Lieberman Vote Tomorrow
17 November 2008 2:14 pm by Taylor Marsh
BY TAYLOR MARSH
–updated–
Carper did not rule out stripping Lieberman of his coveted gavel running
the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, or imposing other
sanctions like taking away seniority on other committees or a subcommittee
on Armed Services. – The
Hill
Now
even one of Joe Lieberman’s leading Senate allies appears to be turning on him.
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Joe Lieberman’s backing of John McCain should be enough to cause him his
chaimanship of homeland security outright. No drama. Nothing personal. Strictly
business. Backing the party’s nominee should be the least that’s expected of a Democratic senator in order to stay chairman of a committee so important.
But anyone surprised at unexpected Dem senators rhetorically opining Lieberman
needs a slap is just missing the obvious. Words aren’t actions and nobody is
better at jawboning than senators. Supporting stories that these senators are doing something remarkable simply boosts the
importance of the little political play currently in progress.
Remains
to be seen what all the opining will mean tomorrow.
Barack Obama has stated that he wants Joe in the caucus, the translation being
that President Obama wants Joe where he can work with him on order to pass the
presidential agenda. If Joe loses his homeland security chairmanship it becomes
questionable whether Joe would stay, because he’s proven he’ll do anything to
keep his political life alive. Petulance personified.
Or are we to believe Obama’s good cop is playing against the current Dem senators ripping Lieberman as the collective bad cop?
You can call the criticism from his colleagues “unexpected,” “surprising,”
etc., but in the end what does Obama benefit at this point by pushing Joe out?
This isn’t electoral or senatorial politics anymore. It’s presidential politics,
which is a whole new ballgame for Obama. He has no intention of doing anything
that throws a cloud over what he wants to do going forward, including sending
a vindictive message amidst having confabs with McCain. No doubt Obama’s sent
that message forward.
Anyone think the Democratic caucus will actually strip Lieberman of his chairmanship?
It would be sweet as well as earned, but while I’m certainly enjoying the theater, I just don’t buy it. But I support it.
UPDATE (11.18.08): No surprise. It’s done. After all, it’s what Obama wanted and he’s in charge now.
UPDATE: First Read sources say Lieberman to keep his gavel.
