Lieberman's Medicare Flip-Flop Leaves Democrats Fuming - Sam Stein/HuffPo

[WillyT]

<snip>

Sen. Joseph Lieberman's abrupt announcement that he will sink the health-care bill if it includes a provision to expand Medicare has spurred a torrent of angry recriminations from Democrats -- and confusion among those trying to divine his motives.

A big issue is all the contradictions. The Connecticut Independent has for years been an ardent champion of the provision he now opposes. Lieberman has also reversed course on the question of filibusters, which he once denounced as a way of holding up legislation. And the same senator who was once critical of his electoral opponent for not exhibiting party loyalty has now fashioned himself into the ultimate rogue agent -- happiest only when the full attention of the political world is on him.

"When carrots no longer work, when you put Senator Lieberman's most significant health care proposal at the heart of reform and he still opposes not just the larger reform but also his own provision, you start to wonder if this man is dealing in good faith," said Paul Begala, the long-time Democratic strategist. "How do you deal with someone who is so committed to opposing health care reform that he will even oppose his own ideas? It's a tall order. And I haven't the slightest idea what the answer is."

The history is right there. On Monday, video surfaced of an interview Lieberman conducted just three months ago with the Connecticut Post in which he specifically endorsed expanding Medicare to those as young as 55.

<snip>

More (w/ Video): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/14/liebermans-medicare-flip_n_391732.html

:banghead:

From the same article...

If there is any consistency in what the senator is doing, it's his consistent eagerness to derail reform. Lieberman was a thorn in Bill Clinton's side during the last attempt at health care legislation in 1994 -- so much so that pro-reform activists staged a mock trial outside his Senate office, charging him with obstructionism. Capitol Hill police, according to the Hartford Courant, arrested ten people that day, including a protestor in a wheelchair.

:mad:

[county worker]

1. Fool dems once it's their fault. Fool them twice and it's still their fault.

Fool them three times and I give up!

[clear eye]

2. "When. ..carrots. ..no. ..longer. ..work" Begala doesn't know what to do?

Where is that jaw-drop smilie when you need it?

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. "Trying to determine his motives"?

Attention Ho'ing and paybacks for Ned Lamont.

Lieberman cares about Lieberman only (including Hadassah Lieberman's business interests).

[Vinnie From Indy]

4. I think his motives are very clear

Joe Lieberman knows he has one more round in the Senate. He is there for no constituency but himself. He has cut a deal THAT INCLUDED MANY DEMOCRATIC SENATORS to be the fly in the ointment. He has no worries of getting re-elected. He can play the role of the spoiler for all those that wished to kill anything other than a bill that gives the health insurance industry everything it wanted.

I would not be surprised if ol" Joe didn't get a few options on health insurance stocks yesterday so he could ride the wave today after his announcement. It would be interesting to know who bet on insurance company stocks rising TODAY.

[applegrove]

5. I have a feeling if the Dems ran another candidate in the next conn senate race the Dem candidate

would win this time.