Senator Dorgan States That Joe's Behavior Is Unacceptable

This title is wrong (0.00 / 0)

Dorgan said his behavior has been unacceptable. He took pains not to say whether or not he thought Lieberman should be stripped. In fact, Dorgan spent just as much time talking about how much he liked Lieberman and that they sit next to each other, maintaining that collegial atmosphere we all know and love.

Lieberman has been a member of the old boys club for 20 years. On Tuesday we see if the Senate Democrats are worth a damn at all.

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by: Scarce @ Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 14:30:07 PM CST

Good point (0.00 / 0)

It's a very fine line. I had the same dilemma with regards to titling my blog post about Dorgan.  

Dorgan didn't say what his vote would be, and in fact said he would respect the caucus's secret ballot.  But he DID say that Lieberman's behavior was not acceptable.  And the intent is clear; Dorgan is not happy with Joe, and we can guess how he intends to vote.

But still, how rotten is it that these senators get to make a decision like that with no accountability?  This doesn't bode well for the new administration's promise of transparency if the Senators won't even say how they'll vote.


Connecticut Bob

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by: Bob Adams @ Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 15:18:43 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It can work both ways... (0.00 / 0)

There will also be no way for Lieberman to know who was part of the majority that voted him out as Chairman of Homeland Security but not out of the caucus.

Lieberman will be forced to whine and pout about loosing the value of his seniority.

But will he stomp off to the obscurity of the Republican caucus? Probably not, he would loose all his perks.

All Lieberman wants is a soapbox. Maybe he'll head to Georgia to help McCain campaign for Chambliss.

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by: notcho @ Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 15:40:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Good point (4.00 / 1)

Somebody should ask Lieberman (and his colleagues) about stumping for Chambliss in Georgia on Monday. And bring up his election night comments about fearing for America if Republicans can't filibuster. Throw the SOB an anchor on the eve of his thumbs up or down vote.

The outstanding Senate races only highlight what a two-faced weasel Joe Lieberman is. He shut up real good after Obama won. Is he still for Norm Coleman? What's that I hear....crickets? Courage of his convictions my ass. They guy is a vain f@ckmook.

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by: joejoejoe @ Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 16:59:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

A few points (0.00 / 0)

--We're not sure which way Dorgan will vote regardless of how he feels about Lieberman's behavior. Many of them will just "follow the pack," only deciding how to vote by how others are voting.

--The Senate Democratic caucus is a distinct entity which sets its own rules. If they want a secret ballot that is their prerogative.

--The Senate has nothing to do with the incoming Obama administration, which is one reason why we frequently see one or both parts of congress at odds with a democratic administration.

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by: Scarce @ Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 15:57:17 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I have no problem changing (0.00 / 0)

the title. I had changed it two or three times before posting. How about "Senator Dorgan States That Joe's Behavior Is Unacceptable" or is it too late to change it?

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by: Missy's Brother @ Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 16:09:46 PM CST

[ Parent ]

The Secret Vote (0.00 / 0)

A secret vote could be a blessing -- or a curse!  The advantage is that it could enable some senators to oppose Joe without having to take some heat; but, of course, the reverse also is possible . . . .  This stuff is what makes politics such an unpleasant proposition.

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by: Ann Galloway @ Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 15:42:11 PM CST

why a secret ballot? (4.00 / 1)

OK, folks, the devil's advocate has arrived at the Senate and when the hot winds subside, I think I might just  hear the sound of one hand clapping, I say.

These guys are accountable not just to each other for covering each others' butts - but let's take the case, hypothetically of course, that they are accountable to their constituents.

A secret ballot  - the vehicle that allows a Senator not to know who has his/her back and who disagrees with what he/she did, in order that everyone can go on  pretending to be collegial to your face (while voting against you behind your back), and that senators whose constituents demand it can pretend to be outraged to appease constituents, or pretend to support (to appease somebody, hmmmm) while voting to support the Senator In Question, or not.

Who's to say that Leahy and Bernie S. are not playing to the home crowd  and what the traffic requires, all the while remembering that their constituents will never know how they voted, but will "feel a lot better " for witnessing their leaders' posturing?

Don't get me wrong -- I very much appreciate the stances of Leahy and Sanders.  I actually believe they mean it.  I like them.  But the point is, a secret ballot doesn't require courage of one's convictions, now, does it?  It does not allow the voters to see clearly where their senators stand on this issue.  And, same argument, it does not allow a senator to see where his/her fellow senators stand on the issue of Him/Her.  A real confidence and trust builder, that.

In a highly clubby atmosphere, maybe one less secret vote would be a move toward demonstrating to the voters some transparency and accountability.

That is, of course, unless Joe Lieberman is a lot scarier than angry constituents.

That the ballot must be secret might be a tacit acknowledgement that Retribution would be in the air were the vote transparent.  How could a secret ballot backfire?  If most of the votes are yea, and only a few nays, then it'll be easy to figure out.  Likewise, the opposite.

And imho Lieberman one way or t'other is very likely to spend his spare time making a list and checking it twice.  Coal stocks may go up as a result.

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by: greenpeas @ Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 16:12:05 PM CST

[ Parent ]

The Secret Vote (0.00 / 0)

A secret vote could be a blessing -- or a curse!  The advantage is that it could enable some senators to oppose Joe without having to take some heat; but, of course, the reverse also is possible . . . .  This stuff is what makes politics such an unpleasant proposition.

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by: Ann Galloway @ Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 15:43:16 PM CST

The Secret Vote (0.00 / 0)

A secret vote could be a blessing -- or a curse!  The advantage is that it could enable some senators to oppose Joe without having to take some heat; but, of course, the reverse also is possible . . . .  This stuff is what makes politics such an unpleasant proposition.

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by: Ann Galloway @ Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 15:43:54 PM CST

yada, yada, yada (0.00 / 0)

Okay, so put your money where your mouth is and kick his butt out, or at least remove him as chair of his committee. I'll believe it when I see it. I am sick and tired of these spineless weenies.

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by: suemag @ Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 17:46:04 PM CST

The GOP has "open arms" for Lieberman (0.00 / 0)

It's hilarious that Kyl calls Lieberman a "great American."  Usually, Republicans reserve that term for really dangerous and delusional types, and of course it fits like a glove here.  It's a sign of how low they've sunk for them to be falling all over themselves for Lieberman.  Exactly what they think Lieberman adds to their party is hard to figure.  Maybe they want him to campaign for Palin so that he can have a trifecta of Presidential tickets he's sunk.

In fact, that's probably his best argument to the Democratic Caucus:  He's such a pariah that by attaching himself to McCain he greatly contributed to the election of Obama.  Of course that would mean his greatest service going forward would be in joining the GOP.  Boy, would what I'd give to hear Lieberman's "defense" to the Caucus.  But then again, I'd just as soon he would just go away.

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by: dkfennell @ Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 20:13:32 PM CST

not relevant to the story, but (0.00 / 0)

because you had participated with comments on the story bu Sue "CT open space park is being destroyed" diaryId=11348, I believe you need to read my comments.
Thank you for your attention  

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by: Honestycalls @ Sat Jun 06, 2009 at 11:21:15 AM CDT