Why We're Here

Senator Joe Lieberman met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid earlier today to discuss Lieberman's future with the Democratic caucus. After the meeting, Senator Reid stated that "[w]hile I understand that Sen. Lieberman has voted with Democrats a majority of the time, his comments and actions have raised serious concerns among many in our caucus."

What “actions” is Senator Reid referring to? Certainly it is not the Democratic members of the Senate abandoning Lieberman and supporting his opponent, Ned Lemont, in the 2006 election. Certainly it is not Senator Lieberman, upon winning the election as an Independent, deciding to still caucus with the party that had left him for dead, thereby giving them a slim majority in the Senate. No, the “actions” Reid is referring to is Lieberman’s support of his close friend, Senator John McCain, in his bid for the United States Presidency. What are the repercussions for Lieberman’s loyalty to Senator McCain? The potential loss of his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and possibly his other committee assignments as well.

In sum, the Democratic Party showed Senator Lieberman a lack of loyalty in the 2006 election and yet he decided to support them and caucus with the party. This summer Joseph Lieberman showed his loyalty to a longtime friend John McCain and the Democratic Party wants to expel him.

Clearly, no good deed goes unpunished.

But we can stop this injustice from occurring. Removing Joseph Lieberman from the Chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee would be an act of extreme pettiness, unbefitting the new political environment which President-elect Obama wishes to create. Loyalty and friendship are virtues to be desired, not disparaged.

Contact Senator Harry Reid and tell him to Let Joe Stay!

Senator Harry Reid
528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542 / Fax: 202-224-7327