Thursday, August 21, 2008
Impeachment Imperative and A Comprehensive Political Update Briefing.
Posted by ed. dickau at 7:45 AMYou Can Make A Difference! Support Impeachment
kucinich.us - Join Dennis Kucinich & Demand Impeachment Hearings
1000000 signatures for impeachment. On September 10, 2008, we want to deliver One Million signatures to Congress urging them to exercise their Constitutional authority and mandate to hold this President - and all future Presidents Accountable...
Before we get into the Political Round Up there is the matter of the type of emails we get occasionally; those designed obviously to provoke or messages from those clearly on the lunatic fringe. This Item from a John Bircher of long standing has been making the rounds to misinform and to inflame the “Street Passions” of Denver. There is enough real danger ahead without this remake of history! Found in my mail box it was greeted with FURY!
With everyone still waiting—and waiting, and waiting—for veep announcements, the Wall Street Journal tops its online newsbox with a new poll that puts U.S. presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain in a statistical dead heat. The Washington Post leads with a report on Obama's efforts to break the tie by appealing to voters' pocketbooks; the Democratic nominee lamented U.S. job losses while on the stump in southern Virginia yesterday. The Los Angeles Times leads with a look at the candidates' tax proposals; economists say that both candidates' plans would likely add trillions to the national debt.
Echoing yesterday's LAT poll, the WSJ fronts national numbers suggesting that Barack Obama's lead over John McCain has dwindled to the point where the two candidates are statistically tied. The new poll puts Obama at 45 percent, three points ahead of his Republican rival. Obama's biggest problem, it seems, is a hangover from the primary battle: Only half of Hillary Clinton's supporters are backing the Democratic nominee, and one in five says he or she supports McCain. The NYT also has new poll numbers, in which voters say that neither candidate has made clear what he would do as president. Respondents trusted Obama more than McCain to manage the economy, their top overall priority. For foreign policy, however, McCain came out ahead.
Obama tried to press home his apparent economic advantage yesterday in Virginia's economically distressed southside. As the Post notes, that wouldn't normally be fertile ground for a Democrat, but with popular former Gov. Mark Warner at his side, Obama did his best to win over voters by attacking the Bush administration's economic failings. The NYT sees Obama's renewed economic focus as an attempt to shift from the sweeping oratory of his primary campaign to a more human level. That could help him in Pennsylvania, the paper notes in an off-lead report, where neither candidates' campaign has so far struck a chord.
The McCain camp, meanwhile, is warming up for next week's Democratic National Convention. The WSJ reports that the GOP is making an unusually concerted effort to rain on the Democrats' parade, with Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, and Tim Pawlenty all heading to Denver to jeer from the sidelines. On the WSJ's edit page, Karl Rove provides a glimpse of the GOP's plan of attack, arguing that Obama's convention speech will be judged on how well it counters "the impression that he's more of a rock star than a person of serious public purpose." Any balloons, ticker-tape, or cheering crowds, in short, will likely be considered fair game.
election scorecard
Election Scorecard
The latest polling data on all the big races.
Aug. 20, 2008, 6:37 AM ET
Biden is Democratic favorite for Obama's No. 2
WASHINGTON – Sen. Joe Biden's emergence at the center of speculation about who will be Barack Obama's running mate may say more about Obama's challenges in the presidential race than it does about the final selection.
Obama is keeping his decision quiet, but his staff in Chicago and party activists are buzzing about Biden, in large part because he can address two of Obama's biggest weaknesses — his lack of experience, especially on world affairs, and his reluctance to attack his opponent.
Obama plans to appear with his newly selected running mate Saturday, with the pick announced via text message to supporters. Obama also is believed to be considering Govs. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas and Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana.
But Biden is at the center of much speculation now. Biden, 65, first was elected to represent Delaware in 1972. Obama was 11 at the time; half the people living in the U.S. were not born when Biden arrived on Capitol Hill. He is a curious front-runner to join a ticket headed by Obama, who prevailed during the primaries by making the case that he by making the case that he is an outsider who can bring change to Washington...
Election Forecast: Without Clinton, Arkansas Safe for McCain
Election Forecast 2008: McCain Confident in Mississippi Despite Democratic Successes
Election Forecast 2008: In Louisiana, the Democrats Are Sweating
Election Forecast: Missouri: the 'Quintessential Battleground'
Election Forecast: The Parties’ Big Nevada Gamble
Election Forecast: California Gold Rush for Obama
Election Forecast: No Worries for McCain in Utah
Election Forecast: McCain Pretty Comfortable in His Arizona Home
Election Forecast: This Year’s Issues Favor Dems in Wisconsin
Election Forecast: Illinois is Sweet Home for Obama
Election Forecast: Swing-State Iowa Tilting Towards Democrats
Election Forecast: Some Clouds for Favored McCain in Montana’s Big Sky
Election Forecast: Wyoming Still a Safe Haven for the GOP
Election Forecast: McCain Favored to Mash Obama in Idaho
Election Forecast: Obama Favored, Though Not Favorite Son, in Delaware
Election Forecast: Competition in the Trenches in Pennsylvania
Election Forecast: New Jersey Democratic Unity Bodes Well for Obama
Election Forecast: In Indiana, Republicans in Obama’s Backyard
Election Forecast: Michigan - Down to the Wire
Election Forecast: South Carolina Still McCain Country
Election Forecast: Dems Have Georgia on Their Minds but GOP Remains Strong
Election Forecast: GOP on Top in North Carolina, but Democrats Fighting Back
Election Forecast: Washington State Continues Democratic Trend
Election Forecast: Oregon Independents are the Wild Cards
Without Opponents, Many House Members — Especially Democrats — Will Cruise to Re-election
Election Forecast: Virginia, Once a GOP Stronghold, Now in Democratic Sights
Election Forecast 2008: Ohio Is THE Battleground State
Election Forecast 2008: Kentucky Still (Very) Republican Territory
Election Forecast: Democrats Rest Easy In Vermont
Election Forecast 2008: West Virginia’s Split Ticket
Election Forecast 2008: In Maine, Moderation is Key
Election Forecast: New Hampshire’s GOP Edge No Longer Written in Granite
Ex-Rep. Ryun, Seeking Comeback, Faces Kansas Primary Match Race Tuesday
Election Forecast: Obama Will Make McCain Work for North Dakota
Election Forecast: In South Dakota, Something for Both Parties
Election Forecast: Minnesota - the ‘Polka-Dot’ State
Election Forecast: Alabama’s Dixie Heart is With the GOP
Election Forecast: Tennessee — a Long Shot for Obama
Election Forecast: Oklahoma: 'Not in Play'
Election Forecast: In Texas, No Home on the Range for Obama
Election Forecast: Cities and Suburbs Make Maryland Safe Democratic Territory
2008 Election Forecast: D.C. is as Democratic as You Can Get
Election Forecast: New York: ‘Color it Blue and Throw Away the Crayon’
Election Forecast: Rhode Island, Small but Solidly Democratic
Election Forecast: Connecticut: Democratic With an Independent Streak
Election Forecast: All Eyes on Florida, Again
National and State Polls Show Obama Struggling
Three national polls on Wednesday presented different pictures of the presidential race, although none of them are particularly good news for Barack Obama . There have also been a series of state polls in the last two days which showed the Democrat having difficulty gaining any ground.
The George Washington University Battleground 2008 survey conducted Aug. 10-14 had John McCain in a dead heat with Obama leading him 47 percent to 46 percent with 2 percent preferring “other” and 19 percent undecided. The poll is conducted jointly by the Republican Tarrance Group and the Democratic firm of Lake Research Partners.
A Wall Street Journal/NBC News survey conducted Aug. 15-18 said McCain now trails Obama by only 45 percent to 42 percent in, down from the 6 point lead Obama held in June and July. Four percent answered “neither” and 8 percent were undecided. The margin of error is 3.1 percent. This survey included a match-up between McCain and Hillary Clinton which showed her leading if she was the Democratic nominee.
And a Reuters/Zogby poll conducted Aug. 14-17 had McCain moving out front 46 percent to 41 percent with 13 percent undecided. The margin of error is 3 points. Last month, Obama had led by 7 points.
These three polls came on the heels of Tuesday’s Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg survey that had Obama and McCain in a statistical tie, with Obama ahead 45 percent to 43 percent in a survey conducted Aug. 15-18. The margin of error was 3 points.
When the national polls are combined with match-ups of McCain and Obama in eight competitive states for which polls came out Tuesday and Wednesday, a picture emerges of an Obama campaign - at least at this point - losing some of the luster it had after he clinched the nomination, and either just holding his ground or slipping.
In the GW Battleground poll, McCain’s support includes 36 percent who say they will definitely vote for him, 9 percent who say probably, and 2 percent who lean towards him. Obama’s definite support is 37 percent, with 7 percent in the “probably category” and 1 percent leaning.
Despite the overall race figures, voters believe Obama will win the election by 51 percent to 34 percent. Tarrance’s Republican analysis, titled “Not So Fast, Mr. Obama,” says “This attitude is one that has permeated the pundits, the media and some critics contend even the Democratic nominee’s campaign. But it is not true.”
The Lake group’s Democratic analysis did not appear to argue with that. While noting that voter’s “appetite for change remains intense and palpable” especially given the economic downturn, Lake noted that a “continued and largely unanswered negative campaign on the part of McCain” had taken its toll, and that Obama is also suffering from a significant shift among independents where he had a 14 point lead in May but now trails McCain by 10 points.
Other findings in the Battleground survey:
• When asked who voters thought has been running a more negative campaign, 50 percent believed strongly or somewhat that McCain was doing so, 21 percent said that of Obama, 10 percent said both and 9 percent said neither.
• Twenty-seven percent of voters said they did not feel comfortable with a President who would be 72 years old.
• On the characteristics of each candidate, McCain dominated Obama 52 percent to 37 percent on the question of which one was a strong leader. Obama led McCain by 13 points or more on the criteria of being an independent voice, would unite the country and represented middle class values.
• Obama led McCain 48 percent to 39 percent when it came to who voters thought would create jobs and improve the economy, and by 54 percent to 35 percent on handling the health care issue. Voters thought McCain would do a better job dealing with Iraq by 54 percent to 41 percent.
• Voters believed the Iraq war was not worth fighting by 51 percent to 42 percent. Fifty-six percent say the situation there has improved, 24 percent believe it has stayed the same and 15 percent said it had become worse. Twenty-three percent want an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops, 31 percent want a timetable set for withdrawal and 44 percent want the troops to stay until the situation becomes stable.
The Reuters/Zogby poll attributed the turnaround in its numbers in part to Obama’s loss of support since July in key constituencies. His support among Democrats dropped from 83 percent to 74 percent and he slipped by between 8 points to 12 points among women, Catholics, voters under 35, college graduates, urban dwellers, those with incomes under $50,000 and Southerners.
John Zogby agreed with Lake’s analysis and that of the Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg pollsters on the effect of McCain going on the offensive against Obama, including during the time when the presumed Democratic nominee was vacationing in Hawaii. “Since Obama returned from his overseas trip, it seems like McCain has thrown all the punches. Clearly, the blows have landed,” Zogby said.
Obama’s struggles were also reflected in the latest state polls that have come out today and yesterday. (See our round-up of state-by-state general election match-ups).
While polls in each state vary and even sometimes disagree, this is a summary of what the latest are saying:
Missouri:
McCain has moved from a 3 point lead in July in a Public Policy Polling survey to a 50 percent to 40 percent advantage.
Ohio:
Rasmussen Reports has McCain ahead 45 percent to 41 percent. McCain is viewed favorably by 62 percent of voters while Obama is viewed unfavorably by 51 percent. Obama’s party support is lower than McCain’s and McCain draws more Democratic votes than Obama does from Republicans.
North Carolina:
McCain leads 46 percent to 40 percent in a Civitas Institute poll, up 3 points from July. He has moved from being even with Obama at one point among independents to being 18 points ahead of him.
Pennsylvania: Obama still leads here, by 46 percent to 41 percent in a Susquehanna Polling & Research Survey. But the pollster says Obama’s support has shown no movement since its last survey in May.
Florida:
This is still a toss-up. McCain leads Obama 46 percent to 43 percent in a Rasmussen Reports poll, within the survey’s 4.5 percent margin of error. Last month, it was Obama up by a point.
Iowa:
This was one state that seemed to hold brighter news for Obama in the most recent poll. He leads 48 percent to 42.9 percent in a University of Iowa Hawkeye Poll. Poll director David Redlawsk says, “The race in Iowa, while relatively close, appears to be moving in Obama’s direction.”
Indiana:
McCain is leading 50 percent to 44 percent in the most recent SurveyUSA poll.
Minnesota:
Obama is in a statistical tie with McCain, leading 47 percent to 45 percent , within the 3.,8 percent margin of error in a SurveyUSA Poll.
Dems' Defenses of '06 Indiana House Gains Look Effective
The 2006 congressional elections in Indiana produced one of the biggest gains for the Democratic Party as it surged to a majority in the U.S. House. Democratic challengers defeated three incumbents in a usually GOP-leaning state, shifting the nine-member delegation from a seemingly formidable 7-2 Republican advantage to a 5-4 Democratic edge.
Republican officials, not surprisingly, stated they were going to go right after those Democratic winners: Baron P. Hill , who reclaimed the southeastern 9th District seat he lost two years earlier to Republican Mike Sodrel; Joe Donnelly , who unseated two-term Republican Chris Chocola in the north-central 2nd; and Brad Ellsworth , who bumped Republican John Hostettler from the seat he had held for six terms in the southwestern 8th District. All of their districts have rural, conservative-leaning constituencies that often favor Republicans. All went strongly in 2004 for President Bush, who took 56 percent of the vote in the 2nd, 59 percent in the 9th and 62 percent in the 8th.
But the Republican strategists’ reach in Indiana appears to have exceeded their grasp this year. Hill is the only one of the three 2006 Democratic takeover winners who is currently rated by CQ Politics as facing a highly competitive challenge, and he is the only one facing a rematch — a re-re-rematch, actually, as this is the fourth consecutive House election in the 9th District matching Hill against Sodrel. Hill rebuffed a challenge from Sodrel in 2002, lost to him in 2004, then won the seat back in 2006. CQ Politics rates this race as Leans Democratic…
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is busy flitting around the country promoting her new book, Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters. While doing so, audiences coast to coast are demanding to know why she refuses to impeach President George Bush.
After becoming Speaker of the House following the 2006 elections which ejected the war-mongering Republicans from power, and replaced them with the spineless, mealy-mouthed Democrats, Ms. Pelosi immediately said that impeachment was 'off the table.' She has never adequately expressed why this is the case. Perhaps in the heady excitement of being the first female Speaker of the House she did not feel she needed to answer to anyone.
But perhaps there is another reason, and one that Ms. Pelosi herself exposed during her tour. Asked again about impeachment when appearing on the television program 'The View,' she made this incredible statement: "If somebody had a crime that the president had committed, that would be a different story."
Madam Speaker has now clearly demonstrated that she doesn't know what is going on in the world around her, much less in the nation she was elected to help govern. She is apparently unaware of Congressman Dennis Kucinich's thirty-five articles of impeachment, introduced on June 9, 2008, as H. Res. 1258. These articles include the following, among others:
Creating a secret propaganda campaign to manufacture a false case for war against Iraq.
Invading Iraq, a sovereign nation, in violation of the U.N. charter.
Torture: Secretly authorizing, and encouraging the use of torture against captives in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places, as a matter of official policy.
Imprisoning children.
Spying on American citizens, without a court-ordered warrant, in violation of the law and the fourth amendment.
Obstruction of the investigation into the attacks of September 11, 2001.
One would think that these alone might be worth looking into; apparently Ms. Pelosi disagrees.
Mr. Kucinich has charged Mr. Bush with thirty-five crimes, which Ms. Pelosi would have the world believe she is unaware of. The accusations have been made; it is now the responsibility of Congress to investigate them.
Why is Madam Speaker so willing to let Mr. Bush off the hook? In addition to her disingenuous statement that, if somebody knew that the president had committed a crime, she would pursue the matter, when Mr. Kucinich, among many others does know this, she says that impeachment would be too divisive for the nation. It was not so long ago that President Bill Clinton was impeached for lying about a sexual affair with an intern.
Was his 'crime' so much more serious that it was worth impeaching him for? Was lying about a matter that in no way impacted national or world politics, that did not cause the death of anyone, much less a million people, and that should have been a personal matter between Mr. and Mrs. Clinton and Ms. Lewinsky, so much more vital than lying the U.S. into a disastrous war?
Mr. Bush reign of terror has nearly five more months to go. Certainly, with the slowness for which Congress is famous, impeachment hearings would not start until very late in his presidency, if not after it. But why should the president of the United States not be held responsible for crimes he has committed, even if those crimes are only investigated after he leaves office?
Mr. Bush has trampled the Constitution at every turn, not to mention the Geneva Conventions, U.N. regulations and U.S. law. Why does Ms. Pelosi allow this to happen and then say on national television that she is unaware of any violations of law that he has committed? One wonders how stupid she believes the U.S. voters to be.
Although she refuses to seek evidence against Mr. Bush, she may have hard evidence regarding the intelligence of the U.S. voter. Although Mr. Bush was appointed president in 2000, he was (probably) elected in 2004. Perhaps she feels she can hold her position of power by ignoring the will of the people and the Constitution she has sworn to uphold; sadly, she may be right.
But if she wants to remain in power, what does she plan to use it for? Is her role as Speaker of the House nothing more than a publicity vehicle for her newest book? Does she, like Mr. Bush, have her eye constantly on the almighty dollar, and does she act only in that interest?
The message she is sending to America's daughters is not a positive one; she could, had she chosen to do so, changed the course of history. She has repeatedly refused to defund the war, and has steadfastly abetted Mr. Bush in his crimes. History will forget her; had she acted according to the laws of the land, she would have been a hero not only to America's daughters, but to much of the world, for generations. What her goal is cannot even be guessed; but it is clear that governing, upholding the Constitution and being an advocate for the people are not her motivations.
Who's Who at the Parties' Parties
By Mary Ann Akers And Paul Kane
Thursday, August 21, 2008; Page A13
A few members of Congress will play important roles at the national party nominating conventions in Denver and the Twin Cities the next two weeks, serving as everything from official bosses of the convention floor to hosts of parties for key insiders.
Feel as though Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's delegates aren't getting a fair shake? See House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Md.), the parliamentarian at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Want to offer amendments on social issues to the GOP platform? Check in with Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), the chairman of the platform committee at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
Some of these lawmakers hope their jobs end up being largely ceremonial -- Hoyer really doesn't want to referee a floor fight involving Clinton supporters -- but they will be key players nonetheless. Here's a rundown of members to watch over the next two weeks, starting with the Democratic convention on Monday:
Democrats Running Denver
· House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.): Despite the intense media focus on Clinton and her supporters, the woman with the most official power in Denver is Pelosi. She's the chairwoman of the convention, a post that makes her overseer of the week's activities inside the Pepsi Center.
Pelosi -- who was a top staffer for the 1984 convention in San Francisco -- recently joked to reporters that her chairmanship was "ceremonial." She said she's just trying to let staffers do their jobs without getting in the way. But Pelosi will be a semi-frequent presence in the convention hall, sometimes serving as emcee, along with Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean.
Beyond her day job, Pelosi may just be the belle of the late-night party circuit.
The speaker is slated to be serenaded on opening night of the convention by none other than Tony Bennett at the after-hours "Salute to Speaker Nancy Pelosi" following the day's proceedings. James Taylor and soul singer John Legend also are scheduled to perform. The party is hosted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
On Wednesday, Pelosi is scheduled to host a reception honoring women in Congress. Broadway star Idina Menzel is slated to perform at that event.
· Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.): Lacking any official title, Reid will host fundraising events all week for Senate Democrats as part of their drive toward a filibuster-proof majority of 60 seats. Reid also has a nice speaking slot: 8 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday. While an aide said his speech will focus on energy independence as a national security issue, Reid also may feel inclined to validate the political bona fides of the vice presidential nominee, who will speak two hours later. Several of the supposed finalists to be Barack Obama's running mate are senators in Reid's caucus.
· Hoyer: As parliamentarian, the Prince George's County lawmaker is in charge of making sure the business on the floor runs smoothly. Hoyer also must establish procedures to handle reports from delegates and, as an aide put it, "appeals to the decisions of the chair."
Translation: If Clinton supporters feel slighted and file official complaints, Hoyer will have his hands full.
· Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin and Rep. Rahm Emanuel: These Illinois Democrats are co-hosting a "Chicago Night" party Tuesday at the Irish pub Fado. Why is this party so important? Because it's likely to be filled with key Land of Lincoln Democrats who've known Obama a lot longer than anyone else in Denver -- the folks who became supporters back when Obama was a no-name state senator in a hotly contested Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat in 2004.
If Obama were to win in November, Durbin and Emanuel -- his closest allies on the Hill -- probably would serve as an early-warning system should he encounter trouble with congressional Democrats.
Republicans Ruling the Twin Cities
· Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.): He's got the somewhat odd title of "temporary chairman" of the GOP convention. That's because the "permanent chairman" is House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio). Basically, the two leaders will co-chair the convention, but every four years the "temporary" and "permanent" title flip between the GOP's House and Senate leaders.
McConnell also is chairman of the Kentucky delegation, continuing his long-standing status as Bluegrass State Republicans' party boss.
McConnell, who is up for reelection in November, will get to speak on the floor at a time yet to be determined. But he did not receive one of the top prime-time slots, according to the speaking lineups announced by the Republican National Committee yesterday.
· Boehner: His clout at the quadrennial conventions has grown ever since he launched nightly warehouse parties at the GOP convention in San Diego in 1996. Boehner has not been officially associated with the parties since that year. But they have continued every four years under the banner of Warehouse Productions, run by lobbyists who are considered close to Boehner.
The show goes on this year with nightly parties in downtown Minneapolis, complete with performances by Boehner's favorite band, Duck Soup, a Texas-based group that is a regular presence at parties for Professional Golf Association tour events.
· McCarthy and Sen. Richard Burr (N.C.): This pair of Generation Next Republicans is running the platform committee, which often serves as the scene of internal party disputes on issues such as abortion rights. McCarthy, 43, is a freshman House member and Burr, 52, is a freshman senator, but both are considered policy wonks in their respective GOP conferences.
To fully open up the process, they started a Web site that serves as an electronic platform suggestion box. In an interview last month with washingtonpost.com's Ben Pershing, McCarthy said his goal was to create a platform that is "shorter, more principled and forward-looking." He added: "I think the vast majority of Republicans will like the outcome. That's my goal."
· Former congressman Tom DeLay (Tex.): Yep, the onetime House majority leader is gone but nowhere near forgotten. He retired in June 2006 amid numerous investigations, but what would a GOP convention be without DeLay?
In 2000 he leased a fleet of railroad cars and parked them outside Philadelphia's Wachovia Center for GOP members of Congress to use as getaway suites from the hustle and bustle of the convention floor. In 2004, he tried to lease a cruise ship and dock it close to New York City's Madison Square Garden as a base of operations for House Republicans, until questions arose about the image of lawmakers staying on their own ship instead of in the host city.
So on Sept. 1, convention kickoff night, DeLay's new organization -- the Coalition for a Conservative Majority -- is having one of the more exclusive parties of the week at the Aqua Club in Minneapolis. The event, featuring the rock band Smash Mouth, is a fundraiser for DeLay's organization and its party co-host, Citizens United. Private VIP rooms with "premium bars and bottle service" are available for the largest corporate donors.
The geopolitics of Georgia
F. William Engdahl: There Are Far Bigger Stakes Being Played Out In Georgia Than A Territorial Dispute
"The Russians Moved Because They Know You Are Weak"
The last two weeks have been a disaster for U.S. foreign policy.
Daniel Benjamin
The Bottom Of The Barrel
Giuliani, Lieberman Will Speak at GOP Convention
Socially moderate former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and former Democratic vice presidential nominee Joseph I. Lieberman will have featured speaking roles at next month's Republican National Convention, party officials announced yesterday.
(By Robert Barnes, The Washington Post)
Democrats reacted with disappointment but not surprise. Lieberman has been a high-profile surrogate since endorsing McCain in December, with his name even surfacing as a potential running mate.
"He's completely written off the Democratic Party, not just in Connecticut, but nationally," said George Jepsen, a former Democratic state chairman who backed Lieberman's opponent in 2006, Ned Lamont.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid declined to address the obvious question: Will this prompt Lieberman's expulsion from the Democratic caucus?
Independent Lieberman upends political world | Conn. senator wooed, criticized
The Real McCain, Fueled By Oil, Dedicated To Fewer Jobs and More Wars
Straight Talk…Like A Pipeline.
Was There Ever Any Doubt?
End Post…
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