Say it Ain't So, Joe – Under More Fire From the Dems?

Democrats want Lieberman to be penalized for backing McCain

Thursday could very well be judgment day for Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).

He is scheduled to meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), to discuss his future in the Senate Democratic Conference, according to Roll Call, a newspaper covering Capitol Hill. 

Lieberman not only aggressively campaigned for Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain but also delivered a speech for him at the GOP convention. That is why many Senate Democrats are pressuring Reid to come down on Lieberman, Roll Call reports.

While some Democrats want to strip Lieberman of his Homeland Security Committee chairmanship, kick him out of the party caucus or both, what will happen depends on how badly Democrats need Lieberman to reach the 60-vote threshold required to block Republican filibusters, the Associated Press reports.

Lieberman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, a position that Reid could take away from him, Roll Call reports.  In 2000, Lieberman was the vice presidential nominee for the Democratic Party.

As his future with the party is in limbo, Lieberman issued a statement congratulating president-elect Barack Obama Wednesday.

"I sincerely congratulate President-elect Obama for his historic and impressive victory. America remains a nation of extraordinary opportunity and the American people are a people of extraordinary fairness," Lieberman wrote.

"Now that the election is over, it is time to put partisan considerations aside and come together as a nation to solve the difficult challenges we face and make our blessed land stronger and safer," he said.  "I pledge to work with President-elect Obama and his incoming administration in their efforts to reinvigorate our economy and keep our nation secure and free."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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