Open Thread: Comity Club Killer

by: Dean Barker

Fri Dec 18, 2009 at 06:17:57 AM EST

I thought Franken to be a poor match for public office from his campaign, but I was wrong.  It's clear from this and a number of other occasions thus far he has a great understanding of human psychology and how it affects institutions, and knows how to work that understanding to his advantage.

This clip is far more damaging to Joe's monster ego than any screaming or fundraising we could do on the netroots.  It also resulted in a moment of great clarity for the nature of John McCain.

Of course, the Very Serious and Delicate David Broders will tut-tut this exchange, while keeping silent on Judd Gregg's plan to use parliamentary tricks to slow health care legislation until... never.

This is an Open Thread.

Lieberman's motivation?

by: rambler american

Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 20:03:49 PM EST

Mark Vogel, chairman of the pro-Israel National Action Committee, once said, "Joe Lieberman, without exception, no conditions " is the No. 1 pro-Israel advocate and leader in Congress. There is nobody who does more on behalf of Israel than Joe Lieberman."
Is it possible that Lieberman's obstructionist behavior doesn't relate to Connecticut's insurance industry or to his political ego the two most cited explanations but rather to a calculation that he can use his leverage on health care to limit the pressure that President Barack Obama can put on Israel to make concessions on a Mideast peace plan?

I Don't Blame Joe Lieberman

by: Dean Barker

Mon Dec 14, 2009 at 06:10:08 AM EST

In a surprise setback for Democratic leaders, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, independent of Connecticut, said on Sunday that he would vote against the health care legislation in its current form.

...But on Sunday, Mr. Lieberman told the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, to scrap the idea of expanding Medicare and abandon any new government insurance plan or lose his vote.

...A Senate Democratic aide, perplexed by Mr. Lieberman's stance, said, "It was a total flip-flop, and leaves us in a predicament as to what to do."

I would blame Judd Gregg's Party of Never, but it's mixed with admiration for their outstanding message discipline.  If only my team knew how to get stuff done (or not done) the way they do.

Here's someone who probably didn't get seen after waiting in line all day at a free clinic in "fiscal conservative" Claire McCaskill's state:

Useful Joe and Kabuki Claire

by: Dean Barker

Sat Dec 12, 2009 at 19:31:03 PM EST

Three Republicans helped Democrats advance the measure: Sens. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Richard Shelby of Alabama and Susan Collins of Maine.

The Democrats opposed were Sens. Evan Bayh of Indiana, Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, and Claire McCaskill of Missouri - who voted "no" only after Lieberman arrived to ensure the bill would advance.

Does "fiscal conservative" @clairecmc support this? Budget boosts???!!! How about holding the line! http://bit.ly/5qfOEJ

@MarkReardonKMOX Nope, I didn't. We should have held our spending to closer to last years instead of a 10% increase,Too many earmarks.

Is it any wonder meaningful health care reform is so difficult to achieve so long as it has to pass through the rotten mores of the United States Senate?

JoeCare

by: Dean Barker

Mon Nov 09, 2009 at 21:44:22 PM EST

When I'm President, we will treat the problem - with a real prescription for change.

It's an outrage today that 9 million American children are uninsured. I'll provide coverage to every child with a new plan called MediKids.

Now, the State Child Health Insurance Program is a breakthrough program. But overburdened state budgets and a complicated enrollment process keep coverage from 6 million kids who are already eligible to receive it. We need to support S-CHIP and build on it to ensure all our children are all insured.

That's why our nation's pediatricians, through the American Academy of Pediatrics, have proposed a new model, based on the federal employee program. I've taken their advice and built on it.

My MediKids plan will be convenient and comprehensive. There will be no cost for the neediest families who buy into the pool. Middle class families will buy in at a sliding scale. Of course, if you're happy with your coverage, you can decline. But if you want MediKids, you'll get it - and at an affordable price.

Guessing Tom Allen Doesn't Think it's the Right Outcome

by: Dean Barker

Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 18:53:10 PM EST

"I think that Senator Reid and the Senate leadership set up a fair process and I think it produced the right outcome," Shaheen said in a statement. "We have so much work to do to get our economy moving and I am happy that this is resolved so we can get to the important work of the people."

I'd like to take a moment to thank Senator-Elect Merkeley for voting for a different outcome (vide here for more on that).  

When he's not busy doing other things like raising money for Republican senators, the guy who's in charge of oversight of the Dept. of Homeland Security ought to be someone who, er, actually does oversight.  

You know, Carol Shea-Porter got into politics in the first place out of her eyewitness observation of the government's pathetic response to Katrina.  

Our Congress: too few public servants like Carol, too many self-servers like Joe Lieberman.

Joe Must Go

by: Mike Hoefer

Fri Nov 14, 2008 at 14:40:50 PM EST

In the past year he as actively campaigned against the Democratic Nominee and added to the sound-and-fury that America would allegedly be "less safe" under an Obama administration.

But of course 2008 was not the first time Lieberman has acted against his party. In 2006, Joe thumbed his nose at his state party after losing the primary and ran as an "Independent" acting the spoiler to Democratic Party Nominee Ned Lamont.

This is a pattern of behavior for Senator Lieberman, and you know what they say about expecting different results from the same actions.

Senate Democrats need to say Goodbye to the Stockholm Syndrome; Senator Lieberman can not be rewarded with this chairmanship, if he leaves the Caucus or Senate because of that, so be it.

Across the river, word is breaking the Senator Leahy has publicly opposed Lieberman retaining his chairmanship. Thank you Senator Leahy.

If I understand the process, since JES has not stepped aside for, or even called to congratulate Jeanne Shaheen, she will not have any official input on the matter. But, in case the Shaheen camp is interested in the feelings of the Blue Hampshire community on the matter, please let yourselves be heard in this thread.

John McCain Smashes Joe Lieberman

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Wed Oct 22, 2008 at 21:33:09 PM EDT

Isn't he slamming Joe Lieberman there?  And George Bush-The-Dad?  

I guess he has some wiggle room with the words "...in many years."

But this man who prides himself with always telling the truth and being honest can say "to tell the truth" on this with a straight face?  

We're learning more about John McCain every day.  

It's official Joe = Zell

by: Mike Hoefer

Thu Aug 21, 2008 at 10:56:25 AM EDT

Opening night of the Republican National Convention will feature an appeal to Democrats and independents from the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut.

To bad we did not kick him out of the caucus a few months ago when we had the chance. Although there would have been "Small Tent" talk if that was done, I think I'd rather have that than this.

Congressional Republicans to McCain: "Meh"

by: Douglas E. Lindner

Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 23:58:36 PM EDT

McCain, Arizona's senior senator, has had a far warmer reception in the upper chamber. At least 22 Senate colleagues have contributed to McCain's campaign, including Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.), an Independent who attends Democratic caucus meetings.

Only 21 House Republicans have given to McCain from their personal campaign accounts since he became the presumptive GOP nominee four and a half months ago, according to an analysis of House fundraising reports made public Wednesday

So while nearly half the Senate GOP conference has given to McCain, less than 20 percent of House Republicans have pitched in.

Several of the highest-ranking Republicans in the House have yet to give to McCain. Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (Fla.) have not given anything, according to the most recent fundraising reports.

The lack of financial gifts raises questions about McCain's relationship with members of the lower chamber. McCain has clashed throughout his career with House Republicans on issues ranging from immigration to campaign finance reform to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A survey by The Hill in June found more than a dozen House Republicans who refused to endorse McCain, even though he will be the party's standard-bearer this fall.

Aides to McCain's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

And my personal favorite,

Some lawmakers reported small contributions. Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.), for example, gave McCain $96 worth of in-kind secretarial services.

And you thought we had a unity problem.

http://thehill.com/leading-the...

Joementum's Intuition

by: Dean Barker

Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 22:45:26 PM EDT

Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., said he believes New Hampshire is one New England state that McCain could take in November.

..."I'm not minimizing the difficulties, but I am speaking somewhat intuitively because I endorsed him there in New Hampshire in December and spent a lot of time with him there, and I just feel that he connects with that state," Lieberman said. "He is an independent-minded Republican, and it's an independent-minded state."

Joementum's Intuition, Part Doo (Monday Morning Update):

In describing the reasons he believes the Republicans' presumptive nominee for president would be better prepared than the Democrats' to lead the nation next January, Sen. Joe Lieberman said that history shows the United States would likely face a terrorist attack in 2009.

Does the I in I-Conn. stand for intuition?  And does Zell Miller have any room for Holy Joe in his particular corner of political extremism?

My One and Only Rant Against the War

by: Beth Campbell

Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 15:10:56 PM EDT

This really put me in a rage.  This f'ing administration is spending billions on a war nobody but themselves and their friends (Halliburton, et al) wants. They don't have enough troops to serve* so they force the ones they have to go back two and three times.  The reason they don't have enough is because they toss out any highly qualified, willing soldier who just happens to be gay or lesbian.  

When the troops do come home for good they have the following options:

#1: They're dead and the Commander in Chief will not allow their fellow Americans to see the caskets;
#2: they're sick or maimed and wind up in a hell hole like Walter Reed or are told that PTSD is not a real ailment;
#3: they try to go back to work (if the job is still there).  Or maybe they attempt to learn a new skill..Nope!  No more GI Bill.  No school for you!  Which leads to
#4: they wind up in the streets, self-medicating with alcohol and whatever drug they can beg, borrow or steal.

And it's all such a stinking pile of dung foisted on the young men and women of the US by the assholes in the White House (and Joe Lieberman).  But we're not supposed to talk about all this, because to do so would be un-American.  (Actually the un-American thing would be not to talk about it.)

As someone who had a problem with substances back in the day, I tell you that these people are no better than drug dealers.  They promise you everything..see the world...learn a great skill that will get you a great job when you go home.. be Army Strong.  Then, when they've hooked you, the reality sinks in and that great job isn't there and the only part of the world you see is the part where you go to kill people.  During the Viet Nam war protests I had a bumper sticker that read:  Join the Army.  Travel to exotic, foreign places, meet exciting, unusual people and kill them.  

The more things change.....

FBI Overturns Joementum's Bogus Webjamming Smear

by: Dean Barker

Thu Apr 10, 2008 at 00:01:14 AM EDT

Almost two  years later, word comes down the line that the FBI has concluded their investigation and found no wrongdoing on the part of the Lamont campaign.  I'll be expecting Team Joementum to be reimbursing the federal government for the frivlous waste of our tax dollars any moment now (not).

It makes me pretty angry that this was a story that was widely discussed and may have had an impact on the race, yet I imagine this news will go quickly into a one-day press rotation and then evaporate.

Here are some of Tim Tagaris' and Matt Browner Hamlin's words on the subject (Lamont's loss was Dodd's gain), two people who know a little something about the Lieberman-Lamont battle.  MBH:

Of course, this is what the Lamont campaign, experts at Blue State Digital, and bloggers around the country said when joe2006.com went down. Lamont's campaign immediately offered to host Lieberman's site on their own servers to ensure parity in the closing hours of the election. Instead of realizing their own incompetence cost them at a critical time and taking the offered help, the Lieberman campaign went into rabid attack mode, blaming pretty much anyone who had ever typed the words "Ned Lamont" into a search engine as the culprits for the site crash.

"The sad thing is, Lieberman himself repeated the charge all day in an attempt to discredit his opponents and drive down Ned's primary vote," Tagaris instant messages to me. "It was broadcast on every cable news channel, and papers from The New York Times to the Hartford Courant wrote about it."

"And he got away with it -- who cares what's reported today," Tagaris continues. "He won the election based on a pattern of lies loudly repeated and dutifully stenographed."

"Now maybe someone will run an investigation into Joe Lieberman's repeated claim that no one wants to end the war more than he does," Tagaris concludes.

Update: elwood makes an outstanding point I rightly should have put front and center in this post: the investigation into this ended in October 2006, before the general election.   News of it most certainly have hurt Lieberman.  But we hear of it only now because of a FOIA request. Another type of DoJ slow-walk?

Guess Who's Not Going To Denver

by: Kathy Sullivan 2

Thu Feb 07, 2008 at 15:24:15 PM EST

Lieberman No Longer a Super Delegate
    Thanks to Zell Miller, there is a rule to deal with Joe Lieberman.

     Lieberman's endorsement of Republican John McCain disqualifies him as a super-delegate to the Democratic National Convention under what is informally known as the Zell Miller rule, according to Democratic State Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo.

    Miller, then a Democratic senator from Georgia, not only endorsed Republican George Bush four years ago, but he delivered a vitriolic attack on Democrat John Kerry at the Republican National Convention.

    The Democrats responded with a rule disqualifying any Democrat who crosses the aisle from being a super delegate. Lieberman will not be replaced, DiNardo said.

    Lieberman lost the Democratic nomination in 2006 and was re-elected as a petitioning candidate. He remains a registered Democrat and a member of the Senate Democratic caucus, but he declared himself an "Independent Democrat."

Bride of Joementum

by: Dean Barker

Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 19:45:55 PM EST

It does wonders to remind me how much stronger our field of candidates is this time around.

First Susan Collins, now John McCain; can John E. Sununu be far behind?

Morning Update: The man's words are writ in sand and water. Joementum 2006:

Friends of the Earth on Lieberman-Warner Bill: Fix it or Ditch it -- in New Iowa Radio Ad

by: jamess

Fri Nov 16, 2007 at 20:05:31 PM EST

There's Finally a Senate Bill in Committee, that hopes to do something about Global Warming!  The bill America's Climate Security Act of 2007, sponsors Senators Joe Lieberman and John Warner.

The bill would impose emission limits on electric utility, transportation, and manufacturing industries.

Between 2005 and 2012: The bill caps emissions at 5200 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent, the estimated levels during 2005

The Bad News:

The Lieberman Bill does NOT go FAR enough, FAST enough, and is a "fig leaf" offering to Industry, which seeks to replace a competing Carbon Cap Bill that does what's scientifically needed ...

The original Carbon Cap bill Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2007, sponsors by Senators Bernie Sanders and Barbara Boxer.

Is this just more "Business as Usual" in Congress?
...

Lieberman Hearts Santorum at the End Times

by: Dean Barker

Sun Jul 29, 2007 at 09:17:17 AM EDT

But when a sitting US Senator, who dances at the needlepoint on the slimmest of all Democratic senate majorities, attends their gathering, it's freaking scary.

Rapture Ready: The Unauthorized Christians United for Israel Tour from huffpost and Vimeo.

Lieberman-Collins Redux

by: elwood

Sun Jul 15, 2007 at 15:46:56 PM EDT

The column is about the need to further empower the Republican Nanny State to spy on Americans:

Another important provision for inclusion in the final bill would encourage the general public to report suspicious activity. Ever since Sept. 11, US authorities have asked the public to be vigilant, urging, "If you see something, say something." Remember, it was an alert store clerk who tipped law enforcement off to the plot to attack Fort Dix, N.J., after viewing a suspicious video dropped off by one of the conspirators. Citizen assistance of that sort should be encouraged, which is why we are trying to make it more difficult to sue those who, in good faith, report their suspicions to authorities.

The reason for tearing up still more of the Bill of Rights? A few half-witted doomed-to-failure terrorist plots that were blocked by standard police operations.

It's difficult to tell how reviled Joe Lieberman is these days.  If he is half as unpopular as I think he is, Collins is making a very big mistake aligning herself so closely with him.

Lieberman to Hold Fundraiser for Sununu in Manchester Tonight

by: Dean Barker

Thu Jun 21, 2007 at 07:37:36 AM EDT

Because it is a cold, hard reality for thousands of decent, hardworking Democrats just to our east in Maine. Last year's Connecticut Democratic senate primary loser Joe Lieberman will continue to kick his former party in the teeth by holding a fundraiser for Republican Susan Collins tonight.

Think about the collision of these two statements:

1) Those who have been following Lieberman lately know that, issues and parties be damned, Joe is really all about Joe. And pro-Iraq war Joe is a senator in overwhelmingly anti-Iraq war New England.  He's a bit lonely right now.

2) Collins, a vulnerable New England Republican up for re-election, continues to enable the president on his "Iraq 4evah!" mission.  Sound like anyone you know?

It's only a matter of time before John E. reaches out for some Joementum cover.  But you can help put a stop to that by heading him off at the pass now.

Maine's Congressman Tom Allen, who is running to replace Collins, is holding an all-day virtual fundraiser to combat Lieberman's support for Collins.  And he even wrote about it at our counterpart, Turn Maine Blue.

I know we've got a lot of pennies to save for our own candidates, but as they say, an ounce of prevention...

I repeat: don't let the headline of this post become a reality.

Morning After Update: I take it back! Turns out having Lieberman come to town for Sununu would be a cash cow for our Dem nominee.