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Harry Reid's netroots approval rating in the Kos leadership poll plummeted from 80% following the November election to to 41% in February 2007, probably as a result of his failure to do much in the way of leadership when it came to extricating us from Iraq as well as the Fox News/Nevada debacle. One can only wonder what will happen to it now that he has chosen Joe Lieberman to preen around on behalf of the Senate Democrats (of which Joe is not one) in "support of the troops," legitimizing himself and Senate support for escalation all in one fell swoop.
Forgive me if I'm a bit slow here, but the GOP worked mighty hard to get Lieberman back in the Senate. And now we're supposed to believe that Reid, Schumer et. al. are being led around by the nose because Joe might jump ship and they might lose the majority, and the committee chairs with it? Except Lieberman would never jump ship, and even if he did, they wouldn't lose the committee chairs.
Digby :
You'll have to excuse me if I'm too cynical here, but I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that Harry Reid and Chuck Shumer aren't aware of all this. Which means that all this tip-toeing around Joe Lieberman is a very fancy kabuki dance. Which also means we really have to question whether they mean to pass any legislation at all.I don't know how you can read this any other way. We pesky anti-Iraq war liberals are happy to blame him for everything and so we aren't looking at this closely enough. And Lieberman is likely very happy to play the independent maverick and doesn't mind being the Democratic Martyr of Iraq.
But I have to say that I'm just a teensy bit disappointed in the Democrats. This is a war we're talking about not some tax cut legislation. They don't have to do anything that unctuous creep tells them to do. He is holding nothing over their heads and yet everyone is pretending that they are worried about appeasing Old Joe and so they can't actually get anything done on Iraq. You can't help but wonder if Lieberman and the Senate Dems aren't working the same side after all.
Is there anyone in the Senate who isn't hiding behind Lieberman? I realize he's a great magnet for netroots hostility, but it doesn't seem to be leaving Reid exactly untouched. Kos:
Harry Reid's tacit support for the Fox News-sponsored debate in Nevada seemed hard to beat.
But apparently this is his "fuck Democrats" week, because the Senate had dibs on choosing the deliverer of the "Weekly Democratic Radio Address", and guess who got it?
Non-Democrat Joe Lieberman.
On the positive side, Matt Stoller has more on the movement afoot by the Progressive Caucus will "push for withdrawal when the next bill on Iraq War funding comes to the House floor." And that's a good thing, because I just don't see any kind of leadership emerging on this front from the constellation of interests represented by Schumer, Reid, the GOP and CFL/Lieberman that seem designed to keep us mired in Iraq (Iran?) forever.
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just got home !
bam !
Jane!
I e-mailed Reid today and told him to either lead or turn the gavel over to someone who will lead. It’s been running around in my mind for a couple or three days, but letting JoeL (CfL-CT) do the Democratic response set off the explosion. Also told him that JoeL stopped being a Democrat last August, and (greatly paraphrased) he isn’t worth the powder and shot it would take to blow him away. [minders: that’s an old, old phrase]
And, as usual, ended it with ‘Troops Home Now!’ (If they see it enough, they might get the idea.)
The major parties are two heads on the same beast. Or, to use a different analogy, they play good cop bad cop with the voters but when all is said and left undone, they’re both still cops.
My comment at Reid’s blog:
Disappointed doesn’t even come close. I personally feel betrayed by the Senate Democrats.
Schumer is on my s**t list and I will be actively supporting anyone who wants to oppose him.
Seriously, they need to go come next election. Enough of this crap.
*Edited for spelling error.
Nice Joe You’ve Got There, Harry
Be a shame if somethin’ was ta… happen to him.
Just when I thought I could not be more disappointed in Senator Reid, well, I am.
kml @
7
I haven’t been a Schumer fan for a while, but ever since the DSCC backed Lieberman, I’ve been wanting his ass *gone*. NY is too blue a state to have two DLC senators.
MY version of punaise’s eloquence.
I HATE THAT SON OF A BITCH!
and Reid really really pisses me off.
Thanks, Egregious, got you bookmarked.
whu? everyone thinks because the trial’s in recess, there’s nothing going on?!
Does Sen. Reid think, if he just looks the other way, Lieberman will go away, or behave?
It’s obvious by now that L for L is just that, no other agenda for country, troops, [presumed constituents whomever they be] or whatever.
Democratic leadership needs to come down HARD on this turncoat, not enable him! And any time he shows up in public, he ought to be questioned in depth, at length, about just what the bloomin’ heck his personal agenda is, other than pumping up his own self-image. He seems to be doing absolutely nothing else.
imho, of course…
punaise @ 6
I take it that your contempt is still flourishing?
I can not understand why there is such difficulty inside the Beltway and within traditional media with being able to understand the fact that Leiberman is not a Democrat.
Not a Lieberman fan, but it will be interesting to see what he has to say. I understand it will be on military health care issues, is this correct?
I wonder who fuck he (Reid) thinks he represents?
The 4% of America who votes D but supports Joe L?
So, when can we officially stop saying that this is all part of Reid’s Grand Master Plan, that he’s just somehow lulling the Republicans off guard so he can stick in the knife?
If I had any artistic skills whatsoever, I would draw a cartoon of the Democrats suffocating under that mountain of powder that they’ve been keeping dry all these years.
punaise, did you happen to mention your contempt for JoeLiar?
Jane,
Glad you are pursuing this. We gave Reid the chance he deserved. He’s blown it. He’s going to be the majority leader until after the next election, though. His assignment of HoJo to the weekly radio address is the biggest slap in the face of the US House taken by a Senate majority leader in quite a while. The House is proposing many progressive items which also have to go through the Senate to be presented to the president. Reid is signaling to the House that 2006 meant as little as HoJo and the Dinos would like it to be.
It’s clear, I think, what Joe got from Reid, but did Reid get anything of value from Joe? I think Reid is not all that he could be, but before I join the bash Harry bandwagon I need to see what happens next.
EPU’d from previous thread, but I hope worth the read:
Mad Dogs @ 161
Ed*ard Teller @ 20
Of the 12 Dems up for re-election next year, how many of them are in the Money Caucus, and how many seats does the People Caucus need to pick up for a majority within the majority? I guess it would be too much to hope for to pick off more than one or two Money Caucus members in the primaries…
Jane,
If they let cameras into the media room after the verdict, I suggest you have someone take a photo of the FDL desk because at some point in the future someone is going to want to place a brass plaque at the place where a new form of journalism came of age.
Thank you.
We really have to pay attention … not just to this latest insult to the voters’ wishes but to the underlying problems that keep the money party in power … even if they wear different colored ties.
EPU’d from two threads back, where I arrived late for the party:
What I want to know is what the Judiciary’s subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Rights is doing. So I went to their website and here’s what they’re doing:
Excuse me? These issues are important, but what about, just for starters,
“George W. Bush versus the U.S. Constitution: The Downing Street Memos and Deception, Manipulation, Torture, Retribution, and Cover-ups in the Iraq War and Illegal Domestic Spying,” by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Democratic Staff, a book that not only collects the evidence but also tells us what Congressman John Conyers, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, was thinking (the full text, minus a new introduction by Joseph Wilson, is available here) only last year.
Information from the website continues,
The next hearing:
3/7/2007 Hearing: “Protecting the Right to Vote: Election Deception and Irregularities in Recent Federal Elections”
That, too, is an important issue, but this should be one of the busiest and most active subcommittees in all of congress. Why isn’t it?
Conyers could change this any day if he wanted to. So why isn’t he doing his sworn duty to protect the Constitution? He professed worry on Democracy Now a week or so ago that if Congress got into impeachment, they wouldn’t be able to get any other important work done. Well, excuse me, but what is more important than defending the Constitution, which he is sworn to do?
If any of these congresspersons represent your district, please write to them and let them know that you care.
Bob in HI
Just a wee bit upset
Who is it that says their contempt for Liebermann knows no bounds? I am starting to feel that same contempt for the Democrats who allow him to prattle on…and on…and on.
Why in the world would Harry Reid allow Liebermann to speak for Democrats? He is no Democrat. Harry needs some edumacation, right quick.
Siun @ 25
never looked at the ties. maybe I should…
So firepups, are we motivated enough to grease the squeaky wheels?
Fire up the fax machines people, we have got a job to do. The Blue community has taken notice and the response will be swift and concise.
No fax machine? Go to Efax.com and take the free month trial.
Reid and Schumer need a much clearer picture of where America needs to go, let’s draw it for them.
On another note. I called Conyers office on Friday. The staffer (who was very upbeat and righteous sounding) said to expect some Judiciary action regading the sworn testimony in the Plame Trial.
Fireworks in March. Let the show begin.
what is the link to Reid’s blog?
ET - you’ve always been looking at the heart of darkness behind those suits!
Text of Lieberman address. Could have been delivered by Bush:
Good morning. I’m Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut with a message about improving care for America’s military heroes - our wounded troops who have served our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Recent reports in the Washington Post have uncovered completely unacceptable living conditions and inadequate services that some of our wounded warriors have been forced to endure at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. While it is clear that our soldiers do receive the best state of the art battlefield and in-patient medical treatment for their injuries, that high quality care has not extended to their out-patient treatment and recovery. For instance, soldiers with brain injuries have gone weeks without being able to get doctors appointments. There is not enough staff with the right skills to treat and care for the severely injured troops. And rooms where some soldiers lived were found to be moldy and infested with rodents. Our nation has no greater moral and patriotic responsibility than to ensure that these brave Americans receive first class treatment — not only immediately after their injuries, but for their entire lives, through the Veterans Administration. The White House and Congress have an urgent obligation now to fix the neglect at Walter Reed and the longer term issues that affect our wounded veterans. That means we must act immediately to bring the buildings there up to standard so that they are safe, clean, and comfortable. We must make sure enough of the right health care professionals are there to treat our service members. We also must remove the bureaucratic red tape that overburdens our troops and their loved ones when they are most vulnerable. No injured soldier should have to spend a year waiting at Walter Reed to find out whether he or she will be reassigned to new duties or discharged from the Army as disabled. It is our responsibility to take care of our service members not only when they are serving our country, but for their entire lives. It is outrageous that veterans are waiting months and months to see the doctors they need. It is unacceptable that service members and veterans suffering from mental illness are not receiving the proper care. We know what the needs of our returning troops and veterans will be and we must build a life-long treatment system that serves their needs fully. Now, the President and Congress must hold the Pentagon and Army chain of command accountable for the neglect of our soldiers at Walter Reed; and together, we must prevent this from ever happening again. We can all agree that taking care of our military veterans is one of America’s greatest responsibilities. We are and must continue to be united as a country to ensure that our heroes - those who have served us - receive the care that they deserve. This is no less than our moral imperative. I’m Senator Joe Lieberman. Thank you for listening.
punaise @
6
Excellent!
Jane, I would venture to speculate that another reason for all that continued Lieberman luvvin’ is the very simple fact that Joe4Joe is mucho tight with the money centers of power.
It certainly ain’t because of his movie-star good looks nor his adherence to Democratic Party principles.
Follow the money and one will find Joe4Joe as entree to the Money-merchants.
And nothin’ satifies politicos more than money. Not sex, not good food and drink, not even publicity. Nope, money tis a politico’s BFF!
Nice! But I hope they don’t screw up anything Fitz has going forward.
bg @
30
gotta dash, but if you do a search for “TeddySanFran” in last night’s Late Night you will find it.
Mad Dogs @ 34
I’ve been suggesting that it’s due to his prodigious sexual magnetism, but no-one ever takes me seriously.
Gromit @ 32
That speech has Rove and Snow’s fingerprints all over it.
bg @
19
oh, bleakly…
My contempt for LIEberman knows no bounds and is quickly being joined by my contempt for all the democrats elected to congress save for the Progressive Caucus.
God, do we have a lot of work to do.
I’m just as pissed off and frustrated by Reid as anyone here, but I can’t help wonder if the Senate’s collegial structure isn’t at play here. It is, after all, what contributed greatly to letting John Ashcroft become Attorney General even though he seems to lack even basic knowledge of law.
No doubt Lieberman plays the schmooze game as well as anyone, and considering what a slimy politician he is I’m sure he’s insinuated himself into being “friends” with many Senators. I could see where Reid and others would be blinded into thinking Lieberman’s not hated by everyone in the real world.
This still doesn’t excuse Reid’s actions, he is becoming very disappointing. Washington, D.C., is such a poisonous and out-of-touch place.
RevDeb @ 40
(Emphasis added)
That’s why we went to seminary, right?
Bedtime reading:
It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis. After that Joe Conason’s It Can Happen Here. Not only can it, it is happening here. Books are calling . . . . .night all.
Peterr @ 42
I went to seminary to gain the skills to serve a church. I’m finding that in this world as it is today a whole new skill set is needed. We’ve go a lot of “praying with our feet” to do!
Thanks, Gromit, (how about a bit of Stilton, I’m feeling a little peckish, heh) for posting the Lieberman address.
Taken by itself, with no context, I see nothing to disagree with in what he said. But.
It is, of course, what is left unsaid that most here will find difficult.
RevDeb @ 44
“Serving a church” does indeed require a whole new set of skills. Glad to be walking along side you as we “pray with our feet.”
Joe Lieberman may be a complete ass but the Democratic leadership will never get their own shill-asses behind anyone else without good poll numbers. We need to push for Obama, with ground roots support.
You know … I am just tired of all the ways we try to find ways to excuse them gosh, Reid is really being strategic, or gee, they’re friends after all or … bs. I’ve just finished my weekly post for Today In Iraq (http://www.dailywarnewsblog.com) and there is no excuse, none, for what is happening there …
Eli @ 37
I do, but then I’m sittin’ in the cheap seats. *g*
jeffreyw @ 45
You mean like pointing out that this is utterly typical of the way the Bush administration runs the government, and doesn’t give a shit about our troops?
puppethead @ 41
Now that at least 65% of the country has turned against the war, how could anyone possibly believe a Senator whois NOT a democrat and is still gung ho for it would be well received by said majority. These bastards don’t give a rats ass what the American people say. Poisonous, and out of touch is a VERY diplomatic way to put it.
Actually I think this is good. The fact is that the leadership in the Senate are weasles. The job of taking over the Democratic Party is far from complete although we have made a beachhead. It is the next election cycle that we have an opportunity to make some real progress. This interim time period is best looked at as a time to identify the enemy within. It’s becoming increasingly obvious. The battle lines are being drawn. I like our chances. But make no mistake and don’t pretend to be surprised. The biggest fight ahead of us now is internal. Nationally, the Republicans have been discredited in this cycle. The struggle is for the soul of the Democratic Party.
tbsa @ 51
“Suicidal” comes to mind.
What if Senator Sanders (I-VT) decided to no longer caucus with the Democrats? Wouldn’t that pull the rug out from under JoeLie and finally force the Democrats to take a stance.
Senator Reid is still playing congress as if the Democrats are the minority party. He plays it because it’s a role which is comfortable to him. He’s lazy, and lacks vision!
The struggle is for the soul of the Democratic Party.
SW makes a very good point.
Teresa 1958 @ 47
Sorry, but all signs are pointing to Obama’s being one of the members of the club. I am FAR from being sold on him. Light years far.
Mad Dogs @ 22
Tell me more.
Whether Joe stays or goes … and whether Bernie stays or goes … the Dems retain control of committees. It would take a new organizing resolution to change that and they have the votes to block that.
Yep
Eli @ 53
Exactly, sadly. This whole thing is just killing my brain. There’s a revolution going on and the people in charge seem to have no freakin’ clue.
Not that this is a new thing or anything, but I was trying to have some hope, y’know?
mod note … watch for zigs please … just a warning so we don’t break the margins.
Thanks!
Sound off to Harry Reid at his Community Blog, where I’ve diaried WHY???
Comments welcome.
Siun@48 - great blog. It is truly awful what is happening. Feels pathetic to be sitting here typing
puppethead @
41
You have have a point about collegiality being a factor — particularly when senators serve for too long. The excuse I got from Levin about his remaining neutral on Lamont after Lamont won CT’s primary was that Liebermuncher was a long-time friend of his.
And my response is this: Senator, your friendship has interfered with your job performance. You’d be fired in the corporate world for less.
Collegiality my *ss. They aren’t paid to be friends. They are paid to represent us, we, the people.
Maybe he’s being blackmailed. All the illegal wiretapping could be used to keep lots of folks, Repubicans & Democrats, in line.
Siun @ 62
Siun, I keep forgetting - is it 4 nested comments that is the margin buster?
RevDeb@74 - Respectfully can’t agree with you at all and there is no evidence whatsoever that Obama is anyone but his own man, as much as any man running for president can be.
WE NEED A SECOND POLITICAL PARTY!
Mad Dogs … first off, be careful about the comments about tree hugging, etc … folks like Marcy just recently lobbied congress as part of the big Move On project.
Lobbyists are very expensive people and our blogs do not even afford to pay the bloggers … K Street costs which is why the big money crew have the big lobbyists.
Better yet - let’s make sure we use all the means we have to destroy the hold of the lobbyists and return to rule of the people.
Latest FaBlog: AdNags — “Get Me Rewrite!”
Suzanne .. I’m never sure … let’s say 4 to be safe … less to be safer.
(that’s what we get for letting Lurking Mod have a night off!)
For what it worth the only people who listen to the radio address are the press and new junkies. This is as good as dead air.
Making all campaigns publicly financed would be a mighty fine start.
As has come up before several times, if Joe Lieberman switches parties–nothing happens. Harry Reid is still Majority Leader. It is not like the situation with Jeffords.
However, the GOP Lieberman could try to pass an organizing resolution. One might think that they would have a tough time actually getting that resolution to the floor for a vote.
I called Kennedy’s office and asked them about this. The staffer, who was not super sure about it, said he thought that resolution could not be filibustered. I find that hard to believe. And more importantly, he said Dems wouldn’t likely filibuster even if they could.
I tried these out on him as arguments his caucus might use to filibuster: “Over 70 million Americans went to the polls this last November and voted to put our party in charge–we can’t let them all be held hostage by Joe Lieberman’s breaking of his promise”; or “Joe Lieberman promised his voters he would caucus with us, and we intend to protect those citizens of Connecticut, who have no other way to recall him.”
He said, “I see your point.”
Sigh.
Suzanne @ 56
Welcome to the fight. Deaniacs have been at this since 2003; their first victory was placing a real activist in the DNC instead of another lobbying whore as chair. The second victory was becoming a viable machine through grassroots candidates like Ned Lamont. The third victory was the initial successes of the 50-State Strategy.
But we are only now entering the next phase, wherein we find, recruit, groom and fund primary candidates to contest these wretchedly entrenched old-schoolers in Washington.
This is a movement, consisting of many skirmishes, battles, lengthy wars, lasting what may be generations, until the conservative movement and its corollary corporatist movement that infests the Democratic Party are completely removed as political entities with any real clout. The dismissal of the USA’s should make it clear that we are up against an opposition that is willing to burn down its entire house to continue the radicalization of every branch of government.
Each of us must be prepared to make small sacrifices, small investments in the process; it may have been letters to the editor last year, but this year we need Meetups and money along with those letters, and next year we need all that plus doorknocking and phonecalls if we are to win the soul of the Democratic Party and take back our country.
chady @ 66
ding !!
Teresa 1958 @ 68
My big complaint about Senator Obama is that, as far as I am concerned, we don’t know what he really stands for, if indeed he stands for anything. He’s an incredible orator, but, to me, his words sound empty.
- Liss, The Poster Formerly Known as DreamingCrow (TPFKAD)
Or just select, copy, and quote the gist of the posts.
Organic George @ 73
Good point. While the symbolism of having turncoat Joe deliver the Democratic response is like a poke in the eye of the activists with a pointy stick, maybe it’s a way to stroke Lieberman’s ego in a low-impact way and give Reid some more power over him.
Here I am sort of defending Reid some more, which isn’t really what I want to do. But anyone who’s read Shakespeare (except Dubya) or Machiavelli knows what kind of machinations can be necessary in the corridors of power.
TeddySanFran @ 77
Right on. Aftearll, it’s not like the gov’t will be spying on average americans - the cost would be astronomical. However, spying on 200 or 500 congress critters and insiders may be nice.
Nothing like having your opposition meet in dark alleys to discuss affairs to make them TRUELY feel like outsiders…
Siun @ 70
Lobbying does not cost big bucks. If you organize the readers at FDL to go the the hill, make your appointments ahead of time, then thousands of people can call on congress. It’s better that marching in the street.
This is how lobbying is supposed to work. The blogging community has to move to the next level.
Esperanza@78 - With all due respect I think that we have gone so long hearing empty words that we are unable to imagine them spoken with sincerity and meaning. Like the boy who cried wolf, he’s here. Obama.
Good advice Jeffreyw!
On Obama - see reports of his speech to AIPAC last night:
Obama on Iran, Iraq and Israel
SW @ 52
The struggle is for the soul of the Democratic Party.
How many sold theirs to SAIC? It’s turn-over rate is astonishing. It’s revolving door so endless it could be a power source in itself.. if you read Vanity Fair March issue you know exactly what I mean. The read is LONG… worth printing and taking with you while you sit on a plane, a train or a toilet.
http://www.vanityfair.com/poli.....ency200703
Side note: my head still hurts from reading it.. and I thought the jury note with the double negative was an ouch factor.. that was a cake-walk compared.
Howard Dean better understand I will be monitoring this webpage closely over the next few days. If RGJoe’s radio address appears at the DNC, I am cashing out my Democracy Bond.
Reid is a putz. After Lamont beat Lieberman in the CT Democratic primary Reid should have used his authority to rally the Democrats in the Senate around Lamont their actual nominee. But instead they sat on their hands and let Rove and Lieberman work together to pull off a win. And then the bastards welcomed Lieberman back to the Senate with a standing ovation.
Oy.
Teresa 1958 @ 83
Have you read either of his books. Might give you more of a feeling for who the man really is. He makes some surprising revalations. It’s not fair to paint everyone with the same broad stroke.
Teddy … I’ve been very happy to have a monthly payment to our Blue America PAC set up … means I know who will control the donations and esp that none of it will go to folks like Lieberman!
tbsa@88 - I have read his books and support him wholeheartedly. One of the first genuinely good men to run for office in a very long time.
Terry Olson @ 58
During the Repug’s reign of power in Congress, it came to be quite well known that Lobbyists were welcomed and happily ensconced in the Committee Rooms and Legislators’ offices doing the actual writing of the legislation.
The Repug K Street
banditslobbyists were extremely effective in delivering for their clients.As much as one of an ethical mind and progressive principles can find a repugnance in the Repug’s results, I do not find an aversion to the method.
Numerous Netroots blogs like Firedoglake, DailyKos, Huffington’s Post have raised enormous sums of money to bootstrap progressive candidates’ campaigns.
It is not much of a jump from raising money for political campaigns to creating and funding full-time, effective lobbying representation.
It probably does suffer in the “image business” compared to funding a political candidate, but a permanent, full-time and effective lobbying organization can deliver dramatic results.
I don’t personally have all the solutions on how to make this come about, but I do indeed believe that the Netroots must take this next step in the political process if we want stuff to happen in the halls of Congress.
Gettin’ folks elected ain’t enough! Not while the real business of writing laws, appropriating funds, and just general all-around direction of the runnin’ of the government is actually being done by lobbyists in power suits and power ties.
No sense attending the Prom if you ain’t gonna dance!
BTW and OT — just got in from watching a bad red moon rising, but it turned yellow and white soon after. Did any East Coasters grab a look at the eclipse tonite?
Didja see the bathroom on the right?
TeddySanFran@92 - saw it in Chicago earlier and it was beautiful. Binaculars helped.
Gromit @ 32