Lieberman not happy with Reid's offer, flirting with Republicans
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/07/art.lieberman.ap.jpg caption="Lieberman was not happy with what Reid had to offer, an aide said."]UPDATE: Democratic source says Reid offered Veterans Affairs chairmanship
(CNN) - An aide to Sen. Joe Lieberman tells CNN that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told Lieberman he wanted him to give up his position as Chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, and instead take the helm of a lower profile full committee.
A Senate Democratic source familiar with the meeting confirms that account and tells CNN that one of options Reid gave Lieberman in a private meeting Thursday is Chairman of the Veteran’s Affairs Committee.
But the aide to Lieberman says the Connecticut senator made clear that was “not acceptable” to him, and reminded Reid that he was one of the Senators who wrote the legislation creating the Homeland Security Department, and that’s where he wants to stay.
Nothing was resolved in the meeting, and the Lieberman aide tells CNN that although he still wants to caucus with the Democrats, Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell has contacted Lieberman about formally aligning with Republicans, and that Lieberman is “keeping all of his options open.”
An aide to McConnell confirms to CNN that the two men “have been talking.”
This Lieberman aide, who insisted the meeting was very cordial, also says that he reminded Reid that he may have been elected an Independent, but that he has voted overwhelmingly with the Democrats.
The Senate Democratic source says this issue will now likely be dealt with by the full Senate Democratic caucus, when it meets on November 18th.
Lieberman was a fixture on the campaign trail with Republican presidential candidate John McCain, and Reid is under pressure from many Democrats to punish him for harsh criticism of Barack Obama in a speech at the Republican convention.
A spokesman for Reid had no immediate comment on the specifics of the meeting, except to say that it was “frank,” and that the two agreed to talk more about Lieberman’s future role in the Senate.
The two met on Thursday.
Nothing should be offered to Joe Lieberman. I will be happy to see John McCain in new adninistration. Joe Lieberman is Opportunist. He can work with Republicans and gov. Plain. I will be very very disappointed if democrats have any room for Joe Lieberman
Don't just flirt, Joe–go marry them. You've proven yourself no friend of the Democrats, and we don't need you hanging around.
joe must go. Joe your fired!!!
jOE TOOK HIS CHANCES AND LOST NOW HE WANTS BACK IN SORRY JOE THERE JUST ISN'T A PLACE FOR YOU IN THE NEW GOV. BECOME A PLUMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and enjoy the hard work.
Joe Lieberman is an unprincipled power hunter that was convinced that Obama could not win so was attempting to catch a ride on McCain's coat tails. The dems need to let him go, brush off their hands and say "good riddance to bad rubbish!"
It's time to move on Joe and don't let the door hit you in the rear!!
I think he should go with the party he tried to help get the White House and that is the Republican Party.
Great attitude Senator Reid. I thought Obama wanted "change" or "unity" with a new spirit of bipartisanship. Sounds like most of you on here are spewing the same old hate that got the Republicans in trouble. Remind me again what is the difference between Lieberman and Colin Powell? Are both traitors to their party?
Liebermann,
Please have the decency to leave the Democratic Caucus. Just resign. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
Reid, please remove the Judas. Having a backstabber never pays off in the end. Just cut your losses.
He's a republican now, dump this nefarious traitor!!!
And start working now to defeat his re-election bid in 2012.
Lieberman is toast!
KICK HIM OUT OF OUR PARTY! HE HURT OBAMA BY HIS ENDORSEMENT OF MCCAIN. HE DESERVES THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. LET HIM SEE WHAT IT REALLY FEELS LIKE TO BE IN A CAUCAUS WHERE YOU ONLY AGREE WITH THE IRAQ POLICY.
Well, did Lieberman expect for Reid and the Dems to trust him after the way he spoke against them at the RNC? I don't believe that the Dems would be upset about Lieberman supporting McCain, but the speech he gave showed he couldn't be trusted.
The sad thing is, the Republicans might not trust Lieberman, either. After all, who's to say he won't defect again?
I don't know what he was expecting – the red carpet? Fanfares? For all I care, he can caucase with the Republicans, or even better, change his affiliation from Independent to Republican....
Fine, Leiberman. Go.
Is this guy a Democrat? No? Then to hell with him.... seems like he endorsed old man McCain so let him go with the Republicans....
He's wearing a red tie. He's a commie. Doesn't support the troops.
The sole reason Joe Lieberman endorsed John McCain / Sarah Palin was because Sarah Palin offered him some Alaskan hospitality behind closed doors on the side...
As a matter of fact, the only reason John McCain picked Sarah Palin as his running mate is because, who do you think fathered her child that has been afflicted with Down Syndrome?
Ah yes, a Dirty Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste...LOL...
All of you are saying the Lieberman is a moderate, he is in no way close to being a moderate. He is up there with his liberal voting record, the big thing is he did not agree with his party on was the war.
I love it. What a stupid look on his ugly face. It's like he saying "Wha (sp) happen??" ..........It ain't no fun, when the rabbits got the gun, Joe.
I'm a Republican, and we would gladly take him. A statesman like Lieberman who acts independently, and in the best interests of the people he serves rather than blindly voting the party-line is a rare commodity. He's too good to be a Democrat.
Get the Republicans have Leiberman. He's a traitor and not good enough to be a Democrat anymore. Bye bye Joe.
It's one thing to support the Republican candidate, that is forgiveable, but to speak at the Republican Convention and trash Sen. Obama like he did is quite another. There must be a consequence.
Joe Lieberman's loyalties are questionable. His loyalty to the Democratic part and the ideals this party promotes as well as his loyalty to the US verses his loyalty to Israel. Removing Joe from chair of this important committee is the only responsible action Reed can take – it is not punitive. Elections have consequences; clearly Joe was not supportive of the winners, expressed lack of confidence in the new administration, and does not support the platform of the winners of this last election. Joe can not be relied on and Joe's judgment is questionable. Had Republicans swept the ticket, then Joe Lieberman may have been in a better position to keep his current position, but that is not what happened.
Liberman should go. His comments at the Republlican Convention crossed WAY over the line.
See ya Joe. You killed our ticket. You couldn't bring home Florida, a state a black guy - a black guy! - won with ease.
LIEBERMAN HAS PROVEN TO BE A
COMMON ORDINARY GARDEN SLUG.
HE SHOULD BE SHUNNED BY EVERYONE.