Inquiring minds want to know if there is anything at all that Joe Lieberman could say about the Democratic presidential nominee that would get Harry Reid to tap the Connecticut Senator on the shoulder and say, "Psst -- hey bud, you enjoy your senior committee slots at my pleasure, so watch it."
"I've had conversations with Lieberman at some length. I'm not going to discuss the conversations here. But I think the discussions he had with Obama yesterday and the discussions he had with me yesterday were fruitful. We'll let the future decide what it's going to be, but I'm not about to threaten anybody."
But Reid also pointed out the Senate math that creates the odd dynamic where one of the Democratic caucus's participants is planning on speaking at the Republican convention.
"Without Lieberman's vote, the budget would not have passed," Reid said. "Without Lieberman the budget would not have been written. So I think everybody should understand that Joe Lieberman has made a decision on issues relating to the war. And he's decided to back John McCain. But Joe Lieberman is an important vote for this caucus."
BS, Harry Reid! Get rid of him now as he is no longer useful to us for anything.
"Fruitful," huh? Anyone who thinks Reid will put any kind of pressure on Lieberman behind the scenes is just kidding himself. It isn't going to happen, and Lieberman will continue to attack Obama -- and soon enough will start portraying him as too weak to defend the country -- secure in the knowledge that the only thing that will happen to him is that he'll get more press attention for it.
And that is the only thing that Lieberman is looking for is Press Attention. It always has been and always will be - about Joe.
Were it not for the fact that the problem only continues to get worse, I might scrap this posting altogether. But as Congressional leaders head for their favorite vacation spots, our country is going down the drain; and the Democratic Congress continues to be complicit! On that basis, I wish to encourage all who care about the future of our fast-eroding democracy to get on the phones, take to the airwaves, and/or write anyone who might possibly deign to listen. It's too late to do much about FISA; but something else will come up soon enough . . .
Many voters are beyond disappointed at the current performance of Congress. Some of this disappointment is unavoidable, as Democrats do not have a veto-proof majority; and because of faux-democrat Joe Lieberman, they don't even have a simple majority in the Senate.
Nevertheless, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid could be more proactive in the interests of this country than they have been so far; and they now have a golden opportunity to draw the line. I hope others will join me in suggesting that now is the time to stand firm.
Let Congressional leaders tell the Administration that without agreement on other matters -- which would need to include prior, sworn testimony from the likes of Harriet Miers and Karl Rove, there cannot even be any discussion about "toying" with FISA.
It has been apparent for a long time that when you give Bush-Cheney an inch, their people always take a mile; of course, they even take the mile when not a millimeter has been conceded. Congress really is the primary obstacle preventing a not-so-silent coup; never has this country been more vulnerable to its very own thugs-in-suits. Darth Cheney has learned from Nixon's mistakes; it is time to recognize this fact -- and say so!
Please call Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid, and encourage others in your network to do the same. Tell our too-cautious leaders that, this time, there can be no compromises: Compromise assumes and requires an honest intention to negotiate. It must be a two-way street. Can anyone remember the last time that Dick Cheney compromised about anything?
Matt Stoller at MyDD is reporting a deal was made.
I was told by a Reid source that in return for Harry Reid's endorsement of Joe Lieberman to Connecticut delegates, Joe Lieberman has promised to rule out a run for Senate as an independent. I emailed the Lieberman campaign for confirmation, and haven't heard back. When I know more, so will you.
We needed to hear it from Joe's mealy mouth. Before the endorsement.
Back in December, Senate Dem Leader Harry Reid had this to say about Joe Lieberman: “I’ve spoken to Joe Lieberman and he knows he’s out there alone. I mean, literally alone. Joe is a fine man, he has strong feelings, but he’s just alone. Even Republicans don’t agree with Joe.”
Now he's letting Joe feel the love. Read and weep.
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