On Tuesday, Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) stated publicly that he would be willing to filibuster the health care reform bill if it contains a public option. Previously, majority leader Harry Ried (D-NV) had announced that he would include a public option with a so-called "opt-out" for individual states.
Lieberman has a contentious relationship with Democrats, even though he caucuses with them and chairs some committees. He infamously supported the Iraq war, even after most Democrats had realized it was a mistake and were trying to pressure President Bush into reducing the troop presence there. Then, he lost a primary to Ned Lamont, only to win re-election running as an independent. In 2008, he openly supported Republican John McCain (R-AZ), going so far as to speak at the Republican National Convention and criticizing Obama for his lack of experience. Even after all of that, he was still allowed to caucus with the Democrats. Now, on the most important domestic policy agenda in a generation, Lieberman has again decided that he is on the Republican's team. How much longer can this be allowed to stand?
If Lieberman follows through on his filibuster threat, there must be consequences. He will already face a Democrat in his re-election bid in 2012. Until then, he must be stripped of his leadership positions, if not outright removed from the caucus. Furthermore, one must question the leadership of Ried if he did not question Lieberman's loyalty enough to seek guarantees before allowing him to keep those chairmanships.
Make no mistake, although Lieberman was elected as an independent, he ran as a progressive. He promised to fight for progressive causes, including health care for all. Connecticut voters will not forget this betrayal, and the 2012 senate race there will be one of the most widely anticipated in the country.
1 comment:
Don't get me started on Loserman! This guy deserves a good hard punch in the face! You're correct that he always runs saying he's progressive and a liberal, then his votes are always conservative. I can't think of him without thinking of Jon Stewart's impression of him as Droopy Dog, exactly spot on! Oh, and you want to know why Lieberman wants to derail the president's most important agenda, and something that would be a huge help to most Americans? The Capital of his state, Hartford, is also the insurance capital of the world, and his wife is a lobbyist for the insurance industry! He knows who his constituents are, and it ain't the American public! To think I campaigned so hard for him when he was Kerry's vice-presidential running mate. He is a disgrace to our side of the aisle, that is for sure - Mr. "With us on everything but the war"!
Post a Comment