Lieberman To Retain Top Post in Democratic Party After Betrayal
After the dust settled following the bitter presidential campaign between President-Elect Barack Obama and Senator John McCain, the Dems aimed their crosshairs at one of their own, whom they believed had jumped ship and betrayed their cause, Senator Joe Lieberman.
Lieberman, Independent Senator from Connecticut, who caucuses with Democrats and was Al GoreÕs running mate on the unsuccessful Democratic ticket in the 2000 election, outraged and infuriated many Democrats during the 2008 campaign, giving a prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention and campaigned vigorously, clearly expressing his support for Republican Presidential nominee John McCain. Not only did he vex Democrats by throwing his support behind the GOP, he also repeatedly criticized and berated Barack Obama during the campaign, bringing his experience into question, which undoubtedly struck a nerve with many members and lawmakers within the Democratic party.
Senate majority leader Harry Reid met with Senator Lieberman on Thursday in order to discuss his future with the Democratic caucus, however, no final decisions were reached and neither divulged what was discussed at their meeting. While Reid has often expressed his appreciation of his participation in the caucus in the past, as the Senat
or from Connecticut has often voted a majority of the time with Democrats on many key issues, his frustration is evident and still expresses concerns about LiebermanÕs comments and behavior during the campaign.
Sen. Lieberman was originally in danger of having his prominent Homeland Security Committee Chairmanship revoked, but intensely contested the decision. According to lawmakers within the Democratic party, Lieberman will instead be stripped of a less prestigious chairmanship of a subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee. Although a loss of any kind is regrettable, his main goal to retain his position at the Homeland Security Committee remains in tact. Further discussions are still to be held whether additional retribution or alternatives to his punishment should be considered.
Several lawmakers involved in the discussions on Lieberman accredit the President-ElectÕs desire to bury the hatchet and have him keep his position as one of the main reasons he is allowed to maintain in the Democratic caucus and permitted to keep his committee chairmanship.
Lieberman and several other colleagues are expected plead their cases and meet to discuss his offenses during the campaign. Democrats are to meet Tuesday at the Capitol to address the issues and serious concerns regarding Sen. Lieberman and vote via secret ballot on the matter.
Lieberman, Independent Senator from Connecticut, who caucuses with Democrats and was Al GoreÕs running mate on the unsuccessful Democratic ticket in the 2000 election, outraged and infuriated many Democrats during the 2008 campaign, giving a prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention and campaigned vigorously, clearly expressing his support for Republican Presidential nominee John McCain. Not only did he vex Democrats by throwing his support behind the GOP, he also repeatedly criticized and berated Barack Obama during the campaign, bringing his experience into question, which undoubtedly struck a nerve with many members and lawmakers within the Democratic party.
Senate majority leader Harry Reid met with Senator Lieberman on Thursday in order to discuss his future with the Democratic caucus, however, no final decisions were reached and neither divulged what was discussed at their meeting. While Reid has often expressed his appreciation of his participation in the caucus in the past, as the Senat
Sen. Lieberman was originally in danger of having his prominent Homeland Security Committee Chairmanship revoked, but intensely contested the decision. According to lawmakers within the Democratic party, Lieberman will instead be stripped of a less prestigious chairmanship of a subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee. Although a loss of any kind is regrettable, his main goal to retain his position at the Homeland Security Committee remains in tact. Further discussions are still to be held whether additional retribution or alternatives to his punishment should be considered.
Several lawmakers involved in the discussions on Lieberman accredit the President-ElectÕs desire to bury the hatchet and have him keep his position as one of the main reasons he is allowed to maintain in the Democratic caucus and permitted to keep his committee chairmanship.
Lieberman and several other colleagues are expected plead their cases and meet to discuss his offenses during the campaign. Democrats are to meet Tuesday at the Capitol to address the issues and serious concerns regarding Sen. Lieberman and vote via secret ballot on the matter.
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