The Lieberman Effect

11/6/06 | vanity

[cashmere]

I have not heard anyone discuss the effect that Liebermans' win will have on make-up and ultimate control of Senate. As an independent candidate what is the result when he wins his seat. Does that not remove 1 seat from the Dem side? Would they not then have to win 8 seats? Thanks for the vanity.

[rhombus]

Lieberman will caucus with the Democrats just as Jumpin' Jim Jeffords did when he became an independent.

[Chi-townChief]

Holy Joe will go right back to being a rat.

[dead]

He has made no secret of the fact that he will caucus with the Dems.

[Reaganez]

Joe is not only an independent but a "petitioning Democrat"

He will rejoin the Ds after his victory.

[Asclepius]

Lieberman announced early on that he would caucus with the Democrats, just as Jim Jeffords once caucused with the Democrats causing the Republicans to lose control.

I wonder if any more like Jeffords are waiting to capture their 15 minutes of fame should the either the house or senate become more evenly divided tomorrow.

Ugly, that could be.

[Steven W.]

He's already indicated he's an "Independent Democrat" and will caucus with them.

[kevkrom]

I have not heard anyone discuss the effect that Liebermans' win will have on make-up and ultimate control of Senate. As an independent candidate what is the result when he wins his seat. Does that not remove 1 seat from the Dem side? Would they not then have to win 8 seats? Thanks for the vanity.

It all depends on how he votes for leadership positions, etc.; if he votes like a 'rat, for all intents and purposes he'll be a 'rat. If it's a 50/50 Senate (or even 51/49 either way), don't be too surprised to see the GOP make Lieberman an offer of a nice committee assignment to jump parties, however.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

If the Dems score 50 seats, Lieberman will caucus with them and give them control. He can also get a nice Chairmanship for this move.

If the Dems score more than 50 seats, Lieberman will caucus with them and hold onto his seniority and get a decent Chairmanship and nice committee appointments.

If the Dems score less than 50 seats, then he has more incentive to caucus with Republicans, but will still likely caucus with the Dems.

If there is a miracle and the Dems do not score a pickup, Lieberman may stick it to his party and caucus with the Republicans for a good committee selection.

[Ouderkirk]

Lieberamn is stilla democRAT. He has not resigned from the party. He is not presently the party's candidate for Senator.

Once 'RAT always a 'RAT

[mallardx]

I think we saw his true nature during the 2000 Florida "recount" sham. He is a dirty RAT who sold out any ethics he ever had to help the Democrats steal that election. He carefully twists words and omits information while he presents his "facts." Because he is sneaky and scurrilous, he is the worst type of RAT, in my opinion. He is a soulless leftist loser who would sell his own mother to help a Dem win power. Power at any cost is his mantra.

[Bigh4u2]

One person comes to mind...

Lincoln Chaffee

[Dixie Yooper]

I think we saw his true nature during the 2000 Florida "recount" sham

You hit it right on the head! This is a perfect opportunity for the Connecticut Republicans to turn out in full force for their candidate and watch the Democrats split over the other two. It could make enough of a difference for us to win there.

[Mamzelle]

I'm interested to see if Lieberman remains pro-Israel.

[So Cal Rocket]

Lincoln Chaffee I can almost guarantee you that if the GOP can only win 50 seats in the Senate, Chaffee will jump to the Donks in exchange for preferred Committee Assignments.

[Bigh4u2]

Yep. He's sided with them on more than one occasion.

And he'll do it again.

[sully777]

The MSM doesn't forecast a Lieberman win. It's not in their template.

[paudio]

We had already the 50/50 situation, and Chafee didn't switch party despite major efforts by the Dims to persuade him.

[Bigh4u2]

Things change.