“Oh, you SHOULDN’T have!” Sen. Lieberman’s Unearned Gift.
November 19, 2008 by Julia King · 2 Comments
Sen. Joe Lieberman, Independent and outspoken champion of the Iraq war, will retain his powerful chairmanship position on the Senate Homeland Security Committee. Apparently Lieberman has the consummate unifier, President Elect Barack Obama, to thank for this gem of a gift.
Next time, Mr. President Elect Obama (I still love writing that), when you’re trying to make nice with political foes — may I suggest a fruit basket?
Obviously, within the halls of Congress gifting positions of power is seen as a way to smooth over the bumps, but down here with the little people it feels different – maybe a bit too much like being the monkey in a game of monkey in the middle. Try as I might, I just CANNOT reach that ball when the guys tossing it are so far over my head.
Throughout Obama’s campaign he talked about disagreeing without being disagreeable. That notion was (is) popular with the American electorate in part because after five years of war, many of us are just too tired to fight anymore. Civility is the perfect antidote to suicide bombs and death and soldiers with post traumatic stress disorder. Obama’s campaign was pitch-perfect for the times, just like his personality.
But from where I sit, there is nothing disagreeable about removing Lieberman from the Homeland Security Chairmanship, considering that he’s a man who represents a failed and unpopular approach to national security. The people have spoken. We don’t hate Lieberman; we disagree with him. We worked hard to elect Obama because we don’t want people like Lieberman (or John McCain) steering the agenda.
A fruit basket. Yes, that’s what Lieberman deserves.
