Reid looking to remove Sen. Lieberman as Homeland Security Committee head
comment by Jerry Gordon
Those of us who have worked with Senator Lieberman on both in his Independent campaign in Connecticut and on important national issues knew that our friend would lose his significant committee posts with the Obama victory. Now that the Senate has a significant Democratic majority he will be relegated to becoming the American equivalent of a ‘back bencher.’ This is akin to Churchill during the Wilderness Years in the 1930’s. Senate Majority Leader Reid’s announcement was inevitable in the wake of the McCain Presidential loss, as Lieberman had campaigned for the GOP ticket. Lieberman is no longer the ‘800 pound’ gorilla as he was in 2006 when the Democrats cut a deal with him to organize with the their caucus and pick up the important Homeland Security and Government Affairs and other Committee assignments. But rest assured Senator Lieberman will not go quietly into the night and will remain one of the few independent thinkers and truth speakers in the US Congress.
AP, November 6, 2008
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
Reid, in a sternly worded statement after the 45-minute meeting, said no official decisions have been made. But an aide to the Nevada Democrat said Reid was leaning toward removing Lieberman as chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions were confidential.
“While I understand that Sen. Lieberman has voted with Democrats a majority of the time, his comments and actions have raised serious concerns among many in our caucus,” Reid said. (Continue Reading this Article)
It would be a sign of Obama’s post-partisan promises (and leadership) if he encouraged the Senate Dems to not make this public fight over Lieberman. After all, Obama’s favorite book is “Team of Rivals”. Since it is unlikely that McCain will be offered a cabinet post, and even more likely that McCain would prefer to not ’serve at the pleasure of the President’, stopping Reid’s pressure on Lieberman would be highly symbolic. Unless he decides to caucus with the Republicans because he’d be with his real friends.
Harry Reid should be more focussed on getting Chris Dodd out of the chairman’s seat of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Devlopment Committee. And rename that committee - the name is a constant reminder of Dodd’s role in the Fannie/Freddie mortgage mess.
Comment by Birdalone — November 6, 2008 @ 10:28 pm
If Reid pressures Lieberman enough, perhaps Lieberman will switch to the Republican Party. We will be glad to have him.
Comment by Bill Levinson — November 6, 2008 @ 11:20 pm
Campaigning for McCain did not do in Lieberman. He wore his turncoat when he blasted Senate colleagues at the RNC. The Senate tolerated him when they needed him on their side. Come January, there will a Democrat majority in both houses of Congress AND a Democrat president.
Comment by purpleamerican — November 7, 2008 @ 6:43 am
When I saw Joe Lieberman speak at the Republican National Convention, I thought, “This fellow’s going to have to become a Republican, any day now — the Dems have probably written him off”. I think we have another Strom Thurmond here: The Dem Party is in the middle, it seems, of a tremendous lurch to the Left (or, more appropriately, into Outer Space — “Left” and “Right” don’t seem to have any meaning anymore).
Joe will figure it out. Meanwhile, I’m trying to sort things out. Do you realize, EVERY ONE of the people I voted for got defeated! And I’m a main-party guy! I didn’t vote for the Greens or the Libertarians or Herut! I feel like my family and I have been sold into slavery, and my country has been taken over by aliens. I’m not complaining — I prayed for the election, and these are the people God gave me. As I said, I’m trying to get adjusted.
The best to ya’, Joe. Shalom to all
Comment by BlandOatmeal — November 7, 2008 @ 7:27 am
Lieberman? who cares and why should we?
Comment by yamit82 — November 7, 2008 @ 12:17 pm
[...] See Also: Why Are the Dems Still Dancing with Lieberman?, Dump Joe, Lieberman with a gavel: unacceptable., Joe’s Options?, Lieberman May Have Fate Decided By Secret Vote, Just go Joe, Lieberman not happy with Reid’s offer, flirting with Republicans, Just Say NO To A Jumpin’ Joe, Joe Lieberman, McCain backer and ex-Democrat, tries to keep his Senate committee chair, and Reid looking to remove Sen. Lieberman as Homeland Security Committee head. [...]
Pingback by Joe Lieberman Converts to the Republican Party | Prose Before Hos — November 7, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
I couldn’t stand Lieberman when he ran with Al Gore - he was mean, rude, nasty, and just plain unhappy when he ran with Gore.
However, I was very much impressed by Lieberman becoming an INDEPENDENT, leaving the democrats, and actually looking and feeling happier with McCain than he was with Gore. Lieberman gained my respect this year and I will pray for him during this difficult time - I hope that his smile is blessed by the God of Israel!
As for the brood of vipers who have attacked Lieberman - the trouble they bring on others will only recoil on themselves - God bless Joseph Lieberman!
Comment by Michael Sunstar — November 8, 2008 @ 12:49 pm