How I look at the Lieberman chairmanship issue, it's a competency matter

[4themind]

Is he our best Democratic representative on matter of homeland secruity and government affairs? The man did not hold a single hearing on the workings on the bush administration since he's received the gavel IIRC. His support from for McCain further underscore the differences that Lieberman has with the views of many in our caucus, and if a majority of them feel that way then they should be able to choose someone who they think represents their interests better. I wouldn't even frame it in the matter of "payback" but as to what qualities and positions do we want our chair to have, and is lieberman the best of the available senators to do that job. It's not an issue of being bipartisan or not, its the matter of a party selecting the voice for itself in key matters independently. It's the right for self(party)-determination.


There doesn't need to be any drama about this, or people speaking for Obama in proxy (yes I'm talking to you Dodd...lol). ALl Reid needs to do is just make up his mind (or have a meeting posthaste, and just put it for an up or down vote), and depending on the result of that just tell Lieberman that his Chair is gone right now, or say that he'll speak no more on the matter, and then when the list for chairs comes out Lieberman's name just simply isn't there! No leaks, no sternly written letters, no grandstanding in front of reporters. If Lieberman/Palpatine wants to continue to caucus with us, we won't forbid him, if he doesn't want to, then he can leave, but he has no legal, god-given or IMO moral right to that chair.

P.S. I realize that seniority and not competence, largely govern the disbursement of these chairs but if that tradition is to "broken" in this case I don't think it will be a losing argument among the majority of the American people to say that the party wants a chair that is representative of their views (or a majority therof)

[Warren Stupidity]

1. I give up on what is wrong with "disqualified."

Joe the Putz made his choices. He chose to back the wrong party. Now he gets to pay the price for that choice. Everyone out in the real world understands exactly why Joe must go. There is no need to reframe this in any way other than what it is. You exhibit Zell Miller level behavior and you lose your key to the executive washroom. End of story.

If the putz is being dumped over some charade of competence, why should every other chair not be re-examined to determine if the current holder is the most competent to sit there? The answer is obviously because the rest of them were not giving speeches at the RNC end of summer hatefest.

[LiberalFighter]

2. Chairs are also ususally given to those with seniority.

Since he left the party his seniority started all over.