Harkin, Again, Hints At Consequences For Off-The-Reservation Chairmen Lieberman

[kpete]

Source: Talking Points Memo

Harkin, Again, Hints At Consequences For Off-The-Reservation Chairmen
Brian Beutler | October 30, 2009, 9:17AM

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)--chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee is rare among senior Senate Democrats. Whereas many in the party view seniority as akin to tenure, Harkin thinks it should come with responsibility. And when powerful chairmen stray, he doesn't keep quiet.

"(Lieberman) still wants to be a part of the Democratic Party although he is a registered independent," Harkin said. "He wants to caucus with us and, of course, he enjoys his chairmanship of the committee because of the indulgence of the Democratic Caucus. So, I'm sure all of those things will cross his mind before the final vote."

.................
That's even more explicit than his warning, two months ago, that Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) might face repercussions for dragging out the health care reform process for months as chairman of the Finance Committee.

"Every two years the caucus could have a secret ballot on whether a chairman should continue, yes or no," Harkin said. "If the 'no's win, (the chairman's) out.

Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/harkin-again-hints-at-consequences-for-off-the-reservation-chairmen.php?ref=fpa

[dugaresa]

1. ooooh scary hints

[emulatorloo]

5. check out Rachel Maddow and Jane Hamsher from last night's show. In "Senate Speak" these are scary

Hamsher pretty much said the "subtle" language in the context of the Senate is actually harsh talk -- Lieberman is in hot water.

[defendandprotect]

6. Lieberman should be in the duptster as far as Dems are concerned!!!

[Bitwit1234]

2. I really think one of Liberman's problems is

he has too much ego. He wants the attention. And if he doesn't get it he manufactures something to make him stand out. It is hard to tell what he will do...his actions and his temperament is so so like a republican. I don't understand how he became a democrat in the first place. Unless he knew that was the only way to get elected.

[defendandprotect]

7. And, Gore picked him as his VP!!! Quite a Trojan Horse we escaped there . . .!!!

Hard to think that Gore didn't know he was a religious fanatic -- !!!

And generally all around rightie -- ???

[Individualist]

9. Gore and Lieberman were both DLC members at the time,

and Gore knew exactly what Lieberman was. Gore has since seen the error of his ways and distanced himself from DLC; Lieberman has not.

Howard Dean once referred to DLC as the republican wing of the Democratic party.

"The Democratic Leadership Council's agenda is indistinguishable from the Republican Neoconservative agenda," - Dennis Kucinich


Why DLC is dangerous to Democrats (2006) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/why-the-dlc-is-so-dangero_b_13640.html

[defendandprotect]

11. Agree -- DLC is poisonous to the party . . .

Yes, recall that Gore complained about the advice he got from the DLC

to cut the populous stuff and later it was clear he was doing better with

the populous stand.

The VP spot always worries me . . .

[tblue]

3. Harkin should be Majority Leader.

Too bad Obama has Traitor Joe's back instead of Harkin's or ours. Obama would never suppport throwing Lieberman under the bus.

[mule_train]

4. 'Off the Reservation' is a racist remark against Native Americans nt

[defendandprotect]

12. Not so nice expression we should be more aware of . . .

:)

and do away with!

[Arkana]

8. MAKE TOM FUCKING HARKIN SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.

LIKE, RIGHT NOW.

[kenny blankenship]

10. Just shut the fuck up

Nobody cares about your hints or threats, least of all Lieberman.

Don't you people get it yet? If someone hints at something in the Democratic Party that means they would not do it, except by accident. If they were going to do it, they'd just fucking DO it.

THEY'LL STOP LYING TO YOU WHEN YOU STOP LISTENING TO THEIR LIES.

[UTUSN]

13. Proud to be K&R #5!1 n/t