Lieberman Keeps Homeland Security Chairmanship

On a vote of 42-13, Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) kept the chairmanship of the Senate's Homeland Security Committee. He had worked extremely hard to elect John McCain president, and as a result, many on the left wanted him punished. President-Elect Barack Obama, however, wisely decided to use the carrot rather than the stick, and the Senate Democrats followed suit.

Mr. Lieberman didn't get off Scot-free. He lost his spot on Environment and Public Works Committee. However, that position didn't mean very much to him. The Homeland Security chairmanship is another matter entirely. He even let it be known that if he lost it, he would caucus with the Republicans.

In any other legislative body, Mr. Lieberman would have been shown the door. The US Senate, though, operates under a unique set of rules. Since it takes 60 votes to end debate on any issue, and since the Democrats have 58 seats as of yesterday when they secured the Alaskan seat formerly held by Ted Stevens, keeping Mr. Lieberman happy is important. And he now actually owes President-Elect Obama for his intervention.

Senator Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat, explained We need every person that we can in Congress working constructively to move forward with the new agenda for our country,. "Look, we're the majority party, we have the responsibility to act, and we've got to bring in the broadest possible coalition in order to get that done, and Senator Lieberman can be a very valuable member of our team."

For his part, Senator Lieberman said, “"There are some (statements) that I made that I wish I had not. In the heat of campaigns, that happens to all of us, but I regret that. And now it's time to move on."

The Democratic Caucus has decided to forgive if not forget Mr. Lieberman's recent behavior. He votes on domestic issues like a Democrat, and in foreign affairs, he is blindly hawkish. Since the most pressing issues are domestic, it costs them little to let him stay in the big tent. As for foreign relations, the war in Iraq-Nam will get wound down whether he goes along or not. The Obama administration is already showing its talent for wise actions.

© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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