Kucinich praises Lieberman for 'Don't ask' repeal

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: The Hill

One of the most liberal members of the House praised a senator who is often the target of liberals for leading the push to repeal the military's ban on openly gay service members.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) described Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman's (Conn.) leadership as "noteworthy" during the debate over repealing the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. The Ohio congressman explained that Liberman's actions should discourage people from judging lawmakers too quickly.

"If I learned anything from this last vote, it's to have compassion for my fellow members of Congress on both sides of the aisle who took positions on both sides of the issue," he said on MSNBC Monday night. "And we have to be careful in judging each other based on a single vote...On "don`t ask, don`t tell," it is noteworthy that Senator Lieberman led the way in the Senate."

Though they are not an endorsement, Kucinich's comments could boost Lieberman's appeal among liberals should he run for reelection in 2012.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/134607-kucinich-praises-lieberman-for-dont-ask-repeal

[Jefferson23]

1. Lieberman's push to get DADT repealed won't be forgotten, but here

in Ct. that will not be enough imo. Liberals/progressives do not want to see him re-elected. He'll still court the
center right and our state has more than its share of Wall Street pigs living in their McMansions here who would benefit
from his re-election.

snip*
"I don't think it makes sense to raise any federal taxes during the uncertain economy we are struggling through," Lieberman said. "In our current economic situation, we cannot risk the economic headwinds that would be caused by tax increases. We need to keep as much money as possible in people's pockets and business's bank accounts."



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/42060.html#ixzz18l0B4eYC

[NorthCarolina]

2. Nobody should vote on the basis of one piece of legislation. There were a few

Republicans who voted for DADT repeal, should liberals work to help reelect them as well? I don't think so. Of course Lieberman no doubt thought this would be his act of atonement that would bring him back into the fold. I for one hope that is not the case.

[kenfrequed]

3. Hmm...

I don't know, I suppose it might be enough to drive down progressive fundraising should he decide to run in a primary for the democratic endorsement. Which may be the goal here. If he can get his name on just a few more pieces of progressive legislation he can influence some of the Progressive pacs and 527's to withold funds.

[groundloop]

4. He needed to have his name on one particular piece of legislation - Public Option

As impressed as I am that Lie-berman pushed hard for DADT repeal I'm still not forgetting how he screwed us over on the public option. Even the last ditch effort to allow more people to buy into medicare would have been a step in the right direction, but he screwed us on that as well. I just can't let go of that.