Former Federal Employee's Blog

Former Federal Employee Commented on Poll: Majority Thinks One-Party Dem Rule Will Be Good For Country by Greg Sargent

2008-11-12T04:05:08Z

We have an opening to prove what we're selling is better than the other leading brand.

If we don't, then we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Former Federal Employee Commented on Lieberman Aide: Booting Him Would Be Putting Politics Ahead Of Nation's Safety by Greg Sargent

2008-11-09T19:11:13Z

We feel good about this, because we're going to trust our initiatives to people who vote with us a lot less than 99% of the time to pass our motions for cloture. We can't name any of these sensible, moderate Republican aiders and abettors yet, but we shouldn't let that worry us. I mean, look how far W. has gotten without anything like a plan. We should be encouraged by that.

As others have pointed out, he's also terrible at his job, even though we waited until we had a majority not dependent on unaffiliated senators to let him know it.

For what it's worth, I'm not contesting Lieberman's treachery or his alleged inefficacy as committee chairman.

Former Federal Employee Commented on Lieberman Aide Threatens Reid: He'll Bolt Dem Caucus by Greg Sargent

2008-11-08T18:24:18Z

That may be, but Harry Reid isn't Joe's boss. Joe gets paid the same from the Treasury whether a single piece of Democratic legislation goes through, or none do.

It may be that a cost-benefit analysis shows that demoting Joe is a good move, from whatever perspective. Pushing him around for the joy of doing so publicly isn't and shouldn't be enough.

Let's remember how effective we've been in getting bills through the Senate, and remember that there's no difference between 51 and 59 when it comes to a motion for cloture.

Former Federal Employee Commented on Lieberman Aide Threatens Reid: He'll Bolt Dem Caucus by Greg Sargent

2008-11-07T22:12:55Z

In mid-November 2007, the Senate Democrats tried to pass a motion for cloture on a farm bill. It failed 55-42, with Lieberman, Sanders, Grassley, Smith (likely replaced by Merkley), Coleman (possibly replaced by Franken) and Thune joining the 49 Democrats. Nine months earlier, Lieberman voted against cloture in a filibuster meant to prevent the Senate from discussing a House bill explicitly rejecting Bush's plan to send another 21,500 combat troops to Iraq.

This is the spectrum for Joe. Any issue that relates tangentially to the protection of Israel, including withdrawing from Iraq, will push Lieberman to the Republicans; on just about anything else, he'll come along for the Democrats even if there's no real benefit to his constituency, like the farm bill. Connecticut's not getting rich from corn ethanol subsidies, folks. Is there a Republican out there who votes like this? I'll read any voting record you present. Collins? Snowe? Specter? Yeah, I'm sure they'll be 100% behind whatever we care to propose.

You want to be upset with Lieberman for what he said in the primaries, okay. If you just want to stick it to him because bastards like him don't cross the Democrats and emerge unscathed, then maybe we're all a little more Republican than I thought.

Former Federal Employee Commented on In Private Meeting, Reid Tells Lieberman That It's Unlikely He'll Keep Committee Slot by Greg Sargent

2008-11-07T13:24:12Z

Who are these moderate Republicans who will just 'go along' with Obama because he asks them nicely? What kind of watering down will each and every piece of legislation have to go through, just to satisfy these moderate Republicans?

Joe Lieberman is that moderate Republican, and his vote's much easier to get than just about anyone else I can name. Withdrawal from Iraq's a given, and speeches to the contrary, no one in the Senate's going to risk his or her good name on one more soldier being killed than necessary. But what about environmental legislation? Do we really think that Pat Inhofe will be so impressed by the shift in power that he'll vote for a carbon tax/tariff scheme? Do we really think that any Republican is going to vote to change capital-gains or estate taxes to offset a lowering of taxes on income from wages, i.e., money that comes from working? Come on. These guys will close ranks, they will shut out any but the most necessary legislation, and they will make us look foolish.

We need Obama to lock in his best guesses for dealing with national problems early, to demonstrate competence. We won't be given any credit for a recalcitrant Senate rump that blocks all of our necessary legislation. We need successes to build our credibility with a public that doesn't think highly of government.

There are too many pressing needs to bother with petty revenge.