senator lieberman

This whole “seniority” thing in the Senate has always been a bunch of garbage and helped contribute to the “good ole’ boys” club mentality that surrounds the chamber. Now it looks like it could be coming to an end:

During a question-and-answer session with progressive media, video blogger Mike Stark asked lawmakers why the Democratic caucus hasn't yanked Sen. Blanche Lincoln's chairmanship of the Agriculture Committee, considering her opposition to Democratic legislative efforts. In Arkansas, her gavel is a top selling point as she battles a progressive primary challenge.

"We're going to elect committee chairs next year," said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). "The current chairs that are sitting there now understand that we'll be electing chairs next year," he added, saying the idea had been cleared with Senate leadership.

Under current rules, members of the caucus can weigh in by objecting to an overall Senate organizing resolution, but don't have an up-or-down vote on each chair.

That’s exactly how it should be. Take Lieberman as an example. The only reason he is still a Democrat is so that he can keep his seniority and have his Homeland Security chairmanship. It doesn’t matter if Jack Bauer himself became a senator, Lieberman would still be chair because of his seniority.

It’s practices like this that have made the Senate a laughing stock of the free world. I’m glad to see talk of ending it. If these people really think they should chair committees, then let them fight for it. It’s time for our senators to prove their worth.

Unbelievable. Think Progress has the video up.

“I think we have to be prepared to take aggressive military action against the Iranians to stop them from killing Americans in Iraq,” Lieberman said. Host Bob Schieffer followed-up: “Let’s just stop right there. Because I think you probably made some news here, Senator Lieberman. You’re saying that if the Iranians don’t let up, that the United States should take military action?” “I am,” Lieberman responded.

Lieberman is further right than a lot of Republicans. This guy doesn't worry about American interests - he worries about the interests of Israel.

I been catching up on clips and what nots from it. It my opinion Lamont showed that he is truly concerned about his constituents and the Democratic Party while Joe is worried about only Joe. Here are some great run downs from around the blogosphere.

Matt Stoller is debunking the lies Lieberman told tonight during the debate.

Jane has a clip up of Joe doing a typical Republican style attack of Lamont as well as a great thread going on about the debate

PolticsTV has the video up of the debate

And this is a doozy from Ned Lamont's Blog:

Senator Lieberman stormed out of the debate early, barely answering questions from the local media. He was hearing a lot about his anger during the debate and called it a day. Ned stuck around for questions for about 20 minutes. The result... Sean Smith, Senator Lieberman's campaign manager, fielding questions from a single repoter and Ned swamped by the press.

That will win some hearts and minds Joe - the hearts and minds of people like Malkin (oh wait - he already won that).