My thoughts on Lieberman.

Let me just start off by saying that I despise Lieberman. That being said, the guy won the election and we have to deal with his ass.

I say we give the baby his bottle and marginalize his dumb ass. Republicans have always had to deal with people they considered RINOs, and this has seemed to work well with them.

Thoughts?

Alas.

Put up with him for two years. Then build the majority so his vote isn't important and then marginalize him further.

... and the *vast* majority of CT republicans disagree.

But, ya know, that's *fine* by me. Let him think what he wants... as the balance of power in the Senate would be catastrophically altered were Lieberman to come to his senses.

Which is really the mystery here: why isn't the GOP putting in more time and effort into getting him to cross over?

We can marginalize or not marginalize him all we want, what really counts is how Democratic senators treat him.
Maybe this is cynical of me, but I doubt that the opinions here (even if we had a consensus -- ha!) will impact to any degree how senators treat him, particularly since he's been part of the club for a long time.
I also doubt that when the next campaign rolls around any senators up for election are going to seriously worry about how they treat Lieberman having much impact on whether they are re-elected or not.
The closest to an impact it may have will be in regards to policy positions that they share with him if the voters in their areas disapprove of those policies.
As for their treatment of Lieberman himself, the impact will be minimal.

My conclusion being that all this talk one way or the other regarding Lieberman here is just a bunch of hot air when it comes right down to it.

yesterday as possible Homeland Security Chair for the Senate. I don't think it would be in the DEM Senators best interest to marginalize him... as repugnant as he has become to us here DU.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2956757

your nick is hysterical.

Before, he had a platform - as a Democrat - to bash other Democrats on Iraq and terrorism. The fact he was a Democrat speaking with Bush & against other Democrats gave him more prominence. However, even though he is caucusing with the Democrats now, he is no longer an official Democrat, he is a member of the "Connecticut for Lieberman" party, or as I call it, the "Lieberman for Lieberman" party. So, he has lost his platform to criticize other Democrats.