Feb 22 2007
Democrat’s May Lose Senate Majority
I stated, right after the November elections, that the two most powerful people in the country were now President Bush and Senator Joe Lieberman. After being dumped by his party in the primary, Lieberman felt so strongly about our efforts in Iraq and the ME, and how those efforts played towards the security of Israel, that Lieberman held the balance of power in the Senate and was stronger the Harry Ried, if push came to shove. The push has come to shove now that the Democrats are going all out to cripple our military’s resources and effectiveness in Iraq in order to force a surrender of Iraq to al Qaeda:
Key U.S. Senate Democrats are preparing a proposal to start bringing U.S. combat troops home from Iraq by rewriting Congress’ 2002 authorization for the war, which many now view as a mistake, aides said on Thursday.
Undeterred by Senate Republicans who halted a non-binding resolution opposing President George W. Bush’s troop buildup in Iraq, the Democrats are determined to challenge Bush anew by replacing the 2002 authorization of force in Iraq with a narrower mission statement for U.S. troops, the aides said.
The newly defined U.S. mission would involve denying terrorists a safe haven in Iraq, training Iraqi troops and helping Iraqis protect their own borders, said one Democratic aide. The proposal would be binding and a draft calls for U.S. troops not involved in the narrower mission to come home by early 2008, he said.
There are 139,000 U.S. troops currently in Iraq; lawmakers would rely on the U.S. military to tell them how many would be needed for the narrower mission, the aides said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The proposal is being drafted by Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, and Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and their staffs — with the blessing of Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, the aides said.
I have never seen a more determined set of losers in my life. But their obsession in losing Iraq to prove Bush was wrong has consumed them to the point of recklessness. The fact the Dems could care less about how losing Iraq would effect this country’s future security makes it clear they could probably care less if they pushed Lieberman to another decision point – one he is more than willing and able to make. A poine he reiterated publically today – giving the Dems fair warning they are treading on politically disasterous ground (like they aren’t already with the American people?):
Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut told the Politico on Thursday that he has no immediate plans to switch parties, but suggested Democratic opposition to funding the war in Iraq might change his mind.
Lieberman, a registered independent who caucuses with Democrats, has been among the strongest supporters of the war and President Bush’s plan to send another 21,500 combat troops into Iraq to help quell the violence there.
“I have no desire to change parties,” Lieberman said in a telephone interview. “If that ever happens, it is because I feel the majority of Democrats have gone in a direction that I don’t feel comfortable with.”
This is not Lieberman’s first warning to the Dems. He made a very clear statement back in December there were limits to his support of his old party. I am not sure how many more warnings the Dems are going to get, I would say this is the last one. Murtha’s plan to ‘bleed’ our military out of Iraq is just one of many clear indications the Dems want to cripple our war effort. If the Murtha bill and this new bill pass the two houses, be ready for Joe to stop warning and take clear and decisive action. BTW, he would make a great VP on a Republican ticket, in my humble opinion. Heck, I could vote for him for President if he joined the Reps. He would be another ex-dem who made it to the top by going Rep. Just like the conservative icon Ronald Wilson Reagan. Of course my dream candidate is Condi Rice, and my list of acceptable candidates is limited to Guiliani and Romney and a few others. My wild card candidate is Michael Steele.
Giant Meteor MAY Destroy Earth!
Jesus Christ MAY Return for Second Coming!!
Chrysler MAY OVertake Toyota in Quality!!!
Hey AJ. As long as you’re discussing candidates…
The other day I was in a cloudy mood and left a comment on another conservative site about how few if any of the potential candidates for the Republican ticket were acceptable to many of the people there — Giuliani, for example, has been called a RINO, Hillary-lite, a gungrabber, and a liar by some of the posters there. (A number of them have given up on President Bush over illegal immigration, though it never quite made sense to me that illegal immigration should be considered Bush’s failure.) I lamented that maybe no one could be found who wouldn’t cause the Right to stay home on Election Day 2008. Someone replied with a link to Duncan Hunter’s site.
So I’m curious: AJ, have you given this Duncan Hunter fellow a look, and if you have, would you consider him one of your acceptable candidates?
Lieberman will never let Israel be wiped off the map. What would the Dems do as they watched Israel being attacked from all directions? Can you imagine the world watching the demise of the only democracy in the middle-east. Why? Because the Dems pretended that they wanted to protecting our troops and it is costing too much and depriving the wealthiest country in the world of a few more gifts. Holy cow!
I can’t believe that changing a resolution is constitutional. If it is then the congress is really the Commanders in Chief.
However, according to Dan Riehl:
Lieberman Would Support Republican For Prez
Politico mentioned that Chuck Hagel could switch sides.
I’ve been looking at Duncan Hunter for the last few weeks.
“If Lieberman were to caucus with the Republicans, they would still not take full control of the Senate, despite Vice President Dick Cheney’s ability to break 50-50 ties. This is because of a little-known Senate organizing resolution, passed in January, which gives Democrats control of the Senate and committee chairmanships until the beginning of the 111th Congress.â€
Are you sure about that Lurk? I’m pretty sure that jumpin Jim Jeffords did not come in until a few months after that congress had taken charge. You say that was passed in January? I’ve never heard of that rule, but it wouldn’t surprise me because the dems had to know they would only have a one person majority and that Lieberman could jump.
Aitch,
On most subjects I like Duncan Hunter a lot. My one qualm, as should be no surprise, is the immigration issue. But if it was Duncan or McCain? Duncan. Duncan or Hagel? Duncan. Guiliani (who has said he would not take guns) and Romney are my favorites. Steele would be awesome.
BTW, rules can be voted out!
Bikerken, I certainly hope not! It would need to be verified. Other than some old agreements, I’m sure the Senate Republicans would not have allowed it to pass.
The main issue with this organizational resolution, if true, deal with the committee chairmanship and Supreme Court nominees.
And, if true, then this will anger even more Americans towards the Democrats.
I like Duncan Hunter. I think he is a bit harsh on immigration. And he brought both barrels on the Dubai Ports deal. I think it warranted more thought. He drawn lines pretty hard. However he is better then most. Mitt or Steele would be great.
AJ is right. You need a simple majority to change Senate rules. If Lieberman were to caucus with the Reps they would take back leadership with Cheney the deciding vote….pending any other changes in party loyalty
I udnerstand hwo Lieberman feels, I was a life long Democrat who never even thought about voting Republican until the loons took over the party.
and now I am getting flack from drooling lefties right along with the Republicans.
This new trial baloon of the Democrats is sooooo stupid. Among other things they can only fight AlQaida. I can see it now, someone is trying to kill them and there they are trying to get permission to shoot back.
This is getting more like Viet nam in that the politicians are trying to tell the military how to fight. The only time they want to hear from someone in a uniform is if he is willing to give Bush a hard time and then of course they will parade them in front of a camera.
Disgraceful.
If Lieberman switches parties, the Republicans are back in control of the Senate. I suggest they be a little more respectful of Lieberman.
Yes, the world is getting a very good look at how the democrats would run a war and how they *really* feel about the military…and Executive Powers…of cource, the exception to the power of the Executive would be when *they* have control of the White House.
Shame on the voters who cannot see the democrat party for what they are and have been for a long time: NOT GOOD FOR AMERICA.
AJ, I like Rudy/Romney as the ticket…even the other way round would be fine with me. I heard Romney speak two weeks ago. He is very charming and smart. But I think Rudy has the “ruthlessness” that we may need in these dark times.
Off subject a bit, but it is also very exciting times we live…our economy has been booming and entrepreneurship has exploded…all while we are fighting for our very existence- thanks to George W. Bush. A booming economy has been one excellent way to stick it to our enemies-within and without.
Imho, we owe George W. Bush a lifetime of gratitude on so many levels.
Sooth MAY get a clue.
Film at whatever time he does, but 11 is too hopefull.
This is getting more like Viet nam in that the politicians are trying to tell the military how to fight.
BINGO, Terrye! And it’s not by accident either. It’s just the Dems pulling a page out of a 40-year-old play book and thinking it’s going to work again. I think they’re in for a rude awakening in more ways than one.
Giant Meteor MAY Destroy Earth!
Well, not for at least another 29 years, and, unfortunately, if he’s still alive, Bruce Willis will be 81. Of course that didn’t stop these guys.
Jesus Christ MAY Return for Second Coming!!
Cross out “MAY”, insert “WILL”, just not sure “WHEN.”
Chrysler MAY OVertake Toyota in Quality!!!
Having owned both, (and currently owner of 2 Toyotas) I’d say that is the least likely of the 3 to occur.
Chrysler MAY OVertake Toyota in Quality!!!
Having owned both, (and currently owner of 2 Toyotas) I’d say that is the least likely of the 3 to occur.
Let me rephrase that to conform to the topic of the thread. That is less likely than the Dems losing control of the Senate.
And Arlen Specter wants to determine the constitutional authority of Congress as “commander-in-chief” role. They’re trying to rewrite the US Constitution.
RS
I own a Nissan which is a cheap imitation of a Toyota, but that is only because my dear departed wife chose it.
I also have a Tesla roadster, a battery powered car with the torque curve that puts a Lombroghini to shame.
Oh , you don’t drive a Tesla, you just sort of aim it and hope the road has enough sense to stay below it.
http://WWW.teslamoters.com
http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/IB23Ak04.html
Not sure Lieberman and Rice could work together, Lieberman being even more owned by Israel than Condi, as this piece indicates.
By the way, Kathie, Israel is not a democracy, it’s a Jewish supremacist state. Israeli Arabs have just put their rulers on notice
with a demand to be treated as equals.
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/breakingnews/article_21265583.shtml
Arabs put Jewish fascists on notice above. Not that you guys, aside from Sooth would notice–you’re comfortable with Bush’s usurpation
of presidential powers and hate the belated Congressional attempt to
bring the executive back in line.