WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Joe Lieberman retained his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Tuesday following a lengthy and often heated debate over what - if any - price the Connecticut Democrat-turned-Independent should pay for his vocal support of Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential bid.
The Senate Democratic caucus, meeting behind closed doors, voted 42 to 13 to allow Lieberman to keep the high-profile chairmanship. The party's 2000 vice presidential nominee was instead stripped of his spot on the Environment and Public Works Committee.
"It's all over with," Majority Leader Harry Reid said at a news conference following the vote. "Joe Lieberman is a Democrat. He's part of this caucus."
Reid dismissed vehement criticism of the decision from elements of the party's more liberal base, which has insisted that Lieberman be punished for failing to support President-elect Barack Obama's campaign.
Reid instead argued that this is "not a time for retribution. It's a time for moving forward on the problems of this country... We need to be unified."
"I would defy anyone to be more angry than I was," Reid noted. "There's a period of time in Joe Lieberman's political career that I will never understand or approve. But I also recognize that.... (he is) one of the most progressive members to come from the state of Connecticut and that says a lot."
Reid also pointed out that that the Democrats could not have had a Senate majority during the past two years without Lieberman's decision to remain in the party caucus.
Speaking at the same press conference, Lieberman called the resolution allowing him to keep the Homeland Security chairmanship "fair and forward leaning."
"It's a resolution... of reconciliation and not retribution, and I appreciate it," he noted.
Lieberman said that a number of his Democratic colleagues in the Senate were moved by an appeal from Obama himself that "the nation now unite to confront our very serious problems.... This is all about going forward."
Lieberman broke with his party over the war in Iraq and ran as an independent after losing the party's Connecticut Senate nomination in 2006.
He was a fixture on the campaign trail with Sen. McCain.
- CNN Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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Good now in the next Senate race, make sure you DONKEYS kick him out for GOOD!!!
Too bad. They should have dumped him...
Another great victory for his country,Israel.
He deserves worse. A complete snake.
Well good, now the democrates won't look like they kicked him out.
That's too bad because I really wanted Libermann OUT. But I guess they will need him in the Senate as a push... BUT he can never be trusted.
Keep you friends close and your enemies closer...nice move!
Hey Liberals, this is how you reach across the middle. What a joke the Democratic LIberals are.
God help us if the Democratic Liberals get control with their 60 votes.
We need Joe there to look our for us.
Come on Democrats grow some will ya you should of Kicked him to the curb sent him packing with the sinking republicans,He cannot be trusted
What a bunch of wussies the Senate Dems are.
The Democratic 'leadership' is spineless, always have and always will be.
Pres-elect Obama wanted by gones to be by gones and they did what he recommended. This will show Leiberman that Obama is not what he made him out to be at the GOP convention.
I hope the country will try to live by the same values that Obama is showing and everyone unite to make the country better.
Obviously, the Democratic Senators care more about their cronies than they do about principle...I can only hope that the citizens of CT recall this "traitor" !!
This will not sit well with Democratic voters......we have long memories!!!! Don't you forget it !!!
Poor little Barack, he's too dumb to realize that he's being played by the DNC power structure. Hillary wasn't even offered the job of Secretary of State, but now, with the help of the Clinton press, she's "accepted." This will lead to a third Clinton term with Bill and Hillary stealing his thunder and pushing him off center stage.
Hillary knows exactly what she's doing. It sort of forces Obama's hand. But the question is, is he strong enough to say that no job offer was made and pick someone else for the job.
Also, his "benefactor" George Soros is now making policy for the DNC. Poor Barry, he's just to naive to realize he's nothing but a puppet!
He should not have been allowed to retain chairmanship.
It will not matter much. This is his last term. If he screws up again in any way they will boot him forthwith I suspect.
Still, I wish they would have sent his sorry butt packing. Give him to the repugs.
Good move. You know the saying. Keep your friends close and enemies closer. Now moving on..........
OK people of CT. The ball is in your court now. Take a hard look and don't forget 2008, in 2012.
Joe has no business as chair of Homeland Security. Someone with leadership skills would have been better.
At least Joe's popularity in his home state is at an all time low.
So Joe doesn't get "kicked off the island" this week.
I wonder if this new reality show in the Senate will axe him if Alaska, Minnesota and Georgia all fall into Democratic hands in the coming month? Hmmm... Stay tuned!
Now where did Reid hide the "immunity idol" again?
Wynter
I agree with three buzzards.
Reps and Dems aren't that far apart, are they.
The DEMS are inching closer and closer to #60. Can you say FULL CONTROL. Obama is setiing the table for lunch and dinner until 2016.
Smart move. Keep him close and then let the voters in Connecticut decide if he should stay in the senate.
A fortnight and the Democrats are already acting like losers again.
I heard that he currently has a 68% disapproval rating from the CT people. I really hope that when he's up for re-election they can throw him OUT for good.
That's okay. From what I've been hearing, folks in Connecticut will probably punish him themselves when he's up for re-election in 2012. The polls reported last night that 66% are unhappy with the job he's doing and a majority would vote to replace him in the Senate. So long, Joe!
Senator Lieberman is a courageous man to speak up against the party. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party has become similar to the GOP in that if you don't agree with the party, you are out. That's why partisan politics is bad for our country and our people. These elected officials should have the people's benefits at heart, not the party's.
boo! traitor, who is going to listen to this guy now?
He has to give up chairing a subcommittee that is populated with newbies. Think there should have been a steeper price. Then again the halls of Congress are probably pretty frosty these days for Lieberman and his approval rating in his home state is in the toilet. Certain symmetry there....
Dear Mr. Leiberman,
Bravo for successfully maneuvering around Reid, Leahy, and Pelosi despite overwhelming opposition from the media. This accomplishment further demonstrates your outstanding political savvy.
Bravo for standing up for your convictions and putting what you believed was best for the country ahead of partisan politics.
From,
An Informed Moderate Independent
Is this change?
Democrat party big tent -keep Lieberman. versus republican big tent keep Stevens.
I rather have a 40% democrat than a 100% felon.
Why?
yes, we will wait until the election to kick him out. No need to have him caucus with the Republicans in the mean time. And keep in mind, if he even wants a slim chance of ever being reelected in Liberal Connecticut, he will have to be such a loyal Obama enforcer in the Senate and be vocal about it…Even then, he’s as sure as gone. Don’t fret over the small stuff, Liberals…We have bigger agendas!
Joe the Bummer
Would it be to much to ask that he actually DOES HIS JOB as chairman of Homeland Security???? He has been shirking his duties during the Bush years.
Shameful, he was such a rat.
WOW, MY HATS OFF TO THE DEMS! JUST MAKE SURE YOU GUYS KEEP A CLOSE EYE THIS GUY, HE CAN NOT BE TRUSTED, HE'S ALREADY PROVEN THIS. HE MAY BE WORKING COVERTLY FOR THE GOP. PLEASE BE CAREFUL OF THIS GUY.
It's not playing quite as well, however, in some precincts of Obamaland. From his supporters on the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, to campaign aides of the soon-to-be commander-in-chief, there's a sense of ambivalence about giving a top political plum to a woman they spent 18 months hammering as the compromised standard-bearer of an era that deserves to be forgotten.
FYI, IF hILLARY becomes the Secretary, this will add to National Security. This means, international world leaders are not going to try to take ADVANTAGE of Obama and ruin thiscountry. They will think twice before they act!! Hillary PLEASE SAVE OBAMA and this country...
At the end of the day, Dems couldn't stand up to LIEberman.
I see that CT has no provision to recall the "traitor".....that's too bad !!
How could they let that low life, Kermit The Fog, two faced, loser Joe Dummy Lieberman off that easy. I would not trust him. I'm black and I have more faith in the KKK not hurting me, if I was along with them in a hate rally, than I have in Joe Lieberman being faithful to the Democrated party.
As long as he's kept on a tight leash. I think the Dems should question everything this leach does. And I mean everything. He's a pariah in the Senate.
Same old Democratic wimps; and I guess rewarding Hillary is next. Politics as usual is not the answer.
This is a mistake...
There should be accountability for such actions
Democrats are week
Realistically there's only so much the Democratic Party can do. I agree, I don't think the chair of Homeland Security should be so pro-Israel; it greatly hurt OUR country.
What a bunch of spineless Senators.. It makes me sick to be a democrat. Infers that President elect Obama is a Marxist and hates the troops and he gets no punishment.. Spineless democrats
He should be held accountable for letting the Bush administration run wild and for his obviously turning his back on the Democrats. There had better be something else going on to keep this guy in check and under control.
Too bad. Now its up to Connecticut to throw the bum, Lieberman OUT!
its good to see that not all democrats believe in punishment for voicing an opinion. California would do good to follow.
Sock it to 'em Joe! You were one of the ones that drew up Homeland so it would be utterly stupid to kick you off. It's a free country and you are free to speak your mind as our Constitution allows.
Time is past for BOTH LIEberman and Dodd "sweetheart loan deal" to go!
Wimps in the senate!
Politically correct
Morally bankrupt
Don't see the point of keeping him, if he isn't going to vote with you if you take his chairmanship away, is it really going to change if he keeps his post? Lieberman is the one who should be making some concessions not the other way around.
He could have stayed neutral, or at least not attacked other senate races but chose not to.
If you can't trust him why would you let him keep such an important post?
It is fine if he keeps it, I just wish he would go ahead and admit he is a Republican and give up this "independent" thing. He isn't fooling anyone.
Joe will get his when he comes up for reelection in Ct. As long as Joe votes with the democrats keep him in the fold but, if he strays too far, they can always dump him.
Well, he's already shown that he lsot his morals and possibly his mind so why strip him of anything else.
He is only loyal to Israel. He will use his post as Chairman of National security to distort reality and inflict fear on us so that we go to war with the Arabs to protect Israel. Thats all he cares about.
Sorry, I have corrections to make. GOP did not kick Dr. Ron Paul out just because he disagrees with GOP almost all the time. He is called Dr. No in the House. In this regard, GOP is more tolerant of different ideas than the Dems. With his independent thinking, Senator Lieberman should go all the way to become a leader of Independents.
Lieberman deserves much worse. I have completely and utterly lost respect for him. Even if Lierberman chose to become an Independent, he did NOT need to slam his former party the way he did, and he certainly shouldn't have campaigned for a Republican. My God, even the prominent Republicans who voted for Obama had the decency not to campaign for him out of respect for their party.
Obama is a much better person than most; I hope Lieberman rewards Obama and the Democrats with LOYALTY this time.
What a snake! I wouldn't trust Lieberman to hand me clean toilet paper in the bathroom!
wow..I totally agree that they should have dumped him...too bad...i think he is a slimeball!
Something is wrong here. How is it there were 55 total votes in the Senate when our newest members have not yet been seated? Or have they?
WIMPS. You can walk all over your own party and get rewarded in the end! The democrats have no backbone. This unity let past go thing is getting out of hand. Lieberman is a moron who bets on losers (Gore and McCain).
I don't see what all the big deal is. He backed a candidate he thought was best for this country. I guess the idea of country over party was just a nice sounding jingle after all. You people are pathetic
Hope CT votes him out in 2 years. He's a real snake.
"Hey Liberals, this is how you reach across the middle. "
Yes, and since the Republican party has said that Obama is the "Most Liberal" Democrat...it shows that the "Liberal" Democrats have already reached farther across the aisle BEFORE they have actually moved into the White House than the Bush Adminstration did in 8 years.
You really didn't think that out did you? Rage and hate usually cloud judgement btw.
I was disappointed that he was reelected in 2006. I am disappointed again that the Senators would not stand up to him. There is always hope that 2012 will be different.
I'm a very enthusiastic Democrat and I'm glad they allowed him to keep it.
Lieberman designed this position and has been doing a good job with it. We need to keep the best people for the job in power.
After that, it's up to Connecticut voters as to whether to keep him in the Senate.
To err is human to forgive is Devine.
Lieberman may not show it, but, that snake still harbors revenge in his heart. I do not trust him at all.
The Senate Democrats voted to keep him for the right reasons, though it appears that it was out of "blackmail" on the part of the snake Lieberman. Lieberman would have surely bolted if he was not going to retain the chairmanship the Homeland Security.
Do not ever, never trust this guy in the future. He's still smoldering from two years ago when he lost the Senatorial primary race in Connecticut. LET THE VOTERS FROM CONNECTICUT GIVE HIM THE BOOT WHEN HE RUNS FOR RE-ELECTION NEXT TIME.
Looks like the "country club" protects its own. Pretty spineless–but what else is to be expected from the world's most exclusive club?
Ah, Joe the Judas has fellow conspirators after all!
I guess the Dems enjoyed being cuckholded by this worm!
Good job Democrats. Even the Messiah Obama said it's time to let by gones be by gones and move on! There is hope for my former political party yet!
GET RID OF HIM, HE IS A TURNCOAT, IT IS ONE THING TO BE A TWO FACE BUT ANOTHER WHEN YOU TRY TO DESTROY A MAN'S PATRIOTISM, HE CALLED OBAMA VILE NAMES, AND TRY TO DESTROY HIS CHARACTER, AGAIN .........THROW HIM OUT HE 'S A BUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's OK. CT will vote him out in 2 years.
Benedict Joe LIEberman will be out the door in 2010 and the Senate Democrats will have 60 to 70 seats, a filibuster proof majority.
Wrong move but I think I understand the rationale. He needs to be watched!
Thats democracy, Im not happy with the outcome but its time to move on, we have bigger issues, health, energy, education, Social Security etc.
All say they want a leader who does not always tow the party line. One man does not, and he is vilified. You are all hypocrites. I hope all you bloggers realize how out of the main stream you are.
Now they only need 2 of the three open Senate seats.
I agree with Rob. Although I do believe that Leiberman is a total slime, he is entitled to have opinions and I think it's wise that the Dems allowed him to speak his mind without losing his job.
It certainly does not give me much hope that the Dems will be able to accomplish much if they cave in to this type of political pressure. What good does it do to keep Lieberman in that post?? I think Lieberman is a weasel and I believe he will ultimately harm the democrats. I hope he has consequences from his own consituency at some point, for crying out loud.
I wouldn't have kept the creep but now that they have, I'd chill him out of about everything else. Watch him crawl and whine and then eventually recede in American history. But we have to wait until there is an election so that a Republican isn't put in his place. How the 'mighty' have fallen.
don't like the man.
OMG Democrats get some guts. If there is no accountability then how are you going to demand loyalty? I am so sickened by this. Democrats show some cutzpah for serious. (This is why I wanted every incumbent voted out. All of them no matter what party. I wanted Obama to win and have a completely new clean slate.)
AS LEAST HE'S NOT A CONVICTED FELON!
This appears to be another brilliant move by Dems to 'keep your friends close and your enemies even closer' in action.
Way to sell us out Democrats. Joe sucks. He should be recalled by a new amendment to the CT Constitution.
Truly hope this doesn't come back to bite the Dems. While I respect their willingness to forgive some of the despicable things Lieberman said during the campaign, we all know the "nice guy" routine rarely works out. Lieberman is a Republican calling himself a Democrat because Republicans in the northeast don't win elections.
I respect what they're trying to do here, but watch your backs guys...there are a lot of folks in Washington who don't want unity.
As we now see, these people all stick together, even though the majority of the democratic constituancy want Joe Lieberman to be stripped of his chairmanship to the homeland security agency.
So much for democracy !!!!!
Who's going to go rogue next, since there are no consquences. If they had forced that idiot to join the Republicans Conn would have voted him out in the next election. The Democrats have just left a part of the Bush Administration in power.
"Good job Democrats. Even the Messiah Obama said it's time to let by gones be by gones and move on! There is hope for my former political party yet!"
Just stay Indenpendent. True Democrats don't need PUMA turncoats that betrayed Hillary's views for bitterness.
Reid says he's been a good person for the Dem caucus. Obama says he wanted him to stay. So, it's not surprising that Lieberman survived.
But, 2012 willl be here sooner than we know. Maybe he'll have been rehabilitated by then. But, if not, Conneticut will send him packing.
He probably has a time share in Tel Aviv right now.
The Democrats did the right thing. Voting him out of his position would have looked like petty retaliation for his support of McCain. That would have weakened the Democrats stance on bi-partisan cooperation in the Senate.
When Lieberman comes up for re-election, the voters don't have to be so forgiving.
Even traitors I see can be forgiven. Change we can believe in.
You want so hard to believe in the Dems, and then they go and prove how spineless they are. Way to go.
Looks like Liberman has the Democrates running scared. I wonder what he has on them. Stupid Dems don't all of you know you just handed that clown power over the all Democrates. I'm ashamed to be a Democrate because of the vote that was rendered. Hopefully Liberman's state will have the guts to do what is right that the Demoncrates couldn't do.
He should feel lucky that he has kept something. I would be tempted to cut him off from everything. If Lieberman kept silent or didn't speak at the RNC, then I would say keep him. He spoke so harshly and incorrectly about Obama, I would have stripped him of everything. Unfortunately, the Democrats need to keep him on their side since they are still vulnerable to filibusters.
I do not know why the dems keep this idiot, but I will have faith in our President to lead. I absolutely detest Joe, though. He'd better fall in line.
Puh-lease. It's not like they actually planned to take it away, it was a political grand-standing.
This is one of the things I really dislike about the democratic party. When they are justified and right in taking exterme measures they always hold back. Sometimes you have to make an example in order to prevent chaos. Look at the Republicans who let their members have all kinds of scandals without one major verbal warning from their party leaders. Stand up and say what the rules are and if you break them you are toast.
Fine for him to caucus with the dems, but keep his chairmanship, WHAT! This is like rewarding your disobedient child with a playstation. I know Joe the Lieberman is laughing and chuckling about this, he knew the dems did not have the nerve to take the chairmanship away from him. Dems, get a backbone!
Time to move on to the business of governing the country.
Wrong decision – he should be gone on principal alone.
I am sure there will be talks between him and Emanuel!
He shouldn't be trusted!!! He is all about himself!!!
Needs to kicked out all together.
How sad for the voters that put him where he is.flip flop.
Is there a way for earlier election in a state level?
Bad role model!!!
If the Dems had 61 seats in the Senate coming in January – he'd be TOAST. He can't really be trusted at this point so I'd keep him at arms length....maybe CT will vote him out next time.
What a bunch of spinless whimps. They should have got rid of him.
No worries.....the dems will be watching him like a hawk and then he won't get re-elected for his next term. No big deal.
NEXT ISSUE!
This is what we are talking about. Obama is really showing large heart here while Lieberman looks as little as an ant. What a shame for Snake Lieberman. This is a big lesson to everyone out there. Part of my prayers while all the campaine season was exactely this very moment when we can look in Lieberman,s face filled with shame. Let him keep the chairmanship curtesy of President Obama whom Lieberman called all kinds of names and tried everything to demoralize. God is good and the president elect has done what the almighty would have done in this circumstances.
I don't understand why there was any controvery about him. All he did was back who he thought was the best person for President regardless of what party he belonged to. This is what we should all do. The age of the two party system needs to go away. Lieberman is a true patriot. Also he didn't say anything unfair or untrue about Obama. Honestly what did he say that was so wrong? I have a little more respect for the Democrats now that Dean is leaving and they voted to keep Lieberman on.
what the F is wrong with obama i'm a obama supporter but he's takeing in to many enemys there going to stab him in the back lieberman should be gone he's a trader
Judas Liebermann wanted to be VP under Gore...Then he wanted to be VP under McCain. I can see it now...Palin/Liebermann 2016.
Judas Liebermann is nothing more than a GOP collaborator. Instead of forgiveness, The DNC should have sharpened the knives for Liebermann.
As much as I dislike the guy, I also remember that even Jesus forgave Judas.
Obama is right. Time to move on to governing the country and solving problems. Besides Liberman's vote is needed to break any GOP filibuster!
ugh look at that smug look on his face. this man makes me want to puke
Never could stand the man! Not only is he as dull as dishwater, he's a traitor to his party AND our country for putting a foreign nation ahead of the U.S.A.!! Where are the tar and feathers?
This rat deserves a one way ticket back to hell....
There ought to be some kind of substantive punishment.
You know Joe has his right to stand for what he believes in, however misguided it is. I doubt he'd do this again. He will be loosing his seat in the next election anyway so let it go. If we are trying to change washington, lets start here with Joe! The key to our survival is unity. Unify people and lets move forward. Joe is a thing of the past.
Big mistake.
I say kick droopy dog out of the party!
This was a smart move by the Dems. It reflects the desire for bi-partisanship and the also the desire to move on from the past. Punishing Lieberman would have only provided ammunition for right-wing journalist and bloggers to criticize the incoming administration and congress.
And... If the people of CT want to get rid of him when election time comes up, then that is there perogative. For now, the Dem caucus can count on another warm body for future votes on many, many important issues to come.
I had no problem with Lieberman supporting McCain for president. Many Republicans supported Obama. The problem I did have with Lieberman is him standing with McCain or Palin and nodding like a bobblehead when they denounced Obama as a Socialist. Lieberman has voted the same way as Obama on economic issues. Instead of being a man of principle he became a stooge for the McCain campaign. It sickens me that I actually voted for this man for vice president in 2000.
Way to go Joe. Country before party. You are a true statesman.
Is that 42-13. or 32-13? the 42+3 would be 55 and there are not that many Dems in the Senate .
He should be made to wear a scarlet capital letter R on his chest.
Its and even slate now. Joe gave the Dems the majority in 2006. Now they let him survive in 2008. Clean slate.
One more betrayal and he's gone.
Of course he kept his chairmanship, if your in goverment you can do whatever you want without any consequences..DUH..
Forgiveness is noble. Hopefully this will send a message to the Republicans that Obama's example of reaching across the aisle goes both ways. If America wants real change, then there has to be bipartisanship in Washington.
We all have the right to our political beliefs and to support our candidate. He expressed his support and went overboard in doing so. But there is much that he can do with his new-found connections in the Republican Party. It was a wise vote.
DNC, you know that money I sent weeks ago, money used to elect democrats congressmen, well I changed my mind and I want it back ! I didn’t send my money to support Lieberman, Senator of the grand state of Tel-Aviv. He is an opportunistic hypocrite with no principal.
we what to know who voted yes
No surprises here. Of course the Democrats were not going to strip Lieberman of his chairmanship right now. If they did, he would have immediately joined the Republican Party, which would put the GOP in charge until the end of the session.
HOWEVER.... If the Democrats pick up the seats in Alaska (probable), Minnesota (possible) and Georgia (definitely possible), they will have their 60 seats and Leiberman's days in the democratic caucus are over. Ditto if they pick up seats in 2010. Either way, Leiberman is of no use to the people of Connecticut anymore. He opposed his own constituents by backing Bush and McCain. He will lose his seat in the next election.
I guess it serves the country better to have a consensus but I'd prefer to see him rounding Cape Horn in the belly of a hammerhead shark myself.
Smart move.
"Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer."
Weak. The Democrats and Obama's first mistake...
For somebody who voted against the war and campaigned on that stance, to keep Lieberman in charge of this committee is a slap on the face to everyone who voted for Obama due to his position on Iraq.
So far, I have not seen a lot of "change".
And another reason to leave the Democratic party. After all these years of voting the Democratic party line, they do not represent me. The California party had its minority groups take rights away from other minority groups. At the protest in front of City Hall, speaker after speaker was preaching rolling over and turning the other cheek and now after all the harm Lieberman did to the party during the election cycle, they keep him as Homeland Security chairman. He criticized the Democrats as being soft on terrorists. They must have agreed with him to keep him in that position so that he can protect us fromthe Bin Ladens of this world. The Democratic party lost its cohones and no longer speaks for me.
So that party of inclusion and change is okay for everything except if you stand against them (or Obama). When Wayne Gilchrist spoke at the DNC, the Republicians did not call him a traitor and threaten him. I thought that politicians were supposed to support their constituents and not their party. The Dems are counting him as part of their majority though.
why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??
Lieberman's a joke, and so is the Good Ol' Boy network.
Kick him out. His own State party kicked him out, why won't the Senate??
@obama is being played...
Obama is a intelligent man...trust me, he knows exactly what he is doing!!! The only one getting played here is YOU!!!!! HI HATER!!!
cnn please post..thank you
Z Z Z
Maybe you should complain to your congressman who voted to keep him instead.
Turncoat should have lost his chairmanship. Who needs him
I have a feeling that Lieberman's days as a Senator are coming to a close. He needed to turn Independent in order to keep his seat in his last election. He basically has no where else to turn to now. The people of Connecticut are made of good old Yankee stock and they will remember when the next election rolls around. That will be Lieberman's ultimate punishment. Now that he has been given a reprieve by the Democratic caucus he will mostly behave and tow the line.
This is ridiculous. Joe Leiberman is a disgrace and should be expelled from the Democratic party.
I sure hope they voted to let him keep it on the belief he was the best suited for the job, and not out of fear of public perception.
Some of you just don't get it. You think the democrats are being weak and Barack is being played. However, just think about it. What does revenge get you.... not much at all. This way, Leiberman is not in the spotlight and he can't have any tantrums. Tomorrow he will be yesterday's news.
Barack showed that he was a bigger man than Leiberman will ever be. In 2010, Leiberman will get his punishment when Connecticut votes him out of office.
Hopfully he will be voted off the island. Polls in Conneticut show over 60% of the voters, dislike him.
Though it is secrect ballot. At 42-13, it likely your congressman voted to keep him.
OK. I can deal with him keeping his chair. The Dems need him. BUT, when election time comes around, the Dems need to get a strong competitor for his job. HE NEEDS TO BE VOTED OUT12 he is pathetic.
As the 2000 VP candidate for the Democrats his behaviour over the past few years does not warrant his retaining such an important position. Not to mention his less than appropriate or mature remarks about President-elect Obama during the campaign. Clearly in his support for McCain he doesn't get the issues or what is right for the US at this point in its history.
Tired, Senator Devine didn't get to vote on this.
Ah yes, read the comments of the enlightened unifiers that are the Obama zombies. Here are a few tidbits – "Judas", "to hell", "traitor", etc. Kinda shows what a vindictive bunch we have to look forward to hearing from the next 4 years. Please, though, keep it up. 2010 is starting to look like a good year for a GOP comeback.
I believe that was a great move by the Dems. I also believe that Lieberman has a conscience that will eat at him daily. He doesn't have the fortitude to leave on his own. It was a great move to keep him around . That is a great punishment. He has to face the Man that he made such rude and harsh remarks about on a regular basis. He must feel much guilt and shame. The hardest part will be having to face President Elect Obama. It is such a shame to be so old and yet so foolish. He doesn't even deserve pity just a hole to crawl into to hide from the world for such shame and disgust.
He better enjoy his time in the Senate until the next election. Connecticut will send this turncoat home where he belongs. Guess they should have sent Ned Lamont to the Senate four years ago. Leiberman is done....Al Gore must be furious....
Joe Lieberman told lies about Obama and Democrats knowing full well that they were lies. He stood and smiled and nodded as Sarah and the other Goons told ran the most ugly, deceitful and dishonorable campaign of my lifeitme.
In the final analisys Joe did this for two reasons. Firstly, he thought it would benefit him personally. Secondly, he was realitively sure he would get away with it withoug consiquence.
There is an old saying: "you teach people how to treat you." Joe and all of the others have been taught again today how they should treat Democrats.
This is why democrats continue to lose elections. We have no concept of party discipline. Its one thing to support John McCain, but this guy went to the RNC convention and lambasted Obama, he didn't utter a word while Palin accused Obama of palling around with terrorists. He said nothing while the right wing painted Obama as a radical muslim on the one hand and a militant Christian on the other. He should've lost his chairmanship until he redeems himself. At the very least, he owes Obama a public apology.
Abby, I agree. The math doesn't add up unless it includes Republicans. There are currently 49 Democratic Senators, and two Indpendents. Even if both independents (inluding Lieberman) were allowed to vote, the total could only be 51. Did they perhaps include some of the newly elected Senators who haven't taken office yet? They at least were on the hill yesterday...
Israel was worried for a second there.
Not suprising, the Democratic senators have no "balls." They have never held the Bush administration accountable for its lies, crimes and shredding of the Constitution. In fact, they pretty much gave Bush whatever he wanted. Now, they don't even have the stones to hold Lieberman accountable. I guess that's how the Washington insiders' club is run.....no one is ever held accountable or responsible for anything.....just look at the current financial mess they've gotten us into and all they do is point fingers. What a bunch of losers!
Ahhh tooo bad, he did not support Obama. So what -who cares. Most of the people who voted for Obama do not even know anything about him in the first place. They should watch how they talk about other people, the country just might want Obama to take a hike after four years (or maybe) even before.
ALL the Dem's that voted for Joe to stay on need to be canned as soon as possible...they're spineless and 1/2 of the problem we have in the Senate. Pelosi an that wimp Reid need to be the first ones out the door!!
Elmer Fudd is done.....what a waste!!!
Hey Joe,
Rahm wants to talk to you outside about something.
Good luck.
Absolutely pathetic. Democrats have no spine. They are lucky there is no viable third party because they will soon be finding the netroots community is isck of giving money and support to people who will bend over backwards to support a turncoat like Lieberman.
To forgive is divine...I guess, but this one is tough to take after his performance at the RNC. I hope a very dedicated Democrat runs against him in the next election and wins.
Republicans, instead of telling Democrats what to do, why don't you go put your own house in order? Sorry, my bad, the house is no longer standing!
It is a shame that even after the best strategic campaign in the history of our country, some people are still in denial and cannot comprehend that Pres-elect Obama knows exactly what he is doing.
Senate democrats take nottice, I won't be giving any more funds to those who voted for Lieberman so it's useless to come begging for more money. And don't go thinking that in tow or four years time I'll have forgooten this. My memory is long.
Why? Because this truly is spitting in the face of all of us who worked so hard to get a Democratic president and an improved Democratic majority. It once more proves that Senate Democrats are spinless weaklings. They caved in to Bush every time and now they reward this Quisling and cave in to his empty threats.
Those that supported this fiasco need to be named so come next election time we can vote the idiots OUT!
Hillary will be a great choice for Secretary. Any international leaders who think they can push Obama around, will first have to go through the Clintons first!!!!
Good job Obama!!!
bill November 18th, 2008 12:11 pm ET
What a bunch of spineless Senators.. It makes me sick to be a democrat. Infers that President elect Obama is a Marxist and hates the troops and he gets no punishment.. Spineless democrats
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I think you're missing the big picture. He needs 60 democrats. He only has between 54 and 55. Remember, Obama is no longer a senator, so you have to subtract one. If they lose Lieberman, that makes it that much harder.
Try to keep in mind that this is a numbers game. Also, since Obama won, then Lieberman couldn't have done too much damage – except to himself – so it's easy to forgive him.
The next step is to try to win over John McCain, even if it is only once in a while.
I wonder if Reid has stopped kicking and screaming yet. Poor baby seems to have lost the battle.
Good for Lieberman, he is a true patriot, in the grandest sense of the word. Just like McCain. It would do others a lot of good (Democrats and Republicans) to learn from their unbending promise to put their country first, ahead of their party and personal aspirations. I haven't seen it in many polticians, including the one headed for the white house. But to be fair to Obama, he has never been in a position (he's avoided these types of calls) to have to put his country ahead of his personal aspirations. It will be interesting to see what he does when such a call is required.
The troll keeps his seat. Perhaps things regarding this situation as with so many others will change once President Obama is in office in 60-some days. Can't come soon enough for me!
Lets start a petition to kick Joe out of the Democratic party and the US Senate .
He is a total disgrace to Democrats .
Joes gotta Go.
It is funny that whenever the democrats don't get their way, they like to kick and scream and thorw a hissy-fit. Just read through the comments on this page and you will see what I mean.
And when they win, they like to point out how everyone who voted the other way are traitors and losers.
You really have to admire a group who can be both sore losers and sore winners. I can't wait for the Change We Can Believe In over the next four years.
Don't depend on Lieberman to vote against McCain. The Republican homeboys, McCain, Graham, and Independent/Republican/Democrat Lieberman.
I wonder if the Democrats will vote by Secret Ballot on the Secret Ballot bill...Ha Ha Ha....that would be funny if it wasn't so scary.
I'm disappointed but I see how this can workout for the Dems. He now owes them big time.
That is really disappointing!! I hope O knows what he is doing keeping the little weasel in that position!!
If the dems on Capital Hill won't sit him down, then it is up to us in Connecticut to make sure he gets a permanent rest. Believe me, we are sick and tired of his antics. Most people where I work plan on voting him out of office. I hope he know that.
I'm happy. let unity reighn! now, lets focus on real problems.
I think Obama did the right thing and in the right way...by influencing his party and abstaining from the vote. Talking the talk walking the walk. This is bi-partisan politics, reaching across the aisle, allowing people when they voice their opinions, even if you don't agree with them. Lieberman has a right to his own opinions and to back whomever he wanted and to be honest, I don't think he's the only democrat who backed McCain. It's up to the voters in CT to get rid of him in two years but if he falls in line with Obama's vision, maybe his approval rating will improve.
Nothing personal against this man but chairman homeland security is toooooooo important and key of a position for our country – so sad that this man gets to keep it – perhaps the most incompetent single individual in our entire nation of 260+ million people. If dems were worried about not coming across him out, they should've at least given him a relatively less important position. SO SAD!
PLEASE THE PEOPLE OF CT GET RID OF THIS SNAKE
I can't stand Joe Lieberman. And its not because he supported John McCain, its because of the way he degraded Obama. He also irritated me with that lame speech after Obama clinched the presidency about working together. However, we should not punish people, especially independents, for crossing partisan lines every once in a while. I feel that the Democrats showed maturity by respecting experience and know-how over partisanship with Joe Leiberman's post. If it were the other way around, the Republicans would have ostracized and punished a fellow senator for doing something similar.
There once was a man named Joe, to the other side he thought he should go. But when his good buddy McCain, got left out in the rain. Don't worry friends, he can do as before.
I agree with the talking heads last night that said the good people of Connecticutt will take care of Leiberman. I have a feeling that unless he pulls some major rabbits out of his hat, that this may be his last term as the distisguiched Senator from that state.
It looks like, Obama and the Dems are maneuvering to implement major changes in the first year of Obama’s administration and they will be needing Leiberman and every Dem in the Senate to make changes happen. If Leiberman lost the chairmanship, then the Dems in the Senate would have no leverage to put pressure on Leiberman to vote in lock step.
Quisling Lives! What a pathetic, whiny loser he is. Pretty certain he wears dresses at home.
sad day for dems.when they let this traitor lieberman.back in let him stay with the repubs.we dont need his two faces.
he is basically a republican, he should go over to the dark side where he belongs.
Are you complainerseven aware that he is now an Independant, not a Democrat!
Politics as usual!
When will Washington change and remember who elected them and who they are working for?
Why isn't it that Washington has two parties, would it not be better to have one party and everyone work for the American people?
Hopefully the Obama Presidency can change how it is working now for something that will work for those that elected them into office, as well as working for the American people!
Setting Lieberman up for the Okey Doke!!
Most of them probably wanted him out, but who wants to start off on the wrong foot with a new president? This is probably a better move anyway knowing how the GOP and their followers would have made a big deal out of it if had he been kicked out.
Lieberman is rewarded by democrats without one apology to Obama. At some point humanity and respect should be part of politics if our government is the law of the land.
At least he didn't lead us into war, destroying our rights as in BUSHCO did. Lets just get on with turning the page with Obama. With all the problems before us, he is small potatos.
Hooray for unity!!!
Democrats may have forgiven (unlike the bitter book Pastor Huck is peddling) but I doubt they will forget... or they can just point out that ol' Joe always picks losers.
President-Elect Obama is not out for revenge and has set the tone. But I'm betting ol' Joe will watch how and where he walks... and it will be interesting to see if he can fool the fine people in his home state again. He wasn't even capable of keeping the Presidential Helicopter project in Conn. Shumer and Clinton moved the whole contract to NY.
Secret ballot this wasn't National security, we the people have a right to know. I guess the senators are afraid of the people. This guy will not help the new Pres. he'll stab him in the back. Once again the Dems in the Senate show their lack of guts and hide behind a secret ballot.
The repuds would do the same.
"Do(sic) to the inclusion of a third party candidate, Chambliss fell just shy of that threshold, forcing a runoff contest." Were the editors asleep?
Extremely disappointing.
How dare he go against his party! They should set him as an example of what happens when you try to do what you think is best and not just for the party. I'm mortified.
What does Conn. and Florida have in common and in great numbers?
Which congressman?! Only SENATORS VOTED!
The "Band of Brothers" decide to keep their collegiate...their is no honor among theives.....none.
Lieberman in? Then, Reid should be out! The inability of Reid to effectively deal with Bush and the R's in the last two years is bad enough. McConnell has run procedural circles around this wuss . . . and, now he can't even deal with a basic question of party discipline??!!
@ Brian from Fort Mill, SC
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I admit that Jesus forgave Judas and that was HIS way but you must consider that Jesus is not a registered voter in the state of CT. and when election time comes around for him, the voters up there will not be so forgiving of him.
Now having said that I must admit that as an Independent, he was entitled to support the candidate of his choice and that is all good for the likes of me but as the elected Senator from the state of CT. his job was supposed to be to do the will of the voters he represented. Well he did not do it and so he will get his spanking at election time.
For the uninformed Lieberman did not support McCain because he thought John was the best candidate he supported him to get a cushy job in the administration and felt McCain was going to win.
Doesn't matter how he'll only survive for 2 years then out to pasture.
Dems sold their soul for a vote.... Joe LIEman man is an opportunistic creep!
"Lap Dog" Lieberman gets to keep his post? Hmm, sets a pretty bad precedent in the Senate for getting away with being a snake. Now they'll ALL know that you can get away with it and there will never be any repercussions. Look at Ted Stevens. Senators protect their own, regardless of party.
Israel won !!!! Long life to Juda !
4 years and counting.
Aw, poor Joe – a slap on the wrist.
Disgusting – both the cowardly acts of betrayal of Loserman, and the spineless action of Dems. I have NO problem with Joe supporting the McCain bc. of his deep belief in the war effort (even though I wholeheartedly disagree). It's Joe's standing by McCain and Palin as they accused Obama of 'spreading the wealth' as a 'Socialist' taht put me over the edge. The Dems are a bunch of gutless wimps!
Relax. It's politics.
Harry Reid couldn't lead his way out of a wet paper bag with a machete. What a WIMP!
Either Democrats are COWARDS, or they don't care what the left wing nuts have to say. The Democratic Party is alot bigger than the MoveOn crowd.
Liberman should have been voted off, however, he will loose the respect he once had. People would always look at him as a trater and a person that cannot be trusted. That within itself is enough torture. It's a possiblity that he may loose his set . Conectecut is a Democrat state. The people will always remember how he stabed them in the back.
They're only keeping him in case the Dems pull off the 3 state sweep of Alaska, Minn, and Georgia. Liberman will represent the 60th seat.
I can they keep him??? He is a traitor.
Hooray for unity...but lieberman is a back stabbing self serving power hungry monster and it wont be long before he strikes again...
also I think Obama's whole new approach is nullified by someone who is a hawk and puts the interest of Israel above the US.
Boo! Standing up for what you believe is one thing. Actively campaigning against your Democratic colleagues is another.
Good for Joe always liked him rare to find an independant anywhere these days just hope he can win in 12'
It is funny that whenever the democrats don't get their way, they like to kick and scream and thorw a hissy-fit. Just read through the comments on this page and you will see what I mean.
And when they win, they like to point out how everyone who voted the other way are traitors and losers.
You really have to admire a group who can be both sore losers and sore winners. I can't wait for the Change We Can Believe In over the next four years.
Thats a reward for traitorship.
SHAME ON DEMS. This will incourage indiscipline.
Check, check, is this mike on? Check, check, moderator?
Let the voters decide.
CT voters, kick him out next time.
I wonder if Reid has stopped kicking and screaming yet. Poor baby seems to have lost the battle.
Good for Lieberman, he is a true patriot, in the grandest sense of the word. Just like McCain. It would do others a lot of good (Democrats and Republicans) to learn from their unbending promise to put their country first, ahead of their party and personal aspirations. I haven't seen it in many polticians, including the one headed for the white house. But to be fair to Obama, he has never been in a position (he's avoided these types of calls) to have to put his country ahead of his personal aspirations. It will be interesting to see what he does when such a call is required.
Does he deserve to keep it?
I don't believe this!
I cannot believe this. Judas has already shown he can't be trusted.
Now this is what we call working together. I am glad to see that Harry Reid didn't get his way. Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are dangerous people and Pres. Elect Obama needs to keep them in control. All they want to do is give money away and forget about how "us" the taxpayer will pay it back!
I'm disappointed. He should have been stripped of Homeland Security Chair. So he loses some sub-committee chair. Big whoop. There should be some price to pay for his actions. I hope the people of CT have better sense the next time. Unfortunately, that is 4 years away. That's 4 too many, as far as I'm concerned.
I don't love Lieberman for what he did but to all you folks saying that this decision and some others in the works is not the change you wanted, get a clue.
Sometimes change needs to come in smaller doses. Take it from someone who has worked through and watched 1000s of experienced folks lose their jobs to very inexperienced workers from other countries.
Those of us left are still picking up the pieces. 10 years from now things will probably be alright but for the past 4 or 5 years it has simply been HELL...
Be careful what you ask for.
President Elect Obama,
You handle it your way. Small changes, big changes, however you see fit. The majority in the US are behind you...
That sockpuppet is a disgrace to any party – he should be kicked to the curb, to the republican curb.
He will screw the democrats every chance he gets.
What? Seems like you Dems are questioning your "leader"? What happened to trusting the man you voted for/ He DOES need some experience and knowledge to make up for the lack of his own. Remember "UNITY"? and change you can believe in?
Well, CT will decide his future fate in 2012 and so far it does not look pretty. After Pres. Elect Obama went and saved his hide when he was running for the senate, this is how he repays his supporters. Maybe he should go live in Israel.
Hey Joe
When the Dems and Obama say jump, you better ask, How High? How Far, Where to? You owe them greatly, don't forget that!
Joe make sure you see EMMANUEL with a bullet vest I hear he has some friends looking for you to meet him privately. Pick up the phone call from Emmanuel and stop being such a loser.
That loser is helped by the ineptitude and lack of principles of the democrats. Sad day !
I'm a life-long Democrat but I applaud people who do not subscribe to the notion that their party can do no wrong and they have all the answers. It takes a lot a of courage, substance and independent thinking to do what Lieberman did. Just as McCain has gone against his own party becoming a thorn in Bush's spine, Lieberman does the same with Democrats who would sell their soul to the devil rather than admit they can be wrong. Lieberman is a standard bearer for all Democrats and Republicans alike. Stand against your party when you believe the Right Thing is not being done.
But we will get him nevertheless in Connecticut. Can't wait to see him hit the dust.
He will learn.
This horrible man has no integrity, I hope the Dems get smart and drop him like a hot bag of rocks. How he shamed himself and the Democratic party during the general election was most shocking. I wouldn't trust this person as far as I could throw him.
SAY ITS NOT SO JOE I THINK JOE SHOULD GO HOME NOW WHY SHOULD ANY ONE WANT HIM TO STAY OBAMA IS WORNG ABOUT THIS BUT I HAVE BEEN WRONG BEFORE HE IS OUR PRESIDENT NOW
"Meshugener Joe" pulls off another one. What Chutzpah!
This is a sick choice!!!
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Now that Joe keeps his chair, the people of CT will evaluate what he does with his "Second Chance" when the time comes. That will be one interesting re-election bid.
who said "politics make strange bed-fellows"?? guess this shows that another "wisdom" is correct.....who knows in the long run – these people know more than we do.....they work together...and need to put the country first...hopefully that is what is being done....
He got voted in as a Libertarian but causcuas with the dems. If they booted him out he would have caucaused with the Reps. The dems need his vote and wouldn't dare lose him.
I see the Clintons and gang have got Obama in a box right where they want him so they will have the power. In other words the shadow presidentcy. Now, that Hillary has leaked her SOS spot, Obama can not give it to her. He admits he needs her advice. In other words he doesn't know anything and she'll tell him what to do.
He is no more than a figure head for the 3rd Clinton Adm and their gang.
If the Clinons couldn't get in by the front door they will come in the back.. All this so calle vetting of Bills getting rich off all those foreign countries is just a show. We all know how it will it turn out.
There sure are a lot of naive people out there. Either that are just don't know how politics really work.
Heh,heh,heh.....Now I can find that Wascuwee Wabbit.
Teh Democrats are so desperate for a super majority that they keep this traitor on?
They better watch their backs because Lie-berman will not hesitate to plunge in the knife if it is good for his career!
Well, they did something right: they didn't punish courage. I applaud them for it.
Agree with Keith in CA. Lieberman is more or less politically isolated and will most likely not be re-elected in 2012 – doubt many Dems will campaign for him. Obama looks forgiving and high-minded, Lieberman still sides with the Dems on most issues, and will soon be a footnote. Smart political move.
What a shame
I wonder when will these spineless DemocRATS grow some backbone and stand up for the very people who have worked tirelessly to vote them in.
Though, as a proud independent voter, I am proud of my vote for President-elect Obama, yet I can’t stop feeling ashamed for donating to, and voting across the board for these weak-willed DemocRATS.
They tricked us once again, as they did in 2006, when we gave them the majority only to watch them do NOTHING. They are the same do-nothing-cowards, with one major difference than their GOP (Greed Over Principal) counterparts; they are far more eloquent liars.
Sydney Saidyan
San Francisco, CA
The naive always stand out from a crowd! Obama's intelligence does not suffice to guarantee that he cannot severely screw up and bring this country down to its knees. Intelligence does not guarantee sound governance or we would have scientists and nobel-laurates ruling the world. Sometimes common sense and experience are a better formula for success. As a matter of fact, if Obama was that intelligent, he would have allowed McCain to win and govern over these disastrous times and then he would have tried in 2012 when things have settled and he can more easily guarantee himself a second term.
He will still get worked over by the Dems so don't worry, he will be held in check. Joe does not embrace the right wing social conservative wacko values anyway...... I think this is a good example of Obama staying way above the partisan fray....... good job!
The issue is not about whether or not people forgive Lieberman, it is about allowing the precedence to go un-checked. If there are no consequences, others won't be reluctant to follow his footsteps.
Only time will tell.
The Dems want to be seen to be listening to their leader-President Obama.
As for sleepy head Joe, only time will tell.
Shame on you.. Lier..
He's a POS but the caucus needs his vote ....
This is a smart move when trying to build unity. This is not the time to throw people under the bus, now is the time to build relationship. Joe is not important, he will now owe Obama, there will be bigger fish to fry, when making a tough example of someone will mean something. When that time comes, Obama will not hesitate, will not blink, he will bring the hammer down and bamb, he will make his point. But this is not the time and he will not start his administration with a heavy hand
He has jowls as big as my boxer's
Dont worry, lets keep Obama campain promise of unity, so that we can also bring so republican to our side for the crucial 60 votes we going to need most of the time to get our agenda through the senate. We are going to watch him like a hawk. And one thing is certain he is not coming back to the senate after 2010, because people of his state are waiting to regett him at the poll. And we are going to come up with a very strong candidate and spend our money to back that candidate up. This is the Democrat's plans. Mr lame duck chairman Joe will soon be Another Zeil Miller. Never to be hard from again.
joe is an independant that caucusus with the demorcrats, he was pushed out of his party, why because of all the pin headed dems that were mad because he thought bush was doing a goood job, well i think here in america you have freedom of choice, speech, religion, am i wrong ? joes a good guy i like him and i think they did it right. look they need joe to help them keep an even wider margin in the senate so they know what thier doing, all politics all the time, it's a big wonderful game
Unthinkable! Those who voted for him should tell us why he's allowed to keep his chair.
u see? u folks are still prone to high school clic behaviors....Dont any of u understand that its not his team or her team, its everyones team u clowns. speak your piece Joe. the high school clic is on its way out, it starts with the new man, Obama the right choice for change!
Change is coming folks and thats NOT just repukecon change thats change behavior-wise for all! Everyones a team player even McCant!
Wait a minute... we all squawked that under a democratic process, we should be allowed to disagree without retribution. Yes, it was an enormous and egregious difference (and I hope the people of Conn. hold him responsible), but if he is the best person for this post, he should keep it. THIS is what we wanted from an Obama administration.
Lieberman is supporting attacks on Iran. Of course... Iran is a threat to Israel, not to the US. Israel wants to use the US to do their dirty work. If Lieberman keeps his job, he would have a huge influence in these kind of decisions.
This is disgusting!!!
Apparently CHANGE hasn't arrive to the Senate.
Everything seems all-white now....
I don't know who I despise the most seeing on TV Joe Lieberman
or Sarah Palin.
This is a political move, because if the Democrats are successful in captuirng the recount states in the Senate, then Lieberman's vote becomes important. It makes him the most powerful man in the Senate, if they expect to get his guaranteed vote in the Senate.
Come the next election cycle in CT, the voters should send a message!!!
Reid is a spineless leader ready to trade treason, insults and humiliation for ONE vote. Let Lieberman go to the other side where he belongs, and let's elect a new leader for the Senate.
Joe was elected as an independent not a Dem therefore all he did was go with the man who he felt was best for the job. Any rational person can understand this!
make your enemies your footstool....
The Democrats must not have confidence that they can win support from any Republicans that they are keeping him on board. As a life-long Democrat, I think the way he supported Mr. McCain was not appreciated the way he handled it. His support for Mr. McCain was too visible. ..and not productive. ... just divisive. Why do they think he will go along with their wishes; he will always be a thorn in the side of Democrats.
Joe is a creep, discussting , and ugly, just as Algor. How could Algore select him as his VP. Well, glad that Algore did not win, so we did not have to see Joe ugly face for the past 8 years.
I'm guessing most of the irate people here voted for Obama, whose message of postpartisanship was a large appeal for many voters. The fact is that this postpartisanship Obama espoused for wasn't quite as difficult for him as he didn't have anything invested in the old Washington battles. Lieberman offers one of the most personal forms of disagreement, and also one of the most punishable, that I was happy to see Obama stay true to his word. Democratic Senators are following Obama's wishes, are you pissed at Obama?
Too bad. Bad pilitical and moral move by the democrats in the senate. It means the poor judgement of senators who voted to keep him for that position and it will cost them in the next General election.
At least a conscientious, ingenous independant democrat above party politics in control of the committees of homeland security and government affairs averts the heinous treat of a single party state.
National state security won`t overcome democracy.
This Judus is not worth the time or effort. I wish that there was some way that the Dems could let him go over to the Republicans and place someone in his place that is trustworthy and honest and truthful.
This man is a turn coat and a lier and can't be trusted for nothing.
This is just wrong. Joe should be shown the door. What he did could have cost the election, and now he gets rewarded??? Should'nt a competent Senator have been given this chairmanship?
No, this is good. Now the Dems have unrestricted arm-twisting privileges when it comes to Joe Lieberman, rather than the other way around.
Obama knows what he is doing. Lieberman now owes Obama and knows that if he votes against the Dems, he's gone. In addition, if Lieberman was kicked out now, the Republicans would take back control of the Senate between now and the turnover in January. Who knows what Bush and the Senate republicans would try to do in the interim.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That's also why Obama's going to make Hillary the Secretary of State. By forcing potential dissenters to become invested in his administration's success, Obama makes that success all the more likely....
OK. It is now confirmed. The Democrats are still weak and the Democrats still stand for NOTHING. This is not change I can believe in.
Guess the Dems must have been afraid he would go to the Republicans. That would hurt their guaranteed votes.
First off liberman is an independent not a dem so all of you please get your facts straight. I had no problem with Liberman suporting McCain, what I did have a problem with was the fact that he perportrated the belief that Obama was anti american. Time and again he stood behind McCain nodding his head in agreement as McCain spouted all that divisive dribel trying to decieve the american people. For that and that alone he and Mccain should be held accountable.
That's too bad. But I guess it shows that Democrats aren't as nasty as the Republicans can be.
Need to keep him on ice until we find out if the Dems might end up with 59. As soon as we find out we can't make it (59) cut his legs off.
Ross is right.........Harry Reid is as spineless as they come...........
Abby November 18th, 2008 12:37 pm ET
Is that 42-13. or 32-13? the 42+3 would be 55 and there are not that many Dems in the Senate
_____________________________________________________
Abby – there were 51 for the Dems in the Senate: 49 Registered Democrats and 2 Independents.
The 55 total MAY include newly elected Senators since Lieberman's committee chair would be continued into the 111th Congress seated on Jan 20th.
Lieberman is scum
Lieberman – the biggest loser in Washington! It grieves me that I'll probably be forced to continue enduring his putrid face, whenever I turn on CNN.
I regard myself as a Lieberman Democrat. He is the true "center" in this extremely partisan environment. Senator Lieberman is a principled Senator who stands for what is best for the United States of America. It was a very wise move of the Democratic Senators to keep him in this position, and it is important that the "healing" of this nation start after such a vicious and divisive campaign.
The Democrats are not stupid...keep him in the fold...you all have heard the saying "keep your friends close and your enemies closer"...they need him for his vote..that is all..he knows that...he is working with a cloud over his head...he is going to be used for what he is...a politician....
Well I'm not happy with Liberman either, frankly I think his national defence policies are out of line with the best interests onf this nation. His drive to first attack iraq and now iran by trying to declare the iranian republican guard a terrorist orginzation is quite simply a drailment of the war on terror and does not serve our nations best interests.
Osama Bin Ladin is out there, and yet Liberman is content to let him be, planning his next attack on the US. We have braisen Somali pirates taking over SUPER TANKERS and because the bulk of our armed forces are in Iraq we are content to let them have it. None of this seems to bother Liberman, and that is something that should be bothering us all.
All that said, Obama did get elected on the promise of change. There's no change greater on captol hill than that of allowing for forgiveness. I certainly hope that Liberman will change his views and policies now that it has become abundantly clear what the nation thinks of them.
He will get kicked out the next election. This is just getting the last vote blood they can.
BOO HISS!!
Funny that they vote by secret ballot but they want to change the union voting to eliminate secret ballot.
I'm happy for Obama that he isn't part of this despicable vote. However, I'm sure he would have loved to have his day voting against this turncoat. I will give them one thing, the Dems are a forgiving bunch. Droopy still has a job. Unreal.
GA for Obama,
Both the Senate and House of Representatives are part of congress. Therefore they are all Congressmen and Congresswomen. I just wanted to clarify that.
How sad. The Senate Democrats tell the rest of the world, "Feel free to dump on our President; we won't stand up for him."
"How dare he go against his party! They should set him as an example of what happens when you try to do what you think is best and not just for the party. I'm mortified."
Yeah Iraq has been a whopping success.
Lieberman will not be reelected to the Senate – that much is certain!
I predict a record turnout of voters to knock him out of the Senate at the earliest opportunity!
Thank goodness for men like Joe Lieberman. We should all respect a man that votes his conscience and not just because of his party affiliation. This is still a free country, at least for the time being and no one should tell another how to vote.
Very, very disappointing. I guess the "world's exclusive club" mentality trumps justice. The democratic caucus should be ashamed of themselves. I just hope the people of Connecticut will give the swine his walking papers in four years.
Which loyal Senate Democrat who did not try to make the country afraid of our new President lost out on the opportunity to be a committee chairman because slimy Joe was allowed to keep his seat?
This is a disgrace! Once again the Democratic party is afraid of their own shadow. Lieberman will betray us again.
This is b.s......He his no longer a democrat, why shouldn't a democrat be leading the commitee.....
If you dems really want to get rid of someone, get rid of Pelosi......
He should have been kicked out of the Senate, the man is a turncoat, he goes where ever the wind blows. How can anyone possibly trust anyone like that? If you knew someone like that would you keep him as a friend?
I want to make sure I understand?? Joe Leibermann gets to keep his committee chairmanship after campaigning for the Republicans, but the Clintons are being vetted, and vetted. I think everyone should be checked, but "COME ON"
Barak Obama is still going to a very young man in 8 years. He is setting the standards for how he, and his family, and staff will be vetted in their next ventureS.
Obama, and his team should make sure they treat the Clintons in a way they can live with when the tables are turned.
Shame! Shame! Traitor to his party and to his country.
No, Lieberman is not basically Republican. He is an Independent who most of the time votes the Democratic party line. He endorsed the Republican candidate because he thought that candidate was the best choice? Since when is that a crime? Get your facts straight.
spineless senate dems as usual, at least we have Obama
I actually think Reid needs to go as well. He has been worthless as majority leader and this should be the final nail in his coffin!!!
I hope Obama has a cabinet position for Joe.
I know – how about making him "Joe the Plumber" and his primary responsibility would be to unclog the toilets across the nation!
Since he can talk the talk, it's time for Joe to walk the walk!
This will be national humility for Joe!
Welcome to Oz
Harry Reid: the cowardly lion
Nancy Pelosi: the scarecrow with no brain
Barney Franks: the tin man with no heart
The Clintons: Dorthy and Toto
Obama: the man behind the curtains..
Good for them. It seems dems have gotten the message. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL NOT TOLORATE BICKERING AND EXCESSIVE INFIGHTING. Either sit down and come up with ways to help get us out of this mess or you will be thrown out. Republican seem not to have learned much (with the attacks on McCain and Huckabee's rantings).
I am confident the people of Connecticut will do the job where Senate leadership failed.
You can't have a chairman who is putting his country in jeorpardy by this behavior.
Well this shows to American people how powerful the Jewish lobby is when they are only few %age of population of USA and they hold control the most important posts in American Govt. Laughable.
This is why the Dems are such LOOSERS! How about getting a backbone and kicking the bum out!
I know a lot of people would have been emotionally satisfied by removing Lieberman, and he definitely went over the line with his comments during the campaign...but all this carping about traitors and such is ridiculous. Many here sound exactly like the right-wing Republicans. Seeking vengeance for disloyalty to the party; demanding strict orthodoxy to the platform. Putting politics first.
Obama is living by the words he spoke during the campaign. If you wanted a slash and burn, do and say anything to kill the enemy politics, you should have nominated Hillary or Edwards. Obama has always been about enlarging his coalition and using various tools to establish power. Now, Lieberman owes him big time and is another vote in the check book.
Lefties have always had so many suggestions and hysterics for the way Obama handled his campaign, and they were all proven wrong. The man appears to know what he is doing, and I will give him the benefit of the doubt unless events prove otherwise.
Sorry the Dems were so wussy against this loser -
Luckily he's got an election coming up in 2 years – I'll be donating to his opponent
I'm one of the liberal members of the Democratic Party and I wanted you OUT – out of the Party, out of the caucus and stripped of your chairmanships.
Good luck getting re-elected in CT next time you're up, because you are going to LOSE. You really think CT voters are going to re-elect you when the state went completely blue in this last election?
UNREAL! This man is a traitor, and should be OUT ON HIS A$$! If a repuke in congress or the senate had done this to Mccain they would waste NO time in kicking his butt out! I am so SICK of the Democrats NOT doing what they should do. They have no spine at this point! They should have impeached bush, and DIDNT! They got IN office most of them with us thinking they would. Now they allow this SCUM to stay in, shame on the dems!
PLEASE CONNECTICUT – GET RID OF LIEBERMAN PERIOD! Don't ever vote his in office again – independent or whathaveyou.
but someone please tell me WHY?
I hope Lieberman repents for what he said of Obama during the campaign. If he unrepentent then he does not deserve to be forgiven.
Let's hope the people of CT vote this bum out of office.
So much for accountability in Washington. The democrates fail to hold "two face" Lieberman accountable because they need his vote. Another example of the "wrong" kind of people being elected into government office. When will people stop sending these pathological liers, like Lieberman, to washington ?
Well, I guess you can be anything you want at anytime and all is forgiven. Also, all's fair in love and war I suppose. Wonder how long Joe will straddle the fence. I guess until he either falls off or he has another chance to grand stand! Don't look for honesty from him.
Say it is so Joe.
People can say what they want but I don't think Lieberman will ever again be the respected Senator he once was. He has to walk into that chamber knowing how disliked he is by all the other members. That's a hard pill to swallow.
I can't stand the site of Joe Lieberman. He is a fake and a phony and wants our U.S. Troops to stay in Iraq and spend billions and for what!
Lieberman........Worst Senator in America.
Allowing Lieberman to keep his position isn't unlike reaching across the isle to Republicans. He'll never again be regarded as a true-blue Democrat. My lasting image of him is being joined at the hip to McCain at countless rallies. He was more omnipresent than Cindy. Shame on you Joe Lieberman!
It may be naive, but I think this is the beginning of Obama's tone of bipartisanship and doing what's best for the country. Let's hope he and the Democrats keep this up. Maybe the Republicans will see that their hate-and-divide approach to politics just doesn't work anymore.
Wisdom is what is needed, kicking him out makes him a marter letting him stay speaks volumes to the integrity of the new administration.
Lieberman....I can't believe I voted for this guy to be VP. What a loser! Well, we have to have a court jester – Right?
So, Lieberman didn't support the Democrats this election cycle because they supported the candidate for the Democratic Party in his Senate race, and then he threatens to caucus with the Republicans if he loses his chairmanship, despite no longer being a Democrat. There's principles for ya.
Wow. Nothing says "business as usual" than this continuation of the Washington culture of a lack of accountability. What a disappointment.
Loyalty cannot be bought and can only be expressed by those who understand the significance of such iimportant attribute. Lieberman is a "RAT" who would not hesitate in selling out anyone to include his mother. For the Democrats to bend over and reward his behavior with a simple slap on the wrist is very insulting. As an independent who voted for the democratic party, I am very disappointed. Frankly, these democrats are spineless.
Hmmmm... curious. Although President-elect Obama was apparently in favor of allowing Senator Lieberman to keep his committee positions, I can't deny that I was hoping that the Democratic leadership would break out the 'stention cord. The comments he made during the campaign were way over the top even in a hotly contested and nasty one. We'll see how this plays out when the voting starts.
Sad, Sad, Sad...
This is the kind of person that has no place in the Democratic Party, none whatsoever...
He will not survive another election cycle.
I can't believe they let that turncoat keep his position. He was an ex-vice presidential nominee for the Dems and he supports McCain. He committed political suicide and during a landslide election and the Dems resurrected him from the dead.
I am told many times in business that you want to keep your friends close and your enemies even closer. Personally I don't believe this... Maybe this is why not only our world but our politics are so messed up! Libermann was flat out wrong, he was misguided and is only playing the game Washington allows him to just to keep a position. In the real world most of us could never get away with that in our jobs, positions or careers!
The Democrats have no leadership...this will come back to haunt them because it is perceived as more of the same politics. Wanna take bets about what happens in 2010 when the Democratic leadership fails once again to get anything accomplished? No leadership...no solution to the real problems.
Shame on you, Joe, for having the "audacity" to think for yourself in a political party that values and demands "diversity" of all things... except thought.
Liberman should have been forced out and I do not know how he can call himself a democrat or a human being for that matter. Maybe he could be a staffer for John McCain.........
Lieberman is still there due completely to the mercy rendered to him by Obama, who gave the order to keep him on. Hopefully Joe the Snake won't betray that kindness.
He may have kept his position but he has lost the respect of millions of Americans. Guess he thought it was worth it.
Dems have no guts and as other have mentioned, they have sold out for a vote. This has nothing to do with liberals. I am one and I want to see him kicked out on the curb. Such a shame.
Yeah...he's in this caucus until the next time he decides to hedge his bets with conservatives in CT. What a weasel!!!
Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate... We're gonna need to see more backbone than this over the next few years.
63 days till the end of the Bush administration.
What a lousy decision! There is no principles! A traitor gets rewarded by blackmailable Dems!
I am disgused! I started to wonder about what else Dems can give in????
Dracula lives!
god forbid you be allowed to speak your mind Joe.
I'm happy with the decision. While I thought his comments about Obama were bone headed... he should be allowed to voice his opinion. It's just an opinion after all.
The last thing we need is a political culture where people are too scared to say something unpopular ... that's what Bush created.
lol.... For all those "Democrats are weak" commenters...
We have kicked your butts all over the place, so what does that make you?
...and if you haven't noticed, Lieberman still votes with the Democrats by a huge percentage on social issues and the economy. The war in Iraq is going to wind down and Obama's commited to finally doing what should have been done in Afghanistan, which Lieberman is on-board with also. So ol' Joe picked the wrong candidate to hitch onto.... so what? He's a consistant vote on the Democratic side.
Looks to me like the "weak" ones are the Republicans. They are the ones knifing each other in the back.
Good. Retribution only leads to more retribution, and our politics should not be based on battle over the disparate parts of our ideologies. We should be finding common ground. Joe's retention in the caucus is a great example of the right kind of politics.
As the man says, we need to disagree without being disagreeable. Things really are changing for the better.
Would Bush and the republicans have been as forgiving as the Democrats and Obama have been with Lieberman? I don't think so.
What folk forget is that Obama plays pick up basketball. You get pushed and shoved, elbowed and hit. Then, when the contest is over, everyone shakes hands and moves on; that's not golf or bowling, where you don't even have to look at your competitor. He knows how to fight to win and then leave it (the dirt of war) on the court. That's the root from which a spirit of reconciliation is grown. Politics is a game that is played on many fronts but it can be played fairly and civilly... as well as cleverly. Joe is valuable to the Dems ... lest we forget.
I am a life long democrat and will always be – with that said – I am now ready to vote my own party out – This is nonsense Leiberman is worse than a turncoat – He had the right to vote as he saw fit – but the public way he critized Mr Obama was totally out of bounds – He does not deserve to be part of the party any longer – I can only hope that the voters of Conn turn this man out in 2012 – as for the senate dems you are cowards – seems to me that we are already back to politics as usual. To bad I had high hopes -
Very interesting. The real winner is Mr. Joe today. He enjoyed last 8 years by leaving the democrats & now again he will enjoy next 4 years as well even he was against the democrats. His comments against Obama & democrats was not acceptable.
If Joe the snake is a Democrat send him down to Georgia to help Jim Martin. He will not do it because he snake is all about Israel and that is it. They should have sent him packing. The people of CONN will take care of him. The people will speak and kick the snake out if they won't do it.
Dems are such WHIMPS!
What a crock! Dems have no guts. The man should be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail.
Lie Berman is an independent, so he can throw his votes whichever way he sees fit. Lets hope there aren't too many GOP filibusters that require him to cast the deciding vote.
Now on with the country's business at hand. Let's get behind our newly elected president. Let's do our part and everyone will be successful.
IT WAS OK FOR COLON POWELL
Dont you get it folks??? Appointing Hillary, working w/ McCain, even pardoning Lieberman : It isnt about punishment. Its about working TOGETHER and helping Americans to have better lives and futures. Stop complaining and get with the program!
I could not agree more, I respect Mr Lieberman for what he has done and continues to do. He shows that he is not just a one party person who follows the leader rather than respect others wishes. Too bad there are not more in office that do. This country needs leaders to help the country out of this difficult time, to cross party lines and help the population of this great country.
I hope the Obama team has a plan for this jerk. If not, who will be the next person to disrespect Obama and still hold a high position. This is unbelievable. Why doesn't Lieberman just go with the Republicans and be done with it. Any back stabbing he does in the future will serve the Dems right for being so whimpy....
Joe is a war-mongering back stabber. To think he was once the VP candidate for Gore?
I am very disappointed.
Joe is an ally of Hillary, and the Clintons are already firmly in control of the Obama administration. Dems should have gone ahead and elected Hillary to be POTUS instead of having her be the POTUS behind the scenes.
Now THAT'S CHANGE.
Besides, doesn't anyone see the political genius in this move? Now Joe owes the caucus a favor for letting him keep his powerful chairmanship. He'll be more in line than ever before. Favors like this don't come for free. The caucus now owns JL. Cheers to that!
This Connecticut girl is voting him out next time! Hopefully, Rep. Chris Murphy will run against him. I am completely sick of him.
I live in Ct and I will vote for him.
Like Joe I vote for the best man for the job
I will not vote for Dodd
Lieberman was for the Iraq war, for torture, for the patriot act, for McClain. How can he still be called a Democrat didn't he resign the party a long time ago.Aren't this all the issues that President Elect Obama run against.
Lieberman is a Judas who doesn't deserve to hold any clout in the Democratic party.
the "Lieberweasel" will come back to bite Obama and the Democrates. it's a HUGE mistake not to throw him out of the caucus and remove him from the Homeland Security chairmanship.
this is a man that LIED to the voters of Connecticut and has proved he CAN NOT be TRUSTED.
Another failure of the leadership within the Democratic party.
he should be fired from all committees....he is not one of us...I think we call that a trader.....he looks like Barney Fifh
Well cheer up Joe, 66% of CT residents say they won't vote to re-elect you. Better get to work cause your days are numbered!
For those more liberal of the Democratic party, I say, "Shame on you1" Lieberman is probably the only member of the Senate that dares to act on what he believes to be best for the country. If there were more Democrats who were willing to see the Republican side of an issue, and vice versa, maybe this country would be able to move forward on the issues of importance to the country.
We need a movement toward the middle from both the right and the left to get the things done for our country that need doing in this challenging time.
What a farce!!! Maybe Joe think's it's over but we here in Connecicut won't forget. If his buddies in the Senate have no backbone, that's fine. But we do. So long Joe it's been nice knowing you!! Maybe you could run in Arizona with your buddy John.