Lieberman paying the price for doing his job...

Last time I checked, a Senator was supposed to be working in the best interest of the American people. And that is exactly what Sen. Joe Lieberman is doing - working with the President and Senate Republicans to address the future problems that lie ahead on Social Security.

Bush is adamant about including personal retirement accounts in the ultimate package - and I heartily agree with him - but he's also made it clear that many different proposals are on the table in an attempt to craft a bipartisan solution to a serious issue.

But the "Left-Wing" wing of the Democrat party is asserting its influence to nudge out any voices that seek to achieve the same kind of bipartisan solution. As John Hughes (not the "Breakfast Club" guy) writes in the Christian Science Monitor:

"Unlike some other unsuccessful candidates who find it difficult to adjust after defeat, Lieberman returned comfortably to the Senate, where he's been happily doing the people's business. Now his centrism is causing him problems with his own party. As if his support of the war in Iraq were not enough, he is working with President Bush to reform Social Security. This, in the eyes of some fellow Democrats, is political treachery."

Recently I found a site with the expressed goal of denying Lieberman his party's nomination for re-election to the Senate in 2006. Now, I've been a fan of Joe since he gave the commencement address at my college graduation ceremony back in 1989, having recently taken over the Senate seat he won from Republican Lowell Weicker (a notorious all around pain in the ass of both parties). I don't agree with Joe on everything but he brings something to the Senate that is all too rare these days - integrity. However, to many members of his own party, integrity takes a backseat to partisanship.

Hughes states it plainly:

"Social Security reform should not be a political football, a cleverly orchestrated "defeat" for Bush if the Democrats manage to thwart it, or a "victory" for Bush if he can corral enough Republicans and Democrats to get it done. It is a misunderstood problem and the president is having a tough time making headway on it. There are doubts among Republicans and concerns among Democrats. But this is a national problem that demands bipartisan concentration. It is not a game for "winners" and "losers." The American people must be the winners."

I think Lieberman's overall popularity in Connecticut will ultimately carry him through the primary and the general election 20 months from now. But observing the growing tide of reactionary liberalism within his party, I'm not 100% confident.

Joe has been treated very shabbily by his supposed "friends" in the Democrat party ever since he returned to the Senate following the 2000 election. He deserves much better than that.

Posted by: Gary at 08:49 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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