Joe Lieberman: The Progressive Who Lost His Way

[springhill]

http://thinkprogress.org/lieberman-not-progressive/

While Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) has fought for progressive policies in the past — such as protecting the environment and expanding civil rights — his recent record demonstrates that he’s a progressive no more. As this report documents, Lieberman has embraced the right wing on far more than foreign policy. In fact, he has betrayed progressive principles on a variety of domestic issues. As he has lurched to the right, Lieberman has actively worked to undermine the progressive agenda.

<snip>

Said progressive economic plans would bring about a depression: “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.’” <10/24/08>

<snip>

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.” <4/14/08>

<snip>

Praised radical right-wing radio hosts: “I’m real proud of you,” Lieberman told Glenn Beck. “You’re a good man,” he said to Hugh Hewitt. <11/04/08; 5/21/08>

<snip>

Gave at least $5000 to Sen. Susan Collins’ reelection: Lieberman donated $5,000 to the re-election campaign of Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). “I’m going to support Sen. Collins’ re-election,” he said in April 2007. “This is without regard to who the Democratic nominee would be.” <4/13/07>

[Warpy]

1. His ambition thwarted, he became bitter

and rejected everything he used to be.

It's an old story, really.

[goforit]

11. kick!!!

[LeftishBrit]

2. He's obviously got worse with time, but he's always seemed a bit dodgy as a Democratic Senator

He got elected to the Senate in 1988, with the support of that well-known progressive William Buckley and his National Review (ugh). He openly ran to the right of the Republican incumbent whom he defeated.

[stray cat]

3. I actually am not to upset if he supported Susan Collins - I wish all repubs were like her

it would make governance much more productive

[Faygo Kid]

4. Get RID of him.

Enough with the angst. Obama did what he felt he had to do, and is now done with it. I am sure he would be more than happy to see Joe thrown out on his rear. Just do it. Just do the right thing. Lieberman is a thug. Get rid of him.

[enough]

5. I think seriously, not just as snark, that we need to start examining the role of dementia

in elderly politicians. One of the very common signs of the early stages dementia is increasingly intense hostility and paranoia. This often happens with people who in their earlier life were reasonable, cooperative, good-spirited people.

I think it is not impossible that something like this can affect politicians as they age. They begin to see enemies everywhere, they begin to suspect everyone and to feel that their position in life (and that of the nation in the world) is precarious and threatened from outside. These people live in a world of yes-men and enablers. They have people around them whose job it is to cover for them and to keep them on track. Families do this for the elderly demented all the time. High-level politicians can easily function this way for years, and the world suffers for it.

In fact, I think there are numerous examples of this phenomenon walking around in the halls of power right now.

[Rob H.]

6. ...“a Marxist as Bill Kristol says might be the case”....

A smarter, more well-informed person would've laughed at that question and pointed out how absurd it would be to take seriously anything Kristol says, mainly because Kristol's been wrong about pretty much everything for the last eight years.

And Lieberman didn't "lose his way"--his massive ego led him to align himself with the Republicans because, when all is said and done, Joe does what's best for Joe.

[Blue Meany]

7. I think that Lieberman's problem is his unwillingness to

consider any conditions on support for Israel. His foreign policy is to do whatever he thinks is in the interests of Israel, regardelss of whether it is right, just, or in America's interest. That causes him to ally himself with neocons and the religious right on some issues, particularly Middle Eastern policies.

[w4rma]

9. Correction: LIEberman's support of the Israeli right-wing, which will not help Israel in the long

term whether he wants to believe it or not.

[Rob H.]

10. True

Lieberman's aligned himself with right-wing fundagelical crackpots like Hagee wrt to Israel, not that aligning himself with Hagee, period, isn't reason enough for his ouster. At their core Hagee's beliefs are blatantly anti-Semitic; he wants to preserve Israel for the time being so it will still exist to be destroyed at some point in the future to bring about the Second Coming. I guess Lieberman just ignores the fact that Hagee's seemingly okay with Jewish men, women, and children dying as long as it means Jesus will come back. :crazy:

[goforit]

8. Well his NEOCON Orwellian views on behalf of the Supreme Israeli State shows his utmost

loyalty and is right on track in his mind.
The Bush regime would continue and Marshall law would be in vougue. Given our spineless Senate, he would be head no matter
how many crimes against humaity would ensue.
This is why his desire to head Homeland Security Comittee should be avoided at all costs.
I would honestly say that of any one who is an ultimate extremist no matter what side of the fence you're on. McCarthyism
has no place in any society.

[IndianaGreen]

12. I wish I could recommend this thread, but it is over 24 hours

so here is my kick.

:kick: