Bernie Sanders Joins Leahy: Take Joe's Gavel

Technically an independent, Sanders caucuses with the Dems. And doesn't hedge (via email):

"To reward Senator Lieberman with a major committee chairmanship would be a slap in the face of millions of Americans who worked tirelessly for Barack Obama and who want to see real change in our country," Sanders said.

"Appointing someone to a major post who led the opposition to everything we are fighting for is not `change we can believe in.' I very much hope that Senator Lieberman stays in the Democratic caucus and is successful in regaining the confidence of those whom he has disappointed.  This is not a time, however, in which he should be rewarded with a major committee chairmanship."

Sanders commented after Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, responded to a question about Lieberman during an appearance on the Vermont Public Radio program "Vermont Edition."

The Village can wring their hands, but relieving Joe of his chairmanship is a meaningful, important remedy. Maybe people are still in campaign mode, but not everything is one-dimensional political theater. This is governance.

Update [2008-11-14 17:53:18 by Josh Orton]: Greg Sargent, who's been right on top of this, makes a great point:

On some of the most pressing issues we face, Lieberman simply doesn't share the ideas or values of the Democratic Party. And given his performance as Homeland Security chair, Lieberman foes think stripping Lieberman of his post is, you know, better for the country. Some seem incapable of imagining that the push to oust Lieberman could be about anything other than revenge or that anyone could possibly oppose Lieberman simply because of his ideas, values, and governmental failures.



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Re: Bernie Sanders Joins Leahy (none / 0)

Good to hear, but I could have sworn Sanders doesn't have a vote.


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by TheUnknown285 on Fri Nov 14, 2008 at 05:53:59 PM EST

Re: Bernie Sanders Joins Leahy (2.00 / 1)

He does.


by Josh Orton on Fri Nov 14, 2008 at 06:00:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bernie Sanders Joins Leahy (none / 0)

He's also got balls many of the Democrats would do well to find.


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by Sandwich Repairman on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 02:45:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

WE more like him in congress (none / 0)


by orestes on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 12:59:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bernie Sanders Joins Leahy (none / 0)

Bernie can negate Joe's leverage by simply refusing to caucus with either party. He shouldn't do it to spite the Democrats but to threaten Lieberman that he is not the only one who can pull such a stunt.


by Pravin on Fri Nov 14, 2008 at 10:57:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bernie Sanders Joins Leahy: Take Joe's Gavel (none / 0)

Maybe Rachel Madow will have one of them on tonight.


by Destiny on Fri Nov 14, 2008 at 06:04:03 PM EST

Re: Bernie Sanders Joins Leahy: Take Joe's Gavel (none / 0)

Man, I really hope Joe is stripped of his chairmanship, but having Bernie Sanders sign on, doesn't exactly make me more confident.


by Lolis on Fri Nov 14, 2008 at 06:46:00 PM EST

Re: Bernie Sanders Joins Leahy: Take Joe's Gavel (none / 0)

Lieberman should be slapped down as hard as possible. He has no constituency outside of David Broder and Sean Hannity.

Why look weak when you don't have to?


by Upstate Dem on Fri Nov 14, 2008 at 06:49:04 PM EST

Re: Bernie Sanders Joins Leahy: Take Joe's Gavel (none / 0)

What pisses me off is that if there had been any real money or effort behind Alan Schlesinger, so he got just 10% more of the vote, we'd be rid of Lieberman altogether.  Amazing how the Republican party brazenly threw their nominee overboard in a rush to back Traitor Joe.  Remember how the PA GOP gave money to the Greens to siphon votes from Casey in 06?  I don't like or advocate that kind of dirty pool, but something should've been done to keep more Republicans voting for their own candidate.  If Dems played dirtier, we might have Senator Lamont today.


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by Sandwich Repairman on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 02:50:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bernie Sanders Joins Leahy: Take Joe's Gavel (none / 0)

http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp ?a=3188&q=392590


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by Sandwich Repairman on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 02:57:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bernie Sanders Joins Leahy: Take Joe's Gavel (none / 0)

If John McCain had won the presidency, Joe Lieberman absolutely would have bolted the senate to become McCain's Secretary of Defense or Secretary of State etc.  Then the Republican governor of Connecticut would have appointed a Republican senator in his place--shifting the balance of the senate by one vote against the Dems.

Lieberman was fully prepared to screw the Democratic caucus if his gamble had paid off and McCain had won.  Why should the Dems be any more forgiving or magnanimous?  


by Will Graham on Fri Nov 14, 2008 at 09:02:37 PM EST

I sent a nice email to Bernie Sanders (none / 0)

thanking him for considering us ordinary citizens who worked so hard to win a Democratic majority and elect our Democratic presidential candidate.  I pointed out that Lieberman spent the time making our jobs harder by campaigning against us.

I also told him to put me in his database and I will contribute to his next re-election campaign.


That One is the Right One for 2008.
by GFORD on Fri Nov 14, 2008 at 09:58:49 PM EST

Re: I sent a nice email to Bernie Sanders (2.00 / 1)

I am doing the same. We have to reward the senators who fight the good fight in addition to the punishment aspect of withholding donations to the spineless ones.


by Pravin on Fri Nov 14, 2008 at 10:59:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bernie Sanders Joins Leahy: Take Joe's Gavel (none / 0)

Good for them.

Does anybody find it odd that the two people who are coming out against Lieberman are both from Vermont?


When you start out making the "slippery slope" argument, where do you draw the line?
by Jess81 on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 12:49:38 AM EST


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