And Lieberman Knifes Obama on Imus

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/2/8/81154/43156

The McCain-Obama fight is one of those insider-y deals which has nothing to do with the argument and everything to do with changing power dynamics in the Senate. Currently, McCain is trying to push Obama off the bipartisan reform stage, and using a vicious attacks and the complicit Beltway talking heads to do so. I'm not just saying that, read the correspondence (or read the partisan blog Redstate's joyous celebrations over McCain's red meat throw). It's extremely clear that Obama is asking McCain for a procedural request, while McCain's letter is bitterly sarcastic, partisan, and insulting. Obama's second letter, praising McCain, makes this point especially well. A key figure here is Lieberman, because he was actually at the meeting where the misunderstanding took place, and because he is part of the bipartian group working on lobbying reform. As I wrote yesterday:

Lieberman can call out McCain on his partisan slash-and-burn strategy, and buttress Obama's claim to bipartisanship. Or he can participate in the smear and ask both sides to calm down, even though this attack is entirely one-sided and it is very clear that Obama is seeking a bipartisan good ethics bill.

Well, on Imus this morning, Don Imus interviewed Lieberman. And while I don't have the transcript yet, the gist of the conversation was as follows. Imus asked Lieberman about the fight, and Lieberman alleged that it was all a big misunderstanding and that both men had were interested in getting a good bipartisan bill out of the process. He implied that both men had cleared up the misunderstanding. Imus at that point interjected that McCain stands by his letter, and Lieberman changed course. Lieberman then said that McCain stood by his letter, and Obama stood by his letter, except that Obama probably wishes he were a little clearer.

And then Imus and Lieberman talked about Joe's wife and how she leaves angry diatribes on his voice mail, and that he can just delete them. Finally, Lieberman added that he hopes it's a one day story, on the third day of the story, on Imus. Later in the interview, he bragged about his work with McCain on some legislation. Looks like he made his choice.

Oh, and earlier in the interview, Lieberman agreed with Imus that there was "some nonsense" at Coretta Scott King's funeral.

And from Daily Kos

http://www.dailykos.com/

Who the Hell are you Imus?
by DarkSyde
Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 04:45:26 AM PDT
Yes, Imus has weighed in on proper funeral etiquette this morning, i.e., condemning those who would dare celebrate Coretta Scott King's life at her funeral. He's shocked I tell you, shocked!

I guess I haven't been to enough funerals to understand the format. I would have thought that if the friends of a soldier killed in Iraq stood up at that soldier's funeral and mentioned that the deceased supported the Iraq Debacle, and that that soldier was proud to have died in a cause he believed in, that that would be appropriate. I would have thought that if the friends of someone killed in 9/11 stood up at that person's funeral and mentioned 9/11, that that would be appropriate.

I would have thought that friends and family would be the ones to determine how to celebrate the life of the guest of honor at any funeral. I'd have thought they would after all be the ones in a position to know that person and that they'd know what that person might want.

I would have thought that, Imus you twit, because it's common practice in the entire civilized world. Joseph Lowery and President Jimmy Carter were personal friends of Coretta Scott King and her family. That means they get to talk about her life and her work however they deem fit. Not you buddy. Just who the hell are you to tell them what is and what is not appropriate? Who the hell are you to tell the friends and family of anyone what they 'ought to' say and why do you think anyone gives a shit what you think about it anyway?

I usually enjoy Imus in the Morning. It's a fun show, they have great guests, nice way to start the news cycle of the day. But, if they're going to try and shamelessly make hay out of this, I think I'll do without, at least for the rest of the week. From now on I'm a purely Rachel Maddow and Mark Riley morning person. And just in case, I'll e-mail them at [e-mail] and tell them why ...

[tatertop]

1. lo blo jo strikes again

[Greeby]

2. Take Fredo for a boat ride: Ned Lamont for US Senate

http://www.nedlamont.com :bounce:

I think I'm gonna make that my catchphrase regarding Joe-mentum, since I saw it in that David Podvin article earlier today

[ClintonTyree]

3. I pledged to help Ned........

both financially and beating the pavement if needed. I live in New York but Holy Joe must go! I can't stand either Imus or Lieberman. :puke:

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. Why do Republicans and DLCers prefer to work in Gangs of 8

instead of following the process that would be open to the public? You all do realize that's what's at stake here, right? McCain is setting up his own Gang of 8 on this issue. Pulling someone like Obama would be a big victory because it would legitimize whatever the majority in the group decides as bi-partisan. Obama preferred using the regular process which is open to the public.

This Gang of 8 mindset is circumventing our democracy.

[FrenchieCat]

5. We were only allowed to foam at the mouth for Reagan's funeral.....

Everyone else has to conform to their "rules of Funeral Etiquette"....you know, those they make up as they go.

The media stinks like shit.

[asjr]

6. Mr. Mealy-mouth, "middle-man" Lieberman can not

continue to placate both sides. It simply can't work that way. He ends up saying absolutely nothing at all, but loves the air time. His time has come and gone, and though I am not from CT I hope he is unseated. He is not the kind of Democrat who works for us.

[MADem]

7. Well, since McCain was on Tweety last night, putting OUT that fire

...and smoothing over the differences (to the huge disappointment of Tweety, who kept trying to egg McCain on), it would seem that JoeMentum didn't get the word...yet again.

Ya gotta ask yourself, WHY??? Why is this bullshit story being kept alive? What purpose is it serving? McCain does not benefit, clearly--that's why he was pouring oil on the waters yesterday. Remember the last time he ran for Prez? They painted him as a crazy, fly-off-the-handle POW.

Obama, as a freshman, benefits, because when you are a fresh face, all they have to do is spell your damn name right (and not confuse you with Harold Ford, as Brian "Idiot" Williams did). A year from now, all that people will remember is that he somehow stood up to the GOP in some vague fashion...

Of course, McCain coming off as ANGRY sort of makes the accusations that Hillary is ANGRY look rather weak (to say nothing of subtly sexist).

The whole thing looks like a strategy that went awry, somehow. And now they just want everyone to faggedaboutit....