Joe Lieberman faces petition to expel [View All]

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/joe_lieberman_faces_petition_t.html

Joe Lieberman faces petition to expel

The senator calls the petition "old, petty, partisan politics."
Posted July 9, 2008
The Swamp


by Katie Fretland



A group of netroots activists plans to deliver a petition to the Capitol this morning with 43,000 signatures, asking senators to boot Joe Lieberman from his position in the Democratic caucus.

Filmaker Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films has led the petition effort, which attacks Lieberman's record on the Iraq war. The petition calls for Lieberman to be removed from his position as chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee.

"We CANNOT tolerate a leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus who supports George Bush and McCain's War in Iraq," the states on its website. "We CANNOT tolerate a Democratic chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee who endorses and stumps for McCain. We call on the Senate Democratic Steering Committee to strip Joe Lieberman of his chairmanship and his leadership role."

Matt Stoller of OpenLeft.com said that Lieberman's view on national security and Iraq are a the far right of the political spectrum.

"He has attacked our presidential nominee; he has consistently attacked the position of our caucus," Stoller said in a statement. "He has no standing as a Democrat, and should be stripped of his placement within the caucus. The future of Lieberman's standing within the caucus is a litmus test for whether Democratic senators are serious about ending the war."

Lieberman press secretary Marshall Wittman denounced the petition. He said in a statement that Lieberman will continue to put the country's interests before partisan interests.

"Americans are tired of this type of old petty partisan politics," Wittman said.