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Bringing Indy Joe in Line

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June 05, 2008 2:37 PM

ABC's Z. Byron Wolf reports: Before leaving his weekly off-camera briefing, Reid noted that Sen. Barack Obama was not the only Democrat to have words yesterday with Sen. Indy Joe Lieberman over his role in the McCain campaign.

Reid said today he thinks that pressure from Obama and himself will be "fruitful" pressuring Lieberman into line (at least a little bit). In the meantime, Reid stated the obvious, that Lieberman's Independent vote is important for Democrats on just about every issue but the war in Iraq. He pointed out that the Lieberman voted with Democrats on the budget just before Obama cornered him on the Senate floor. He didn't say (but didn't' have to) that if Lieberman decided to caucus with Republicans instead, it would turn Democrats' 51-49 majority in the Senate into a 50-50 tie (with a tiebreaker named Cheney).

"Without Lieberman's vote, the budget would not have passed. 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," Reid said.

A reporter pushed Reid, "Wouldn't you rather he not criticize Obama though?"

"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," Reid said.

June 5, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Veepstakes | Permalink | User Comments (29)

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Please please please for the American people why are people not reporting on McCain and Lieberman's involvement in the "Committee for the Liberation of Iraq"

this is not propoganda or conspiracy...

they were the pushers of the first wart and they are doing it again...did you see the speeches at AIPAC...they are similar to the ones before Iraq.

why are no news sources talking about the fact that Lieberman and McCain co-chaired (honorary) this lobbying/propoganda committee (mcLellan just confirmed they were the big part of the lobbying and propoganda effort in the white house)

the other two chairs of the committee were the head of Lockheed Martin and Bechtel

and the President of the committee is McCain's ;ead foreign policy advisor in this campaign.

why is no one reporting this!

this is not hype ...go loook it up.

Posted by: dl | Jun 5, 2008 3:12:30 PM

Lieberman owes the Democratic party NOTHING!!! Period. Joe got the same treatment from the DNC that Hillary just experienced, and he can tell them to go to hell if he wants. He's doing the same thing we disgruntled Dems will be doing come November - supporting John McCain!!

Posted by: Get Real | Jun 5, 2008 3:17:03 PM

ALBANY, N.Y. - MSNBC pundit Keith Olbermann, who spotlights misbehavior nightly with his "Worst Person in the World" recognition, owes New York state for unpaid business taxes, according to a tax warrant notice.

Will Keith call his man crush and ask Obama to get him pardoned by the accidental Gov?

Posted by: geevill | Jun 5, 2008 3:17:44 PM

Educate yourselves. Obama is in a hissy fit because Joe told the truth after Obama lied in front of a Jewish group.

Posted by: geevil | Jun 5, 2008 3:19:49 PM

no geevil

Obama is addressing the man that chaired what Mclellan just confirmed was the main lobbying and propaganda group that got us into Iraq.

His speech was similar to the ones given to AIPAC before the Iraq qar...

you see obama isn't going to let that drum beat start...

Obama isn't going to let us be scared into a war offensively like we did with Iraq...

a mess....

that is what Obama was doing.

Lieberman just got told...that it isn't going to work this time.

His little "committee for the Liberation of iraq" which was chaired honorarily be he and McCain (they were also some fo the strongest members) and chaired also by the head of both Lockheed Martin and the head of Bechtel

the resident of that same committee is now McCain's lead foreign policy advisor...
so no it had nothing to do with Obama statements at AIPAC it had everything to do with Lieberman and his fellow committee members.

Posted by: dl | Jun 5, 2008 3:26:25 PM

What you Obama supporters DO NOT understand is that alot of AMERICANS will put America FIRST and Party second. They are still good Democrats but even better Americans. Hillary supporters will not hand thae White House to a MEDIA created FAKE who in his own words when speaking about White People in his book "THAT HATE HADN'T GONE AWAY".

Posted by: Dave S | Jun 5, 2008 3:40:48 PM

bhrandon,
No I'm not a Republican. I was a LOYAL Democrat for over 30 years. After experiencing the underhandedness of Obama, supported by the DNC, I'm proud to say I'm no longer a Democrat. In the last week, I've re-registered as an Independent because I want nothing further to do with the Democratic Party. I'm definitely voting for McCAin come Novemeber, because I refuse to waste another vote on yet another Democratic LOSER. I'll NEVER vote for Obama.
McCain All the Way!!!

Posted by: Get Real | Jun 5, 2008 3:41:20 PM

Obama tells Jews Israel is in greater danger because we removed Saddam Hussein. This guy is a moron.

Posted by: geevill | Jun 5, 2008 3:59:17 PM

Hey Obama, you supported Ned Lamont. Remember the email you sent out???

Payback is a beetch isn't it. You ain't seen nothing yet. Wait until November.

Posted by: geevill | Jun 5, 2008 4:15:21 PM

lieberman is a man with no ethics. Liebermann let McCain claim credit for a bill that strengthened Israel militarily and allowed for the funding of alternative energy cooperation with Israel who are on the forfront of this technology. This bill was sponsored by Liebermann and Obama. McCain voted against the bill but gave this out as his plan before AIPAC. This is why Obama and Reid spoke to the backstabbing Judas. Don't forget McCain devoid of his own solutions has resorted to stealing Obama's message, website and Ideas.

I smell a democratic party landslide up and down the spectrum.

Yes, there is a price to pay for the harm Bush & Rebush has doled out to the Nation.

Obama 08

Posted by: jld1959 | Jun 5, 2008 4:17:39 PM

I find it interesting that McCain and his supporters do not quote any of their plans to keep America strong economica´lly, militarily or moving towards the future, I would really like to hear a few of their proposals without the added flavor of division. Or can they only critize Obama and provide no real plan of their own.
The Republicans seem to be bankrupt on Ideas. I would love to here from the Operation CHAOS memebers,

Obama 08

Posted by: jld1959 | Jun 5, 2008 4:29:06 PM

Pathetic Democrats, they rejected Leiberman for their senator and he won by running Independent LOL. Now, they want him to be on their side. LOL. I just received an email from Lieberman who organize "Citizens for McCain". Please join

http://citizens.johnmccain.com/

Posted by: hannah | Jun 5, 2008 4:30:36 PM

Jld1959 - you really need to watch the news. Or just go to McCain's website and find his proposals. It's obama who only criticise but haven't come up with any plans. Pathetic. You are so clueless!!! that's why you need to gather more information before BLINDLY voted for obama.

Posted by: hannah | Jun 5, 2008 4:32:45 PM

geevill,
No clue on that one, but I think Obama will have his hands full enough with Michelle's rantings. LOL!

Posted by: Get Real | Jun 5, 2008 4:36:16 PM

McCain= Smartman

Obama = Wiseman

Do you know the difference between a smart man & a wiseman?
A wiseman doesn't make the mistake at all.
Why?

Because the Wiseman man observes & learns from the smartman!

Obama 08 Change you can believe in!

Posted by: jld1959 | Jun 5, 2008 4:37:54 PM

Jim

if you call this "sounding like whining"
then you are a moron...let me educate you a little...
Both McCain and Lieberman were the honorary co-chairs of the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq created by Bush and Cheney in 2002 the year before the war
In a small article on the Huffington post Scott McLellan just confirmed the CLI was actually the White House's main lobbying and propaganda arm for the war.

It was also chaired by both Bruce Jackson, the head of Lockheed Martin and George Schultz (the ex-Secretary from Reagan and the one of the Board of Bechtel. Both companies got contracts out of Iraq after the invasion (Bechtel got the first no bid contract).

The Committee President was Scheunmann who is now McCain's lead foreign policy adviser.

The overlap between AIPAC and CLI or friends of CLI is astounding. The head of AIPAC from the early 90's Thomas Dine sat on CLI as well.

When I read that Obama "confronted" Lieberman after the speech he gave at AIPAC and most people were thinking it is because he insulted Obama... it was obvious...

Before the Iraq war Mccain, Lieberman and Dine gave similar speeches with similar threatening tones about Iraq at (drumroll)AIPAC.

Obviously, No one talks about the fact that McCain and Lieberman were 2 of the 5 heads of the CLI in 2002, never mind that they gave these speeches and worked through this committee with both AIPAC and Chalibi to bring forth the support and plan for the war. They are going down the same road now...

and although Lieberman and McCain's speeches which denounced Obama's strategy may be looked at with more cynicism because of the tone they used toward Obama.
It is the similarity in tone before the Iraq war in those speeches that you all wouldn't know and the media isn't picking up.

...perhaps THAT is what Obama was talking about.

You know sort of a
"Dude...if you think you are going to pull this over...I am letting you know with a touch of subtlety... it ain't going to happen."
you know a sort of
"Not this time."

The CLI is now under another name...the McCain potential administration.

If I saw this with the handshake on the senate floor...Obama must have seen it.

I think having met Sen Obama and Mccain and hearing them both speak when they were here in NH (along with all the other candidates) that may be what happened.

It was not about politics...I think that handshake and conversation in the corner of the senate... has to do with a "drumbeat" and Obama saying "not on my watch."

but you know this is all whining...well if it is ...I wish someone whined a little more before we went into Iraq.

Posted by: dl | Jun 5, 2008 4:38:00 PM

hannah,
Good reminder that Liberman did win in a 3-way race in CT. Maybe that's why McCain is so competitive in CT, virtually tied with "Wonderboy" in the latest poll in a state that's ALWAYS been Democratic. Wait till November, Dems will be singing the "Blues to Red" blues thanks to Obama.

Posted by: Get Real | Jun 5, 2008 4:41:01 PM

Hannah are you going to name any of McCain's proposals? Careful if you do give the date of his proposal and I can find on each issue where McCain has flip flopped on each issue. "A leader you can believe in" a rip off of Obama's themes and messages. By the way Hannah when are you going to inform me of McCains plans? For instace Healthcare, mortgage crisis, Banking reform, Energy, Foreign Policy etc. How could I expect McCain's surrogates to answer for what McCain can't explain!

Obama 08 Change You can Believe In!

Posted by: jld1959 | Jun 5, 2008 4:50:24 PM

Lieberman is absolutely correct to criticize Obama. The problem with Obama is that he says one thing, does another, then tries to backtrack when someone reminds him. He cannot keep backpedaling to say what he means. He is so green, that the Democrats look stupid to nominate him. It is like that idol show when the most talented person does not win because the teeny bippers called in so many votes.

Joe Lieberman showed what his voice means to many people. Becoming an Independent is probably what Hillary Clinton should do. Wouldn't that shake up the two-party gridlock? Ralph Nader does not get all my respect, but he is right about Independent voices giving a balance badly needed in Congress. I can't wait to see all of the reaching across the aisle and coming together.

That would be McCain, someone who has already reached across the aisle to make a difference.

Posted by: georgia | Jun 5, 2008 5:05:37 PM

"Hey Obama, you supported Ned Lamont. Remember the email you sent out???"

Ummm... actually, he supported Lieberman. Obama did not campaign for Lamont which upset Lamont's supporters... but, he was loyal to Lieberman, who was his assigned "mentor"... too bad Lieberman knows nothing about loyalty, to his party or his colleagues.

Posted by: Mike | Jun 5, 2008 5:07:33 PM

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