Washington (CNN) - Sen. Joe Lieberman – whose opposition to a public insurance option has drawn outrage from liberal groups for months – is used to finding himself in progressive crosshairs.
Now it's his wife's turn.
Activists are setting their sights on Hadassah Lieberman, launching a celebrity-studded petition drive to convince the nation's largest breast cancer non-profit to end the Connecticut senator's wife role as a spokeswoman.
The move to pressure the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation came the same day Lieberman's husband angered Democrats by announcing that he would not support an expansion of Medicare to cover individuals under the age of 55. Organizers did not point to that decision, instead citing Hadassah Lieberman's own ties to the health care industry.
Lieberman has worked as a consultant for companies including Pfizer and ALCO.
"We are asking Ellen DeGeneres, Christie Brinkley and other high-profile celebrities who are associated with Komen to demand that no more money raised for cancer treatment be given to Hadassah Lieberman or any other ex-Pharma/Insurance strategists," said Jane Hamsher, founder of the Firedoglake blog.
(Updated after the jump with statement from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation)
CNN has received the following statement from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation:
Hadassah Lieberman is an important and valued Global Ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. As a Global Ambassador, Ms. Lieberman is focused on helping us reach out and educate women outside our borders about breast cancer, sharing our knowledge and experience in a culturally sensitive way that is making a real impact on the lives of women across the globe. We have every intention of continuing our relationship with Ms. Lieberman in our mutual pursuit of a world without breast cancer.
Updated: 5:58 p.m.
From CNN Politics
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So Mrs. Leiberman is a spokesman for an insurance group. Surprise, surprise!!!!!!!! How many millions does she get a year?
Unbelievable. It's beginning to become more and more plain, if the liberals don't like what someone does their families will be smeared and punished.
He is such a creep! As citizens, we need to strip him of healthcare, so he'll understand how it is like to not have access.
What is his solution anyway?
Just reminds us all that their are no honest politians. They all have
a dog in some fight. Can't trust any of them.
The day that Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation caves to political extremists is the day that half of this country drops their support for their work.
We need MORE Independent senators like Lieberman to find bipartisan solutions to our problems, including health care, that do not depend on big government, statist intervention. Go Joe.
This Senator is a fraud. He is owned by the insurance companies.
The Liebermans are liars and backstabbers.... they aren't even worth covering. He's willing to ignore the needs of the people simply because he needs his ego stroked and he needs to feel important because he's bitter about no one helping him get a nomination to even run for President.
Yes, lets rid ourselves of these 2 yo yo's! Time to have them retire to Isreal. Good riddance. They have done nothing for this country!
Well, if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black! Recall all those liberal movie stars complaing when patrons quit going to their films following their rude and disrespectful comments about W. Hypocrites!
She is not "under attack." This headline is misleading, and intentionally so.
But for a couple to oppose real health insurance reform makes it inappropriate to be a spokesperson for any kind of health related issue.
They both need to work for Humana as lobbyists so that their loyalties and financial interests are clear.
What a charming couple. It's too bad they don't put the rights of millions of uninsured people ahead of their own agendas.
Even the wives are crooks.
The Liebermans are SCUM!!!
I have no problem with that, she is a shill for the insurance lobby and big pharma.
Ever hear of "conflict of interest"? The only thing the Lieberman's care about is money and Israel....in that order. Shameless.
I agree 100%
Wow, the liberal hate is unreal. They throw a gal under the bus, who was fighting for a cure.
And so they should ... American's better wake up and stop keeping foxes to watch the hen house!
If you are on the payroll of Healthcare companies .. you do not represent the people in Healthcares issues ... if your are on the board of a Big Bank.. do not represent the people on financial issues
Joe Lieberman and his wife are in the employ of the health care, insurance, and pharmaceutical industry. It is a direct conflict of interest - they should be investigated.
He should recuse himself from this debate.
WOW – Hang on Joe. You have disagreed with the socialist so now they will drag everyone you know into this.
It's the way they work. Hopefully in 2010 we can retire ALL of them.
I am disgusted with the Lieberman's stance and think they should be booted from the Democtratic Party and from their shul. Shame on you for constantly holding up the needed changes to help those less fortunate and for blowing in the wind. You will have a lot to atone for next year.
Liberals go away. You are annoying and demoralizing this nation.
They are both CROOKS of the first order. Guess who is paying them both millions of $$$ ? The insurance companies.
Translation: if you disagree, we will blacklist you.
Yes I thought Joe Lieberman was snuggly in bed with the big insurance companies. Joe is so wrapped up in his own cause to stay wealthy at whatever cost, the rest of the country is struggling and he could care less. Joe you really should be ashamed of yourself but I doubt that will ever be with such a huge ego it is hard to see.