It seems we here in the reality-based community are about to get our wish: for the Democrats in the U.S. Senate to finally boot Joe-mentum out of the caucus – if the cold-shoulder he reportedly received on his return to the senate on Monday is any indication.
Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., was virtually shunned by other Democrats when he returned to the Senate Monday, fueling increased speculation that his days as chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and perhaps as a member of the Democratic Caucus, are numbered.
On Tuesday, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Jim Manley, said Lieberman will no longer attend Democratic Party lunches.
The speech Lieberman gave at the Republican National Convention in support of Senator John McCain seems to have been the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back for many Senate Democrats -- a good number of whom who had previously avoided criticizing the Connecticut senator in public -- have shown a new willingness to condemn his conduct.
The criticism started at the top. Before the convention, Reid had gone to great lengths to portray Lieberman as solidly Democratic on most policies unrelated to the war in Iraq. But yesterday, he took the unusual step of lashing out at his colleague publicly through his aides. Reid said he "was very disappointed" in his speech.
The article is written by Ben Schneider and Daniel Friedman of National Journal.com's Congress Daily via Government Executive.com:
The criticism started at the top. Reid, who before the convention had gone to great lengths to portray Lieberman as solidly Democratic on most policies unrelated to the Iraq war, took the unusual step of lashing out at his colleague publicly through his press aides, who indicated Reid "was very disappointed" in the speech.
Rank-and-file Democrats followed Reid's example Monday afternoon. On their way to and from a vote, they expressed their disapproval.
"I urged him not to give it," said Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del). "I know that a number of my colleagues did as well. There were parts of it that I found disappointing."
Carper, (who, incidentally is likely to succeed Lieberman as chairman of the HS&GAC) wasn’t the only one voicing his displeasure over Lieberman’s speech. Sen. Dianne Feinstein D-Calif., called the speech "hurtful," while Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) said, "To go ahead and bash our candidate, that went beyond where they needed to go."
On Monday night, Lieberman said he had not yet spoken to Democratic colleagues but noted, "I'm sure a lot of them are disappointed. But I am doing what I think is right and I am going to let the future take care of itself."
It will most likely be after November’s election before any final decision is made regarding Lieberman’s post as chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Given the fact that the Senate is tied; if he began to caucus with the Republicans before the election, all ties on votes could be broken by Vice President Dick Cheney, effectually putting the Republicans in charge.
"I would say he's out, but there are a lot of things that have to be worked through," said an aide who works on committee issues. "It's not going to be an easy decision ... He's made it easier, but it's still hard."
Unfortunately, Lieberman maintains close relationships with some Senate Democrats, and continues to contribute to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee -- giving close to $200,000 in the last two-years -- through his campaign committee and PAC. Other reasons to keep Lieberman in the caucus until after the election are that Senators Obama and Biden will be hard-pressed to return to Washington every time an important vote comes to the Senate floor, and Senator Kennedy is not expected to return to the Senate until January, as he is still recovering from treatment from brain cancer.
That leaves Democrats and Republicans with 48 senators each, short of the 60 votes Reid needs to pass almost anything. "The majority is just too slim," one Democratic aide lamented. But the same aide said those considerations will change in 2009.
"Lieberman speaking at the GOP convention was really a slap in the face to the Democratic Party and those colleagues that have supported him," the aide said. "It's difficult to come up with a scenario where he remains chairman next year."
Meanwhile, Republicans are trying harder than ever to convince Lieberman to switch parties. Despite Lieberman saying publicly that he will continue to caucus with the Democrats this year; some Republicans said that they still hope he will join them before the election.
As for me, I have mixed feelings about Lieberman leaving before the election. Yes, I’d love to see Harry Reid boot his worthless butt out of the Democratic Caucus. But, if that were to happen, Reid wouldn’t be able to bring any major legislation to the floor at all before January.
Hmm, come to think about it that may not be a bad idea at all.
Boot his ass out now!
Peace