Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

Just go, Joe, just go

by Steven D
Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 01:33:52 PM EST

Just go. Any Democratic leadership with any guts would kick Lieberman out of the caucus for this latest stunt.

"I probably will support some Republican candidates for Congress or Senate in the election in 2010. I'm going to call them as I see them," Lieberman said in an ABC News "Subway Series" interview aboard the U.S. Capitol Subway System. [...]
Jim Manley, the spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told Talking Points Memo's Eric Kleefeld that his boss is more concerned about the health care push then Lieberman's latest quips.
"Senator Lieberman may call them as he see's them, but for Senator Reid, the only thing that he is focused on right now is delivering on the president's promise of comprehensive health care reform," Manley said.

Connecticut is a blue state. We don't need to appease Lieberman in the same way we need to understand and work around the concerns of Democrats elected in traditionally conservative states. In 2012 a progressive candidate will be the Democratic nominee, no matter what Joe says or does. He isn't voting for health care reform no matter what the Democrats offer him because he's been bought by the Insurance Industry, and he's an obstructionist as a chairperson on the committees he does head up in the Senate, so what's the purpose for paying footsie with the guy who always kicks you in the shins? Where's the benefit to letting Harry Reid play Curly to Joe's Moe? Really. Kick him out now.

Just go, Joe, just go | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 0)

Slightly off topic, but John Boehner is still less popular than a case of the clap.

by BooMan on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 01:42:18 PM EST

Just go, Joe, just go (none / 0)

for arguments sake, what if the dems kicked lieberman out of the caucus and stripped him of his seniority, committee chairs and membership, and the RATs didn't take him in...not an unlikely circumstance given the purity purge by the reichwing loonies...what happens?

does he just become a back bencher with no "official standing" other than his senate seat?

does he, by default, get committee assignments?

whatever the consequence, it seems to me, that's a pretty big stick that harry...who's rapidly closing in on boehner btw... and the d's have.

a serious question...l haven't any real understanding of this particular bit of senate minutiae.

the revolution will not be televised...

by dada on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 02:44:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 0)

William Jefferson went without any committee assignments (I believe) after they found $25,000 in his freezer. I don't think you are entitled to any party's assigned seats.

by BooMan on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 02:46:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 0)

but that was the house......are the rules the same?

and l think it was $90k of cold cash they found.

the revolution will not be televised...

by dada on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 02:52:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 0)

whatever the amount of $$$, it was cold cash.

I don't think it makes any difference what chamber we're talking about. And it's especially true for a pol that isn't even a member of your party.

by BooMan on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 03:10:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 0)

aha... essentially he'd be relegated to limbo...ergo, he would become, in effect, totally ineffectual as a representative of CT.

regardless his plans for the future it'd make the present damned unpleasant for him...harry, you paying attention?

l like the potential of that scenario.

the revolution will not be televised...

by dada on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 03:23:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 0)

Now is not the time. It would be gratifying to see him gone, but keeping him around for now is real leverage. I believe he'll end up not filibustering against healthcare reform because there's no real upside to being the lone No-On-Healthcare asshole. If he does join the filibuster, that's the time to bring down the hammer.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 02:34:12 PM EST

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 1)

But he gives cover to Blanche Lincoln, Mary Landrieu, Ben Nelson, et cetera. They can claim they didn't kill Health Care,because it couldn't get cloture so their votes didn't matter.

by The Voice In The Wilderness on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 07:35:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 0)

Right now, Joe is just at the talk stage, getting his maverick on.

If he actually follows through, I think there will be consequences. But probably not until January of 2011, when the new Congress sets up its committees. They'll wait for him to actually make good on his pledge to campaign for Republicans before they kick him out of the caucus.

I don't know when the appropriate time for him to lose his chair is. Don't know whether it will be healthcare or some additional issue that will do it. But given the fact of his wife's employment, some ethics investigation might precede his losing his chair.

But he has made Tom Harkin and some other Democrats furious.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 02:37:24 PM EST

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 1)

I think joining any GOP filibuster on a major bill is the time to kick him out. There's no defense for opposing the party on a procedural issue. He can vote however he wants on the bill, but letting it come to a vote defines whether he's a member of the caucus or not.

To me, campaigning for Reps is far less deserving of expulsion than filibustering with them.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 03:05:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 1)

I was not saying what I think; I was predicting what the Democratic caucus might do, why, and when.

For a party caucus, campaigning for the opposition is the unforgiveable sin. They broke this rule by allowing him back into the caucus in the first place.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 03:23:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 0)

Has any Senator ever been less grateful that Lieberman? What's up with this guy? Why the constant need to play lightning rod even when there's no political upside?

by Parallax on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 04:05:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 0)

Martyr complex.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 04:11:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 0)

Is Obama still protecting him? That's what saved him the last time.

________
The Raptor of Spain: A Webserial
From Muslim Prince to Christian King: An Alternate History

by MNPundit on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 04:28:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (4.00 / 2)

This is the problem. The other person who announced he may filibuster is Bayh, who Obama almost made Veep (in the final 3 according to the new book). It is harder to trust Obama when he goes out of his way to defend the likes of Joe and Bayh, and hammers the progressive caucus over Afghanistan, but hasn't even spoken to Joe about the filibuster, according to Axelrod. There are very good reasons to wonder what Obama's agenda actually is.

by bento on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 05:06:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (4.00 / 2)

Exactly. Not 11th dimensional chess but just down home Illinois political calculus. Try this:

Assume Obama doesn't want universal health care, but recognizes that it is neccesary for the nomination.
Also recognize that he can't be seen as not keeping his pledge.
Obama meets with big Pharma (ala Cheney and the oil companies) and assures them their profits will continue at obscene levels.
Obama calls in a favor from Lieberman who owes him big time. In a little political theater, Obama makes stirring speeches while Lieberman kills Health Care reform. For "Godfather" fans, this is much like Michael renouncing Satan in Church at the baptism while his men are busy murdering his enemies. "No Connie, I did not kill your husband".

Trust me. It's very Illinois.

by The Voice In The Wilderness on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 07:46:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 0)

and l thought l was a cynic...that's a scary scenario.

who knows? the backroom deal with big pharma, and the subsequent death of the medicare+5 robust public option without a vote certainly give one pause.

the revolution will not be televised...

by dada on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 07:57:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Flashback (none / 1)

Sounds as if maybe the wheel has turned full circle once more.

All you old DFHs out there will remember this from the last round.

"I never trust people who don't laugh." Maya Angelou, March 5, 2009

by Indianadem on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 08:36:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Flashback (none / 0)

Thanks for the video! Oh,yes, the Who knew!

by The Voice In The Wilderness on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 10:17:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just go, Joe, just go (none / 0)

As much as I agree with throwing this weasel out on his miserable ass, think of the fallout. AIPAC will be royally pissed, as will the DLC crowd and all of the Clintonistas. Correct me if I don't recall things properly, but after Lamont won the Dem primary in '06 didn't Hillary LOAN Mark Pence to his campaign? With the result being his campaign all but disappeared. The Dems have good reason to fear his allies.

by mikefromtexas on Fri Oct 30th, 2009 at 11:56:29 PM EST

Just go, Joe, just go | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Go to: [ Booman Tribune Homepage : Top of page : Top of comments ]

. Home
. About
. Contact
. Advertise
. FAQ
. Search

Username:
Password:

. Make a new account
. Reset password

Gift Cards * New Arrivals

NOTE: Overstock bests Amazon's prices and is "blue."

THE BOOKS WITH "BUZZ":
______________

Senator Edward M. Kennedy tells his extraordinary personal story:

True Compass: A Memoir
by Edward M. Kennedy.

Read Barack Obama's vision for America:

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
by Barack Obama

Boran2 and maryb2004 recommend:

The Big Over Easy: A Nursery Crime
by Jasper Fforde

Must-have information for all presidents-and citizens-of the twenty-first century?

Physics for Future Presidents: The Science behind the Headlines
Richard A. Muller

rae recommends:

Dark Ages America: The Final Phase of Empire
by Morris Berman.

On BooMan’s shelf:

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
by Doris Kearns Goodwin

This looks interesting:

Adventure Divas
by Holly Morris

Here’s a good one from
Elizabeth Gilbert:

Eat Pray Love
by Elizabeth Gilbert

"Crash" * Best Motion Picture, Academy Awards * Only $11.79 at Overstock * 2006 SAG Winner, Best Ensemble

Check out
Powell's new section:
NEW FAVORITES
Selected new arrivals at 30% off

Recommended by Indianadem and ejmw:
The Conscience of a Liberal
by Paul Wellstone

From northcountry’s bookshelf:

The New Golden Age:
The Coming Revolution Against
Political Corruption and Economic Chaos by Ravi Batra

A novel about contractors in Iraq from the woman that runs The Spy That Billed Me:

Outsourced: A Novel
from RJ Hillhouse.

Great Deals
----- * ^ * -----

Find mystery novels by Nancy Pickard ("Kansas")

Challenging Empire: How People, Governments, and the UN Defy US Power by Phyllis Bennis (interviewed on DN!)

Featured by Keith Olbermann, New (Powell's Sale): Rogue State: A Guide to the World's Only Superpower by William Blum (whose other books merit serious consideration)

"Explosive" State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration
by James Risen

The book the CIA doesn't want you to read: Jawbreaker: The Attack on Bin Laden and Al Qaeda: A Personal Account by the CIA's Key Field Commander
Larry Johnson's review

BT's all-time best seller:

PERMACULTURE:
A Designers' Manual
$79.95 * Sale: $59.95

Unequal Sisters: A Multicultural Reader in U.S. Women's History (Third Edition)

The Undercover Economist: Exposing Why the Rich Are Rich, the Poor Are Poor And Why You Can Never Buy a Decent Used Car!

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl
by Timothy Egan

Green Press Initiative
----- * ^ * -----

Journalistas: 100 Years of the Best Writing and Reporting by Women Journalists by Eleanor Mills * NYT review

Bury Me Standing: the Gypsies & Their Journey

1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus

Brokeback Mountain
by Annie Proulx
----- * ^ * -----
Check out Powell's
"At The Movies"

Imperial Ambitions: Conversations on the Post-9/11 World by Noam Chomsky (Power & Terror: Post 9-11 Talks)

The Price of Privilege:

How Parental Pressure and
Material Advantage Are Creating a Generation of
Disconnected and Unhappy Kids
by Madeline Levine

Save 35-70% on
name brand clothing,
footwear, and outdoor gear
at SierraTradingPost.com
:

We listened to PEN American Center's "State of Emergency" and found 1940s books by Curzio Malaparte only at Alibris. (Selection (MP3) excerpted from "The Skin.")

Banned Books * Are you a fan of Film Noir, Art House, Documentaries or Hong Kong Action? * Searching for a long-lost children's book or a first printing of Miles Davis' Kind of Blue on vinyl? Find it at Alibris!

:
:

Booman Tribune Homepage
admin@boomantribune.com
powered by Scoop

More blogs about Blogs at Technorati.

Technorati Profile