McCain backer Lieberman keeps Senate committee chair
By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Writer, November 18, 2008
Sen. Lieberman retains HSGAC Chairmnship
Watch ABC News video of Lieberman press conference, here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. Joe Lieberman will keep his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee despite hard feelings over his support for GOP nominee John McCain during the presidential campaign.
The Connecticut independent will lose a panel post on the Environment and Public Works panel as punishment for criticizing Obama this fall.
Lieberman’s colleagues in the Democratic caucus voted 42-13 Tuesday to approve a resolution condemning statements made by Lieberman during the campaign but allowing him to keep the Homeland Security Committee gavel.
Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he had been very angry by Lieberman’s actions but that “we’re looking forward, we’re not looking back.”
Added Reid: “This was not a time for retribution, it was a time for moving forward on the problems of this country.”
Lieberman’s grasp on his chairmanship had gotten stronger since President-elect Barack Obama signaled to Democratic leaders that he’s not interested in punishing Lieberman for boosting McCain and criticizing Obama during the long campaign. (Continue Reading this Article)
President-elect Barack Obama signaled to Democratic leaders that he’s not interested in
punishing Liebermandriving Lieberman into the Republican camp for boosting McCain and criticizing Obama during the long campaign.Comment by Bill Levinson — November 19, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/1108/Lieberman_keeps_Homeland_Security_post.html More funny math, with the vote reported at 42-12 in Lieberman’s favor in a Democratic Senate Caucus that is currently at 51, though it seems some newly elected Democratic Senators were allowed to vote.
Lieberman was also allowed to keep his chairmanship of the Armed Services Airland sub-committee in addition to his chair of full Homeland Security Committee. Senator Lieberman is #4 in seniority (after Byrd and Kennedy who may both be reassigned out of Armed Services due to health issues) next to chair Carl Levin on Senate Armed Services with McCain as ranking member.
Come on Bill, Obama did the right thing in offering this one piece of early evidence for his promise of unity. It’s not like Lieberman is suddenly going to change any of his future votes, which are Democrat on domestic policy and judicial nominations, but not on foreign policy. It would have made the Democrats publicly vindictive if they’d forced Lieberman into the Republican caucus. Which could eventually happen if no one sits with Lieberman at the weekly caucus lunches. Like high school… Plus, Lieberman’s Senate term does not expire until 2012, giving Connecticut Democrats plenty of time to simmer and stew when they should be watching out for Dodd in 2010.
Comment by Birdalone — November 19, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
As magnanimous as Obama’s instruction to his Democratic colleagues appears to be, there was only a political upside and absolutely no political downside whatsoever in letting Joe Lieberman stay on in place. Lieberman cannot hurt the President or the Democratic party by retaining his chairs on the various committees and likely will do whatever to expiate his sin of having stood with McCain against Obama.
Had Obama directed revenge be taken against Lieberman and put him out of his committee chairs, that would have reflected very poorly on Obama.
Obama’s choosing to appear generous and forgiving of Lieberman is in a political context, a real no brainer.
Comment by Bill Narvey — November 19, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
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