Flashback - Harkin: Lieberman Has Something to Lose

[ProSense]

Harkin: Lieberman Has Something to Lose

By Matthew DeLong

The Iowa Independent caught this quote from Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), talking about Sen. Joe Lieberman’s (I-Conn.) recent threat to join a GOP filibuster of a health care bill that includes a public health insurance plan.

“(Lieberman) still wants to be a part of the Democratic Party although he is a registered independent. He wants to caucus with us and, of course, he enjoys his chairmanship of the (Homeland Security) committee because of the indulgence of the Democratic Caucus. So, I’m sure all of those things will cross his mind before the final vote.”

That’s the first time I’ve heard a congressional Democrat bring up Lieberman’s chairmanship as something the Connecticut senator might lose if he were to vote against a Democratic health bill.

[Ken Burch]

1. Then why the hell won't Harry Reid MAKE THE FREAKING THREAT?

Why can't our leaders, just ONCE, hold Joe's feet to the fire?

Would growing a pair really be THAT painful?

[Hippo_Tron]

2. Eh I think Harkin's wrong

Lieberman is beyond coercion by all rational political carrots and sticks at this point. He's going to retire in 2012 and take some high paying lobbyist job.

Although, Lieberman's threat was that if Reid takes away his chairmanship he will resign and let Jodi Rell appoint a Republican. I say call his bluff. If Rell wants to appoint a Republican that has any chance of winning in re-election in a state as blue as Connecticut 2010, she will appoint one that will at least flirt with supporting the health care bill.

[ProSense]

4. "He's going to retire in 2012 ..."

Then let his ass do so warming a bench, not a chairman's seat.

[Hippo_Tron]

5. I edited to mention that I agree with that sentiment

He's said he will resign and hand the seat over to the GOP since Connecticut has a Republican Governor. I say let him. I like my odds with a brand new appointed Republican from a dark blue state who wants to win re-election in 2010 than a basically party-less ass who wants a lobbyist job in the near future.

[dkf]

6. He is useless anyway.

Let him go down as the biggest traitor who ever lived. Sanctimonious creep.

[tavalon]

11. Oh, he will. He will.

[bridgit]

3. That is my belief as well - Lieberman is content forfeiting his 'face' and integrity...

But there's always something else self serving politicians could lose

[mkultra]

7. hopefully its his life.

[WhiteTara]

8. that article was long ago and

far away. Reality today, we are desperate for him. Ewwww

[budkin]

9. Like every other Democrat.... ALL TALK... NO SPINE.

[tavalon]

10. That's because no one really thinks Harry Reid has enough spine to actually do that

[smalll]

12. You know, if the Westport Popular Front and other well-off latte liberals --

of the Connecticut gold coast hadn't felt so driven to subject ol' Joe to their Nedtantrum, he'd still be a Dem, he wouldn't resent us, and he'd be a damn sight more careful about pissing off the caucus.

I'm

Just

Sayin'!

:shrug: