Among Democrats’ Leadership Questions: What to Do With Lieberman? (444 hits)
www.Politico.com By Mike Allen Politico's Glenn Thrush calls it in today's 'Huddle.' President-elect Obama is warning Democrats against 'grudges' against Sen. Joseph Lieberman, who caucuses with Ds but campaigned for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Many on Capitol Hill had assumed he would be kicked out of the caucus Whether or not he'll keep his chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee is another matter. Top Obama aide Robert Gibbs tells Politico: 'We aren't going to referee decisions about who should or should not be a committee chair. President-elect Obama looks forward to working with anyone of any party to move the country forward. We'd be happy to have Sen. Lieberman caucus with the Democrats. We don't hold any grudges.'
Politico's John Bresnahan has the back story: 'Obama had spoken directly to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) about Lieberman ... Josh Marshall over at talkingpointsmemo.com is reporting that former President Bill Clinton 'is making calls on Sen. Lieberman's behalf.' Reid is under heavy pressure from some Senate Democrats and party faithful to punish Lieberman ... Reid met with Lieberman last week to discuss the situation, and he reportedly offered Lieberman the chairmanship of a lesser committee, such as Small Business, if he voluntarily stepped down from Homeland Security.
Lieberman rejected that offer, suggesting he would quit the Democratic Caucus if that happened. Reid, in turn, warned his longtime colleague that he will put the matter to a secret vote of the Democratic Caucus next week if they can't reach an agreement first. Senate Democratic sources acknowledged that Lieberman would probably win a secret vote if it were held today, but the netroots are putting on the full-court press to convince Democrats to vote to strip Lieberman of his chairmanship.'
Mike Allen's Politico Playbook Daily Update Mike Allen is the chief political correspondent for Politico
Mr. Lieberman is just a real European of Jewish Ancestry. His views always will reflect, no matter what, the anti semitic views of Europeans of Jewish Ancestry. He does not like or care for the semitic cousins of Moses, Abraham, Issac, ben guron, golda---Maryam, Isa, Mohamed, yasser or abdullah. He should be sent to Palestine as Chief Negotiator so that he can learn family love.
Friday, November 14th 2008 at 10:31AM
robert powell
