The Democrats and Lieberman
What to do with an ally who backed McCain over Obama
Dealing with Joe Lieberman will be "tricky," said Michael Tomasky in Britain's The Guardian. The former Democrat, who was Al Gore's running mate in 2000, "crossed a line you don't cross in politics," without repurcussions, when he endorsed Republican John McCain. Senate Majority leader Harry Reid is considering stripping Lieberman of his Homeland Security Committee chairmanship—"can you blame him?"
In a word, yes, said the New York Post in an editorial. Expelling Lieberman—who still votes with Democrats on everything except the war on terror—"would be an act of mean-spiritedness that runs sharply counter to the kind of bipartisanship upon which Obama campaigned." And it was Lieberman's vote that gave Democrats their razor-thin majority for the last two years, so dumping him now "would be a tad ungracious."
No, said Jane Hamsher in The Daily Beast, it was ungracious for Lieberman to deliver a "sanctimonious rebuke" of Bill Clinton on the Senate floor. It was ungracious for him to promise not to attack the Democratic ticket, then "deride Obama" at the Republican convention as unqualified to be president. It's common sense to strip a guy like that of the subpoena power that comes with chairmanship, so he can't use it to be "a thorn in Obama's side for the next four years."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Inside Chopard's hotel on Place Vendôme
The Blend Swiss jewellery maison Chopard unveils its new jewel, an ultra-exclusive Parisian hotel that elevates the art of hospitality
By Felix Bischof Published
-
Today's political cartoons - October 14, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - Columbus Day, the death of satire, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Lonely Planet and the surge of age-gap romances
In The Spotlight Laura Dern is the latest Hollywood actor to star opposite a much younger love interest
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published