As Joe Lieberman continues to vex Democrats with his controversial threat to undermine health reform, some want to see him punished — severely. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) has said "flat out" that Lieberman should be "recalled" for holding up a bill (even though, TPM points out, that isn't even possible.) Others want the widely castigated senator kicked out of the caucus or stripped of his Homeland Security Committee chairmanship. A MoveOn.com protest campaign has raised over $700,000 to hold Lieberman "accountable" by defeating his re-election bid. But is this really the right time to plot revenge, or should Democrats focus on salvaging the bill? (Watch an MSNBC report about bids to strip Joe Lieberman's chairmanship)
Sideline Lieberman, then punish him: "Politics is about rewarding friends and punishing flip-floppers," says U.C. Santa Barbara professor Jeffrey C. Stewart, as quoted in Politico. So the political solution is "real simple. Harry Reid needs to prepare a bill that Olympia Snowe will support," making Lieberman irrelevant. Once the bill is signed, Democrats should "strip Lieberman of his chairmanship and campaign like hell against his reelection."
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