Lieberman Aide: Booting Him Would Be Putting Politics Ahead Of Nation's Safety

[babylonsister]

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

Lieberman Aide: Booting Him Would Be Putting Politics Ahead Of Nation's Safety
By Greg Sargent - November 9, 2008, 8:11AM


Lots of people have already chewed over this article in the Hartford Courant, which reports that Chris Dodd is, disappointingly, suggesting that Barack Obama doesn't want a fight over Joe Lieberman's fate.

But I wanted to draw your attention to this little nugget buried in the article, in which the Lieberman camp makes a rather startling argument in favor of his being allowed to hang on to his Homeland Security committee slot:

"Sen. Lieberman prefers to remain in the Democratic caucus," the aide said. "However, he believes he should remain as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. ... He thinks that political retribution should not go ahead of homeland security."

Can the Lieberman camp really be arguing that stripping Lieberman of his committee slot is tantamount to putting politics ahead of our safety, because we're so defenseless without him there to protect us?

Never mind that Lieberma's performance as chair of the committee was just awful. Lieberman's camp is now sounding a kind of hollow echo of the same silly scare-mongering tactics that he used against Obama on the GOP's behalf during the campaign, only this time in service of holding onto whatever vestiges of influence he has left. It's a coda to this whole affair that's perfect in its desperation and unintentional self-parody.

Separately, in reference to Dodd's point that President Obama won't want to be distracted from governing by a messy fight over Lieberman's fate, one could argue that this is all the more reason to get this wrapped up now. Senator Reid?

[last1standing]

1. Trying to scare us didn't work for mcRacist why should it work for LIEberman?

This is EXACTLY WHY Holy Joe has to go. The country has rejected fearmongering and voted for hope.

[ORDagnabbit]

2. Booting him would put the USA ahead of Israel.

[Metta]

3. Don't make me laugh. He's a sefl serving, back stabbing traitor.

Show him the door.

[DJ13]

4. Which "nation"?

The US, or Israel?

[goforit]

5. WRONG!!! It would be making the USA SAFER!!!!!!!

[Solly Mack]

6. LMAO What an idiot

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

7. Didn't Lieberman put his own politics ahead of the nation?

He preferred to back the man who sang about bombing Iran because of Lieberman's own immediate political interests against the man who will bring the world closer together through diplomacy.

[charlie]

8. There he goes again

Replacing (fill in the blank) with Democrat(s) will imperial the nation's safety.

How many times does he have to say it before Dem leaders wise up and hit him with the banhammer?

[d_b]

9. dump this clown.

before he stabs us in the back AGAIN. 2012 anyone? Get rid of this asshole now.

[DeepBlueC]

10. Joe, you're dispensable

Get used to it.

[BlueManDude]

14. Then why doesn't Harry just dispense with him?

[DeepBlueC]

20. I think he loses the committee, can stay in caucus

He can keep his vaunted independence and vote as he likes...he has liked to vote with us most of the time in the past. If he still thinks he is a Democrat let him be one but I do not want to see him in a position of leadership. I think Reid right now is giving him props as as a progressive to make it easier for him to accept a consolation prize. I think that is prudent. Keep him onside but don't trust him too much and don't give him leverage he might use against our interests. What I meant was that the Homeland will be Secure with another competent Democrat as the committee chair. Joe is replaceable. But I guess I wouldn't dispense with him unless he chooses to walk. I don't know why he would do that as they have nothing to offer him and if he votes the way he has in the past he will not be all that welcome in GOP caucus. But bodies make a difference. Better to have him inside the tent pissing out than outside pissing in. But he has had a disproportionate clout and he is trying to hang on to some measure of it with this public campaign. I will be disappointed if he succeeds. I won't be disappointed if he walks, personally, but I think it is better for the party if he stays.

[BlueManDude]

21. I think Liberman will get whatever the fuck he wants and continue to shit all over the party

[VP505]

11. Far as I am concerned that's more proof that

LIEberman been drinking the RW kool aid. How many times have we heard from the Republickers that bad things will happen if we don't go along with some scheme of theirs or if we fail to elect one of theirs...

[LiberalFighter]

12. Top Lieberman aide quit in protest -- 9/9/2008

Joe Lieberman's legislative director Joe Goffman resigned yesterday in protest of his boss's support of John McCain, according to a former Lieberman staffer with knowledge of the situation.

Goffman's farewell email, posted here yesterday, suggested he had no new job waiting for him but gave no reason for his departure.

The resignation -- delivered to Lieberman in person upon his return from the GOP convention on Monday -- is only the latest in a half-dozen recent defections by top aides disaffected with Lieberman's party switch.

Other departed deputies include Fred Downey, Lieberman's long time foreign policy adviser, and two well-regarded legislative assistants, Colleen Shogan and Purva Rawal.

Source: Politico

[liberal N proud]

13. Rhetoric likes that make him sound even more republican

[Edweird]

15. Oh brother. Just throw his sorry ass out already.

[Dukkha]

16. oh give it up already

That's like a cheating husband telling his wife if she divorced him it will weaken the family.

[Irishonly]

17. That's just stupid

It sounds like a threat to me, a stupid one, but one just the same. I can think of at least 49 people in the senate now more than qualified to be the chairman.

[Lint Head]

18. How dare Lieberman's aide threaten the American people that way!

This son of a bitch is using the same damn fear propaganda that the Bush criminals used. Remove this asshole now!
:dem:

[lib2DaBone]

19. And if we didn't give them $700 Billion right away..ATM Machiens would freeze up

.. and now we learn that 82% of the $700 Billion is going towards Executive bonuses. (Kind of a stretched analogy but it works)