Philosophy
Seems to me that there are four possible explanations for the Lieberman fiasco:
(1) The caucus believes that they are at 60 with Begich and Franken and the super-majority was more important than Lieberman's behavior.
(2) Obama is serious about ending partisanship as we know it and used this as a symbol of that change.
(3) The weak-kneed, spineless DC Dems collapsed yet again because that's just what they do.
(4) Obama reached into his bag of Chicago and had a conversation that went something like this:
Obama: (sitting behind his desk, petting a cat)Why did you go to McCain? Why didn't you come to me first?
Lieberman: What do you want of me? Tell me anything. But do what I beg you to do.
Obama: What is that?
Lieberman: The chairmanship of Homeland Security.
Obama: That I cannot do.
Lieberman: I'll give you anything you ask.
Obama: We've known each other many years, but this is the first time you ever came to me for counsel, for help. I can't remember the last time that you invited me to your office for a cup of coffee, even though I supported you in your primary run against Lamont. But let's be frank here, you never wanted my friendship and you were afraid to be in my debt.
Lieberman: I didn't want to get into trouble.
Obama: I understand. You found paradise in the Senate, had a good committee assignment, made a good living. Fox News protected you; and there was David Broder. And you didn't need a friend like me. But now you come to me and you say -- "Barack Obama, give me Homeland Security." -- But you don't ask with respect. You don't offer friendship. You don't even think to call me President-Elect. Instead, you come into my house after I win the election, and you ask me for justice.
Lieberman: Not justice, I ask you for Homeland Security.
Obama: That is not justice; you still have your seat even after losing the primary...Lieberman, Lieberman, what have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? Had you endorsed me, then this chairmanship would be yours, even if you supported the war. And that by chance if an honest man such as yourself should make enemies, then they would become my enemies. And then they would fear you.
Lieberman: Be my friend -- President-Elect? (Lieberman kisses Obama's ring)
Obama: Good. Some day, and that day may never come, I'll call upon you for a vote. But, until that day -- accept Homeland Security as a gift on my election day.
Lieberman (as he leaves the room): Grazie, President-Elect.
Obama: Prego.
- Lieberman To Be Indicted: Middle East Peace Possible
From the Washington Post:Israeli police Sunday recommended that the state indict Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on charges of bribery, fraud, money laundering, witness harassment and obstruction of justice. Lieberman, a Russian immigrant to Israel,...
- Why Lieberman Will Be The Gop Vp Nominee
I was a little surprised at the reaction Monday to my prediction that Joe Lieberman would be McCain's selection for VP. Let me explain why I think it is pretty much a done deal. (1) Politically simpatico Their positions on most issues, especially...
- Name That Ticket
O.k. prognosticators, time to pull out the crystal ball. Who will be the Democratic and Republican nominees for President and Vice President (that is, President in charge of vice), who will win, and, as a tie-breaker, what percentage of the popular vote...
- Post Clinton, Ergo Propter Clinton
From Marty Peretz, Editor of The New Republic, Worse can be said of Bill Clinton's stumping in Connecticut for Joe (and Hillary's endorsement, too.) When Clinton came into the state, Lieberman and Lamont were running dead even in the polls, more...
- Lieberman: It's About The Battle, Not The War
I've been reading on-line and mainstream discussions about the rise of Ned Lamont and attempts to explain (or explain away) the anger towards Joe Lieberman and it strikes me that nowhere have I seen someone who quite gets it right. The usual explanation...
Philosophy
A Deal Lieberman Couldn't Refuse?
Seems to me that there are four possible explanations for the Lieberman fiasco:
(1) The caucus believes that they are at 60 with Begich and Franken and the super-majority was more important than Lieberman's behavior.
(2) Obama is serious about ending partisanship as we know it and used this as a symbol of that change.
(3) The weak-kneed, spineless DC Dems collapsed yet again because that's just what they do.
(4) Obama reached into his bag of Chicago and had a conversation that went something like this:
Obama: (sitting behind his desk, petting a cat)Why did you go to McCain? Why didn't you come to me first?
Lieberman: What do you want of me? Tell me anything. But do what I beg you to do.
Obama: What is that?
Lieberman: The chairmanship of Homeland Security.
Obama: That I cannot do.
Lieberman: I'll give you anything you ask.
Obama: We've known each other many years, but this is the first time you ever came to me for counsel, for help. I can't remember the last time that you invited me to your office for a cup of coffee, even though I supported you in your primary run against Lamont. But let's be frank here, you never wanted my friendship and you were afraid to be in my debt.
Lieberman: I didn't want to get into trouble.
Obama: I understand. You found paradise in the Senate, had a good committee assignment, made a good living. Fox News protected you; and there was David Broder. And you didn't need a friend like me. But now you come to me and you say -- "Barack Obama, give me Homeland Security." -- But you don't ask with respect. You don't offer friendship. You don't even think to call me President-Elect. Instead, you come into my house after I win the election, and you ask me for justice.
Lieberman: Not justice, I ask you for Homeland Security.
Obama: That is not justice; you still have your seat even after losing the primary...Lieberman, Lieberman, what have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? Had you endorsed me, then this chairmanship would be yours, even if you supported the war. And that by chance if an honest man such as yourself should make enemies, then they would become my enemies. And then they would fear you.
Lieberman: Be my friend -- President-Elect? (Lieberman kisses Obama's ring)
Obama: Good. Some day, and that day may never come, I'll call upon you for a vote. But, until that day -- accept Homeland Security as a gift on my election day.
Lieberman (as he leaves the room): Grazie, President-Elect.
Obama: Prego.
- Lieberman To Be Indicted: Middle East Peace Possible
From the Washington Post:Israeli police Sunday recommended that the state indict Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on charges of bribery, fraud, money laundering, witness harassment and obstruction of justice. Lieberman, a Russian immigrant to Israel,...
- Why Lieberman Will Be The Gop Vp Nominee
I was a little surprised at the reaction Monday to my prediction that Joe Lieberman would be McCain's selection for VP. Let me explain why I think it is pretty much a done deal. (1) Politically simpatico Their positions on most issues, especially...
- Name That Ticket
O.k. prognosticators, time to pull out the crystal ball. Who will be the Democratic and Republican nominees for President and Vice President (that is, President in charge of vice), who will win, and, as a tie-breaker, what percentage of the popular vote...
- Post Clinton, Ergo Propter Clinton
From Marty Peretz, Editor of The New Republic, Worse can be said of Bill Clinton's stumping in Connecticut for Joe (and Hillary's endorsement, too.) When Clinton came into the state, Lieberman and Lamont were running dead even in the polls, more...
- Lieberman: It's About The Battle, Not The War
I've been reading on-line and mainstream discussions about the rise of Ned Lamont and attempts to explain (or explain away) the anger towards Joe Lieberman and it strikes me that nowhere have I seen someone who quite gets it right. The usual explanation...