Sen. Joe Lieberman's speech before the Republican National Convention on Tuesday night could cost him the chairmanship of a key Senate committee, a top Senate Democratic aide told CNN."But we're not babies!"
During the speech, the Connecticut senator praised GOP presidential candidate Sen. John McCain and criticized Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama.
"The Democratic Caucus will reassess the situation with Sen. Lieberman after the election," Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said Wednesday.
Which should give them ample time to try to get Lieberman to recant.
Lieberman, the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2000, now calls himself an "independent Democrat," but he remains a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus, which allows him to head the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Democrats have grumbled for months about Lieberman's outspoken support of McCain, and both Reid and Obama have warned Lieberman to curb his public criticism of Obama. "What we saw last night was a culmination of provocative efforts in recent months," said a Democratic leadership aide.
Democrats, who with Lieberman's support control the chamber by a narrow 51-49 margin, are unlikely to go a step further and boot Lieberman from their caucus, although the Democratic leadership aide didn't rule out that punitive step if Democrats pick up several seats in November.
Ah, c'mon. Perhaps you could take up a collection on your side of the aisle and put together something that passes for a backbone for a change. Pi$$ him off already. See how far it'll take you babies. Unless you're scared, that is.
During his address to Republicans, Lieberman said, "Sen. Barack Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who I think can do great things for our country in the years ahead, but, my friends, eloquence is no substitute for a record, not in these tough times for America."
That comment, and Lieberman's suggestion that Obama had not reached across the aisle to work with Republicans in the Senate, drew the ire of Democrats, who accused their 2000 vice presidential nominee of lying about their nominee.
Gee. I guess we'll have to haul out the records and have a look for ourselves.
"Joe Lieberman ought to be ashamed of himself for some of the things he said tonight, not as a Democrat but as an American," Obama adviser Robert Gibbs said.
???
"I think [Lieberman] owes it to the American people to look into the camera and tell them the truth," he added.
You mean the "truth", don't you?
After Lieberman completed his speech, Reid let it be known Tuesday night that he thought Lieberman had gone over the line.
Whatcha gonna do about it, oh Whiny One?
"As the American people have made very clear, the last thing this country needs is another four years of the same old failed Bush-McCain policies of the past," Manley said.
Gee, well then why don't you just STFU and let them say it themselves if it's so obvious? Or can't they figure it out without your "help"?
Reacting to Lieberman's comments, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a former Democratic presidential candidate, called the independent senator's comments "sad." "I've known Joe Lieberman for a long time," Richardson said. "I'm just frankly so surprised at the almost violent transformation he's taken.
Nothing has changed. You have simply become aware of it. I wouldn't be too surprised to see him sitting on the proper side of the aisle pretty soon.
"You know, it's a little bit sad, because Joe Lieberman has been a distinguished public servant."
He still is.