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Obama's Staying Out of Lieberman Fight
November 09, 2008 12:39 PM
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid signaled this week that he wants to deny Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn, the chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee.
The 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee's relationship with the Democratic party is under scrutiny after he backed Republican John McCain for president.
When I asked incoming White House Chief of Staff Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., if Reid's proposal was appropriate he said President-elect Barack Obama was staying out of it. "As the chief of staff for the new president, he's going to be focused on the basic problems facing the country ... there's going to be a transfer of power while you have American troops fighting not just one but two wars. Second, we have a huge economic crisis here at home that is looming large. That is going to be the focus of his policies. What happens on the House and Senate, on chairmanship is their business. But the business of what we have to do when we get sworn in is focusing on what the American people care about. Priority one is the economy."
Emanuel said Lieberman's fate is in the hands of Sen. Reid. What do you think?
--George Stephanopoulos
November 9, 2008 in This Week with George Stephanopoulos | Permalink | User Comments (9)
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Lieberman has to accept a compromise by accepting any offer which comes along, he made serious mistakes by not only supporting McCain but by attacking Obama's patriotism, that went too far. He has to understand that his position was wrong and his judgement is very questionable.
Posted by: BKMC | Nov 9, 2008 12:57:24 PM
To enter into this fight overtly would be a mistake. Yet what is to be gained by punishing Joe Libermann. Party discipline? Nonsense. American political parties are the least disciplined organs in world politics.
If anyone has a gripe it would be Obama because of Liebermann's Republican convention speech. I actually think Obama should send a signal back channel to leave Liebermann be and get on with other more important business,
Posted by: Bob Long | Nov 9, 2008 1:05:28 PM
I have no sympathy for Lieberman,I have no problem with him supporting Mcsame, his choice however, I have a serious problem with the vile and devisive statements he made about President Elect Obama, the Democratic party and stood by laughing as the other repub attack dogs did the same during the primary. He deserve what ever penality he gets, good riddance.
Posted by: Vietnam Veteran | Nov 9, 2008 1:07:14 PM
not suprising, guess he will vote present on that also, If he were any sort of a man and supposed unifier, he would say that there was a tough election, people took sides that they believe in, but it is unacceptable to target someone because they did not agree with him or his policies. This has nothing to do with Senator Leiberman's work on the committee, this is strictly revenge and if he was really about unity he would take a stand and denounce Reid for his heavy handed tactics, but I guess that would be to much like Hope. what a joke!!
Posted by: Kim | Nov 9, 2008 2:29:00 PM
Lieberman MUST GO! Nothing wrong with his support of McCain, it is all the other things he has done that are totally unacceptable! Let him go to the Republicans. No one like a traitor and that is what he has proven to be, not as a loyal friend to McCain. Anyone, who can turn on the his party the way he did is an absolute traitor. If the Democrats have any principles, they must strip him of all responsibilities and allow him to wander in the desert for the next 40 years. The faithful in Connecticut will surely show him the way,even he if finally shows his treacherous self and finally embrace the other side. Whatever - he MUST GO.
Posted by: Sareena Jones | Nov 9, 2008 5:33:24 PM
People who are deriding Lieberman are Nazis. The Democratic party screwed over Lieberman big time when he was running for reelection in 2006. Why do they call Lieberman a traitor when he is following his convictions? He stated his loyalty lies with his state and country. Which is how politicians SHOULD vote not by blind loyalty to a party.
Posted by: kat | Nov 9, 2008 8:54:22 PM
How did the Dems "screw him over?" He lost in the primary and then, instead of supporting the rightful nominee of his party, he created a new party and got himself elected with the support of Republicans and independents. To paraphrase a famous conservative, the Democratic Party did not leave him - he left the Democratic Party. The Republicans love him and want him. I say enjoy!!!!
Posted by: ohcomeon | Nov 10, 2008 12:37:48 PM
I am from Connecticut and I think that what Lieberman did was awful. He should go and go now. After all if we did something wrong on a job then we would be fired. As a voter I will never again vote for Lieberman.
Posted by: Donna | Nov 11, 2008 8:30:45 AM
Senator Lieberman should stay away from democrat party.He is a looser.He joined the other party and he supported them.He was not there when we need him.We won without him and surely we do not need him.Country will be better off without him.He should continue his effort ith his looser friend or friends
Posted by: Akeem | Nov 16, 2008 12:38:55 PM
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