Senator Joseph Lieberman was on with Sean Hannity this evening. The Independent Democrat made it clear he was open to the possibility of supporting a Republican candidate for President in 2008. Given that he was on the last Dem ticket, that's quite a switch.
While many are talking about Lieberman possibly changing his party affiliation over legislation on the Iraq War, it appears it would not change the way the Senate organizes.
If Lieberman were to caucus with the Republicans, they would still not take full control of the Senate, despite Vice President Dick Cheney's ability to break 50-50 ties. This is because of a little-known Senate organizing resolution, passed in January, which gives Democrats control of the Senate and committee chairmanships until the beginning of the 111th Congress.
It sounds like the Democrats planned for this. I am assuming that it is unconstitutional... Anyone know?
It would be nice to see him join the GOP, During the midterm elections I was thinking that I could support Lieberman for any GOP position, or even as a Democrat. He is one of the few Democrats who don't tow the company line (look at caucus chairs to figure out why that happens)... All in all I would love to see him switch sides (I would think he would be inclined to after being thrown under the bus), but either way, he's a good guy... in the wrong party.
Posted by: Jeff | Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 07:35 PM
I hate to be the morbid guy here, but you're fogetting about Sen. Tim Johnson's situation. Still, Senators Hagel or Chaffee would probably defect for a Chairmanship promise.
Posted by: Granddaddy Long Legs | Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 08:31 PM
"It sounds like the Democrats planned for this. I am assuming that it is unconstitutional... Anyone know?"
How very sinister, voting on the organizational rules at the start of a session just like every other Senate in history. A coup d'etat 241 years in the making!
Posted by: scarshapedstar | Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 08:39 PM
You guys can have him. Any of you heros read this?
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/02/22/D8NF47VG0.html
Abort the mission!!!
Posted by: BobInStamford | Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 08:51 PM
Interesting, Bob, but if you couldn't get a vote on a non-binding resolution last week, how do you propose to get a vote on this proposal?
Posted by: templar knight | Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 09:13 PM
"Still, Senators Hagel or Chaffee would probably defect for a Chairmanship promise."
Chafee lost to Sheldon Whithouse... But Hagel is still conservative in many lights, but its a distinct possibility.
And about the Breitbart story... its not aything new, but there is no way with a 50-49 split (removing Sen Johnson) to get 60 votes, sure Specter, Coleman, Snowe, and the other 3 anti-war GOPers will vote with the Dems, but Lieberman will vote with the GOP... That makes a 55-44 vote (assuming Hillary hasn't murder Obama yet, or vice versa.) So no chance of it passing... it;s not a simple majority vote.
Posted by: Jeff | Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 09:15 PM
Joe owes the Dems nada....He is a liberal,but we will take him....he gets it.
Posted by: Darth Malice | Friday, February 23, 2007 at 12:47 AM
Election time! Who should win the award for "stupidest statement posted in this thread"?
1) Dan, for saying that Lieberman was "on the last Dem ticket." (He wasn't.)
2) Jeff, for saying that Lieberman is "one of the few Democrats who don't tow the company line." (Does that mean he's not a barge mule?)
or
3) Grandaddy Long Legs, for saying that "Senators Hagel or Chaffee would probably defect for a Chairmanship promise." (Hint: Senator Chaffee died in 1886 and Senator Chafee left the Senate in 2006.)
Vote early, vote often.
Posted by: Oregonian | Friday, February 23, 2007 at 01:13 AM
Oregonian,everytime I think of Chaffee out of the senate it warms my cold conservative heart......Joe give in to the dark side of the force....it is your destiny.
Posted by: Darth Malice | Friday, February 23, 2007 at 01:24 AM
"Given that he was on the last Dem ticket, that's quite a switch."
Oregonian beat me to it, duh Dan.
Posted by: TheSpartan | Friday, February 23, 2007 at 04:33 AM
for BobinStamford on
"Senate Dems Move to Limit Iraq Mission"
go for it! in fact forget limits - work with your majority in the house and defund it altogether. There will be republican majorities into the 22nd century. you will finally cement your party as the party of defeat. my only question is what political party will replace you. this has to be a secret plan by Karl Rove.
Posted by: ming666 | Friday, February 23, 2007 at 05:54 AM
(Hint: Senator Chaffee died in 1886 and Senator Chafee left the Senate in 2006.)
Chafee left the Senate in 2007, Oregonian. I think you win!
Extra points for missing the Senator Chafee that died in 1999.
Posted by: Pablo | Friday, February 23, 2007 at 07:54 AM
Linc Chaffee did not leave in 06,his sorry liberal Rino butt was booted.
Posted by: Darth Malice | Friday, February 23, 2007 at 08:11 AM
Yeah, that's my bad (and a little embarassing). In my rush to comment, I forgot that Chafee lost. But my comment had more to do with the fact that I haven't heard about the Senate organizing resolution, and am wondering what would happen under the resolution if Sen. Lieberman defects and the Democrats can only muster 49 votes (without Sen. Johnson)? This kind of party defection happened fairly recently with Sen. Jeffords, so I don't think it would be out of bounds if it happened now in reverse. Thoughts?
Posted by: Granddaddy Long Legs | Friday, February 23, 2007 at 08:11 AM
Granddaddy,Lieberman maybe a liberal,but he wants to defend us....I would love to see Reids puss after Joe leaves.
Posted by: Darth Malice | Friday, February 23, 2007 at 08:14 AM
"Lieberman Would Support Republican For Prez"
Also, water would be wet.
Posted by: Zifnab | Friday, February 23, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Z....he is a liberal,does that not mean anything to you?
Posted by: Darth Malice | Friday, February 23, 2007 at 11:01 AM