Buzzflash: Lieberman's former Yale roommate says he's gone over to the "dark side"

[madfloridian]

Joe Lieberman's Former Roommate Talks to BuzzFlash About the Healthcare Bill, 2012 and the Senator's Journey 'to the Dark Side'

There are a lot of wild theories about what is driving Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) to oppose healthcare reform. Why would a man who has recently expressed support for health insurance reform, universal healthcare, expanding Medicare and SCHIP turn around and oppose those things once they had a chance at becoming law? Many think he's been bought off by Big Pharma and the powerful health insurance companies in his home state. Others point to his bitterness over being abandoned by the Democratic Party in his 2006 bid to keep his Senate seat, or just to his ego. Some of the wilder theories revolve around Israel, blackmail and White House involvement. Honestly, I don't know what to think. So when I got a chance to talk to Lieberman's former roommate at Yale, writer David Wyles, I had to ask.

Some responses by his former roommate, writer David Wyles.

And though the idea of Lieberman taking a job in the insurance or pharmaceutical industries amounts to the type of quid pro quo that would repel most of us, Wyles is pretty certain of that possibility.

"They can offer him a big job as a lobbyist or as an executive," he said. And Lieberman will take it: "He has become shameless."

Wyles remembers Lieberman as a different kind of person. He was always a politician -- Wyles said one of Lieberman's nicknames in college was "Senator" -- but he used to have scruples.

"He was always a Scoop Jackson kind of Democrat," Wyles explained. Still, he's puzzled at how Lieberman could have "gone over to the dark side."

The interviewer "wondered aloud how the Democratic leadership could possibly negotiate with this "shameless" politician."

Wyles responded:

"I don't know," he said. Wyles keeps coming back to the fact that the Democratic Party kept giving Lieberman second chances. "What struck me as being very strange was the Clinton and Obama forgiveness of Joe."

When you think about it rationally, it is a difficult thing to understand. When considering the recent reports of Senate staffers complaining that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel basically ordered Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to give Lieberman what he wants, that whole idea of a White House role in Lieberman's resistance to healthcare makes more sense. Could it be that Lieberman is taking direction from the White House?

"The terrible thing is I don't find that hard to believe," Wyles said.

Apparently, according to TPM, it is true that Rahm did intervene with Reid on behalf of Lieberman.

Rahm to Reid: give Lieberman what he wants

Obama administration officials were not pleased when word leaked out earlier today that the White House was leaning on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to cut a deal with Joe Lieberman on a public option alternative--and they gave their counterparts on the other end of Pennsylvania Ave. an earful about it. But in the end, sources are unanimous: The White House wants Reid to hand Joe Lieberman the farm.

An aide briefed on discussions with the White House says that there would be no story if Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel hadn't interceded. The aide confirmed an account, reported by Huffington Post, that Emanuel visited Reid personally, telling him to cut a deal with Lieberman.

Then the aide provided more detail.

Emanuel didn't just leave it to Reid to find a solution. Emanuel specifically suggested Reid give Lieberman the concessions he seeks on issues like the Medicare buy-in and triggers.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, those who speak out against the bill are called irrelevant and irrational by WH staffers who answer to the president.

[fascisthunter]

1. I know one of his ex-girl friends personally

yes, the man is a douche but even she didn't think he was this fucked up.

[madfloridian]

2. Interesting comment from Wyles about Joe's smile.

""I see the same kind of gestures, soft voice and smiles, and that's Joe," he said. "And yet, when I see it now, it infuriates me."

It infuriates me also.

[fascisthunter]

3. He's a smug punk

who pretends things don't bother him.... then again, he does act like a man without a conscience so it may come naturally to him.

[madfloridian]

4. Agreed.

[roguevalley]

5. It isn't a choice, just saying stuff. To be a good Jew you have to do

things, you have to have works. Rahm Emanuel and Joe Lieberman should be tossed from their synagogues. I would toss them both out.