Big Question of the Day. Why is turncoat Joe Lieberman refusing to step down as chair of Senate Committee Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs?
Yesterday Senator Harry Reid, Majority Leader, had what amounts to a soft ball meeting with Joe Lieberman – discussions were to relieve Lieberman as chairman of Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
But judging from reports via TPM video Joe not only wants to be forgiven he thinks it’s unacceptable.
By the way Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) is said to disagree with stripping Lieberman of his chair. Good thing Senator that you were not selected for the VP slot.
Jane Hamsher, FDL, notes:
Lieberman was offered Veteran’s Affairs, Not a Subcommittee.
Now that’s also unacceptable because as I view it, Joe would be a disaster and does not deserve squat.
Lieberman Opposed Cutting Welfare Spending to Increase Funding for Veterans Health Care
S Con Res 57 Senate Vote 116 R 52-0; D 23-23 5/16/96
Lieberman voted against the Bond, R-Mo., amendment to the Exon, D-Neb., substitute amendment, to increase veterans spending by $13 billion in fiscal 1997-2002, to be offset by reductions in welfare spending. The Senate adopted the amendment 75-23.
Lieberman Opposed $400 Million in Funding for Veterans Benefits
S 936 Senate Vote 168 R 50-5; D 8-36 7/10/97
Lieberman voted for the Thurmond, R-S.C., motion to table the Wellstone, D-Minn., amendment to require the Defense secretary to transfer $400 million to the secretary of Veteran’s Affairs in fiscal 1998 for veteran’s benefits. The Senate agreed to the motion 58-41.
Lieberman Opposed $329 Million for Veterans Health Care
S 2057 Senate vote 175 R 5-47; D 33-8 6/25/98
Lieberman voted against the Harkin, D-Iowa, amendment that transferred $329 million from defense accounts to the Veterans Affairs Department for health care programs. The amendment ordered the secretary of Defense to transfer the funds from defense programs that would result in the “least significant harm” to armed forces readiness and military personnel quality of life. The Senate rejected the amendment 38-55.
Lieberman Opposed Cutting Funds for the International Space Station to Fund Veterans’ Health Care
More
But you would think Lieberman would be satisfied with another Committee chair. No. He wants to remain at HSGA.
Steven Benen asked Why the Begging?
Let’s cut the nonsense. Reid offered Lieberman a chance to stay in the Democratic caucus, keep his seniority, and become the chairman of some other committee. Lieberman thinks that’s “unacceptable” and reportedly “begged” to stay on as chairman of Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Bayh thinks this is about “revenge or retribution.” It’s not. For that matter, it’s only partly about holding Lieberman accountable for his betrayals. This is actually about a specific power Lieberman is intent on keeping for a specific reason.
This seems to be routinely overlooked, but take a moment to consider what the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs actually does: it’s the committee principally responsible for oversight of the executive branch. It’s an accountability committee, charged with investigating the conduct of the White House and the president’s administration.
As chairman of this committee for the last two years, Lieberman decided not to pursue any accusations of wrongdoing against the Bush administration. Lieberman’s House counterpart — Rep. Henry Waxman’s Oversight Committee — was a vigilant watchdog, holding hearings, issuing subpoenas, and launching multiple investigations. Lieberman preferred to let his committee do no real work at all. It was arguably the most pathetic display of this Congress.
And yet, now Lieberman acts as if keeping this chairmanship is the single most important part of his public life. Why would he be so desperate to keep the gavel of a committee he hasn’t used? I’ll let you in on a secret: he wants to start using the power of this committee against Obama.
Lieberman didn’t want to hold Bush accountable, but he seems exceedingly anxious to keep the committee that would go after Obama with a vengeance, effectively becoming a Waxman-like figure — holding hearings, issuing subpoenas, and launching investigations against the Democratic president.
Lieberman doesn’t care about “reconciliation,” he cares about going after a Democratic administration. Why else would he fight diligently to be chairman of one committee instead of another?
(highlights added)
Let Senator Harry Reid know we don’t trust Joe Lieberman.
Please join the campaign at Bold Progressives to urge Senator Reid, “Joe Must Go!”
Put on the brakes.
Huffpost reporting
Obama Wants Lieberman To Remain In Democratic Caucus
President-elect Barack Obama has informed party officials that he wants Joe Lieberman to continue caucusing with the Democrats in the 111th Congress, Senate aides tell the Huffington Post.
Obama’s decision could tie the hands of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has been negotiating to remove Lieberman as chair of the Homeland Security and Government Reform committee while keeping him within the caucus. Lieberman has insisted that he will split from the Democrats if his homeland security position is stripped.
Aides to the president-elect did not return requests for comment. Senate officials were unclear whether Obama would be comfortable with Lieberman maintaining his current committee post.
[.]
If Lieberman were to continue caucusing with the Democrats without being punished for his campaign conduct — Democrats say he broke a promise not to campaign negatively against Obama — the progressive community will undoubtedly be up in arms. For Obama, however, the move may be a shrewd gesture towards reconciliation, in the process taking a potentially taxing political fight off the table.
Fellow Connecticut Senate Chris Dodd, who has spoken out in favor of Lieberman remaining in the party, explained as much to reporters on Friday:
“What does Barack Obama want?… He’s talked about reconciliation, healing, bringing people together. I don’t think he’d necessarily want to spend the first month of this president-elect period, this transition period, talking about a Senate seat, particularly if someone is willing to come forward and is willing to be a member of your family in the caucus in that sense.”
A Democrat close to Lieberman, meanwhile, said he thought that keeping Lieberman in the fold “would be a good move for Obama as a way to make real his promise of new politics, a less partisan Washington and more unity. He would do so at some risk. Obviously there is a liberal wing of the party that wants Joe punished…”