan scandal.
Let the Repubs have the Israeli shill. Lieberman doesn't know if he's a citizen of the U.S.A or Israel.
Hey Republicans, YOU LOST! Get It! We do not care about anything you say. Infact why dont you spill you Obama hatred on Fox News blogs where i'm sure it will be appreciated.
Was it wrong of him to endorse McCain, no. Was it wrong of him to campaign with McCain, no. What bothered me was the negativity he stated against Sen. (now Pres-elect) Obama.
I'm mad at him, but I do not want him booted from the caucus, we need to show some bipartisanship, there shouldn't be infighting in the Democratic party.
name three things joe lieberman cant carry? forget the first two, but the big one is florida. he couldnt deliver for gore or mac.
being a CT democrat i have never voted for joe lieberman, he has been an outspoken, holier-than-thou, opportunistic, weathervane politician his whole career and the senate republicans can have him.
his success will lead them to a smaller caucus in 2010 & 2012 and he can try to help mitt, newt, mike or mel in florida, good riddance!!!
So, why is it improper to switch sides to support the better candidate? Most the other dems rallied behind Obama simply because they wanted a dem in the White House. McCain was the better candidate and Lieberman knew it.
Alan, stop spewing negative words...this is a new world whether you like it or not. And President Elect Obama is ALL of ours President!
Open to change my friend....let go or your acid spite.
Lieberman has no claim on any committee. He's not a Democrat. He was elected as an Independent. He therefore has NO seniority in the Democratic Caucus. Furthermore, Harry Reid is a moron if he thinks Lieberman votes with the Democratic caucus, a cursory examination of Lieberman's record shows that he rarely if ever votes in line with the Democrats.
Now we see that the partisanship the plagues our government is born of the likes of incompetents like harry Reid.
Joe, please tell Reed to shove it. Of course, along with Queen Pelosi!
We are proud of you for always doing what you think is proper.
Joe calls it "unacceptable" ?
Whats unacceptable is his behavior.
He should be booted from the party, as in go work for Palin in Alaska and teach her some geography and come back in 2012 with her and run for president!
Or better yet join the AIP
Change does not come easy,even Reid must learn from the Obama's claim that "We're all Americans".
Change does not come overnight as evidenced by how long it has taken to get a White/African elected to the Presidency.
Change does not come without an emotional response. It will take time to break the partisan politcal barriers as individuals are taught how to be non-partisan.
If you take one person and teach them to not hate, leave their baggage at the door and be respectful even when you disagree.
The United States of America will be so far ahead of the rest of the world being elevated again to the greates nation once again.
Hate, is limiting, divisive, destructive and 100% non-productive.
Get together USA, you need it.
I agree, these republicans are very ignorant. They used to be the party of small government, small spending etc. Now they are right wing evangelical haters!
Harry Reid feels betrayed by Lieberman? Give me a break. No one has been more treasonous than Reid. He has sided with America's enemies on a regular basis. He is a TRAITOR to the nation, not just a political party. His public comments regarding the war and the surge emboldened our enemies and costs American lives. If Lieberman loses his chairmanship over his stances, Reid should lose his Citizenship over his.
Joe Lieberman got himself mixed up with the wrong people and let his ambitions outweigh his common sense.
McCain and Palin slandered and slimed their way across the United States, and many republicans followed suit.
It really is a shame when people in high office attack a persons being instead of their policy.
Joe Lieberman, Rudy Guiliani, John McCain, and especially Sara Palin (plus many others) shamed themselves and our country.
Joe Leib is a tool for the war hawks and Neo cons that want to continue an Imperialistic agenda of death and destruction. He uses his love of Isreal as a shield to pursue his nefarious interests. He went against the party that has SUPPORTED HIM thru the years. He betrayed my vote for him in 2000, by his words against Obama and his pitiful performance at the GOP convention. I say strip him of any Democratic status and past achievements. He lived by the sword, no he can flounder under its weight.
I hardly think that it's Lieberman's position to dictate what is and is not acceptable. He quit the party, he failed to support the candidate – the party gets to do what it wants, and if he wants to play ball he should fall in line.
I say "No more Israelies in our American government." Oh Yeah, 9/11 was indeed an inside job. So says the victims families. Research it yourselves. You will see what I'm talking about. We are in deep doo doo.
Liberman has the nerve to expect anything less from Reid and the democrats. He pretty much attacked Barack Obama. I do believe in less politics and more working together, but Lieberman does not deserve any special treatment or chairmanship by the democrats whatsoever. He was a low life when he addressed Obama. I a gld Obama won and I'd love to see Lieberman get what is coming to him.
Get rid of him! The thought revolves around the fact that, had McCain won the election, Lieberman would have bolted the Dems asap. This is his choice, now it's the Dems. You're fired!
why when some people write their comments they all can find some thing RACIEST every one do something the next person donot like but raceisum is a sin and if you donot belive in that that is all so
your privledge, oh but you will see so it is ignorant and a sin
so while you are talking about some one of a nother race
you are mixed with some thing other then ignorance
The Democrats will never be able to hold the Congress together. There is already in-fighting in the House (i.e. Waxman) and Reed wants to toss out or punish Joe Lieberman. I hope they do toss him out of their caucus; they seem to forget that they do not have 60 seats in the Senate. But, Congress always works this way and that is why their approval rating is 14 percent. It really doesn't make much difference which party controls the Congress, they act the same and Democrats will likely lose seats in 2010. This is American politics.
I think they should get rid of Lieberman sense you never know what he will do. He can move in with his buddy McCain. I use to think he was ok but now I think he is another brain dead in office.
While bi-partisanship is good, forgiving Joe Leiberman for embracing McCain is really going too far. He just spent a year trying to defeat the best Democratic nominee that's come along for many years. And he expects to retain his favored status in the party?
He left the party when he became an Independent.
Then he compounded it with the McCain campaign.
He's not a Democrat. He's not a Republican. What is he? He's for number one. Joe Leiberman. I say Reid is right. Kick him out.
Stick to own thoughts Joe, don't let them control you.
Reid should re-think his desire to knock Sen. Lieberman from his Homeland Security post. I get the sense that he really IS torn, and doesn't want to take punitive action, but he's motivated by political tradition as well as pressure from other Democratic party leaders.
Sen. Reid, don't give in to your darker instincts. Keep Sen. Lieberman where he is. Allow moderates and those who cross party lines to keep their voice in this party... otherwise, you have no right to say you represent the voice of the people.
Alan November 7th, 2008 7:06 pm ET
To the Lieberman haters:
If you don't want him, we in the Republican Party will gladly accepted him.
He's an American patriot who thinks of country first. The same cannot be said of your incoming President-elect or Harry the Coward and Bigot Reid.
-This second part of your post is typical Republican nonsense (one of many reasons why your clock got cleaned.........AGAIN)
If you want him you can have him; just beware when he says "Country First" he means Israel and not the United States.
Just goes to show that you must walk in lockstep with the Dem leadership or get all support taken away.
Lieberman was right on the war and because he wasn't pro-surrender and say that we lost the war already (like Harry did last year-just a bit premature...) and act politically instead of acting with integrity, Harry and the Dems took away all support for his last election cycle and got a fruitcake to run (the guy was so freaking left he lost in the anti-war, blue-as-blue-can-be state).
Either you are in lockstep with the party aparatchiks or you are not wanted. There is no big tent in the Dem party.
Grace and Peace,
Jim
The first 3 letters in LIebermans name is LIE, SO he is telling them and has told them left and right and now he wants to be forgiven. I THINK NOT!
Lieberman is for Lieberman. He'll go with whatever will benefit him the most.
He is an independant caucasing as a Democrat, Democrats can kick him off of the chairmanship if they want, they will need his vote in 2 or 4 years for now, if they continue to have Harry as their majority leader. But that would mean being farsighted and that Ried isnt.
Yes!
About time that that Senate Majority leader Reid laid him on the carpet.
Lieberman hasn't been faithful to the DNC nor the Democratic platform, and he should be reminded of that fact. Joe's support for McCain was the wrong decision, as was confirmed by the American people's recent mandate for President-elect Barack Obama on Nov. 4th. He has drifted further away from the Democratic party, and if he wants to jump ship, let him! Put him oon a subcommittee, and let him think about his options for awhile......Go Obama – Biden!
Those getting their knickers in a twist over *any* suggestion that Lieberman might deserve a reprimand would do well to recall that Obama backed him in his 2006 primary contest in Connecticut despite theri differences on Iraq.
Lieberman rewarded him by speaking at the GOP convention and campaigning at McCain's side. He thumbed his nose bigtime at the Democratic party and a friendly colleague, but he and some of you are offended at the idea that this has consequences?
Puh-leeze.
Speak for yourself Alan. I'm a Republican and I don't want Lieberman in the party. He may agree with us on Iraq (an issue I could care less for) but on more important things like fiscal policy, tax cuts, and derregulation, Lieberman is a true dem. Republicans don't need a loser like this.
Lieberman should have been cut loose long ago and Reid needs to go as well. The Democrats need people who are willing to fight. If Reid can't even summon the balls to expel a turncoat like Joe that only underscores my point. How is he going to rub the Republicans nose in it if he can't even keep his own house in order?
I do not think it is the Dem's Congress is it? It is the people's congress! Screw Harry Reid. He must be gay too!
Reid needs to follow Obama's lead from his election night speech – try to work together for the good of the country. Grow up – there is no need for this sort of attitude in his position.
Kick him out of this great chain of Democrates. We hate traters specially someone who stab us from back. Shame on you Joe, if i see you next time i will spit on you.
SGonzalez November 7th, 2008 6:57 pm ET
For as long as Harry Reid has been in Washington he should know the meaning of independent. Congress members should represent their districts not the Democratic or Republican parties, and there lies the problem.
Lieberman was sent there by the people he represents — UNDERSTAND THAT!!
Do what you have to do but respect him as an independent.
-We kicked him out of the party in 2006!!!! I know because I was there and put that ballot in for Lamont. It's the scummy Neocons and spiteful (not all Republicans) who kept him in office as an Independent. He has 4 years to go so we're stuck with him for a while longer even if he loses his chairmanship. Believe me he has become out of step with the will of CT since 2003. That's why he bolted to McCain, not for patriotism or glory or whatever bull people try to feed you. It was a last chance at a cabinet position because he saw the Congressional blue wave.
bravo to Lieberman! I'm registered democrat and almost always follow suit but that doesn't change the fact that more than being a dem, I'm my own person and I will voice my opinions and vote as I see fit. Sen. Lieberman has the same rights. I disagreed with his choice for President but applaud him for being his own man.
What's the big deal? It's only politics.
Lieberman need to be kick out he is a disgrace to Democrats
Lieberman=L-I-E
Mr. Harry Reid, as far as I'm concerned you are the first one we the
Democrats along with Speaker Nancy P. must remove from your
positions leading both houses. I thank the two of you have done
a lousy job . Not to say Joe Lieberman, has fared much better.
I thank it is time for CHANGE in both houses. We need someone
who has more grit, and who isn't afraid to do something. So please
don't call the kettle black unless you through booth you and Nancy in
the pot also.
Reid is a twit. Pelossi is a twit. If you add both their favorability ratings, it just about matches Bush. So, I hope they just keep on going and going. Just like Clinton and the Dems overplayed their hand in 1992 and promptly brought about the Republican revolution, so will Obama/Pelossi/Reid. So, all you Obamite zombies keep up your good work. A rejuvinated Republican party, faithful to its roots, will emerge and take power again. Enjoy your time while you can.
Joe should stay in the Democratic causcus but should be striped of his senority. Who would of ever thought that Al Gores running mate would of went as far as to support someone like a John McCain. Its mind blowing!
November 7th, 2008 7:41 pm ET
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
hey where be the article about Obama being improper at his first press conference ripping on Nancy Reagan? I thought spouses were off limits?
I think of Joey Lieberman as a Israeli Senator first and a U.S. Senator second. He supported McCain because he saw this as a way to help the Israeli cause. Joe should go over to the losing party where he belongs. He put his country second by supporting Bush's clone. Good riddance joey.
alan, you are an idiot – any questions?
For those defending Lieberman...
If he wanted to support his friend McCain for president, that's fine.
If he wanted to campaign for McCain, and speak at the RNC, that's ok.
If he took every opportunity while campaigning for McCain to trash Obama.. that's where he crossed the line.
Joe "McCain" Lieberman is nothing but a traitor to the Democratic party and should be stripped of all priviledges of the majority party. Let Joe sit with his buddy John on the minority side. He has done nothing to our party but bash us and deserves no recognition at all. I hope Senator Reid and his fellow Democrats do not let one vote, which in most cases we will not need, let their wisdom lead them astray.
Harry Reid is an example of everything that is wrong in WashingtonDC. He is petty, mean spirited and just plain nasty. Good luck , President Obama in dealing with this jerk and Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Reid's equal. President Obama will have a much harder time dealing with these two prima donna jerks than he will with the Republicans
The thing I hate most about living in CT is that Joe Lieberman is my Senator.
Prefering McCain over Obama was not improper, nor campaigning with McCain, or speaking that the GOP convention. He has every right to choose who he thougth was best.
But Lieberman said he "fears" for the country if Democrats get elected. What kind of crud is that? That is fear mongering and divisive. It plays into the stereotype and MYTH that Democrats don't love their country and wouldn't do everything to protect it. This was indeed improper, and he should have supported McCain without causing division and fear in the country.
hey Vegas...
Disagrees with one major issue? No i'd say supporting the Republican canidate and pretty much renouncing his Dem loyalty is the reason.... he was practically giving McCain a (explitive).
Joe tried to play both sides, unfortunately people noticed this and now he just seems likea two-faced backstabber.
If Lieberman had just gone for McCain it wouldn't have been that big of a problem as I see it. The problem with Lieberman is he went in front of the RNC and lied about and distorted Obama's record (as confirmed by a number of independent fact checking organizations). Now it is one thing for the opposing party to do that but he professes to be of Obama's same party. You can't do something like that and expect no retribution.
Lieberman's free to back whomever he wants. But he burned bridges in the same insidious manner the GOP adopted as its attack strategy. Negative campaigning should have been left to those with nothing to lose; Lieberman stood to lose a lot if McCain lost – as he may be coming to realize now.
Oh and one more thing about Harry and Joe.
For you idiots out there...Joe is a INDEPENDENT. He is NOT part of the Democratic Party. He only sides with them on most cases. Idiots. Go back to school. You need to be re-educated.
Leiberman is an idiot!! He turned his back on the democratic party but expects everything to be hunky doory afterwards. Seems to me he just wants to be on the same party that is in the White House. How the hell he keeps getting re-elected is beyond me, connecticut must be blind, deaf and easily pursuaded. Far as I'm concern he can go home and never show his face agian.
The Dems are about to loose one of the best!
Two words, Joe: Personal Responsibility.
As far as im concerned, there is no law mandating a government official, or anyone for that matter, against being one's own person. As a democrat, I do believe that Lieberman made a mistake, but everyone is entitled to do whatever they wish to in the land of opportunity. He saw an opportunity and went for it. It backfired in the eyes of people like Reid, but to Lieberman's defense, he is an independant swearing allegance to neither side. In that regard, I respect his ability to go "with his gut" and not to specifiaclly one side.
McCain is totally "out of touch" with the war in Iraq and the nation's major economic problems. Since McCain lost badly, what does that say about Lieberman??? Are independents going to support him next time around? That is the question......
Let me get this straight.......... Leiberman campaigns not only for McCain, he also campaigns for OTHER Republicans and he speaks to their convention to say that Obama shouldn't be president. And he thinks losing his chair at a major committee is "unacceptable'?????
That man should thank his luck stars that the Democratic leadership offered him anything at all. Lieberman picked his side, and he has to live with the results of that choice.
To the Lieberman haters:
If you don't want him, we in the Republican Party will gladly accepted him.
-------------------------------–
DEAL!!!!!
Reid is a slime ball. The way he is, you wonder how many little boys he has molested.
How 'bout we do away with political parties & vote the best person for the job & appoint the best person for the committee??!! That way the people WE elect can actually think for themselves ... Wow, what a concept!!
One question needs to be asked. "Mr Lieberman, if Sen. McCain had won the election, would you be talking with the republican party about caucusing with them?"
So it's about supporting the party rather than doing what's best for America? Lieberman had the integrity to do what he thought was best for the country instead of behaving like a party lemming. Kicking him out of the committee leadership position and out of the Democratic caucus would cost the Democrats more than Lieberman and increase the filbuster capacity of the Republicans. Go for it Reid, make my day.
I don't care how strong a voting record Sen Lieberman has. His behavior during the Presidential campaign, his insulting remarks to Sen Obama and the damage he did to some in his own Party was dispicable .If the Democrats had an ounce of courage and ethics ,they would boot him from their Party. They need to take away his Committee Chair and not allow him to caucus with them. He has been a closet Republican for years .His thirst for power keeps leading him towards them. Free him so he can go be with them full time.
Sen. Reid needs to show some guts or step aside and let someone else lead the Senate. Lieberman did not suck up to the Republicans out of any idealism. He thought they were going to win and he wanted to be with them. They lost. He should have to go with them.
If Pres elect Obama wants to reach across the aisle, he can tap any number of decent acting Republicans. Some even spoke out when things went to far and the campaign got ugly. Not Joe. He stood right next to McCain and let both McCain and Palin call Obama a Socialist.
The Democrats need to get rid of Lieberman .They can sacrifice the vote instead of their integrity.
Kick him out and you can follow...he could have done anything but when he talked about Obama as he did ... he doesn't need to lead any committees...he loves the Repubs so much that iswhere he needs to be...
"Lieberman supported the wrong guy for the presidency. He supported bad policies. And now, he expects no consequences for supporting those bad policies."
So now there are consequences for not voting Obama? What are you going to do, throw half the country in internment camps for not thinking as you do? Unity crumbles after less than a week.
The only question here should be whether or not Lieberman has done his job well as chairman. That should determine if he should be removed. We have policies in place in this country to prevent someone from being fired due to race, creed, religion, gender – why not political affliation? Because he spoke against Obama, he's out? So did Biden, and now he's VP elect, and so did Hillary, but she's ok now as long as she does what she's told.
Every smart leader knows that the real danger lies in surrounding yourself only with people who agree with you. Lieberman has shown that he is willing to vote on the issues, not a party, and that is something valuable and sorely lacking right in Washington. Reid is a moron if he forces him out.
Being Jewish-American how could Lieberman deal with all the racially toned rhetoric towards African-Americans and Arab-Americans during McFailin's campaign? The DNC reflects the diversity of America, the RNC doesn't know what the hell it is anymore. Remove Joe as chairman, the Obama-Biden supporters won't mind in the least bit...
Joe Lieberman could be the new face of our party. He is the leader we need in this environment.
viny November 7th, 2008 7:31 pm ET
"He is an independant caucasing as a Democrat, Democrats can kick him off of the chairmanship if they want, they will need his vote in 2 or 4 years for now, if they continue to have Harry as their majority leader."
Is Joe going to be in the senate 4yrs from now.? THE TRAITOR need to be kicked out of the Homeland Security Committee, his agenda is not about America. Go figure.
If I were a candidate of either party, I would run from Senator Lieberman like a scalded cat. His support seems to be the kiss of death.
Good for Joe Lieberman – Reid is a total idiot with a 6% approval rationg He will be gone with the mid term elections and Liberman will be with the new majority Republican party Reid and Pelosi represent the worst of partisan politics
"Not acceptable"???
He had no problem publicly standing behind McCain diring speeches that not only lied about Obama, but lied about the Democratic Party. THAT is what's not 'acceptable'.
Joe Lieberman should not even be allowed back in the Democratic Caucus. His support for John McCain went well beyond what is acceptable. He not only attacked Obama, he campaigned for Republican candidates up and down the ticket and spoke at the Republican Convention. Harry Reid should be replaced as the Democratic leader if he gives one inch to Lieberman.
How about the fact that the Democrats for all intents and purposes dumped Lieberman in his last election. He ran anyway and won as an Independent. That's why he's an Independent. Amazing how they expect him to fall in line when people like Senator Dodd wanted him to bow out of his last Senatorial race. Good for Senator Lieberman for not backing down. The people in Connecticut voted him back in because they like him. So do many of the rest of us.
Voting just because one belongs to that Party, is insane.....one should support who they think will follow what our forefathers put forth.
I vote for who I think is best for the country and true citizens, not for Party.
JFK said, "Ask not what your Country can do for you....", and now we have millions that ask what our Country is going to give them!
Amazing!
Joe Liberman shamelessly trashed Obama and the Democratic party at the RNC. That public display was irresponsible and unbecoming of a former Dem VP candidate that we all supported 8 yrs ago. Joe Lib deserves to be demoted or expelled permanently from the Democratic party for anti-party activities.
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Doesn't reid think stealing tax payers money like he does is improper? Every day he shows up to work (the few that he does) he is stealing dollars from tax payers. If reid is so in to being 'proper' he should resign!
IF OUR MEMORY IS CORRECT, IT WAS THE SCRIBES THAT TRIED TO GET JESUS TO COMMIT TREASON. MR. LIBERMAN TRIED AND FAILED. RIGHT ALWAYS WIN IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS. WE THINK THAT ANY PERSON WITH COMMON SENSE WOULD HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS MAN. WHETHER HE GOES REPUBLICAN OR STAY DEMOCRAT SOLELY DEPENDS ON HIM. OUR COUNTRY DON'T HAVE TIME TO EVEN DWELL ON THIS MAN'S PRIORITIES. WE THINK THAT WHAT WE AS A COUNTRY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IS THAT MINORITY THAT FELL UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THAT BACK WOODS "REDNECK PALIN EFFECT". IN MANY PARTS OF THE SOUTH TRULY UNDERSTAND THAT LIBERMAN IS NOT THE PROBLEM. IT IS THE "REDNECK SYNDROME" HE SO WILLINGLY FOLLOWED BEING JEWISH. HE IS ENTITLED TO FOLLOW HIS POLITICIAN FEELINGS. HE AND ONLY HE HAS TO LIVE WITH THOSE FEELINGS. JUST DON'T PUT HIM IN ANY POSITION THAT WOULD INTERFERE WITH THE "CHANGE" THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR.
Alan November 7th, 2008 7:06 pm ET
"To the Lieberman haters:
If you don't want him, we in the Republican Party will gladly accepted him.
He's an American patriot who thinks of country first. The same cannot be said of your incoming President-elect or Harry the Coward and Bigot Reid."
The same can not be said about the sitting cowboy President who led us into two wars (WMD !!), and happily leaving us with 14trillion debt. During the last 8yrs, he was also giving taxcuts to the wealthy to create jobs, but we lost 1.2 million jobs this year. Who are the cowards and bigots ? GOP !!!!!!!
If Joe is the best person for the job he should keep it ... if he isn't the best person for the job – why was he appointed to it in the first place?
This is exactly why, all politicians should serve only one term in any one office & once elected, party affiliation should be dropped.
Guess according the the obamanuts we shouldn't have the freedom to think for ourselves! Umh sure sounds like obama to me. Let's see who would we rather have in congress – someone who thinks for themselves like Lieberman OR someone who is incapable of thinking like reid?
Goodbye Joe
Those of you ignorant self righteous Dem's are clearly as narrow minded as the President of the Senate Harry Reed of Nevada!
So shut your frikin holes! Joe L. has got the seniority in the Senate!!!
If you want to talk about "improper," talk about Reid and his cronies, who sent our economy into the tank.
The sub-prime meltdown is at the root of our current economic disasaster, and it started in late 2006/early 2007 - right after the Democrats won a majority in both houses - and not much after the Democrats hijacked the boards of directors of Fanny and Freddie - and declared that everything is "honkey-dorey" - then enabling these directors to walk away with millions of "sweetheart" severance deals.
Reid and his ilk should not only be stripped of all committee memberships - they should be run out of the House and Senate entirely !!!!!!!!!!!
They are not only "improper" - they're CRIMINALS !!!!!!!!!!!!
Goes too show how power has gone to thier heads!
Those of you ignorant self righteous Dem's are clearly as narrow minded as the President of the Senate Harry Ried of Nevada!
So shut your frikin holes! Joe L. has got the seniority in the Senate!!!
It is sad that we are no longer allowed inependant thought and values. If we voted for McCain we need to come to the light. We are not allowed to have another view. If Lieberman doesn't agree with the Democrats on everything he should be punished. This all sounds a bit childish. A bit like, 'I don't like the how you are playing the game so I am going to take my ball and go home". It may be in with in the rights of the Dems to cut him out but it is awfully childish. We need to grow up and stop being Democrats, or Republicans. We need to stop being ????-Americans and just be Americans. We need to stop being Red States and Blue States, we ned to be United States. Divided we fall and it feels like we are getting too close to the edge!
Yo Joe,
Ya gotta go 'cause you a hoe!
Reid is unacceptable. Joe should tell him to shove it. What goes around comes around. I voted for Obama, but not for Reid. Either we come together or we pull apart. Reid is exactly what we fought against. His partisan attitude dismisses all that Obama is fighting to overcome.
Seriously.... give me a break! This man who has been your bosom buddy.. turns on you..... he joins forces with those who are kicking you in the crotch.... then stabbing you in the back.... just before trying to cut your head off? This is a man you want to embrace back into the fold? I don't think so!
These ugly evil dirty politics have gone WAY too far! That is a large part of what turned so many off! I'm a teacher.... I have to face students daily and try to explain why someone helping to run our government....running for President, acts like a drug pimpin' thug! And now it is over, they expect it to be like nothing happened?! Really?
Of course, I am not a Christian... I don't have to turn the other cheek. I do NOT have to say, "come on, buddy, let's kiss and make up... go ahead, kick me again!!" I may have to deal with the man and watch my back.... but I do NOT have to embrace the evil that I just defeated! I would merely wish him well, bless him on his Path, and get back on my own!
Since he votes more often along Dem values/ideals, it does not make sense for him to switch to the GOP. He would be a RINO anyway. However, due to his aggressively anti-Obama rhetoric, there is no way that he should be rewarded for that behavior. Lose the chair. Stay in the caucus. Negotiate for your standing in another committee. Simple. GOP is just using this to bash Dems (there's a shock!). As they scream about Dem "hypocrisy" toward Lieberman – saying that Dems preach change and unity but don't practice it, they are by virtue of making this a politically divisive issue are in fact engaging in the same hypocrisy. Whatever. Reasoning with a Republican is like teaching a pig to sing – it wastes your time and just annoys the pig.
Sorry, but this is still America and Lieberman is entitled to his own position on any issue. This is not a communist country. period.
this is what it's going to be like in obama land, think my way, or get out. Welcome to the new world!
Lieberman has some nerve and absolutely no loyality or dignity. He suggested that our president elect was a socialist, un-American, unworthy, and unqualified. He stood with Rudy Gulliani and blasted the democratic party and Obama. He stood there when the Palin and McCain crowd shouted obscenities and threated Obama's life. Lieberman needs to be kicked out immediately.
Yes we Did!!!!!
Lieberman should just go Republican – that would hurt the demmies more than anything else!!!
These Repubs are sooo soooo out of their league. i wonder what would have happened if one of their leaders had gone to praise Obama and trashed Mccain. They wouldnt even let the young evangelical guy pray at the Democratic convention.
Joe disagrees with the Democrats and vehemently but wants the spoil of a Democratic majority. Let him become the leader of the Repubs if they like him so much.
Colin Powell endorsed Obama but said he wasnt campaigning and he was villified by the extremist right.what if he campaigned????
See why people with brain are not excited about the Repubs?
Alan.... you and the Republicans have him.... remember? Now you see how long it is before he turns his back on you following what he thinks is the pervailing wind!
I say, let him lie in the bed he has made! If you lie down with pigs... don't be surprised when you get up smelling like a HOG!
Lieberman should join the Republican party. Didn't he want to be McCain's VP. – LOSER!
Good riddance and don't let the door hit you.
Alan, you need to calm down. Lieberman didn't vote or represent his state. They also are going to deal with him just as the Dem's in Wash. D.C. – like they should. Alan – your as nutty as Bush and Palin!
U.S. let's unite and be patriotic again – Obama unite the clan!
Let the GOP have Lieberman!!! Then we will see whether his support of McCain was a matter of principle or not. They will NEVER tolerate his stance on social issues, domestic policy, health care or civil rights. The fact of the matter is that Lieberman backed McCain SOLELY to appease Israel his largest and most influential backers. If Lieberman were truly concerned about this nation he would never, COULD never in good conscience back a McCain/Puffball ticket. She can't even find Israel on a map!!!!!!!!
Lieberman is not simply a traitor to his party, he is a traitor to this nation and should be treated as such.
Right now the GOP loves him. "He is a man of conviction. . He followed his conscience." Let's put that to the test, shall we!?!
I CHALLENGE THE GOP TO TAKE LIEBERMAN INTO THEIR CAUCUS!! If you really believe that this guy is a man of honor then take him in and let's see if he is more loyal to this nation or another!!
The thoughts and reaction of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are a clear and dispicable example of the partisanship that has cast a dark and dangerous shadow over American politics. Although I may not agree with his presidential pick, Lieberman has the right as a citizen and as a politician to use his own judgement and cross party lines to support who he believed would be a good president. We need to escape the devastating partisanship of our politics and renew the ideals of liberty and freedom on which our great nation was founded.
If Liberman switches to republican he will be defeated in the next senate election in CT. He can only win in CT as a democrat or independent.
It seems that Mr Lieberman made his bed, now let him lie in it. Take some responsibility for your betrayals, Joe!
In my opinion what the democratic leaders did to Hillary was done improper, wrong, and I'd like if it wasn't for CNN comment policy, I'd use a stronger word of describing what they did!
PUMA
Lieberman was just trying to make a name for himself because he thought McCain would win. His argument at the beginning seemed reasonable, when he was comparing experience. However, later on, even after the debates, he was actually arguing that Palin had enough experience which completely revealed that his position was fraudulent and he was just another stooge trying to trick the American people. it was a big gamble by Lieberman that didn't come close to paying off.
'Change' has come to America and it's knocking on your door Joe !!
GIve me a break. All of a sudden a politician is not allowed to have an opinion? Have a good 4 years.
Why was it wrong and improper? Because he went against his political party? Harry Reid is a hack and is making Democrats look bad.
Im commenting on this thread because the screeners wouldn't post this on the other thread.
To all the people that are commenting that the election is over and to stop the hating comments on Obama, I agree whole heartedly.
But nobody is making the same statement about Sarah Palin, and she has become a bigger punching bag with the media since Tues than before the election. The media is even getting away with flat out lies now that they wouldn't attempt to make up before the election.
Joe must lose his chairmanship. You do not get to vote against, in public, the parties nominee for President that controlls your appointment to the Chairmanship.
It is not done. If he leaves the caucus, so be it. If he votes against the Democrats, so be it. He was offered Vetrans Affairs, and he turned it down. No way can he keep Homeland security, when the rest of the Homeland Security team (The incomming President/VP/SecState/ SecDef/NSAdvisor, chair of House, and others) will not be able to trust him.
As an independant, he does not even have a right to sit on ANY committee (sad, but true), as a former Demo, and traitor to the Demo cause, he has lost his rigtht to throw a fit.
BTW, Chuck Hagel siding with Obama would get similar treatment if he was staying in, and he also left the Repubs (which he has not).
You do not get to defy the party and still reap the rewards. Those who suggest otherwise are....silly.
Just get it over with and kick his butt out of here, NOW!!!!!!!! He's already a republican after the stunt he pulled. keep him on that side of the aisle until the AMERICAN PEOPLE kick him out for good. Which will probably happen once he's up for re-election! People in Connecticut should be disgusted that they actually put him there!
Dear Republican friends, please take him! I have way more respect for you guys than him!!
All you folks who object to Reid's demoting Lieberman as "unfair" don't understand that the Majority Leader doesn't have appoint any particular person for any reason other than his own preference. Lieberman certainly understands this, and he won't say its unfair. Chairmanships are about status and power. Lieberman lost both in the Democratic landslide. The losers never get committee chairmanships, and Lieberman is a loser in more ways than one.
Leiberman showed his true stripes durning the campaign – the stripes of a skunk.
He deserves chairmanship of absolutely nothing – especially now that He says he wants to be a republican.
They're welcome to him – senile though he is.
So disagreement is "improper?" Isn't this the total opposite of what Obama has preached?
As my mother used to say you make the bed you lie in. Joe deserves what he is about to get "nothing". He will be voting as an Independent and will have no power other than that. I this is harsh, but even I as an independent understand that he crossed the line with many of his comments during the campaign. Sorry Joe, but you know how politics work.
The failure to accept reality is sometimes referred to as denial. At this point, the failure to accept this reality has past the denial phase and causes question of the ability to distinguish between the light of an on coming train and lightning bug.
Until Jan. 20th 2009 The United States of America is a free country!
After that, we can only hope.
Good for Joe Lieberman speaking his mind and heart in 2008!
Good for Zell Miller speaking his mind and heart in 2004!
We need more real men like these to stand up, and as Lee Greenwood sings, "defend her still today, cause there ain't no doubt I (they) love this land, God bless the USA!" God bless Joe and Zell too!
where is the freedom of speech that we claim we have.
He chose to support McCain, so what. Is that a crime?
I am a little dumbfounded about Joe's apparent betrayal because he disagreed with them on ~one~ thing.
Everyone expected Joe Lieberman to support John mcCain. What no one expected were his repugnant comments about Ayers, Khalidi and everything that he could think of to smear and destroy Obama's run for the presidency. For goodness sake when he was running as Al Gore's VP he never indulged in that kind of vitriol against his opponents. His attacks against Obama were not only about his ideas and policies. They were personal attacks on who he is and his character. And that's the crux of the issue. The Homeland Security Committee is too important a committee to have Joe Lieberman as Chairman. He cannot be trusted, especially in that role. Reid should show some backbone and boot him out.
SHAME ON YOU HARRY REID! How dare you chastise a member of Congress for having his own morals and opinions. YOU should be ashamed of yourself. This is America, and the last time I checked no one HAS to "toe the party line." If you were from my state I would not only vote against you for evermore, but I would convince all my friends to do the same.
You are a bad person.
"Lieberman reportedly called the proposal "not acceptable." I'm sorry, but am I missing something here? Sorry Joe, but you've lost the option of providing an opinion.
"Improper" means nothing more than Lieberman doesn't think the same as Harry does. Anyone notice that Harry Reid is beginning to sound like Vladimir Putin?
The Republicans can have him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What about all this talk about coming together and divided we fail. Does that only work when it's in favor of the Democrat party?
Joe Leiberman is an Independent and shouldn't be shamed for supporting John McCain in his candidacy. We need more people reaching across the isle. Let's see more of this.
Ultimately the voters of CT are going to decide Lieberman's political fate. He couldn't get elected as a Dem in '06 in a state that showed over 60% support for Obama. My gut tells me that this guy has won his last election.
Change was supposed to be a new kind of politics, one that embraced bipartisanship to bring Red and Blue together. So far, change has meant Blue Partisanship instead of Red Partisanship. Reid's comments and the choice of Rahm Emanuel are not good signs if Obama wants to follow through on his campaign rhetoric.
Is Lieberman a mess or what?
Bye bye, Joe. Your self-righteous, santimonious attitude won't be missed. You could have opposed Obama on policy grounds - fine; but many of your comments about him were demeaning, insulting, and false. Go sit on the GOP side of the aisle where you belong.
Mr. reid you are absolutly right about Liberman. Frankly he is a disgrace to Men, Politicans and Jews!
Lieberman is a joke and a snake who only looks out for himself. Why does he continue to call himself a liberal, there is a better name for this type of person, a republican!
Joe Lieberman caucuses with the democrats, and is therefore subject to the democratic leadership.
Do with him what you will. He needs a lesson.
I saw Lieberman follow Larry Craig into the men's room at the Minneapolis airport one time.......
Joe did wrong by the party, he should lose the chair he holds, if he wants to bolt to the republicans let him, because Joe of today is not the same as the Joe of 2000. Let the people of Conn decided if he should remain in office next election.
BK an RC represent the addled confusion of the religious right. Joe had/has fundamental beliefs that deserve respect, but he can't park them on the shelf when they aren't consistent with the democratic will of the American people. If Joe had any credibility and ethical base, he would acknowledge this will, and seek a rear seat in the Senate. He has shown his mettle by his whining....
Joe " two face" Lieberman is a Republican and they're welcome to have him.... the sooner the better.
Comments are somewhat ironic considering what the Dems did to Lieberman in the 06 election
Sorry Lieberman crossed the line in not only supporting an inferior candidate in the opposition party but went further by dissing Obama.
In politics that's treason and should be treated as such. It has nothing to do with reaching across the aisle as he was supposed to be on the same side and received the Chairmanship for his support.
Let the Republicans have him as there may be a couple of them to reach out to for support and you already know where they stand and what to expect from them.
It's nice to see how the Dems are keeping Obama's word of reaching accross the party lines. Lieberman did just that and Ried wants to punish him for the same thing that Obama and Biden just praised in their speaches. Was I the only one that watched them speak. Dems or Rep, they are only for themselves. Nothing will change until people stop choosing sides and start thinking about America as a whole.
To: Fred
"There are no mavericks in their party"...implies to me, that's a GOOD thing! We now see how the "mavericks" performed these past months huh!?
Lieberman is not a democrat. He only calls himself one for advantage.
Sounds fair to me, remove him from head of the Homeland Security Committee and put him over a smaller committee. When re-election time comes again find a strong Democrat to run against him.
It has nothing to do with being "wrong" or with "loyalty" or with "punishment". But there are actions and there are consequences. Joe Leiberman made the choice to support McCain of Obama and that's fine. But the Democrats are in control of the Senate (by a wider margin than before, no less) and as the controlling party should have people in charge of high profile committees that reflect their platform. Leiberman obviously doesn't. I think he would be happier (and more genuine) if he were to switch parties anyway.
He acts like a Republican. He talks like a Republican. He campaigned for a Republican....Let him join the Republicans and see if he can get re-elected as a Republican!
REED HAVE SOME GRAVITAS AND PUNISH HIM.
Reed you must punish him or you yourself will loose respect.
Juan
Los Angeles, California
Joe has to go.
If any Republican criticized George W Bush 4 years ago, he would have been gone.
Dem's must show... ready for it.
Resolve.
In order to keep those middle grounders who switched from red to blue.
There must be a hard line on this one.
It is OK to disagree with your party, but you do not endorse against your party.
For those who have trouble understanding this:
Imagine you went public on a family rift.
Your side loses, and you ask to be accepted back into the fold.
Your family will never be the same, you will never have the trust of your family as you once did.
They will never know if they can trust you.
Joe criticizing – totally OK
Joe getting on stage with the other side – NOT OK
Cut him loose now.
Perhaps Reed is really referring to LIEberman's unusually super-close connections with Israel and the Israel lobby? It's borderline espionage!
It's ironic how some think Lieberman cost Gore the election in 2000, and here he was in 2008 tied to the losing candidate from the other party. Each stand has lowered his stature, until now he might as well go home and run for state senate.
if Lie-berman just said he would support McCain and that was it, fine! However, this jackel went on the campaign trail with McCain and Palin. When Palin was dividing the country with her hate talking, he was there, pumping his fist, clapping, cheering her on! So what if he gets his @$$ thrown out. All he care about is his damm self! Trust, if Gore never took Lie-berman as he running mate in 2000, Gore would of won that election. Lie-berman is nothing but a punk! Let him join his buddies McSenile and Graham. The Democrats don't need his trick @$$!
Hey Mr Reid,
Ya think Lieberman was improper????
Ya feel ya can put some energy into that???
What about BUSH and CHENEY? an ILLEGAL WAR? PLAME< GRAIHB and Guauntanamo. LYING TO TO CONGRESS, THE SENATE and THECITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
Ya think thats improper? yes, no , maybe
Keep avoiding the Elephant, jerk
Reid needs to find the spine he seems to have been born missing. Boot Lieberman off the committee and have done with the whining little traitor.
Elections have consequences. Now institute them, dammit!
Screw Lieberman.
He could've supported McCain *without* also bashing Obama harshly and repeatedly.
But he took the low road, and now should pay the price.
Joe you've got backbone! something a lot of your critics don't even know how to spell. You are a man that stood by his principles despite the odds and the ridicule you would face. Good for you.
Good for Joe for actually doing his job. Our elected officials' first loyalty should be to their conscience and their constituents, not to their party. I'm glad somebody finally realized that. It was McCain's unflinching loyalty to Bush and unwillingness to publicize their disagreements that did him in. As far as a committee chairmanship goes, that should go to whomever would do the job best, and Joe's experience in in foreign affairs seems to indicate he's still the best man for the job. Too bad Harry Reed seems to be playing politics again, like when he said that 100 feet underground in an unpopulated desert would be an inappropriate place to store nuclear waste; better to keep it scattered at 50 minimally guarded sites around the country.
I respect a man or woman who stands for their principles and accepts the consequences of their actions.
Senator Lieberman you took a stand based on your principles. Your fellow countrymen disagreed. Your formerly fellow Democrats disagreed. Now, if you truly have principles, you have to deal with the consequences.
I believe stripping you of your chairmanship is a mild rebuke in response to your comments regarding the Democratic nominee.
BTW, what were you promised if McCain had won? Just asking.
Harry get Pelosi to change your diaper.Joe Liberman is twice the man you'll never be.
Why is it wrong? He voted who he believed in and that is wrong? who cares that he is a Dem. I think its great he crossed party lines. There are too many peole that vote based only on the party they are in as opposed to voting who is the right person for the job....
Fire him from head of the committee of homeland security. I don't trust his loyalties. He seems to be bitter and taking some kind of revenge out on democrats since his state didn't vote for him and he had to switch to independent. If he wants to still caucus with dems that's ok.
Joe Liebermn was completely inappropriate during the campaig (in particular the Republican Convention). He should be kicked out of the Democratic party – he has no busness affiliating with and/or calling himself a democrat.
Harry won't rest until he has a real boot-licker like Ned Lamont.
Ned will stay in line.
Lieberman needs to be gone.. Let him go with his buddy, McCAIN..Why don't he be a man and go to the side he has supported..
BYE, BYE LIERMAN..BE A MAN...
Joe has to go!!!! He should be taught a lesson!!!!
Lieberman may have violated party protocol and I may disagree with his views on some important issues (including but not limited to his support of McCain), but a Senator must not be punished for supporting the candidate whom he believes is best qualified for the job. Reid should back off.
I think Lieberman backed McCain out of friendship and that is understandable. Since he won his last term as an independent, I don't think it's really fair to chastise and "punish" him, even if I personally don't care for him. President Elect Obama doesn't have control over the Democratic party in the Senate, but I don't like to see people punished for their political views, which they have a right to, even if I totally disagree with them! As long as a persona isn't advocating violence or refusing equality to all, then they have a right to follow their own political beliefs.
IN 4 YEARS , YOU WILL BE WISHING YOU HAD LISTENED TO JOE .
JUST ONE BIG QUESTION, WHERE IN THE SAM h- IS HE GOING TO GET ALL THIS MONEY TO PAY ALL THESE GIVE AWAY'S. mYSELF AN FELLOW NEIGHBORS NEVER RECIVED THE FIRST ROUND OF CHECK'S. OR IS IT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT OUTRIGHT DEMOCRATS OR ILLEGALS .
I AM SURE HE IS NOT GOING TO GIVE BACK ANY OF THOSE FOREIGN COUNTRIES DOLLARS. AN YET HAS NOT DISCLOSED WHOM THEY WERE FROM ?
SO DON'T PUT ALL THE BLAME ON JOE. ALREADY HOW MUCH HAS THE MARKET DROPPED. AND THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT . WITH ALL THOSE NEW TAX 'S ON HIS MENUE.
AND THE FORECAST IS FOR MANY MORE THOUSANDS OF JOBS GONNA GO DOWN THE DRAIN. OBAMA STYLE . SHOULD SAY THE MEDIA'S DARLING . WAITE TILL ONE OF THEM LOOSES THERE JOB, AND HAVE TO BACK TO HOLLYWOOD .
jUST GLAD TO SEE SOME ONE WHO WILL WORK BOTH SIDES FOR THE GOOD OF OUR CIUNTRY. gOD BLESS YOU jOE L.
Senator Lieberman made he choice. He is not in a position to
say what is acceptable and not. He made a bad decision.
Senator Lieberman and his wife will miss all those dinners and parties at the White House. Let him find other sources for dinning.
Being resourceful as he is he will have no problem finding a dinning place. The next time around CT will probably dump him.
This guy looks out for #1.
Bottom line is that the Dems cannot trust Lieberman and we are all wanting to start with a clean house. He has to go.
Reid has one HECK of a nerve. Leiberman was doing what every candidate and stumper does during a campaign, building up the candidate and attacking the opposition. Just look at what Biden did. He said BHO was not experienced enough to lead, among MANY other things, the list is too long to mention. And everyone knows that what is said in the campaign is history after election day. In THIS ARTICLE Reid said Leiberman votes with him a lot more than some democrat senators.
HE HAS A MIND OF HIS OWN, Reid. That's a lot more than most of the looneys in your party. What more do you want? He shouldn't have to lick your boots. If BHO doesn't rein in you and your yellow dogs, he's going to have his hands full trying to get anything done.
What would Obama do?
Guys, in order to have change we have to change washington. Get rid of these political middle schoolers.
That's why its so important to vote to get immature people like both reid and liberman out!
HI EVERYONE ,
I AM VERY HAPPY WE GOT A NEW LEADER – OBAMA / HE CARES ABOUT THE RICH AND POOR .
ABOUT – JOE LIEBERMAN / HE NEEDS TO CHANGE OVER TO REPUBICAN , BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT HE IS . A TRADER – FOR SURE . AMERICA DOES NOT NEED HIM – NO WHERE , IN THE WHITE HOUSE .
OBAMA – CAN FIND SOMEONE TO TAKE HIS PLACE .
LETS GET AMERICA BACK – THANK OUR – GOD FOR OBAMA . EVERYONE ENJOY – THE GREAT NEW CHANGE . TAKE CARE EVERYONE .
So much for the "new tone" in Washington...
Can we get back to the mean-spirited, tit-for-tat, partisanship of old? Yes we can.
It is fine to quote Obama on reaching across party lines. In reaching across, you know and understand who you are dealing with. That is the problem with Lieberman, you never are sure who you are dealing with. The Dems need people heading up the important committees that are strong and knowable. Lieberman is not strong. He should be given a lessor position that is more in alignment with who he is.
To : Pat in Canada November 7th, 2008 7:12 pm ET
Now lets see if Obama keeps to his promises. My feelings are he will go the way of the best of them – empty promises and blame it on others.
You are nothing but a moron.
Go get your high school before you on line blood sucker.
two words "GOODBYE JOE" !!!!!!!!!!
Sen Reid,
What is "unacceptable" is that you are even discussing it. Lieberman does not "deserve" a leadership post.. period. Leave him as an independent... if he goes to the Republicans then he can be a moderate "thorn" in their side.
No one likes a traitor. He lied to the Democratic Leadership, so why reward him?
Wynter
To BLR and the Rest who believe Joe should remain w/o chastisement: Joe Lieberman can not be trusted. He has no right to be a chairman of any committee. If I were a Republican I would not want him in my camp. He can not be trusted. He is a traitor and I bet I know why!!!! Isreal, Isreal, Isreal!!!!! Need I say more. Joe wanted to make sure that Isreal will not be left out of the mix. He just looked quite stupid and now he has to reap what he sowed.
he bashed our next president. waterboard him!
It's one thing to endorse McCain which I didn't have a problem with since he's an Independent now. It was another thing to actually campaign with him. Colin Powell didn't campaign with Obama when he endorsed him. The whole lot of Republicans that endorsed Obama never campaigned with him. He gave a speech at the RNC for crying out loud!!!
Wow, so Joe Lieberman, an INDEPENDENT, disagrees with his FORMER party over the Iraq war, the military and Obama as a presidential candidate and Harry Reid gets his panties into a wad? It seems that the "great Senator from Nevada" has an axe to grind and a power trip. Obviously, Senator Reid has nothing else to do but to find fault with every politician that is a Republican and also include Lieberman with the group.
Since Reid and Pelosi have taken over the Congress, nothing has been accomplished due to both individuals refusing to lead their party for the good of the country. Reid and Pelosi are hedionistic and self-centered individuals who only care about making petty statements in the media to make themselves feel important. I guess the economy is not important enough for them to take time out of their busy "Lieberman/Republican Media Express Slander Tour."
independent vet. the market was up today. when it goes down its repubs fault. joe voted for mccain. he is not worthy of our party. move to alaska with ur precious palin!
For the last eight years we have heard the Republicans say my way or the highway. If Lieberman's comments had not been so disrespectful of Obama during the election and he had not made a show of shadowing the Republican ticket Reid's decision might have been different. I say Joe has to go. If the shoe had been on the other foot the Republicans would have thrown him out of the party. That is how they operate.
This just proves it will be partisan politics as usual and I will not support this president or congress with anything they do, because I storngly believe that this country has elected a socialist/marxist government into power that is going to look to take over more of our lives, take more of our hard earned money and fully remove the idea of personal responsiblity that this country was founded on.
Want the secret to spreading the wealth? When the next round of stimulus checks come out, put yours in Walmart stock so you can make money off everbody else's stimulus checks. Thats where the last round of checks went.
Reid has always come across as pompous and whiny to me. There is something very patriarichal about him that seems out of touch and old-fashioned. What does he and Obama have in common other than party affiliation? I fully agree with those complimenting Lieberman for reaching across the party line. Is that not what they are all supposed to do? Reid, don't you have worse issues to occupy yourself with at this time and place than a moment of media attention that serves your purposes well?
Quite the new spirit of "change" that they're preaching, them Dems. Looks like they're already going back on their campaign promises of working as one United States. Was anyone actually gullible enough to believe them? Not I.
Reed is a sniveling coward. Joe Lieberman is a civil servant and he behaves that way. Talk about a rare breed. This guy puts Country above party and this is how he is treated? Obama was elected because he promised change and everybody bought into it. Everybody blames the Republicans for the atmosphere in Washington, yet, here is the proof that politicians are all the same- Democrat and Republican. It is disgarceful the way Reed is behaving.
Joe Lieberman has done everything in his power to prove that he has enormous hostility towards the Democrats in general and Obama in particular – perhaps because Obama succeeded where Lieberman failed.
In any case, Lieberman CANNOT be allowed to remain in his current chairmanships. They have oversight responsibilities and investigatory powers which he refused to exercise over George W. Bush and the Republicans, but is SURE to use against the new Obama administration.
He is a constant threat to the Democratic caucus. Leaving him in his chairmanships would be the act of a fool. I don't respect Harry Reid much, nor any of the Democratic leadership, but I would be surprised if they didn't get Lieberman out of those chairs.
*********
I wonder if Lieberman switches to Republican, whether the GOP will trust him.
*********
TO: Pat in Canada November 7th, 2008 7:12 pm ET
Now lets see if Obama keeps to his promises. My feelings are he will go the way of the best of them – empty promises and blame it on others.
How will any one will able to keep his promise when you have Zionist
like Joe the Lieb... running loose in the corridor of power.
-when all they think is about them self, war, occupation and invation.
-they love live life everyone else love death.
-they love wealth every one else love poorverty.
-they want to be free but every one else should be slave.
-they love unity but others should be divided.
-they love justice and human right but others should not be entitle to it.
war cost money and life.
-Palestine needs to be free
Palestine needs to be free
Palestine needs to be free
As far you have these blood suckers around making and dictating policy nothing is going to change
that is why the whole world needs to rise up
agaist evil.
no matter how big and mighty
YES WE CAN
Is that the way it is going to be from now on Harry Reid? do something the democrats do not like and you get booted out. Shame on you you democratic boo hoo. You sound like a little boy who did not get his way and now you want to bully people around. You will get your just rewards in due time. There is someone out there meaner than you and who cries lounder that you do. It is just that Joe Liberman stood up for what he wanted and for a friend and waht can you say? you sound like you must have your way. Think positive and as k what can you do for your country and not what my country can do for you. If Joe Libverman needs stripped you need your hands slapped and tied. He has been doing a good job it is just to bad he is a Democrat.
Fire Lie-bergirl! The Republicans may need him in 2012.
He was supposed to investigate what happend in New Orleans and didn't do a thing. Get rid of him.
Correction to my last comments: I was incorrect to say Joe Libeerman was Democrat and I realize he is an Independent leaning toward the Republican party when he spoke oh behalf of Sen John McCain. I knew he was to nice a person to be a demo.
I would like for him to explain the logic behind his statement that he was only doing what was right for his state. His state, of which I am a resident, voted nearly 2 to 1 against McCain in the general election. It is the same kind of thinking that has the Republican party in such dire straits. They believe they know better what is good for us poor, dumb, ignorant voters. He should take the offer to join them in their party. He will fit right in.
I agree with April. Senator Joe has every right, even an obligation to speak up for who and what he thinks is right BUT, by campaigning for McCain, he's made it clear that HIS ideas and ideals will not necessarily align well with the new administration. Mr. Ried would do well to consider moving him to a less influential position.
Sack him
The problem with Lieberman is that he made a solemn promise NOT to wage attacks on the Democratic candidates, while he was supporting McCain. Instead, Joe L. attacked at the RNC and in other speeches. He also had a prominent position backing McCain during some of the most hateful rallies – - cheering along with all the negative smears.
Sorry, Joe L., I don't think you should be punished for your views, but you need to come clean on who you really are. Until you do that, no one can trust you. It is better for you to be in a lesser position. Nothing personal – just business.
So, let me get this straight. Leiberman votes his conscience and the Democrats want to punish him. Chirs Dodd, our other Senator from CT, is being investigated for a sweetheart mortgage deal and the Democrats embrace him. Typical Democrats....they don't know how to be true to themselves or the American people. God help us.
Bye Joe.You are two faced just for your own gains.
joey lieberman is his name, lying about his party is his game. He loves Israel more than you, joey lieberman is a lying ....
To the idiot that stated "PALESTINE NEEDS TO BE FREE"
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A PALESTINIAN NATION ITS A MYTH THERE WAS NOTHING IN THAT AREA TILL ISRAEL STARTED TAMING THE LAND THEN ALL THE ARABS CAME BACK BECAUSE IT STARTED LOOKING NICE AND BOUNTFUL.
THIS COUNTY NEEDS TO STAND WITH ISRAEL "I WILL BLESS THEE THAT BLESSES THEE AND CURSE THEE WHO CURSES THEE"
P.S I AM AN OBAMA SUPPORTER !!!!!
Joe made his choices – that is absolutely his right. I am an Obama supporter, but can still admire him for doing what he thinks is right.
However, being chairman of the Homeland Security Committee is not a right. He was selected to lead by his democratic peers.
They are now holding him accountable for his choices – that is their collective right.
Joe can feel good about doing what he thought was right, but he also needs to understand that their can be consequences. Nothing wrong with that.
He now has the right to switch to the Rebublicans. Will be interesting to see if he does it.
Harry, Joe Lieberman made his decision..Let him live with it..
Grow Up.
"unacceptable?"
As a Democrat, having Leiberman sit in any leadership position as an Independent, is unacceptable.
Unless he reregisters as a Democratic.
Reed was being far more than gracious and profession to have a private conversation with him. For the Democratic party does not owe, a non party members anything, other than a memo giving notice.
Joe Lieberman ( 2008 ) and Zell Miller ( 2004 ) belong to the same camp if only the Republican Party will have them. Otherwise both should form their new political party of undesirable mavericks.
Both lefttovers from the Democratic party may need Sarah to breathe new life into them in 2012........ Betcha, it may be too late to resuscitate their careers.
The bottom line is: Lieberman BEGGED for Obama to stump for him in 2006. That's because Obama had just delivered an amazing speech at the DNC. Ned Lamont, the local CT millinoaire was gaining on him in the polls. Ultimately, it was Obama who pushed him over the top b/c he had pulled in GOP and Dem votes. Lieberman is behind a rock and a hard place: He stabbed Obama in the back clearly by using him in 2006 to get re-elected and then campaigned against Obama in this year's presidential election. Lieberman did NOT ask anyone from the GOP (i.e DeLay, Hastert, etc) to stump for him. So clearly Lieberman knew what he was doing. There's no question about that he stabbed Obama in the back. That's obvious regardless of his independent status. Now, CT voters have to decide if he is worthy of re-election. Lamont will no doubt run again and get the entire Liberal\Democratic vote in CT. Lieberman will get ONLY GOP votes. Connecticut votrers will be infruriated with Lieberman and will not vote for him again. No GOP can win without Dem voters. So Lieberman will either be recalled...somehow or lose his re-election bid in 2012. People in CT do not play with GOP candidates!
Lieberman is done.
Reid is a real piece of work. His whining is a symptom of a bigger problem....he, Dodd and his fellow Dem's are actually going to have to roll up there sleeves and quit snivelling and work together to get us out of this mess or lose their majority in the next 2 years in the Senate. Partisan B.S. at it's most heinous, when the country needs to come together to pull through this! Lieberman has shown a rare trait in this election process...courage and character...traits Reid should study and take on. The Dem-lead Senate would continue to show their backside by "demoting" him...what happened to working with folks because of their skill sets and not for their party affiliation?
Leave Liebermann alone. Everyone's sick of partisanship. Come on, Reid! Be the bigger man and set an example for the rest of Congress on this one.
I guess that is why Joe is an independent. If the Dems are looking for the filibuster proof senate they need Joe. Sen. Reid better be sure with what he does.
OBAMA got it right when talking about his daughter's dog. He said, "a mutt like me," After all he's is a Hines variety. I just hope the country won't be run the same way. Wither you're white or you black. WHICH IS OBAMA. DO YOU EVEN KNOW?
HARRY YOU ARE IMPROPER YOURSELF. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE JOE ON THE GOP. REID, POLOSI ARE SO ARROGANT. JUST REMEMBER REID YOU WILL NEED JOE DOWN THE ROAD. HOPE HE STIFFS YOU AND THE LIBERALS
Given the tone of the Democrats commenting here, does anyone believe that Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are really going to be bipartisan? These people can even get along with someone who votes with them 90% of the time.
Did you look at Obama apologizing to Nancy Reagan for his stupid remarks? This shows how inexperienced he is. He has no substance.
Tomorrow he can say/do anything and then apologize. American people are forgiving but they cannot stand for these kind of silly things.
Maggie in SC, you’re incorrect because Joe Lieberman was a democrat at the time when he spoke on behalf of Sen. John McCain.
so much for bi partisianship, putting away politics, reaching across the table etc...
I thought it didnt matter what political side you were on, as long as we work together to fix the country blah blah blah...
What Harry would have liked to say if there were no cameras: "PARTY FIRST ! Then we'll worry about dealing with those little people we call constituents"
I like how Reid called the Democrats in Congress "my senators"
Last I checked, as American citizens, they are OUR Senators who have been elected to do what is best for our country and the states they represent.
Cut Joe loose, Senator Reid. He has been a traitor to the Democratic Party, pretends to be an Independent and is a Republican mole in the caucus.
He is a self-serving and unprincipled man of straw.
Relieve him of the heavy burden of chairmanship, replacing him with a true Democrat who has read, and understood, the Constitution, sending Joe into the political limbo where he rightfully belongs.
To Maggie in SC:
I'm sorry that you think that somebody is "too nice to be Democrat"! It's a sad state of affairs when we can't just disagree about issues – that we have to demonize and question the character of those who have different opinions than we do and not just disagree with the ideas of those that hold different positions. I'm know that I, as a Democrat, love this country just as much as you do, want to serve it just as much as you (I served in the Peace Corps for two years in Central America), and am (hopefully) as nice as you (at least I try and I'm sure that my politics isn't the thing that gets in the way of my niceness).
My prayer is that, under President Obama, we can get away from this tearing down of those who disagree with us and can see that we ARE the UNITED States of America!
BENEDICT ARNOLD!!!! GOODBYE JOE – YOU TURN COAT, THERE"S NOTHING HERE FOR YOU. GOP = RIP!
Harry Reid is a jerk! He wants it both ways. Lieberman is NOT I repeat NOT a dem he is an independent who can cross the aisle on things he believes in.
He votes most times with the dems because he stands with them socially.
Foreign policy however he disagrees with the dems so he votes with the rep. He can do this!!!! It doesn't make him a turncoat. He is an American Citizen who has the right to support whomever he sees fit for POTUS!!
Grow up
WE DONT NEED YOU JOE SO BACK AND KISS JOHN MCCAIN'S BACKSIDE SOMEMORE
As someone who actually IS represented by Joe Lieberman, I found his comments deplorable. HE DOES NOT SPEAK for over 70% of our state and his comments both at the RNC and throughout his endorsement of the McCain campaign epitomize the antithesis of what his constituents believe. Don't forget, he is supposed to be representing his constituency, not his own self-interest. He WILL be voted out of his position in the next election. Trust me.
Either Joe goes or Harry should be ousted as Majority leader.
Endorsing McCain as a single-issue voter is one thing, but Lieberman crossed the line when he questioned Obama's patriotism, attacked the Democratic party at the RNC and campaigned for Republican congressional candidates.
The Republicans posting here know that, they're just whining.
Let 'em howl.
JOE,
You are clearly receiving your orders from quarters that intends you to the fullest for discords, and kick you to the curb where you belong. Choose wisely. Its fitting at this time leave dems alone since you are republican in identity stealth mode.
Oh no. Now the crazed necons will start saying things like, so much for partasinship, see I told you so. Get ready to hear neocon buzzwords like "socalism", "marxism" and any other bizzare conspiracy theory.
I spent good money supporting my candidate in his election bid. I don't like it at all that my efforts were under-minded by members of my own party. Joe changed his registration to Independent so he should be encouraged to do as he pleases as an independent, not occupy a democrat seat that can be used against us.
Harry, Lieberman has more character than you will ever know, you are a self serving idiot. I cannot see why the people of Nevada voted for you, I hope the next time you come up for election you are ousted. Obama will never be able to get things done with people like you in power, you are part of the old regim and a hinderance to Obama's success. Obama needs new blood and you sir are a dinosaur who does not even know he is extinct. Obama wants to reach across the isle and forge a better government for the people, the only time you reach across the isle is to stab someone like Lieberman in the back!!!
Joe has always been PRO ISRAEL, PRO WAR!
The ONLY other priority Joe has is: JOE!
Joe has never been FOR the USA!
This man has no principles and simply has no right to be serving as a US Senator!
He should be sent to ISRAEL on one of the many NUKES that we supply them with!
Senator Lieberman has the right to do and say anything he likes, and Reid has no right to judge Senator Lieberman.
What Reid is attempting to do in retaliation to Senator Lieberman is the most childish and immature act possible.
Reid is acting just like Pelosi in her tirade of a speech against Republicans and President Bush during the Economic Crisis Funding Vote.
Joe is a TRAITOR. Not only to his party, but to his country. His loyalty lies with Israel. He is the one who is not a true American. Everytime you ask a Jewish person about what's most important they reference Israel. America first!! Joe could care less about the USA. Israel is the biggest war monger and will get us into more war if we dont put our foot down.
It's not just that Lieberman backed the opposition candidate, it's the kind of campaign he chose to support. McCain's campaign was ruthless in its attempts to distract voters from its own inadequacies, and had a very casual relationship with the truth.
I don't see how it could enhance anyone's standing to have been a part of that campaign. It was a travesty, run on trivial wedge issues, pure negativity. It was a waste of .the voters' time to campaign against their opponent instead of for a set of goals and strategies, and it was a series of insultingly transparent attempts at manipulation through propaganda
Lieberman of all people should know better than to be a party to the ugly phenomenon McCain and Palin built. He might have stopped them, he could have gotten out, but he chose to be a part of that campaign. What are the ethics of that?
Why do you people have trouble spelling loser? For example: Lieberman is a loser..... or since I've lost weight my pants are looser. Or.......... what have I got to lose / my dog broke his chain and got loose. Get it?
Don't sweat it! When election time comes around for Lieberman, it will be over for him anyway. We plan on getting him out of here. The same movement that helped Barack in CT will get Lieberman out.
I'm pretty progressive, but I have to stick up for the guy. Lieberman has the right to support whomever he wants in the election. Just as many republicans backed President Elect Obama.
Honestly, it's as much sour grapes as any conservative crying foul over Colin Powell.
Is it really surprising though? No.
E.C.Coleman,
Of course Sen. Lieberman has the right to say and do as he pleases, but he does not have the right to claim Democratic caucus affiliation for the sake of a committee chair while thumbing his nose at the Democratic through a whole election cycle. He can't have it both ways.
I believe those who are supporting Lieberman are Republicans. I'm new in this country but following politics closely during this presidential election . Now I can conclude one thing: Most Republicans are ignorant.
I voted democrat for the first time. I told my friends, as they courted my vote, that I liked the candidate, but that the party didn't care about bringing people together.
Listen to yourselves. People like me left the other side because of the smug, better than thou attitudes. There are a lot like me out here. Why should we trust you aymore than them?
The harbinger of things to come,,,speaking your mind....following your heart....Freedom of Speech....it starts by being 'improper', and ends with being illegal.
The great part about Obama being elected is that we don't have any reason to continue with Affirmative Action anymore...why don't you make that your first offical act as President instead of another handout.
Joe Lieberman is NOT a Democrat. When he came down so hard on Obama at the REPUBLICAN convention HE established that fact, not the Press, or anyone one else. He had an option, when he spoke he could have simply promoted the POSITIVES of Senator McCain and not attempted to undermine and be so harshly critical of Sen. Obama. To me there are lines you have to respect when you are criticizing a fellow politician. HE CROSSED IT!!
This is similiar to when Hillary made it sound like Barack was unqualified to be President. That GUARANTEED she would not be his V.P..
Joe decided to back a Republican for President and now he will have to leave the Democrats!! For every action there is an equal opposite reaction. This applies to ALL things..
Incidentally, don't forget that Lieberman's Independent affiliation is the result of his breaking with the Democratic party because he lost his primary. He declared himself Independent so he could have a mulligan.
So much for Joe running on principle.
Peace, love, unity, bi-partisanship, hope, change we can believe in, blah, blah, blah!
"Just words Just speeches"
Reid should be the one to step down, the man is a coward.
I still think the essential point is being missed. If Harry Reid doesn't do something with Lieberman, he loses his own ability to lead the Dem. caucus. The coherence of the caucus and Reid's leadership are at stake. It may be a little strong, but it's not unrealistic to say that it's either Lieberman or Reid.
Yay! We got those republicans on the run! Look at them scurry away like rats with their obscene wealth in their greedy little paws! So what if they are taking our jobs with them? Now, if we can just get rid of Lieberman...
Lieberman is NOT A TRAITOR. He is an independent, not a democrat, who chooses to caucus with the democrats. I don't know why he or anyone else would support McCain, but that's his right–even if he were a democrat.
Some things are more important than party–namely, your conscience. I believe Joe Lieberman acted with his conscience. He certainly didn't get any political mileage out of this one. I wouldn't vote for him, but I respect him.
Kick the old grunt to the curb
Come on.
Lieberman is and always was a Republican. He only voted with Democrats when it suited his own agenda. This kind of fair weather friend the Democrats do not need. If Lieberman wants to be an independant then he should not hold any office within any party.
It's time to dump the turncoat
Throw him out of the caucus.
Just a sign of how the Democrats are planning to "unite" the country and "rule from the middle." Apparently there is little room for oppossing viewpoints in their anticipated reign.
To Ron L regarding comments made on November 7th, 2008 10:53 pm ET.
You say Hillary making comments on the inability of Obama being President cost her the VP spot? Did you forget that Joe Biden made the same comments during the democratic primary. Now look at where Joe Schmoe is now. VP.
Come on Ron. Get a job and get out of your parents basement.
Joe Lieberman should be dead to us. He is to me! We also need to get rid of Milque Toast Harry Reid should be removed as Majority Leader. We are going nowhere fast with these folks at the helm. We have a chance to do great things for our country with out majority but not with these wimps at the helm. I hope Obama and Rahm lights a fire up under their butts!
Wow, do any of the posters in this page know how the government works? Joe Lieberman will still be a Senator if he is stripped of his chairmanship. He will still have all the same power to represent his state and the same ability to be an independent thinker. He will, in fact, still chair a committee, albeit not one as important.
Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences. You CAN tell you boss that he is a bloated jerk, but then you can't expect a raise. That is exactly what you Republicans on this board are suggesting; that Joe Lieberman should be rewarded with a very important position in congress by the Democratic party after he did nothing but talk trash about them for six months.
If he truly feels he is an "Independent", then he doesn't belong in as crucial a chairmanship anyway. If you Reps don't think that's fair, answer me this: what is the chance of a Republican controlled congress putting anyone in a position of power that doesn't tow the party line 100% – I say about nill
I'm glad that Joe was true to his feelings, although I think the way he showed it was reprehensible. However, now he has to pay the piper. Actions have reactions; if you don't believe me, go ahead and tell your boss what you really think of him/her.
From Texas November 7th, 2008 11:00 pm ET
Peace, love, unity, bi-partisanship, hope, change we can believe in, blah, blah, blah!
"Just words Just speeches"
*******************************************************************************
Just words and speeches because the new administration has not been inaugurated yet!
Two-faced little squid. He is NOT an Independent, he's a two-faced turncoat. He supported Republicans only, down the line, this whole election. He can never be trusted again, so I say he needs to be gone. He did not do this out of principle, otherwise he would have picked and chosen which people to support, not strictly Republicans.
What a jerk.
Lieberman is only an Independent because he lost a Democratic primary during his last re-election bid and knew that if he ran as an Independent, he'd win. Now he's definitely gone a little right since then, but he'd be a Democrat had this not happened. As for supporting McCain, I don't agree with him as I am an Obama supporter, however he is entitled to his opinion. I do believe, however, that Lieberman has let his ire for the Democratic party change his beliefs. Just go back eight years and he was the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate. Perhaps its time he does retire.
Thanks for keeping this important feed open CNN... it is a bitter issue that we as citizens must address, and keep the pressure on Joe Lieberman to resign. He is unsuitable for politics, as he is simply an opportunist waiting to attach himself to someones' coat-tails. This is not leadership, it is wishful thinking. He is useless.
Strip lieberman of the chair, what is going to do? Support the gop? Is he going to support the republicon for president????
At this point they should not throw him out of the party, but if lieberman wants anything he must now tow the party line. He holds no cards at all. The party has a very healthy majority, and if lieberman wants to keep his consitutents happy he will have to support the Democratic agenda. He does not have anything to gain by fighting with the party he so badly sullied, so he needs to pay the price.
We need more people in our government to support whom ever they feel is the best candidate for the job, without fear of punishment from one's party. Also, we need term limits to get these career people out of our government and make it a public service.
Joe Lieberman should be out!
Politics is a competitive engagement and one chooses a side. In such a desperate race as the last elections, it was a shock to see Lieberman endorse McCain and condemn or criticize the Democratic nominee and candidate, Barack Obama, publicly. Joe wanted Obama to lose!
I support a no-forgivenss and buddy-buddy at all!
I wont'say that a competitioon in a Presidential race is like friend and foe contest. No. However, in the end that is exactly what McCain /Palin team seems to have made it – a personal contest of destruction of Obama.
Please democrats, work with all for the country, but never call Joe Lieberman your friend!
Remember the wise words of Chaka Zulu "Never leave an enemy behind". A word to the wise.
Joe says the offer is not acceptable? How imperious. He should not chair ANY committees.
Maybe Lieberman has something wrong with him mentally. Has he always waffled?
JOE TRIED TO STRADDLE THE FENCE AND LOST! GET RID OF HIM! ANYONE WHO AGREED TO PUT US IN GRAVE DANGER BY TRYING TO SELL AMERICA ON SARAH PALIN AS VP HAS "NO" BUSINESS IN WASHINGTON! REPUBLICANS DID NOT PUT COUNTRY FIRST, AND I PERSONALY WILL NEVER FORGIVE THE DANGER THEY COULD HAVE PUT US IN TO WIN AN ELECTION!
Liberman is NOT a Dem. He has made that very clear.
Nashvillian:
"Stupid is forever, ignorance can be fixed. "
You, Nashvillia, can't be fixed !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lieberman is a traitor to the US and the Dems....
After reading all the comments, there are a few things:
I was as big of an Obama supporter as there could be. I didn't agree with Senator Lieberman's views. However, this must be handled in a careful and delicate manner. We don't want to have a situation that further divides the parties and creates more partisanship and tensions. I remember in 2000 and 2004 voting for the candidate who lost and how I felt after the election. I remember how I felt when the voters of the other party did not reach out to me. The best thing we can do is now that the election is over is embrace and reach out to everyone and start working together. We all need to come together and show one another kindness and the willingness to work together, especially in these difficult economic times. We must be kind to one another.
YES he did! (Do something improper!)
You Dems are hilariously hypocritical. Whatever happened to the "Big Tent" we Republicans are supposed to have? Oh,I see: it's a "must' for us, but you anybody who wants to be welcome in Dem circles better goose-step in formation. Can you say, "thought fascists"?
How would you like unifying people among them there are some guys who stabbed you in the back? Well, some of you may say we should forgive them. Well, for the sake of unity we should love our enemy. Could a dead man forgive his enemy after he has been stabbed in the back to death?
i guess all senators should just do what their majority leader says and never exercise personal judgement.
i guess the new administsration we only act in a bipartisan way with people who endorsed pbama
"His Senators"? That's a bit over the top in the arrogance department. And all that "stuff"? Don't be afraid to dumb it down for us Harry. Is this guy for real? Does he have any education at all? I went to high school with his son, and I think his boy is more intelligent than he is. And how about that worm Lieberman for arrogance? "Not acceptable"? As if he's in a position to dictate terms. He backed the wrong pony in a big way and he's lucky the Dems are even still willing to talk to him.
"We must be kind to one another" -
Yah, you're right.. lets be nice to Lieberman, so he can continuously set traps for Democrats to fall in.. so he can successfully disrupt the progress we are trying to implement, as he plots to destroy us for political gain. This is precisely the politicking that Obama is addressing that we should NOT do at this time. Lieberman must go.
Vy, California November 7th, 2008 11:11 pm ET
Kick the old grunt to the curb
-----------–
Spoken by a consummat "old grunt" no doubt! Look in the mirror, turkey!!!!!!!!!!
Lieberman is a pariah among the Democrats, and is obviously not Republican enough, or he'd have been McCain's running mate.
In fact, his only use to the Republicans was as a defector.
He's a man without a party or a use. Let him ready his escape pod, and blast off to retirement in Israel.
Yes - Obama is ever so much more impressive than Lieberman - given the parent teacher conference and picking a puppy ... Yes, indeed - aren't we all just so proud!
Dems will eat their young? Kind of like McCain's camp going out of their way to absolutely ruin Palin now that the election's lost? You mean kind of like that? Republicans are absolutely the last people on earth than can try to take the moral high ground because every single one of them is a venomous hatemonger.
Allowing him to stay on is a true sign of weakness. Obama is trying to build a strong Democratic party.
I'm hoping that Lieberman will go with the Republicans. I don't think we all need to bow down to Obama in this world. Democracy is supposed to be about different points of view and dissent. Me I'm Democratic but probably not a democrat anymore because I don't think they believe in democracy.
Since when is it improper to have your own opinion and act on your own actions? As a senator, you should be more worried about what your home state thinks, as they are the ones who you are supposed to be working for.
Maybe the Democrats are upset because their Congressional and Senate approval ratings are lower than Bush's?
Ruling from the middle? Openness to the ideas of others, even those who didn't support you? I want to hear you and listen to you?
It's three days since the election, and already we see that the Democrats will NOT be doing what they constantly yammered on about. Lieberman is exactly the kind of politician we need from BOTH parties, but because he doesn't toe the "Democratic party line" he's going to get punished.
We'll see very quickly how incredibly hypocritical the Democratic party is. Enjoy your power while it lasts.
Coming from a hard-core liberal Obama supporter:
Do we really want to lynch Lieberman? If so, should the Republicans lynch Colin Powell, Olympia Snowe, Charlie Crist, and Peggy Noonan because they crossed party lines to varying degrees?
I understand being pissed at him (I am) – but really, let's be adults about this.
How typical! Apparently, the only thing Dems know about bi-partisanship is how to say it so often in front of the cameras!
By the way, those of you who are calling Lieberman a "traitor", "turncoat", etc. are simply partisan idiots. You're probably the same "geniuses" who came up with all the clever "Mc..." names. You don't like the things he did? Fine, strip him of his responsibilities. But to call him a traitor is to expect him to "toe the line" of the Democratic party and we can't afford that kind of stupidity in this country any longer. We'll gladly take Joe in our party...he's a good man, a smart man, and he says and votes what he thinks, not what some party hack tells him to.
Reid is giving Lieberman a one way ticket to political Siberia.
Sarah Palin will be able to see him from her backyard.
So, let me get this straight...Lieberman stands on principals and doesn't change his stances on the whim of whatever party is in control and He gets punished. On the other hand, B.O...the least experienced person ever elected to the oval office, casts dozens of "present" votes-not taking a stand on ANY type of controversial issue. Spineless! Get ready for the Obamanation! All hail Premier Obama!!!
Joe Lieberman isn't in trouble with the Democrats because he supported the war and McCain, he is in trouble because he condemned Obama. There is a difference.
To "New Citizen"...you said " I'm new in this country but following politics closely during this presidential election . Now I can conclude one thing: Most Republicans are ignorant."
Now I have to ask you...are YOU ignorant or just stupid? Seriously...based on a blanket statement like that my guess is you're simply not a very smart person, and/or maybe you've bought into the starry-eyed hysteria of Obama. How about this? Try waiting until Obama has actually DONE something in the role rather than simply TALKED about it. It's not hard to get elected when you tell people a) exactly what they want to hear and b) that you're going to give them more money.
Obama has already been anointed as the Savior and he's done NOTHING, people. I have high hopes for him, and I think he's probably the better choice right now (especially globally) but c'mon...let's be real here...how about we hold off rating him as our finest President ever until he actually DOES something!!!
ANYBODY CAN TALK THE TALK...WE'RE GOING TO HOLD OBAMA ACCOUNTABLE FOR WALKING THE WALK.
Politicians should never be chastised for standing up for what they believe in. They need to stop worrying about their party all the time and start worrying about what they truly believe is for the good of the country.
The very moment he announced his support for McCain and started bashing Obama, ha should have been kicked out of the democratic caucus. Democrats didn't do it, because they needed his tie-break vote in the senate. Now that democrats are the majority in the senate and don't need his vote to break a tie, there's no reason to keep that two-faced hypocrite caucusing as a democrat.
Regardless of party, I have never been impressed with Lieberman as he seems to be playing games and jumping fences all the time. Moreover, he is not very bright. Has anyone also noticed that he is always out in left field. He brings bad luck to every group he sides with. He cost Gore the election, made dems look bad throughout his tenure and still can't make up his mind who to pal around with. I don't know why his home state keeps him in office as I do not think he should be in senate attached to any party. Maybe the people from his home state will realize he is a lame duck to the entire nation.
Joe Lieberman crossed the line on this one. He had the audacity to hold and express an opinion that was contrary to someone elses as if it were his constitutionally guaranteed right to do so.
I can't stomach what this country is coming to when people run around having and freely expressing their opinions all willy nilly. Next they'll want to let women and black people vote....
Senator Lieberman is a Republican Fifth Column; he should be stripped of his position within the Democratic Party. In addition, Senator Lieberman is the type of person that doesn’t stand for anything, so he falls for anything. Similar to Senator McCain’s bitterness after his first failed attempt to run for the presidency, McCain wanted to switch party affiliation, of course, so this is Senator Lieberman’s time to switch party affiliation. I suspect, however, the reason Lieberman want do so is because he would most likely not be re-elected. Oh, I forgot, he lost his democratic bid as senator so he ran as an independent.
Looks like the Democratic lynch-mob is gathering up, lighting their torches and arming themselves with pitchforks and clubs to go deal 'justice' to those that dared – d-a-r-e-d – go against their policy and speak out against 'The Chosen One'. How DARE ol' Joe Lieberman endorse his friend – that being Republican John McCain. How could he even think about voting his conscience on national security issues. Back the surge in Iraq? Blasphemy! Well, now that the dems have the legitimacy of popular vote behind them, watch out!
Poor Joe Lieberman. Onetime dem vp candidate, now offcast and sent off. Stripped of all and sent to the desert of Independentness or, worse yet, off to join those dastardly Republicans -shudder!-.
Fact is Joe Lieberman represents the best of the Democratic Party, a free thinker that actually does what is best for his constituents and his country. A bipartisan leader that is looked upon favorably by all (oh, make that all but Democrats who he DARED cross).
Lets all get ready for the 'CHANGES' that we got'a comin'! God help us all, we have chosen our lot, now we will all have to live with the consequences!
To Ben, and all you other anti-Obama-ite whiners: Now you know how we've been feeling for years. It sucks, doesn't it? But it is reality now, so either get on board respectfully or get lost. And by the way, Ben, we have an opposing view of Sen. L.'s 'oppossing views' – he totally "dissed" not only our main man, but our entire belief system. He's committed treason against us and should be cast out, as "oppossed" to having our now-ruling party sink to the level of keeping him around to simply use him.
And good riddance, Joe the Traitor...
Did friends of Lieberman hack the computors?The truth will never be told will it?
forget party labels...politicians today are either reactionary or progressive. us progressives believe, and will vote for, only candidates with progressive programs, the foremost of which are, aside of the economy–which it is clear,- NONE of them know what's going on; 1) voted against the moron's illegal invasion and occupation at the senseless deaths of 4200 americans for oil in Iraq; 2)actually read (WHICH VERY FEW of them did, and voted against the constituion negating PATRIOT act; 3)are opposed to the death penalty; 4)support and ACTIVELY work for labor law reform; 5)are opposed to nuclear power (until, if ever, the issue of waste and the costs of de-commisioning, which the utilities have lied about in liscence proceedings and which are, with the FIRST decommisioning of the Zion plant in Illinois is making public for the first time..$$$$$$$$$!!!!–there are other issues, but without these positions, there are NO progressive candidates. Reid is a 'leader' in name only..where did the politicians with b....s go...
Reid is an idiot. Anyone that has a problem with Lieberman speaking his mind is an idiot. Just because he is a Democrat doesn't mean he should get strung up for supporting McCain. The Republicans would never do this to Powell.
Absolutely ridiculous.
Screw Lieberman! His loyalties are obvious.
Obama changing Republican Party!!!!
The Republicans have decided to hold someone accountable!!!!
Too bad it is seven years too late!!!!
He needs to be sent home to Connecticut for good .
He only regained the Senate seat with dirty campaigning and he lost the Democratic Primary against Ned Lamont .
Liberman is a liar and a loser.
Let him go to the Republican Party and stay their.
To JD: very clever... Abomination!
Well this is alot like in Star Wars esp when Palpatine took power and his lil minions through out any desenters of the Senate. This is a time for us to restore Honor to the REPUBLIC which this Country was founded.
Lieberman is a Judas. He reaps what he sows. How many republicans would want him voting with them? Not really sure. He deserves to have the rug pulled out from under him. Obama, in a memorable senate floor comfrontation, got in his face the day after he was bashing the dems and Obama.
Reid is why our country is in SO much trouble. There will never be "reaching across the aisle" by Obama or any Democrat. I thought this was still a free country where Joe Lieberman could still choose who he wants for president regardless of party. This is just a small taste of what's to come. First our new mutt president will implement the so-called Fairness Doctrine to silence conservative talk radio. We will not be allowed to speak out against the government (wonder what this sounds like). People voted for the end of our country as we know it, not the end of the economic crisis and not the end of hard times, but the end of capitalism and the end of chasing after the American dream. OH AND WE WILL HAVE PLENTY OF JOBS IF WE KICK THE ILLEGAL ALIENS OUT OF THIS COUNTRY!! Mr. Mutt wants to make them legal. We need to close our borders and take care of our own and MAKE THE ONES THAT ARE LEGAL ALREADY LEARN ENGLISH OR GET OUT! When my ancestors came over through Ellis Island, they weren't allowed to continue to speak Austrian and German without learning English. I am sick of this. We are becoming Northern Mexico. Wake up America. People need to speak up or it will be too late.
Lieberman doesn't know what he wants to do!! He needs to go ahead and decide!! You cannot cross parties and openly support the other party and think that your so called collegues are going to take you back! The government is like a clique. How sad. Lieberman is something else. He preyed on Democrats when he ran for office who THOUGHT he was for the American people. He is for himself and his 'party' NEEDS to question this!
Hey Hatefull Harry! You, and the rest of the Extreme Left Wing DNC Leadership left Lieberman out to dry when he was running for reelection as a Democrat. Because of your lack of support for him to be reelected as a Democrat, and in spite of the DNC shunning him because he's not a partisan flaming liberal like you are, and has more experience, and cares about the defense of his country. Joe lieberman went Independent, and he won. Senator Liberman is exactly the kind of guy that needs to continue being the Homeland Security Chair, so that he can help the DNC bridge issues with the GOP, and demonstrate that America still has a spine and a strong defense. I hope to hell that President elect Obama will reign you and your Broom Stick Riding Speaker Pelosi in from your partisan hateful ways that will cause moderates and conservatives to rethink how they voted, and may be viewed by Jewish and Catholic voters, and the Israelies as anti-semedic.
Look at what the leaders of the Democratic party did to him the last time he ran for re-election. They stripped him of getting any money and demonized him . The party spent a fortune against Joe to see him defeated. The great Democratic party ran a lackey against him and would totally push a man of conscious , dignity and honesty aside. I do not believe in most of his politics but one has to think much of him for telling them to go to -. He ran as an independent and taught them a lesson. The great Democratic has to get even for him making them what they really are, Fools. So, who screwed who?
Lieberman is a self-centered, dishonest, traitor, who should be stripped of any commitee. He is in the lowest minority in the Senate.
This is not just about supporting McCain. There is a prelude to this problem. The matter is a personal one.
Lieberman was in trouble for reelection and the person that he ask to save him and campaign for him was Obama. He owe him his reelection. Then he was the best person of the world.
Now, the other matter is his word. He promised that in supporting McCain he will not attack Obama. But not only he attacked him, but participated in the hate feast of the Republican Convention. He implied anti-american sentiments in Obama and participated in every attack including calling him a socialist. He ended even defending Sarah Pailin.
The word hypocrite sound right, and to some treason sounds about correct.