in review...
Lieberman promises Reid he'll support HCR. Then he waits for the moment of greatest political leverage and then double crosses the Democratic party,
...but we can't punish him because we need his vote?
What's wrong with this picture?
Lieberman has undercut his own support at home and demonstrated that he's stoopid and poorly informed and maybe corrupt, so he's a heaping pile of dog $8!@ (that's she-eight-I-at for readers at home).
but...
If Lieberman pulls this stunt and nothing happens, then the door is open for any Democratic Senator to pull this stunt in the future.
If you want discipline in the democratic party on cloture votes in the future, someone needs to stick the dagger in the heaping pile's back. I mean do something to hurt this guy. My ideas could stand some elaboration by people who really know, but:
* Strip him of his committee chairmanships, one by one.
* Save the votes against his pet projects.
* Leave him dangling in every possible way.
Or else what about the next doofus to come along? If you want discipline in the ranks, punish the heaping pile and send a message to other errant fame seeking asswhipes (pronounced az-we-pay's) in the future.
Let him vote against reform, but he votes with his party on cloture.
50 votes is a majority. 50 votes passes a bill. Not 60.
He is no king.