Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Dems Should Throw Joe Overboard

Lieberman does party more harm than good, columnist claims

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 4, 2007 6:20 PM CDT

(Newser) – Senate Democrats wouldn’t be in the majority if Joe Lieberman didn’t caucus with them, but maybe they’d be better off, the New York Observer’s Steve Kornacki argues. Kornacki says the Independent senator embarrasses Dems by siding with the enemy  and accusing them of being terrorist coddlers. He's a bully who likes to taunt them with the possibility of defection. But he has more to lose from a divorce than they do.

If Lieberman jointed the GOP, he’d provably get to keep his treasured Homeland Security gavel—but only 'til 2009, Kornacki argues, given the odds that Dems will pick up seats in 2008. He'd lose his status as lapsed Democrat, which Korack sees as a cover for a  foreign policy position that's way out of the mainstream. Given the limited power the Dems' slim majority is affording them, he asks, why not give it up and get a head start on a new majority?

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., center, discusses the war in Iraq during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, July 12, 2007.  Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., left, and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., right, look on.  (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., center, discusses the war in Iraq during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, July 12, 2007. Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., left, and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.,...   (Associated Press)
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., center, accompanied by Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., left, and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., discusses the war in Iraq during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, July 12, 2007. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., center, accompanied by Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., left, and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., discusses the war in Iraq during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington...   (Associated Press)
 Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Conn., Friday, June 15, 2007. Lieberman later spoke to reporters about Iran's present role in the Middle East. (AP Photo/Bob Child)
Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Conn., Friday, June 15, 2007. Lieberman later spoke to reporters about Iran's present role in the Middle East. (AP Photo/Bob Child)   (Associated Press)
President Bush, center, shakes hands with Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., left, as Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, looks on, after signing the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, Friday, Aug. 3, 2007, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
President Bush, center, shakes hands with Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., left, as Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, looks on, after signing the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, Friday, Aug. 3, 2007, in the Oval...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

27% of Senate Press Releases Taunt Other Side

Bunning Cuts Deal, Ends Jobless Filibuster

Senate Dems Cry 'Uncle' on Cap and Trade

Dodd Rips Newbies—Ahem, Franken—for Lacking 'Civility'

VP Urges Dems to Unite Behind Senate Health Bill


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne