Lieberman is not only not a Democrat, he's not a progressive

[BurtWorm]

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/11/11/lieberman-not-progresive/

Despite his strong endorsement of Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) right-wing policy platform in the 2008 presidential election, a number of prominent Democratic senators are now defending Sen. Joe Lieberman’s (I-CT) position of leadership in the Democratic caucus, arguing that he is a key ally in furthering the progressive agenda.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), for instance, argued this past weekend that “Joe Lieberman is one of the most progressive people ever to come from the state of Connecticut.” Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) added, “I think we had to just let bygones be bygones. We’re going to need him on healthcare and energy independence and education and a whole lot of other things.”

While Lieberman has supported progressive policies in the past, including advocating on behalf of the environment and civil rights, his recent record demonstrates that he’s a progressive no more.

In a new report, ThinkProgress documents Lieberman’s significant shift to the right in both foreign and domestic policy. Some examples from the report:

– Said Investigating Response To Katrina Would Be Playing ‘Gotcha’: Lieberman said he was not interested in “looking back, and assigning blame would be a waste of Congress’ time.” Lieberman said he was reluctant to mount an investigation of the failures of the initial response, saying “We don’t want to play ‘gotcha’ anymore.”

– Claimed That A Progressive Economic Stimulus Would Lead To A Depression: Speaking at Dartmouth University, “Lieberman compared Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama’s economic plan to former president Herbert Hoover’s approach, which he said ‘turned a recession into a depression.’”

– Supported Attorney General Alberto Gonzales To The Bitter End: Reacting to Gonzales’s resignation, Lieberman commented, “The Attorney General’s resignation removes a distraction from the important work of the Department of Justice,” but added, “As he leaves public service, the Attorney General deserves our appreciation for his work for our nation.”

– Suggested That Obama Could Be A Marxist: When asked if Obama is “a Marxist as Bill Kristol says might be the case,” Lieberman replied, “Well, you know, I must say that’s a good question.”

Read the full report HERE. Download a PDF version of this report HERE.

[Eric J in MN]

1. "Claimed That A Progressive Economic Stimulus Would Lead To A Depression"

That's not what Lieberman said.

Lieberman compared Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama’s economic plan to former president Herbert Hoover’s approach, which he said “turned a recession into a depression.” Lieberman claimed that Obama would take a protectionist policy towards trade and raise capital gains taxes. Obama’s plan would hurt stocks and retirement plans even more, he said.

http://thedartmouth.com/2008/10/24/news/lieberman/

Lieberman shouldn't chair any committees. But it isn't necessary to twist his words to make that case.

[BlueCaliDem]

2. When Lieberman made that comparison, he made the case that P.E. Obama's economic plan...

... was no different than Hoover's which "turned a recession into a depression" basically making the case that Pres.-elect Obama's plan would do the same thing.

The OP didn't twist any words. Lieberman did. Like he and his friends in Congress are doing "mudding up" President-elect Obama's words (click on the link below).

Btw, Lieberman "Lieberman has insisted that he will split from the Democrats if his homeland security position is stripped." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/10/obama-wants-lieberman-to_n_142731.html

Lieberman just wants everyone to forget what he's done, and retain his privileged status in the Democratic Caucus without so much as a dressing down.

His arrogance takes my breath away.