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  Joe Lieberman On CBS Tries To Mend Torn Fences With Democrats

  http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/democratic-party/24480/...
  50 days ago in The Moderate Voice - Domestic and international news analysis, irreverent comments, original reporting, and popular culture fea · Authority: 1,148

  Joe Lieberman On CBS Tries To Mend Torn Fences With Democrats November 19th, 2008 By JOE GANDELMAN, Editor-In-Chief Connecticut Independent Senator Joe Lieberman, who escaped being stripped by Democrats of a major committee chairmanship due to

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    Couric Pushes Lieberman to Atone for Attacking Obama

    http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2008/11/19/couric-p...
    50 days ago in NewsBusters.org | Exposing Liberal Media Bias · Authority: 3,895

    With Any Regrets? as the on-screen heading, Katie Couric pressed independent Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut to atone for campaigning with unsuccessful Republican presidential candidate John McCain and criticizing eventual winner Barack

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      Lieberman In CT

      http://fredtopeka.wordpress.com/2008/11/30/lieberman-in-ct/
      39 days ago in Petunias · Authority: 5

      Posted by fredtopeka on November 30, 2008 Since national Democrats did nothing to him, Senator Lieberman is trying the same strategy in his home state: Lieberman reiterated that he has “regrets” about some of the things he said concerning Obama during the “heat of the campaign.” But he said he has no intention of resigning his Democratic Party membership. “I think the economic crisis will overwhelm everything else,” Lieberman said. And he was fulsome in his praise of Obama’s performance as president-elect on economic matters. “I think the president-elect understands that the problems we in America face are just too urgent to allow himself or anybody else the luxury of partisan division,” Lieberman said. “We’ve got to unite.” The problem is that the state party really has no need for Lieberman and hopefully they will punish him. I actually thought he was ok when he ran as VP in 2000, but now there’s no way I would vote for him. It isn’t that he backed McCain (although that would make me seriously doubt him), but that he publicly worked for McCain (speaking at the Republican convention, …) and said some pretty bad things about Obama. “In my opinion, the choice could not be more clear: between one candidate, John McCain, who’s had experience, been tested in war and tried in peace, another candidate who has not,’’ Mr. Lieberman said. “Between one candidate, John McCain, who has always put the country first, worked across party lines to get things done, and one candidate who has not. Between one candidate who’s a talker, and the other candidate who’s the leader America needs as our next president.” and: NAPOLITANO: Hey Sen. Lieberman, you know Barack Obama, is he a Marxist as Bill Kristol says might be the case in today’s New York Times? Is he an elitist like your colleague Hillary Clinton says he is? LIEBERMAN: Well, you know, I must say that’s a good question. I know him now for a little more than three years since he came into the Senate and he’s obviously very smart and he’s a good guy. I will tell ya that during this campaign, I’ve learned some things about him, about the kind of environment from which he came ideologically. And I wouldn’t…I’d hesitate to say he’s a Marxist, but he’s got some positions that are far to the left of me and I think mainstream America.  and: “John McCain had the guts to argue against public opinion, to put his whole campaign on the line, because, as he says, he’d rather lose an election than lose in a war that he thinks is this important to the United States,” Lieberman said on “Fox News Sunday.” “If Barack Obama’s policy in Iraq had been implemented, he couldn’t be in Iraq today,” Lieberman said, adding that Obama “was prepared to accept retreat and defeat.”  You can’t just take things back and his saying that we need to unite would sound a bit more sincere if he hadn’t used such divisive language in the campaign. What make this even worse is that Obama supported Lieberman in 2006: A few minutes later, however, the audience was riveted as Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, the guest speaker at the $175-a-plate dinner, stood on the podium and began the customary round of recognition of candidates and incumbents in the room. When he got to Mr. Lieberman, who is his mentor in the Senate and who helped recruit him to speak at the event, the applause again was muted. “I know that some in the party have differences with Joe,” Senator Obama said, all but silencing the crowd. “I’m going to go ahead and say it. It’s the elephant in the room. And Joe and I don’t agree on everything. But what I know is, Joe Lieberman’s a man with a good heart, with a keen intellect, who cares about the working families of America.” Then, with applause beginning to build, he finished the thought: “I am absolutely certain that Connecticut’s going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the United States Senate.” The fact that Lieberman is no longer a Democrat would make me think that kicking him out of the CT Democratic party would be a no-brainer. We’ll see. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Lieberman Booted Out Of Senate Dems Weekly Meetings??Lieberman May Bolt Democratic Senate caucus next session.Say it ain’t so Joe…Lieberman On Obama, Post-Campaign Politcs This entry was posted on November 30, 2008 at 12:22 pm and is filed under craziness, politics. Tagged: politics, craziness, obama, Connecticut, Lieberman. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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        Lapping up or lamenting Joe Lieberman?

        http://www.blogher.com/lapping-or-lamenting-joe-lieberman
        49 days ago in BlogHer · Authority: 2,726

        Looking back, it seems kind of crazy, the pre-occupation with What Will They Do To Joe Lieberman? But the truth is, I still can't decide if it really matters or not. If you've been in retreat from politics since November 4 and aren't familiar with the details of how the U.S. Senate, primarily Democrats, boiled over with anger toward the U. S. Senator Joe Lieberman (CT-I), basically, he endorsed fellow Senator John McCain for president, he was not nice to Barack Obama during the campaigning and the Senate Dems felt as though they'd had enough of his maverickiness. This transcript from his interview last night with Katie Couric provides more background, but you can also watch the few minute clip: Most people I know seem to have much firmer opinions about Lieberman's fate that I do. Lisa Renee Ward at Liberal Common Sense sensed that whatever decision was made, it would be a bellwether for who is really in charge: What happens today will demonstrate who is truly in charge of the Senate when it comes to the Democratic Party. Those more to the left who have wanted something done about Lieberman since he decided to run as an "Independent" or the Washington insider politics as usual members of the Democratic Party. ... This one decision by the Senate Democrats will give a very good look into who holds the power and what we can expect. Myrna the Minx at Reno and its Discontents wrote about her desire to send Joe packing not once: Senator Joe Lieberman is begging to be kicked out of the Senate’s Democratic caucus. While stumping for John McCain in Florida, Lieberman sat down for an interview with the conservative news outlet, Newsmax and told them that ” he is so disappointed with the Democratic Party, he will consider whether to bolt the Democratic Senate caucus next session.” Why wait Senator Reid? Kick Joe Lieberman out now! but twice: I think the Senate Democrats should kick Joe Lieberman out of their caucus no matter how many seats they gain this election. Lieberman has already threatened to leave the caucus/party anyway because he’s so “disappointed with the Democratic Party.” Harry Reid, let’s give Lieberman what he really wants–OUT. The Bold Progressives aren’t as mean as me. They want to let Lieberman stay if he ends up being the 60th vote the Democrats need to get Obama’s legislation passed... The plight and plunder of Lieberman resulted in multiple posts by Suburban Guerilla over the last few days. including this excerpt from one she titled, "Please, Stop Hitting Us. But We'll Still Like You If You Don't!": It now appears that Joe Lieberman will get a symbolic slap on the wrist tomorrow from the pantywaists known as Democratic senators. They’re going to remove him as chair of a couple of subcommittees he doesn’t [care] about anyway, and leave him in charge of the important Homeland Security committee, where he will continue to obstruct any significant Democratic progress or oversight. But they’re going to speak to him in very stern tones, so I’m sure he’s going to turn over a new leaf! Likewise, Echidne of the Snakes is unimpressed by the treatment of Lieberman as all being part of unity: I myself think that Joe acted like a traitor to his old party, but Harry Reid disagrees: Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) said that, "Joe Lieberman is a Democrat. He's part of this caucus." If the past Republican era was one where the Democrats came to face the Republicans' guns with old and rusty swords, the new Democratic era appears to be one where the main Democratic weapons are Q-tips. Vivian Paige writes simply and effectively at her blog of the same name, "Politics as usual." Though this Haiku, from Mad Kane's Political Madness, sums up the majority of opinions in an efficient way too: Democrats hand Joe A tiny slap on the wrist. Thumbs down to the Dems. Of course, there's inevitable wondering, what do Jewish voters think? Especially, maybe, Jewish voters in CT but also nationally, vis a vis Israel. Well, like pretty much everything that has to do with the Middle East, it's not so simple. For one thing, Lieberman is at heart a Democrat, but the Republican hawks love him because he supports the war in Iraq and nearly all things Israel, which is something that makes him less than dear, at least on the surface, to all Jews. Remember that 78% of Jews voted for and helped make Barack Obama our president-elect. However, Lieberman does have a special place, to wit, the venerable Forward magazine included him as one of 50 Jews they call the Forward 50: Only eight years have passed since Senator Joseph Lieberman was the Democratic nominee for vice president, an acclaimed moral voice and a historic figure as the first Jew to appear on a major-party ticket. Today he stands at the edge of the wilderness, a four-term lawmaker at home in neither party. Democrats are furious over Lieberman's sharp-tongued campaigning this year for John McCain. But the bad blood goes back further. The only Orthodox Jew on Capitol Hill, Lieberman was an enthusiastic booster of President Bush's Iraq War policy in 2003. Angry Democrats replied by virtually ignoring his primary bid for president in 2004 and sinking his Senate re-election bid in Connecticut's 2006 primary. He ran for Senate anyway as an independent and won. Returning to the Capitol, he sat with wary Democrats, providing their 51st vote to control the chamber. They rewarded him with the influential Homeland Security committee chairmanship. That was then. Today Lieberman, 66, is a conundrum. Liberals despise his hawkish defense views, but don't relish losing his vote — nor alienating Orthodox Jews. Republicans mistrust his liberal record on domestic affairs. He is threatened with loss of his powerful committee chairmanship. Few admit it, but he's become the embodiment of the centrist's lonely plight in a polarized Washington. And, on Tevye's third hand we have the Jewish political persona of Illinois Congressman and Obama's Chief of Staff in waiting, Rahm Emanuel, who, like Lieberman, is an Orthodox Jew but is far more firmly planted left of center. So, again, as far as Jewish voters go, no pat answer. Ultimately, while Senate Leader Harry Reid seems to have held Lieberman's fate in his hands this week, it is the voters of Connecticut who will have the last say. And here we have some pretty solid feelings that I would trust. First, from none other than my parents, who have lived in Connecticut since 1962 and are Jewish, life-long Democrats as well as not infrequent fundraisers for CT politicians including Lieberman in the 1980s, I received this: We do not respect Lieberman for many reasons. Originally it was his position on the war in Iraq but now there are additional reasons. Lieberman was defeated by the Dems of CT in favor of Ned Lamont in a primary and so did an end run around his own party in order to keep his seat. Sadly, his actions were predicitable if you look at the history of his rise in CT politics and then his move into national politics. In his initial nomination to run for the office of Attorney General of CT more than 20 years ago his solidarity with the people of his party was shaky even then. That is only part of our problem with Joe. If you see the Democratic party as a family of sorts, he spent the presidential campaign speaking the worst sort of invective against his own family. An honorable person in that position could be seen to leave the family before speaking against the leaders but he chose otherwise. I fully support whatever Mr. Obama has chosen to do about Joe, which is to keep him sort of inside the tent. But we are looking forward to the voters of Connecticut showing him the door. We have to hope that the Republicans who were responsible for his previous win will also see him as neither fish nor fowl, but only foul (sorry, couldn't help it). But also, from our own BlogHer and fellow CT resident, Love Babz, some thoughts she shared with me specifically on this topic (I've edited out the profanity, sista!): He is a complete [er um...] and TURNCOAT. I was still in office during his last re-election. Ned Lamont was a formidible candidate and many are sorry Lamont didn't win. I think folks were hoping that Lieberman would go back to his roots...but his desertion of the DEMS was tough to take. Folks in New Haven were really pissed with him. You know he moved to Stamford...no longer calls New Haven home... so that has to tell you something. I do not think he can win re-election the next time around. I think he knows his days are numbered. ...I am disappointed that the DEMS did not deal harshly with him by removing his [er um] from the chair of Homeland Security. But I understand why they didn't. Everyday he is in that Chair he has to remember that he has to kiss some....Democratic [er um]! And finally, me. I lived in CT until I was 26 (except during college and a year abroad just after) and I agree with what my parents say regarding the family aspect. Connecticut is a very small state, population-wise, and it's as funky as they get in New England (which is pretty funky) as far as electing major league mavericks (former US Senator and CT governor - as an Independent, Lowell Weicker, is perhaps one of the most well-known) or at least non-cookie cutter politicians. I love that about CT. Also, as Babz and my folks suggest, CT Dems feel empowered that they'll be able to find and elect a Democratic U.S. Senator to replace Lieberman who will represent as well as they used to think Lieberman did. I would put money on Lieberman not being re-elected in 2012. But I would also consider that he'll retire or make a different political move to avoid defeat. The CT Dems are done with him and the Republicans are not numerous or conservative enough there to keep him in. Final answer? If anything, Lieberman is at his weakest now, because who can trust him or want to put trust in him - voters, colleagues - who? He may be loyal, and loyal without looking at political party, but we don't call it "politics" for nothing. In American politics, the concept of being an Independent, like being a maverick, still seems to be better in theory than in practice. As for the What It Means For The Next Four Years Of Governing, I'm not as fateful. I think too many needs had to be met in this one decision and, like my mother, I would have been fine either way - kick him out or follow Obama's lead. Frankly, by not expelling Lieberman, he's been neutralized and that's probably the best case scenario for an incoming administration that's got it's plate more than full of tsuris. NB: This post is my last as a special CE for Elections 2008. Many thanks to the BlogHers in Chief for asking me, letting me, inspiring me and answering all my questions and giving me more ideas. The potential within this already established community is well beyond the sum of its extremely large membership, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to it for as long as my password works.

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          Neocons Glom... Hillary

          http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/11/neocons-glom-h...
          49 days ago in Philip Weiss · Authority: 205

          Jacob Heilbrunn, neocon spotter, has a fine piece in Huffington Post pointing out that the neocons, deprived of a host by McCain's demise, are, surprise, relaunching as Hillary Clintonites. Obama? No problem. The Weekly Standard has apparently been adoring Hillary. And of course there's Joe Lieberman extolling her. This isn't gall, this is "a sect that has some of the properties of a party." (Thanks to James Morris.)

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            Lieberman: I Feel Closer to the Democrats Now

            http://www.politicususa.com/en/Lieberman-Democrats
            50 days ago in Politicususa | Obama Promises a New Course for the Economy · Authority: 52

            In an interview with Katie Couric on the CBS Evening News Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman said that he feels closer to the Democrats now than he has since the 2006 election. He also backed off of the Obama is a Marxist line, and defended his speech at the Republican convention. Here is the video: Watch CBS Videos Online Couric asked Lieberman if he realized how inappropriate speaking at the Republican convention might seem to some Democrats. Lieberman answered, “I understood that I was doing something different as an Independent Democrat supporting a Republican candidate. But I did it not only because I felt so strongly on behalf of my friend John McCain, but because there is so much partisanship in our politics today that really stops us from getting things done for the American people. And in a speech that I would guess went 15 or 20 minutes, I spoke three sentences, which I believe were respectful, about Sen. Obama.” He did bring up an interesting point in the video above about feeling close to the party for the first time since 2006, because that is the year that many liberals ditched Lieberman and supported anti-war candidate Ned Lamont in the primary campaign for his seat. I have always had a hunch that Lieberman’s support was driven in part by his friendship with McCain, and also by anger over the 2006 Democratic primary. Lieberman’s ego was bruised when the Party mounted a challenge to him, and he had been going around with a chip on his shoulder since. Perhaps, Obama’s election can be a turning point where we can start to bury some of the bad feelings and old feuds within the party. Lieberman did say that he never thought that Obama was a Marxist, but he wishes today that he would have expressed himself more clearly. He has earned the scorn of the left, and I don’t believe that Joe Lieberman will ever be completely forgiven for his actions of the last few years, until he casts a critical vote to pass a bill, but even then, I think his name will always leave a bitter taste in some mouths. Excerpts from the CBS interview

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              Lieberman: "Obviously Barack Obama is not a Marxist."

              http://thepoliticalcarnival.blogspot.com/2008/11/lieberman-o...
              50 days ago in The Political Carnival · Authority: 170

              By GottaLaff Here's a snippet of the interview: Watch CBS Videos Online Here are some more excerpts, not included in the video: Couric: You said on whether Sen. Obama is a Marxist, you said "it's a good question to ask." Are you sorry you said that? Lieberman: That's one of those things I wish I said more clearly. Obviously Barack Obama is not a Marxist. Gee, thanks, Joe. That's kinda like saying, "For a fat pig, you don't sweat much." Too little, too late. He goes on: Couric: You said it's a good question to ask. Lieberman: But then I answered it and said, "no he's not Marxist." I said at the time that he's somewhat to the left of me on some issues. Couric: What really irritated even enraged some Democrats was your speech at the Republican National Convention. Lieberman: Yeah. Couric: Did you understand at the time how nervy that might seem to some Democrats? How inappropriate? Lieberman: I understood that I was doing something different as an Independent Democrat supporting a Republican candidate. But I did it not only because I felt so strongly on behalf of my friend John McCain, but because there is so much partisanship in our politics today that really stops us from getting things done for the American people. And in a speech that I would guess went 15 or 20 minutes, I spoke three sentences, which I believe were respectful, about Sen. Obama.If Traitor Joe had been any more "respectful", he could have been sued for slander. Joe's an ass. And I mean that with all due "respect".

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                Couric Pushes Lieberman to Atone for Attacking Obama

                http://acbradio.net/2008/11/19/couric-pushes-lieberman-to-at...
                50 days ago in All Channels Broadcast Radio · Authority: 1

                With “Any Regrets?” as the on-screen heading, Katie Couric pressed “independent Democratic” Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut to atone for campaigning with unsuccessful Republican presidential candidate John McCain and criticizing eventual winner Barack Obama. Couric’s first question in the interview excerpt aired on Wednesday’s CBS Evening News: “Do you feel as if you owe President-elect Obama one?” Couric next pushed Lieberman to take back an attack: “You said, on whether Senator Obama is a Marxist, you said quote: ‘It’s a good question to ask.’ Are you sorry you said that?” Couric proceeded to relay another Democratic complaint/aspersion against Lieberman:  What really irritated — even enraged — some Democrats was your speech at the Republican National Convention. Did you understand at the time how nervy that might seem to some Democrats? How inappropriate? Couric’s questions, and some of Lieberman’s responses, in the “CBS Evening News exclusive” aired on the Wednesday, November 19 CBS Evening News, a session taped at Lieberman’s Capitol “hideaway” office: KATIE COURIC: Do you feel as if you owe President-elect Obama one? [LIEBERMAN] COURIC: I know you want to look forward Senator Lieberman, but I feel I would remiss if I didn’t mention a couple things that enraged Democrats. LIEBERMAN: Why did I know you were going to do that? COURIC: You said, on whether Senator Obama is a Marxist, you said quote: “It’s a good question to ask.” Are you sorry you said that? LIEBERMAN: Well, that’s one of those things I wish I’d said more clearly. I mean, obviously Barack Obama is not a Marxist. COURIC: Well you said it’s a good question to ask. LIEBERMAN: Well, yeah, but then I answered it and said, "no he’s not Marxist." I said at the time that he’s somewhat to the left of me on some issues. COURIC: What really irritated — even enraged — some Democrats was your speech at the Republican National Convention. Did you understand at the time how nervy that might seem to some Democrats? How inappropriate? [LIEBERMAN] COURIC: It was no secret, Senator Lieberman, that in his heart of hearts, John McCain really wanted you. [LIEBERMAN] COURIC: Senator Clinton is a key contender, it seems, for Secretary of State. What do you think of that? [LIEBERMAN] COURIC: I have covered a lot of elections in my career, and it seems to me, Senator, that every time a new President comes into office we hear the same thing. "We’re going to work together. We’re going to work for the American people. There’s going to be a new spirit of bipartisanship." And quite frankly, it dissolves pretty quickly into bitter partisanship and the same-old-same old. CBSNews.com’s transcript of what aired on the CBS Evening News, along with, as of 8:30 PM EST, a one-minute video clip of a portion of the sit-down which did not air, video which may later be updated.

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