This Lieberman business seems pretty simple:

[Labors of Hercules]

Reid takes action regarding Lieberman before the final composition of the Senate is known.

Lieberman counters with a threat to sell out and break ranks.

Barack "suggests" that Reid not follow through on the action, (leaving off the operative word "YET"), leaving Lieberman somewhat indebted to Obama.

So, call me crazy, but it looks like this is a carefully orchestrated maneuver to set the stage for ultimately "dealing with" Joe Lieberman:

1) I don't think Harry Reid had any intention of stripping Joe of his chairmanships at this point.

2) I think his real intention to flush out Lieberman's modus operandi, and...

3) the real action will come when the gavel falls on the new Senate.

This is why I LOVE politics. :evilgrin:

[whoneedstickets]

1. Yeah, they put a leash on Joe, and handed it to President Obama..

...I hope he uses it to bring him to heel.

[Lucky 13]

2. I don't believe Lieberman will ever feel indebted to Obama.

He made the promise during his campaign that he would support the Dem nominee in order to get voters to re-elect him. He fucking lied. If he's not indebted to his own constituency, I don't think he'll ever be indebted to Barack.

Why do we think we could rely on him in ANY circumstance? The guy is a cancer that needs to be excised. When is the sniveling little fucker up for re-election? Connecticut, you better not let me down this time!! Let him caucus with the Thugs. It won't help his re-election bid.

[Larkspur]

4. Lieberman's term is up in 2012.

Not sure if he will run again or retire to work in lobbying firms.

[Lucky 13]

6. Is there an interest group for sniveling, lying, backstabbing, ineffectual, little pricks?

I see that being the only sector that would want him.

[Larkspur]

3. Lieberman is an arrogant and sanctimonious a-hole

He won't feel indebted to anyone. Like a corrupt aristocrat, he believes that his Homeland Committee chair belongs to him and him alone. And he will continue aggravating his Senate Dem colleagues and President Obama if he feels like it.

[Labors of Hercules]

11. he may not feel it, but politically, he is.

the leash analogy is a good one. :thumbsup:

[Olney Blue]

5. We are stuck with him until 2012, so milk him as much as possible

[peace13]

7. Lieberman as chair of Homeland Security is a joke.

Really, how can anyone be fooled by this. Lieberman as chair of HS = no change. End of story. Lieberman will be the snitch that stole America reporting all to the PNAC monsters that he so loves!

[librechik]

10. has never held a meeting, so I've heard.

what good is he?

[backscatter712]

8. I think the goal is for Obama to completely OWN Lieberman.

It's one thing to toss the son-of-a-bitch out on his ass as he deserves. Very satisfying, but the satisfaction doesn't really last.

I think what Obama's trying to accomplish is far worse for Lieberman than just throwing him out. His goal is to make Lieberman so badly indebted to him (and his treasonous actions against Obama and the Democratic Party make him quite indebted already) that he'll be able to dictate terms to Lieberman. Like the Corleones are fond of saying, Obama will make Lieberman an offer he can't refuse...

In other words, Lieberman becomes Obama's bitch.

By the time Lieberman's term is up, he'll have the sorest ass in the Beltway! :evilgrin:

[zulchzulu]

9. Lieberman is now Obama's "new friend"...

Joe The Swine's ravenous statements about Obama during the election are now completely vaporized... that shows how the word of Joe Lieberman means anything. If anything, Obama knows his deal. Keep your enemies closer...

This week Mr. Lieberman, who has been asked by the Democratic Senate leadership to consider giving up his position as the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, released a statement congratulating Mr. Obama for “his historic and impressive victory.” It continued, “The American people are a people of extraordinary fairness.”

Marshall Wittmann, a spokesman for Mr. Lieberman, said that as far as the senator was concerned, “It’s over, and it’s genuinely time to find unity and move forward behind the new president.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/us/politics/09memo.html?bl&ex=1226379600&en=d53c43c58015c0b6&ei=5087%0A

[Honeycombe8]

13. His chairmanship should of course be taken away. No discussion. But keep him on the Dem. side...

for vote purposes.

If Lieberman wants to cross the aisle, he will not be re-elected in Democratic Connecticut.

It's really simple. BTW...he won't cross the aisle. He'll pout & blister, and then sit down and accept things as they are.

Besides, the senators vote on whether Lieberman will keep his chairmanship, right? It's not up to Reid or Obama.

[Honeycombe8]

12. I don't understand what you're saying. What's the end result you're saying will be? nt