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Published Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 | noon
Updated Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 | 12:05 p.m.
WASHINGTON — No news is not necessarily good news after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid met with renegade Sen. Joe Lieberman this afternoon.
Lieberman, the Independent Democrat, riled his party with his support of Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain, and his speech at this summer's Republican convention.
Lieberman stopped attending weekly Democratic meetings this fall, and some Democrats want him more severely reprimanded. Meanwhile Republicans, including Nevada Sen. John Ensign, are wooing him to switch sides.
Reid told us on election night that he and Lierberman would talk today.
As the afternoon meeting broke, Reid issued a statement saying "no decisions have been made," and talks will continue.
Democrats may be less inclined to harshly punish Lieberman after Tuesday's election failed to deliver the 60-seat majority that would allow bills to be passed with less Republican interference.
Even though Democrats gained seats in the Senate, with 56 or more now in Democratic control (a few races remain undecided), Reid may want to avoid driving Lieberman to the Republicans. Reid has often said Lieberman votes with Democrats on every issue, except the Iraq war, which is generally true.
Here's Reid statement for now:
"Today Senator Lieberman and I had the first of what I expect to be several conversations. No decisions have been made. While I understand that Senator Lieberman has voted with Democrats a majority of the time, his comments and actions have raised serious concerns among many in our caucus. I expect there to be additional discussions in the days to come, and Senator Lieberman and I will speak to our caucus in two weeks to discuss further steps.”
As a resident of Connecticut and a frequent visitor to Las Vegas, I can tell you that the image of the 'renegade' senator is wearing very thin for many people. It failed to work for Sarah Palin and I suspect that it will not work for Joe the Senator - watch for his bid for re-election to fail as many CT voters show him the way to consistency. Let's hope that Harry has shown him a few facets of his errant ways as well.
Lieberman needs to be punished for being such a turncoat.Stripping of him of his chairmanship is entirely appropriate.
I think Joe has seen the error of his ways. Hopefully he will walk to the light. We will take him on our side. We like people who stand up for what they believe in.
"We like people who stand up for what they believe in."
Spit take!!! What??? You called that attacking when I did it! Wow, you really full of it Vicki.
You said "I have an answer for everything" and then refused to respond with any sensible argument for anything you said. Seeing you make a statement that you like people who defend themselves makes me want to puke. Quite honestly!
I thought you were leaving? Seems you like to break promises. Frankly, I hope you will stay so I can continue to point out what a hypocrite you are.
"PULL!!!!"
Vicki.....let me apologize for my fellow vegan, johne. He wears his ignorance well. Please don't judge all of us by his standards. I respect Joe for standing up for what he thought was right. It just feels like a slap in the face. Sure you could understand it if John McCain did it, starting stumping for a dem?
People should call Reid's office and demand that Lieberman be punished by stripping him of his chairmanships and boot him out of the caucus.
Thanks Nancy. To be honest, I wrote johne off hours ago. He does give you dems a bad name tho. I went to a different story, but he followed me here. I guess I can understand what you are saying. We actually did have doubts where John's loyalties were in the past. To be honest, he wasn't my first choice. Was Obama your first choice?
I am a Conservative Republican.....I just want to see the Dems eat their own.
I am sure one day on a close filibuster vote that the Dems will need Lieberman's vote. If they strip him of his chairmanship and boot him out the caucus then perhaps he will vote with Republicans on those critical votes.
So please....call Reid....demand that he crush Leiberman and punish him.
No Vicki....I was supporting Hillary. So I held my nose and voted for Obama. It was hard cuz I am thinkin like you are thinkin. How could he go to church all those years. I had to vote my party, and hope I didn't make a mistake. At least now when you republicans need someone to blame, it really will be all on us.
Hey jf, becareful what you say in here. According to johne, only dems can talk. If you dare, he will rip you apart. I get what you are saying Nancy. I was a Hillary hater. But now, I would much prefer her over Obama. I think she is power hungry, no offense, but I didn't think she would try to change the face of America.
Vicki - "According to johne, only dems can talk."
Prove that is not a lie. Where did I say that?
Maybe your safe jf. It is just me he's zeroed in on. That's ok. I can take it. He doesn't bother me a bit. I consider him irrelevant!!
Got some nards huh? Good for you. Now before you attack me again for things I never said or did...
Vicki - "According to johne, only dems can talk."
Prove that is not a lie. Where did I say that?
"Hanoi" Harry Reid has no business sitting in judgement of anyone. He is an embarrassment to his state and his country.