After RNC Speech, Republicans Court Lieberman to Make the Switch Official

[RamboLiberal]

When Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman returns to work this week, he can expect some arm-twisting from his Republican friends and the cold shoulder from some Democrats.

Lieberman, the Democrats’ vice presidential nominee in 2000, promoted a Republican for president last week in a prime time speech at the GOP’s national convention, raising questions about whether — and when — there might be retribution.

Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and other senior Democrats want Lieberman, I-Conn., to lay out his political plans and to soften his attacks on Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, the Democratic presidential nominee.

Reid was “very disappointed in Sen. Lieberman, especially when he went out of his way to distort Sen. Obama’s record of bipartisan achievements,” said Jim Manley, a Reid spokesman. “I assume that the caucus will want to revisit the situation with Sen. Lieberman after the elections in November.”

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Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, a senior Republican, said he intended to try to pry Lieberman from the Democratic fold, beginning with Monday’s cloture vote on a motion to proceed to the fiscal 2009 defense authorization bill (S 3001).

“I would like to see him vote with Republicans in September,” Specter said. “He’s practically there. That would have the consequence of giving us a Republican Senate.”

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002944762

[2Design]

1. just as long as he doesn't switch parties until january

if he switches sooner they get all the key positions back and will push through bushes agenda in the last four months and it will be worse than the last eight years

[Buns_of_Fire]

2. I believe committee chairmanships and the like are "locked in" through this Congress.

If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me.

If I'm right, let the bastard leave NOW, for all I care.

[tannybogus]

I believe that's right.

However, he could swing his vote over and possibly screw up bills.

He does vote Dem at times. I loathe him. He's toast.

[DFW]

3. If he leaves, it's a Republican majority, and they'll let him keep his chairmanship

Of course, he knows 2006 was his last election, as he got elected last time with old
Democratic sympathizers in CT, of which he can expect precious few to follow him as a
Republican. Even so, it wouldn't surprise me to see an assassination attempt on John
Paul Stevens between now and January 20 of next year if he switches.

On the other hand, Lieberman knows that the one reason McBush didn't pick him for VP
is that the hardliners among the Republicans hate his positions on some social issues,
so he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. He probably see is himself as a martyr
for moderation, too. I hope he is told in no uncertain terms what the rest of the Democrats
in Senate really think about him, assuming he hasn't figured it out by now.

[Hippo_Tron]

10. By custom, presidents don't make Supreme Court appointments during an election year

The Democrats will filibuster any nominee that Bush puts up. The next Supreme Court appointment will be made by the next President.

[DFW]

11. I put nothing past them

But you're right--the Democrats will not let any more Bush nominees pass.

[bluestateguy]

4. The organizing resolution is effective until January

There would be no point in him switching now, other than for theatre.

[DFW]

5. This would be his last starring role. He might go for it.

It's not like he feels any allegiance to his (former) party, or anything.

[Curtland1015]

6. If they want him so bad, they can have him...

The traitorous piece of garbage.

:mad:

[arcadian]

7. How the fuck did this guy get on the ticket with Gore in 2000?

n/t

[2Design]

8. I think he is the reason gore did not get more votes - that was a real error n/t

[Happyhippychick]

9. Excellent question. What a POS.

[MiniMe]

12. Arlen, he HAS been voting with the republicans

Doh