Why not now?

The democrats are letting themselves be held hostage by Joe Lieberman, who was rejected by Connecticut Democrats, elected by Connecticut Republicans on a non-Democratic ticket, who campaigned not only for Sen. McCain for president but also for down-ticket Republicans, who attacked Sen. Obama on, among other things, homeland security matters (politicizing the issue he demands to be kept in charge of in the Senate). Now, he's threatening to bolt the caucus or-- gasp-- be a little upset because his feelings have been hurt if they kick him out of the caucus he himself has alienated.



Evan Bayh's argument that the Democrats COULD at some FUTURE date, IF Joe Lieberman continues his reckless behavior, THEN, remove his chair is patently ridiculous on all counts. Mainly: what reason have we to believe that all the reasons Bayh gives for keeping Lieberman in won't be fully in tact at that elusive later date? If, three months in, Lieberman keeps his reactionary trip strong, will Lieberman THEN not want to resign the senate, letting the Republican governor choose a new Senator? Would he THEN not be embittered and be a turncoat on key votes (which he already will be)? When does the argument that we should look to the future and not the past ever become moot? After all, isn't anything wrong always done in the past?

Joe Lieberman has bullied the Democrats. He went against them and everything they believe this year and is now using a nasty circumstance to squeeze power out of them. You don't give bullies what they want. You stand up to them. Here are other ways they could get 60 votes on important matters:

1. Treat Joe Lieberman as the moderate Republican he is and court him along with Sens. Collings, Snowe, and Specter.

2. Exert pressure on Republicans serving in rapidly bluifying states, like Sens. Bond and Grassley, who have increasing progressive demographics to which to respond, upon threat of losing re-election.

3. Don't worry so much about it. The Republicans have advanced the most revolutionary, radical, reactionary agenda in the history of the United States over the last eight years and at NO TIME did they have a filibuster-proof super-majority.