Daily Democrat: a positive discussion about Joe Lieberman

[Skinner]

In an effort to provide for some enlightening discussion, rather than partisan flaming, the administrators have decided to post regular threads about the candidates for the Democratic nomination which are reserved for positive discussion only. These threads will be called the "Daily Democrat".

Currently, we intend to post two Daily Democrat discussion threads per day. If a particular thread becomes too long, then the moderators will open additional threads as necessary. These discussion threads will be allowed to stay open until the next two Daily Democrat threads are opened at some point the following day.

THE RULES

The rules for these Daily Democrat candidate threads are as follows. (For the purposes of these rules, the candidate who is the subject of the thread is referred to as the "Daily Democrat".)

1. You are welcome to post anything positive about the Daily Democrat. You can explain why you support that person. You can dispel myths about that candidate. You can discuss that person's positions on various issues. Whatever.

2. You are allowed to favorably compare the Daily Democrat to other candidates, provided that you are not unnecessarily inflammatory or antagonistic to the other candidates.

3. You may not post attacks of any kind against the Daily Democrat. Furthermore, you cannot post criticism and try to pass it off as a compliment ("I enthusiastically support candidate X because he ruined his state's economy!")

4. You may not discuss the supporters of any candidate (that goes for the the Daily Democrat, or any other candidate).

5. Undecided voters are encouraged to ask questions about the Daily Democrat in order to better inform their choice. Note that criticism disguised as a question will not be allowed.

6. You may not start another discussion thread for the purposes of responding to comments made in the "Daily Democrat" thread. Sorry -- you just have to suck it up and let the positive discussion continue uninterrupted.

7. I will not babysit the Daily Democrat thread, because I believe it will not be necessary. It is the responsibility of every member to know and follow the rules. Deliberate disruption of the Daily Democrat thread, or efforts by opponents to influence the Daily Democrat thread, will result in the banning of the individual(s) responsible.

8. I reserve the right to change the rules as necessary to make this work.

TIMING

We will discuss two Daily Democrats per day, and cycle through the list of presidential candidates in modified alphabetical order.

12/04 - Wesley Clark ...... and ... Dennis Kucinich
12/05 - Howard Dean ....... and ... Joe Lieberman
12/06 - John Edwards ...... and ... Carol Moseley Braun
12/07 - Dick Gephardt ..... and ... Al Sharpton
12/08 - John Kerry ........ and ... Wesley Clark
12/09 - Dennis Kucinich ... and ... Howard Dean
12/10 - Joe Lieberman ..... and ... John Edwards
12/11 - Carol Moseley Braun and ... Dick Gephardt
12/12 - Al Sharpton ....... and ... John Kerry
12/13 - Wesley Clark ...... and ... Dennis Kucinich
12/14 - Etc...

LET'S GET STARTED

Here's your chance for some positive discussion of Joe Lieberman! Who wants to start it off?

[La_Serpiente]

1. Oh geez

after all those positive threads, I guess I'll say some positive things about Joe.

At least he is trying to change the hearts of minds of independents by telling them to vote for a Democrat.

Also, he seems to have high name recognition amongst the American people.

He also sponsored environmental legislation with John McCain, legislation that Bush administration didn't want.

[VermontDem2004]

2. He did vote against the recent tax cuts

Don't really have much good stuff to say but I added my two cents.

[LTR]

3. Okay, I'll bite

I liked what he had to say last night about supporting small businesses, which employ 70% of the population and are based in the US, as opposed to the large multinationals that locate offshore that the government throws all kinds of incentives to.

This is important. Very important. An a major sign as to what's wrong with the Bush Administration.

I'm not a Joe supproter. In fact, I'm not really a fan of his at all. But if he were the nominee, I'd vote for him over Bush. And encourage everyone else to.

[liberalmuse]

4. I like this!

Could you guys repost some of these threads around, say, 4:30 MST? It has been awful the past couple of days and I'd love to see something positive when I sign on after work.

Joe Lieberman is a Democrat (very positive) who's heart is in the right place. He seems to want to do the moral, right thing in his support of Bush and his war. He will support a Republican president, no matter what, which is a positive thing for Republicans. He helps promote party diversity by appealing to the more conservative Democrats. He's willing to reach across party lines and work with his fellow Senators.

[Skinner]

7. Just search the GD forum.

These threads are always here, and they rarely fall below the third page.

[Jim Sagle]

5. I'm sure he's a good husband and father.

[LWolf]

6. I like the fact that he doesn't waffle.

No flip-flops. I may not agree with him. But I can pretty much count on him to be consistent. An important quality in a politician!

[boxster]

8. Joe's McCain commercial in NH

Apparently in contrast to most DUers, I think that Joe's McCain commercial in NH and his candidacy, in general, is a GOOD thing for our party.

We're going to need every single vote we can get next fall in the general election. Joe is bringing in disillusioned Republican and Independent voters that would likely not be swayed to vote Democratic by any other candidate.

That's a good thing, folks. We need the votes.

We can jump up and down about ideologies all we want, but the bottom line is that we need to win the election next fall. The former McCain voters backing Joe might very well vote for our nominee next fall, and because of that, we should be happy that he's in the race.

[Tatiana]

9. Lieberman is no Zell Miller.

Lieberman on Energy:

Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010.
Dorgan Amdt. No. 865; To require that the hydrogen commercialization plan of the Department of Energy include a description of activities to support certain hydrogen technology deployment goals. Part of S 14 Energy Omnibus bill; this vote would pass an amendment that would call for the Department of Energy to set targets and timelines to maintain the production of 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010, and 2.5 million vehicles annually by 2020. It also would call for the department to set targets for the sale of hydrogen at fueling stations. The bill would require the Energy secretary to submit a yearly progress report to Congress.
Bill S.14 ; vote number 2003-212 on Jun 10, 2003

Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill.
Boxer Amdt. No. 272.; To prevent consideration of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in a fast-track budget reconciliation bill. S Con Res 23 Budget resolution FY2004: Vote to pass an amendment that would strike (remove) language in the resolution that would permit oil drilling and exploration in part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska. .
Bill SConRes 23 ; vote number 2003-59 on Mar 19, 2003

Voted NO on drilling ANWR on national security grounds.
Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Murkowski Amendment No. 31323; To create jobs for Americans, to reduce dependence on foreign sources of crude oil and energy, to strengthen the economic self determination of the Inupiat Eskimos and to promote national security. Would allow gas and oil development in a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge if the president certifies to Congress that production in the area is in the nation's security and economic interests (qwhich Prsident Bush would). If the cloture motion is agreed to, debate will be limited and a vote will occur. If the cloture motion is rejected debate could continue indefinitely and instead the bill is usually set aside. A yea vote for this bill was one in favor of drilling in the reserve. Three-fifths of the total Senate (60) is required to invoke cloture.
Bill S.517 ; vote number 2002-71 on Apr 18, 2002

Voted NO on replacing CAFE standards within 15 months.
Levin Amendment No. 2997; To provide alternative provisions to better encourage increased use of alternative fueled and hybrid vehicles. Vote to pass an amendment that would remove the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard (CAFE) and instead establish a new automobile efficiency standard in 15 months. Congress could veto any CAFE increase and would be allowed to increase the standard if no changes are made with 15 months. The bill would overhaul the nation's energy policies by restructuring the electricity system and providing for $16 billion in energy-related tax incentives.
Bill S.517 ; vote number 2002-47 on Mar 13, 2002

Voted NO on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling.
Vote to preserve language in the Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Framework that assumes $1.2 billion in revenue from oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
Bill S Con Res 101 ; vote number 2000-58 on Apr 6, 2000

Voted YES on keeping CAFE fuel efficiency standards.
Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and Bryan (D-NV) introduced a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate towards ending CAFE Standards. Senator Gorton motioned to table this amendment. .
Status: Amdt Rejected Y)40; N)55; NV)4
Reference: Gorton Amdt # 1677; Bill H.R. 2084 ; vote number 1999-275 on Sep 15, 1999

Voted NO on defunding renewable and solar energy.
In June of 1999, Senator Jeffords (R-VT) was prepared to offer an amendment which would have added $62 million to the Energy Department solar and renewable energy programs. This action was blocked by Senator Reid (D-NV).
Status: Motion Agreed to Y)60; N)39; NV)1
Reference: Motion to table the recommital; Bill S. 1186 ; vote number 1999-171 on Jun 16, 1999

Voted NO on approving a nuclear waste repository.
Approval of the interim nuclear waste repository.
Status: Bill Passed Y)65; N)34; NV)1
Reference: Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997; Bill S. 104 ; vote number 1997-42 on Apr 15, 1997

Voted NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline.
Permitting new regulations which would require the use of ethanol in gasoline.
Status: Table Motion Agreed to Y)50; N)50
Reference: Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1995; Bill H.R. 4624 ; vote number 1994-255 on Aug 3, 1994

Supports tradable emissions permits for greenhouse gases.
Lieberman signed the manifesto, "A New Agenda for the New Decade"

Lieberman on education:

Voted against school prayer; for condom distribution
Lieberman’s voting record on education-related issues:
Voted NO to cutting off federal funds to school districts that deny students their right to constitutionally protected voluntary prayer . (S.1513, 7/27/1994)
Voted IN FAVOR of distributing condoms, contraceptives or drugs financed by federal aid without parental consent. (S.1150, 2/8/1994)
Source: Vote-smart.org Senate voting record Mar 2, 2000

More funding & more local responsibility for public schools
Lieberman the Public Education Reinvestment, Reinvention, and Responsibility Act, saying it represented a “third way” approach to education reform, offering a middle ground between the Democratic agenda of more spending and programs and the Republican agenda of more block grants and vouchers.
The proposal would dramatically downsize the number of federal education programs, provide public schools with much more funding and flexibility in how to spend those dollars, and hold educators accountable for producing results.

Overall it would increase federal investment in public education by $25 billion over the next five years, targeting most of those new dollars to the poorest school districts in the nation. Local educators would have the freedom to allocate this money to meet their specific needs. And in return, they would have the responsibility to meet specific performance standards, and suffer real consequences for failing to do so.

Lieberman on health care:

Voted YES on allowing importation of Rx drugs from Canada.
S. 812, as amended; Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act of 2002. Vote to pass a bill that would permit a single 30-month stay against Food and Drug Administration approval of a generic drug patent when a brand-name company's patent is challenged. The secretary of Health and Human Services would be authorized to announce regulations allowing pharmacists and wholesalers to import prescription drugs from Canada into the United States. Canadian pharmacies and wholesalers that provide drugs for importation would be required to register with Health and Human Services. Individuals would be allowed to import prescription drugs from Canada. The medication would have to be for an individual use and a supply of less than 90-days.
Bill S.812 ; vote number 2002-201 on Jul 31, 2002

Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages.
Vote to provide federal protections, such as access to specialty and emergency room care, and allow patients to sue health insurers in state and federal courts. Economic damages would not be capped, and punitive damages would be capped at $5 million.
Bill S1052 ; vote number 2001-220 on Jun 29, 2001

Voted NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Vote to pass an amendment that would make up to $300 billion available for a Medicare prescription drug benefit for 2002 through 2011. The money would come from the budget's contingency fund. The amendment would also require a Medicare overhaul.
Bill H Con Res 83 ; vote number 2001-65 on Apr 3, 2001

Voted YES on including prescription drugs under Medicare.
Vote to establish a prescription drug benefit program through the Medicare health insurance program. Among other provisions, Medicare would contribute at least 50% of the cost of prescription drugs and beneficiaries would pay a $250 deductible
Bill HR.4690 ; vote number 2000-144 on Jun 22, 2000

Voted NO on limiting self-employment health deduction.
The Santorum (R-PA) amdt would effectively kill the Kennedy Amdt (D-MA) which would have allowed self-employed individuals to fully deduct the cost of their health insurance on their federal taxes.
Status: Amdt Agreed to Y)53; N)47
Reference: Santorum Amdt #1234; Bill S. 1344 ; vote number 1999-202 on Jul 13, 1999

Voted YES on increasing funds for Medicare prescriptions.
The Snowe (R-ME) Amdt would allow the Medicare prescription drug benefit program to be paid for by an increase in tobacco taxes.
Status: Motion Rejected Y)54; N)44; NV)2
Reference: Motion to waive Snowe Amdt #232; Bill S. Con. Res. 20 ; vote number 1999-76 on Mar 25, 1999

Voted YES on increasing tobacco restrictions.
This cloture motion was on a bill which would have increased tobacco restrictions. .
Status: Cloture Motion Rejected Y)57; N)42; NV)1
Reference: Motion to invoke cloture on a modified committee substitute to S. 1415; Bill S. 1415 ; vote number 1998-161 on Jun 17, 1998

Voted NO on banning human cloning.
This cloture motion was in order to end debate and move to consideration of legislation banning human cloning. .
Status: Cloture Motion Rejected Y)42; N)54; NV)4
Reference: Motion to invoke cloture on motion to proceed to S. 1601; Bill S. 1601 ; vote number 1998-10 on Feb 11, 1998

Voted YES on Medicare means-testing.
Approval of means-based testing for Medicare insurance premiums.
Status: Motion to Table Agreed to Y)70; N)20
Reference: Motion to table the Kennedy Amdt #440; Bill S. 947 ; vote number 1997-113 on Jun 24, 1997

Voted YES on medical savings acounts.
Vote to block a plan which would allow tax-deductible medical savings accounts.
Status: Amdt Agreed to Y)52; N)46; NV)2
Reference: Kassebaum Amdt #3677; Bill S. 1028 ; vote number 1996-72 on Apr 18, 1996

Establish "report cards" on HMO quality of care.
Lieberman signed the manifesto, "A New Agenda for the New Decade":

Lieberman on other issues:

Voted NO on restricting violent videos to minors.
Vote to kill an amendment that would prohibit the distribution of violent video programming to the public during hours when children are reasonably likely to comprise a substantial portion of the audience.
Bill S.254 ; vote number 1999-114 on May 13, 1999


Yes, he's conservative. Yes, he's our worse choice. But he's a thousand times better than the Bush* co. and I would vote for him IN A HEARTBEAT against Bush.

[pmbryant]

10. Lieberman would be a President I could trust

And that would be a very refreshing change.

--Peter

[veganwitch]

11. it nice that he takes his religious obligations seriously

as opposed to bush who mentions god to get attention, money and votes.

[THX1138]

12. He has interesting hair (n/t)

eom

[Skinner]

13. kick (nt)

[Isere]

14. To his credit

Joe has a 100% NARAL rating which I find quite admirable.

His environmental record is superb.

He has a self-deprecating sense of humor.

He is consistent and will stand up for his beliefs even when they are unpopular. When faced with opposition, such as booing during debates, he behaves with dignity. You might call it courage under fire.

He is his own man.

[curse10]

17. I didn't know about the 100% Naral thing

good to know :-)

[Moderator]

15. kick

[killbotfactory]

16. He's better than Bush...

...