(TPM) Source: Kerry, Durbin Defended Lieberman Keeping Chairmanship

[sabra]

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/11/source_kerry_durbin_strongly_d.php

John Kerry and Obama-ally Dick Durbin were among four Democratic Senators in today's closed-door Dem caucus meeting who voiced support for keeping Joe Lieberman as chair of the Homeland Security committee, a Democratic aide who was briefed on the meeting by a Senator who was there tells us.

The aide also offered these details from the meeting: Thirteen Senators voted to strip Lieberman of the chairmanship. We don't know the full list yet, and will update when we know more.

Two Senators spoke out in favor of removing him: Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders.

Among the Senators who spoke out in support of Lieberman keeping the chairmanship, according to the source: Kerry, Durbin, Ben Cardin, and Tom Udall.

We couldn't verify that on the record, and we're contacting their offices for confirmation and comment. We'll keep you posted.

[WeDidIt]

1. I now regret that donation to Durbhin n/t

[sabra]

3. considering that Durbin and Kerry were Obama's biggest Senate backers - there may be more

to this than we know...

[Cha]

16. I'm betting there's a heck of a lot

more we don't know.

I'm disappointment 'cause I wish lieberman would just go away and I'd never have to hear from his flabby trap again but I'm not running the show..Obama is.

[blm]

20. And we still don't know how TRUE this report is, but, if it is, Kerry and Durbin promised Obama long

ago they'd do whatever he needed to get his agenda through in the senate....there aren't two Dem senators who hate Lieberman more than Kerry and Durbin.

The ONLY reason would be if Obama NEEDED them to do this.

[democrattotheend]

26. I agree

And I love your signature

[Oceansaway]

2. Dick Durbin lost ALL of my future support...n/t

[ClarkUSA]

10. Why? Durbin hates Lieberman but is doing what needs to be done to get the votes for Obama

Believe me, Obama asked Durbin to do this. Before this week, Durbin wanted Lieberman's head on a pike.
Behind the scenes, I'll bet Durbin still wants to spit in Lieberman's face. This is about the big picture,
not momentary revenge. If Obama is okay with it, why are you so mad?

[rosesaylavee]

29. I agree.

Politics makes strange bedfellows. You can quote me on that.

[ClarkUSA]

4. It's all about pragmatism: Dems need 60 votes to move Obama's ideas forward

Lieberman's vote will be crucial until we get to that magic number (and preferably above it). There's no love between
Kerry/Durbin/Reid and Lieberman. This is about the big picture. Until 2012 rolls around and Ned Lamont, Obama's
CT Campaign Chair, can run again, Lieberman will caucus with the Dems and shut his fucking trap if he knows what's
good for him.

[WeDidIt]

8. A vote that cannot be counted on

is not a 60th vote.

The stupid. It burns.

[ClarkUSA]

15. How do you know that? You'd better believe Lieberman knows what's expected of him now.

I am sure that was part of the deal: Vote with President Obama from now on or we'll cut you loose.

[Larkspur]

27. This CT Democrat can tell you that Lieberman only cares about Lieberman

He doesn't give a rat's ass about anyone else. He'll screw the Senate Dems and Obama if he wants to.

[EconomicLiberal]

11. The number 60 is meaningless.

If Harry can't get a majority of Dem senators to vote against a guy who lobbed political bombs at our nominee all year, then what makes you think that he'll be able to get 60 (democratic) senators to invoke cloture on a filibuster?

[ClarkUSA]

18. You obviously haven't served anytime in the Capitol, then.

The vote was a foregone conclusion the minute President-Elect Obama, the head of the Democratic Party, signalled that he wanted
Lieberman to remain in the caucus. Reid had nothing to do with this. The move comes after Obama reached out to Harry Reid last
week and said he'd like to see Lieberman stay in the caucus and Lieberman's staff reached out to Obama's staff a few days ago and
have been in talks since.

Obama is concerned about the big picture: getting legislation for the American people passed. Losing Lieberman to caucus with
Republicans is a no-brainer when that's your priority. If it's okay with Obama, who was the target of Lieberman's attacks during
the election year, then why are people here so outraged?

Look, I hate Lieberman, too, but poltiical reality sucks oftentimes. If we really want to get rid of Lieberman, we have to work for
a Senate Democratic majority by 2010 and support Ned Lamont (Obama's CT Campaign Chair) in 2012. Sometimes, revenge is
a dish best served cold.

[HelenWheels]

17. Bull

The Senators will never vote against their buddies. I'm from WI and I am almost sure Sen. Kohl voted all the way for Lieberman. I'm one of his constituents and have always voted for him. Well, no more. The 60 vote excuse is just that, an excuse.

[ClarkUSA]

21. Nope, it isn't.

Senators are taking their cues from President-Elect Obama. And every vote counts when you're short of the magic 60.

The vote was a foregone conclusion the minute President-Elect Obama, the head of the Democratic Party, signalled that he wanted
Lieberman to remain in the caucus. Reid had nothing to do with this. The move comes after Obama reached out to Harry Reid last
week and said he'd like to see Lieberman stay in the caucus and Lieberman's staff reached out to Obama's staff a few days ago and
have been in talks since.

Obama is concerned about the big picture: getting legislation for the American people passed. Losing Lieberman to caucus with
Republicans is a no-brainer when that's your priority. If it's okay with Obama, who was the target of Lieberman's attacks during
the election year, then why are people here so outraged?

Look, I hate Lieberman, too, but poltiical reality sucks oftentimes. If we really want to get rid of Lieberman, we have to work for
a Senate Democratic majority by 2010 and support Ned Lamont (Obama's CT Campaign Chair) in 2012. Sometimes, revenge is
a dish best served cold.

[ErinBerin84]

5. well, that sucks.

[AlCzervik]

6. i just want to know why, the real reason, that's all.

[karynnj]

22. The reason is likely the reason, Kerry gave as an Obama surrogate

in the last MTP when he was asked about it. That they want Leiberman caucusing with them. Obama has run on wanting to have a Presidency that heals the divisions. To have the first act of the Democrats being to punish Leiberman sends all the wron signals.

In addition, I think that Leiberman was beyond wrong in the election, but I think that he really did believe that McCain was better - they agree on the war and global warming - two of the biggest issues. His support was principled - the only thing I think was wrong was sayig things like Ayres being a valid issue.

Leibeman will never again by a top Democrat, but the other Senators will work with him.

[kath]

24. He fuckin' BOOED Obama while standing onstage next to McC - that is way, way, WAY over the line and

should never be excused.
That is NOT "principled" support for McCain. The man is utter, total scum.

[karynnj]

25. I completely agree that the way he did it was out of line

I also think that it would not help Obama to boot him - and the Senate did what Obama wanted.

[Alter Ego]

7. Goddamn it, John...why?

[Metric System]

9. Does this rule out Kerry for SOS? Will there be thread after thread bashing him now?

Just kidding. Kind of.

[Mass]

14. I disagree on this if it is confirmed, but, just as I have said concerning

Clinton nomination, I'd like a confirmation.

[karynnj]

23. Doing what Obama would want him to should rule him out? Not likely

This is completely what I would have expected of Kerry - he is one of the least vindictive powerful people there is. It would surprise me if he were one seeking to throw Leiberman out or punish him.

When Obama wants to have a message of healing and bi-partisanship, punishing Leiberman would send the wrong message. In addition, it might not work according to this article - which says that the change could be filibustered - which would - if true - be a political disaster. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/14/bayhs-defense-of-lieberma_n_143863.html

[Bake]

33. Bashing St. John the Kerry? HERE?

Not. Gonna. Happen.

His avengers will descend swiftly (in boats?) to defend his honor.

Bake

[Mass]

12. If true, it is disappointing. But I will wait some confirmation.

[Marsala]

13. It's pretty obvious that Obama was behind this

Durbin in particular is very close to Obama and recently switched from opposing Lieberman keeping the chairmanship to supporting it.

[ProSense]

19. It still sucks.

Completely disappointing.

Ugh!

[Larkspur]

28. I'm glad that I did not donate to Obama's campaign

I won't donate to anyone who supported Lieberman.

[Larkspur]

30. Hypothetical Question: Can I murder Lieberman and get away with it?

If I was an US Senator I would.

[politicasista]

31. That really sucks

Disappointing though not surprising. Kerry can never catch any kind of break on DU or anywhere. I see people are bashing Durbin and Dean now. Go figure.

This just confirms what DD (Dear Dad) was saying about Democrats, and whites (not all) in general. When crunch time comes, they stick together, just like they did on the IWR vote, etc.


Nice to see bad behavior being rewarded again. :(

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

32. BEN CARDIN!! That's my senator! He was supposed to be a true liberal

I'm pissed now!

[Critters2]

34. Durbin's a dick. I've said so before. Never made a single decision

without someone else telling him what to do. Fuckhead.