The Dwarf throws in the towel: Sen. "Crazy" Joe Lieberman announces he is not running for re-election

By Pablo Fanque
National Affairs Editor

Sen. "Crazy" Joe Lieberman has announced he is not running for re-election in 2012.  I hope retirement enjoys that treacherous, sawed-off scumbag as much as we have!   Below are a few links to stories we've run on The Dwarf in the last few years.  Good riddance.

http://jackbrummet.blogspot.com/2010/02/senator-crazy-joe-lieberman-on-going-it.html
http://jackbrummet.blogspot.com/2009/10/joe-lieberman-has-finally-made-richard.html
http://jackbrummet.blogspot.com/2008/11/senator-crazy-joe-lieberman-lives-to.html
http://jackbrummet.blogspot.com/2008/11/joe-lieberman-reckoning.html
http://jackbrummet.blogspot.com/2008/08/speaker-of-house-rips-into-dwarf.html
http://jackbrummet.blogspot.com/2008/08/crazy-joe-liberman-on-vp-short-list-for.html
---o0o---

Senator "Crazy" Joe Lieberman, on going it Republican style in 2012

Dear GOP:

I hope you enjoy that treacherous, sawed-off dingbat as much as we have!

Love,

Pablo Fanque
National Affairs Editor

---o0o---

Joe Lieberman has finally made Richard Nixon seem warm and cuddly

Reporting and analysis By Pablo Fanque, All This Is That National Affairs Editor

Illustrations and digital art By Jack Brummet, All This that creative director

Sen. Joe Lieberman ("Independent," Conn.) said Tuesday that he’d back a GOP filibuster of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s health care reform bill. The most shocking thing about the fallout from the left is that they were surprised when one of the most despicable and treacherous turncoats in the history of the Democratic Party stuck it to them once again. I wrote about Lieberman's duplicity here, in December, 2005: With Friends Like Joe Lieberman, The Democrats Need No Enemies.

The sawed-off turncoat appears to have second
thoughts as he marches onto the Senate floor
to vote against his former comrades in arms

Lieberman, caucuses with Democrats (but officially broke away), and positions himself as a fiscal hawk on health care on any bill that includes a government-run insurance program — even if it includes a provision allowing states to opt out, as Reid's Senate bill will. Whatever the Dems propose will come out watered down, a husk of the dream. And yet the battle is not over. Who knows, we may see defections on both sides of the aisle. It's that kind of year.

"We're trying to do too much at once," Lieberman said. “To put this government-created insurance company on top of everything else is just asking for trouble for the taxpayers, for the premium payers and for the national debt. I don’t think we need it now." Interestingly, he fails to mention reduced profits for his good friends in the insurance business, or that he enjoys his gold-plated government health insurance just fine.



When asked about Lieberman’s threat to filibuster a final vote on the Reid plan, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said: "I haven't seen the report from Sen. Lieberman or why he's saying what he's saying. I think Democrats and Republicans alike will be held accountable by their constituents who want to see health care reform enacted this year.”

Lieberman said that he’d vote against a public option plan “even with an opt-out because it still creates a whole new government entitlement program for which taxpayers will be on the line." His comments confirmed that Reid is probably still short of the 60 votes needed to advance the bill out of the Senate

Lieberman said he “very much” wants to vote for health care reform but that he’s worried about stifling “the economic recovery we’re in” or adding to the federal debt. Really? It doesn't have anything to do with the dozens of insurance companies headquartered in Connecticut, or the "donations" from those companies that flow so often and richly into his campaign coffers

You know from previous articles on All This Is That that we consider him a Republicrat at best, and at worst, a rat, a Judas Goat, and a turncoat spoiler, leading Democrats astray in the guise of moderation. Is anyone even listening to him except the Republicans? No. And the GOP don't trust him anymore than they do their own turncoat, Senator Arlen Specter. Any sane Democrat wrote him off years ago; he reinforced our thinking with his bumbling and pathetic run for the Presidency in 2004. He was a disastrous pick as Gore's Vice President in 2000, and his 2007/2008 defense of, and cozying up to The Bush White House was a clear signal that he would switch parties the moment it was most politically expedient for him to do so.

The Democrats continue to caucus with him for no other reason than he votes with us once in a while. With friends like this sawed-off weasel, who needs enemies? It's difficult for even the most conservative of Democrats to forget his spirited defense of President Bush's handling of the Iraq war and his continual toadying up to President Bush and his hatchet-man, Dick Cheney.


And still, Joe Lieberman lives.

---o0o---

Senator "Crazy" Joe Lieberman lives to see another day

Barack Obama wisely led his party to save Senator "Crazy" Joe Lieberman from complete ignominy earlier this week. As much as I dislike the sawed-off, ferrett-faced turncoat, keeping the independent Senator in the fold once again points out Obama's incredibly wise and pragmatic approach to governing. My inclination, like many, was to punish Lieb for his transgressions. But Obama sent out word and spoke kindly of Joe, and, in the end, he survived. . .and kept his Homeland Security chairmanship.

Lierberman embraced George Bush on Iraq, and supported McCain in many appearances and interviews. Most of us could forgive all that. What is much harder to swallow is his speech at the Republican Convention--a point-blank assault on Obama, and the rest of us. In the end, though, Lieberman is a true Democrat. He split with us on the war issue, but on virtually every other issue, he relentlessly votes the party line.

Majority Leaer Harry Reid said “Joe Lieberman votes with me a lot more than a lot of my senators. He didn’t support us on military stuff, and he didn’t support us on Iraq stuff. But you look at his record, it’s pretty good.” The Majority whip, Richard Durbin, also had nice things to say about Crazy Joe. So we do have him to kick around for a while longer. Like many of Barack Obama's other one-time enemies, I suspect he'll hop on the bandwagon and become a real team player. Who knows? He might even join the Democrats again.

--o0o---

Joe Lieberman: The Reckoning

Senator "Crazy" Joe Lieberman's day of reckoning is at hand. Interestingly, Barack Obama, whom he mercilessly slagged during the presidential campaign, has the least appetite of anyone for making him pay. Obama will take office as a relentless advocate of bi-partisanship and he will not allow Lieb to be drummed out of the party. Nor will he punish John McCain for his transgressions. In fact, I bet you will see John McCain step up and work very closely with Obama on some of those key issues.

I know why this will happen, but I still wish we couldn't take Lieberman to the woodshed for his much-deserved 40 whacks.
---o0o---

Don't pop the cork yet — with two weeks to go Obama himself admits anything can happen.

click to enlarge


By Pablo Fanque
All This Is That National Affairs Editor

Some of my friends say I am too pessimistic about the Democrat chances of regaining the White House. I think I've been realistic. Senator Obama agreed and warned supporters that the election is not over yet!:

“Don’t underestimate our ability to screw it up,” said Barack Obama just last week.

1) The polls now show Barack Obama solidly in the lead, ranging from 14 points to 2 or 3, with a sweet spot somewhere in the middle, about 7 points in Obama's favor.

But: we have to remember that Hubert Horatio Humphrey was also well ahead weeks before the election. Harry Truman was at least 7 points behind Dewey until that election night surprise.
2) Obama is already speculating about his cabinet. including names like John Kerry, Chuck Hagel, a republican who may become the next defense secretary. Surely his foreign policy advisor Susan Rice will have a slot somewhere in the administration. Former NATO general Jim Jones may be on the list, and Republican Richard Lugar as well.

But: Obama has to tread a fine line here. How many Senators does he, or do we, really want in the cabinet? John Kerry, while loyal and capable, surely doesn't play well to the theme of change. And change will be important coming out of the gate January 21st. Obama will undoubtedly name at least a couple of Republicans to top posts.

George W. Bush brought in a handful of old veterans to his administration, and it did not work out well. Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Colin Powell were the "experienced" ones who would help the green President Bush.

3) Colin Powell finally came out today and said in public what many people already knew. He is endorsing Obama. He will no doubt remain a top advisor to Obama, but will probably not take a post in the administration. Iraq is still too much in the forefront, and his role in that is still in everyone's memory. This morning's endorsement by Powell, who was often mentioned as a possible VP candidate for McCain, feels like one of the last nails on the coffin, whether he is part of the Obama administration or not (and in any case he will be an important advisor, as he has been in the campaign).

But: There is Joe the Plumber Wurzelbacher out there making a lot of noise and being trumpeted by Sarah Palin. Actually, I think we all know Joe the Plumber is just a blip on the screen of the rapidly eroding, sometimes deranged "base."

4) Obama is on the offensive now, storming into, and doing well in, longstanding Republican strongholds like Virginia and scaring the beejesus out of the G.O.P.

But: he may not pick up many traditional stronghold states like Florida and Ohio. Fortunately, he may not need them because he's strong in the blue states and making inroads into several red states. The possibility still remains that this election will be an electoral college pile-on.

5) The economy looms over nearly every decision and every action in these last few weeks. Obama has a strong flank of economic advisors, including people like Warren Buffet and Paul Volcker. He has proffered a coherent economic plan and seriously knocked Senator McCain off whatever game he still had left.

But: Paul Volcker is 81, and Buffet is not a young man either. Buffet also owns chunks of several financial institutions now. It doesn't seem likely wither of them will be in an Obama cabinet. . .but there are plenty of highly qualified people waiting in the wings.

Obama will clearly come out of the gate strong on the economy. I think we know where he will get his advice. It's not so clear who the front men and women will be. McCain is making no headway on the economy, and has, in fact, lost support following the recent economic meltdown.

**************************************

It's too early to celebrate or be cocky. Democrats need to stay focused the next 15 days. Obama has a strong game going into the last two weeks. The Promised Land lies just around the next corner.

It's now up to the voters to actually get to the polls, mail in their ballots, harangue their neighbors, send money to the campaign, and then get ready to celebrate for the first time since 1996.

The celebration may become even sweeter before it's all over. Just last week, an editorial in The Wall Street Journal last week warned of the distinct possibility of a “liberal super-majority” in the Senate (e.g., 60%). The Dems could end up with a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, basically ensuring they can pass whatever they want, and get at least two left of center candidates onto the Supreme Court.

There is one (former) Democrat who may end up out in the cold after the election: the dwarf from Connecticut, Senator "Crazy" Joe Lieberman. If the 60 person supermajority does not need to include his votes, Joe Lieberman may well find himself handing out towels in the Senate Cloakroom.
---o0o---

Speaker of the House rips into the dwarf (Senator Joe Lieberman)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blasted Sen. Joe Lieberman on Wednesday for his "totally irresponsible" remarks about Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and warned that the Senate might retaliate by revoking Lieberman's committee chairmanship (if they take control and no longer need his 51st vote).

Pelosi chastised some of Hillary Rodham Clinton's more vitriolic supporters for being "less than gracious" toward Obama. She did, however, praise the Senator for supporting Obama after their brutal primary fight.

Pelosi's interview with KGO Radio (810 AM) talk show host Ronn Owens [who was on the KGO in the mid 80's when I lived there] in San Francisco is certain to roil the Clinton backers, despite the fact they got their wish to have her name placed in nomination. But the House speaker's excoriation of Lieberman, was the big news and is certain to please hard core Democrats, who are angry at Lieberman's continual rips on Obama.

On Tuesday in Pennsylvania, Senator Lieberman questioned Obama's patriotism, calling the election a choice "between one candidate, John McCain, who has always put his country first, worked across party lines to get things done, and one candidate that has not."

Pelosi was asked by a caller on Owens' show what could be done about the attacks from Lieberman, the Democrats' 2000 vice presidential nominee who, though an independent, still caucuses with the Democrats in the Senate. "One of their best weapons, of course, is someone who is considered by some to be a Democrat."

Pelosi mentioned the timidity of Senate Democrats taking on Lieberman while his vote is crucial to preserving the Democrats' 51-49 majority. And she alluded to the fact that Lieberman's top spot on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will be in jeopardy if Democrats gain seats in the Senate in November.

"In 85 days or something, they will have five more Democrats. They won't need him to make the majority. And it will be interesting to see what the leadership in the Senate, the Democratic leadership in the Senate, does at that point in terms of Joe Lieberman's chairmanship of his committee."

"Crazy" Joe Liberman on the VP short list--for McCain

By Pablo Fanque,
All This Is That National Affairs Editor


"Don't move back Mr. President. I'm getting a chubby."

According to a story in the Financial Times by Stephanie Kirchgaessner, Joe Lieberman, former Democratic vice-presidential nominee/Democrat turncoat, who endorsed John McCain for President, is being vetted as a running mate for the Republican presidential hopeful an unnamed McCain advisor said.


From an All This Is That staff artist, two years ago - August 9, 2006


"John, he's all yours. You can have the P.O.S."


The Senator at a Press Conference with Donald Rumsfeld

Although Democrats haven't exactly been buying McCain’s tarnished image as a maverick politician, Mr. Lieberman’s support for the presumptive Republican nominee has the unfortunate effect of making McCain seem more palatable, as a bi-partisan legislator with friends on both sides of the aisle. Lieberman, could also help Mr McCain win over Jewish voters with his steadfast support for Israel.

But you know what? No one likes a rat, and in the end, what is Joe Lieberman but a sawed-off Neo-Republican apologist for Israel who turned his back on his Democratic brothers and sisters in their hour of greatest need? Sure, you'll use a rat; you'll exploit him to get to the next stage, but in the end, a rat is a rat is a rat. People will trust him as far as they can throw him (what is the record for dwarf-tossing, anyway?).

The odds of John McCain surviving two terms in office are not specifically all that good. Eight of 43 Presidents have died in office, and he will be the oldest President ever. Even if he seems palatable as a running mate, not many people on either side of the aisle are ready for a Lieberman Presidency. The republicans know he has certain liberal tendencies they may find unpalatable. The Democrats know he is an unprincipled weasel who shouldn't be trusted with even an obscure subcommittee chairmanship. McCain will come to his senses once this trial balloon is laughed off the table. McCain will come to his senses and pick a nice, bland running mate who can carry one important state, and do no collateral damage.


---o0o---

Obama selects ex-Democrat Joe Lieberman as Vice President/running mate

The new partners discuss the finer points of the ongoing
campaign for the White House.


Birds of a feather

Senator Barack Obama today stunned Democrats and even his own staffers by announcing he would select Senator Joe Lieberman (now an independent) as his running mate. The statement sent shockwaves through the Obama network of supporters.


It wasn't so long ago that Obama praised the turncoat former Democrat Senator. There is no question, Obama has long been a Lieberman fan...click here for more on that.

"I know that some in the party have differences with Joe," Senator Obama said, all but silencing the crowd. "I'm going to go ahead and say it. It's the elephant in the room. And Joe and I don't agree on everything. But what I know is, Joe Lieberman's a man with a good heart, with a keen intellect, who cares about the working families of America." Then, with applause beginning to build, he finished the thought: "I am absolutely certain that Connecticut's going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the United States Senate." That time, people cheered loudly.
---o0o---