Tag Archives: Joe Lieberman

February 13, 2013 · 8:10 AM

Obama Delivers One of the Best Speeches of His Presidency: a Tour de Force SOTU

obama-sotu-2013-5

obama-sotu-2013-5

I must say, I absolutely agree with the author of the following article, Jason Easley…

PoliticusUSA

The Obama vision for America was laid out in sweeping fashion. President Obama delivered what might be the greatest State of the Union address from a president in at least 25 years.

Why was Obama’s address so good? It laid out a real vision for the future.

The president took on broad issues like climate change,”The good news is, we can make meaningful progress on this issue while driving strong economic growth. I urge this Congress to pursue a bipartisan, market-based solution to climate change, like the one John McCain and Joe Lieberman worked on together a few years ago. But if Congress won’t act soon to protect future generations, I will. I will direct my Cabinet to come up with executive actions we can take, now and in the future, to reduce pollution, prepare our communities for the consequences of climate change, and speed the transition to more sustainable sources of energy. Four years ago, other countries dominated the clean energy market and the jobs that came with it. We’ve begun to change that. Last year, wind energy added nearly half of all new power capacity in America. So let’s generate even more. Solar energy gets cheaper by the year – so let’s drive costs down even further. As long as countries like China keep going all-in on clean energy, so must we.”

Obama laid out the goal of slashing our energy waste in homes and business by 50% over the next 20 years, “I’m also issuing a new goal for America: let’s cut in half the energy wasted by our homes and businesses over the next twenty years. The states with the best ideas to create jobs and lower energy bills by constructing more efficient buildings will receive federal support to help make it happen.”

The president proposed a comprehensive infrastructure repair program that uses public and private capital, “I’m also issuing a new goal for America: let’s cut in half the energy wasted by our homes and businesses over the next twenty years. The states with the best ideas to create jobs and lower energy bills by constructing more efficient buildings will receive federal support to help make it happen.”

Continue reading…

Related articles

 

1 Comment

Filed under SOTU-2013, State of the Union Address

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

November 29, 2012 · 2:28 PM

Where were the “3 amigos” when the GOP lied us into war?

1 Comment

Filed under U.S. Politics

Tagged as , , ,

November 24, 2012 · 4:05 AM

Week in one-liners: Biden, Rubio, Christie

AP Photos

POLITICO

The top quotes in politics …

“And you’ve got a homeboy in the deal who gets it.” — Vice President Joe Biden reassuring  Hurricane Sandy victims.

“I’m not a scientist, man.” — Sen. Marco Rubio on the age of the earth.

“When you’re in a hole, stop digging.” — Sen. Lindsey Graham advising Mitt Romney.

“I respectfully separate myself from my two amigos.” — Sen. Joe Lieberman disagreeing with his colleagues.

“It’s basically fused to my skin at this point.” — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie joking about his fleece jacket.

“Congratulations, Cobbler!” — President Barack Obama pardoning the White House Thanksgiving turkey.

Comments Off

Filed under Politico top quotes of the week

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

January 25, 2011 · 1:31 AM

Senator Olbermann? Online Movement Afoot To Draft Ex-MSNBCer For Senate Run

Things are getting curiouser and curiouser…

TPM LiveWire

Friday night’s shocking announcement that Keith Olbermann was immediately leaving MSNBC has had an interesting effect on both detractors and supporters. Right of center media outlets appear to a have embraced a measured yet celebratory tone, while those on the left have called it an “end of free speech,” and have begun to hypothesis what could be Olbermann’s next steps. Some enterprising members of the left wing DailyKos website have begun a DraftOlbermann campaign for the Connecticut Senate seat soon to be vacated by Joe Lieberman. Hey if Linda McMahon can run…

Started by DailyKos contributor who goes by the moniker “Stranded Wind,” the movement is still very much in its infancy, and is likely to be seen as delusional by its detractors. Still, its a rather impressive reaction that says more about the loyal following that Olbermann engendered from the DailyKos, even if detractors are certain to portray this as a joke, or if there is realistically very little chance for a potential senate run.

The thinking is summed up “He is, however, just old enough, smart enough, polished enough, and has all of the other attributes that would make him a darned good Senator for the state of Connecticut,” adding “So we decided we’d draft him to replace Joe Lieberman.” There are some concerns for NOT doing this, but those get addressed as well.    More…

Related Articles

Comments Off

Filed under Keith Olbermann

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

January 22, 2011 · 7:44 PM

Politico’s:The Week In One Liners

 

The week’s top 10 quotes in politics:

“I am not going to shut up.” – Sarah Palin, responding to criticism she faced over her rhetoric in the wake of the Tucson shootings. 

“I’m so pyscho-busy, my days don’t finish until really late.” – Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker, explaining why he’s single. 

“Finally a piece of good news this week.” – Director Michael Moore, tweeting his reaction to Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman’s announcement that he won’t seek re-election. 

“Finally I met somebody that makes me look laid back.” – Former President Bill Clinton, describing Chicago mayoral hopeful Rahm Emanuel. 

“Slow down.” – Newt Gingrich, offering some advice to Sarah Palin. 

“Reince Priebus is also the name of a car often seen driven by Jay Leno.” – David Letterman, spoofing the new RNC chair’s unusual name. 

“She should stop talking now.” - Former Bush speechwriter David Frum, on Palin. 

“I promise you, that when Regis leaves television, I’ll leave the Senate.” – Lieberman, joking about how he arrived at his decision to retire. 

“I know how Caesar felt.” – Former RNC Chair Michael Steele, explaining what it felt like to be replaced by Priebus, a one-time aide. 

“If you take a shot whenever Republicans say something that’s not true, please assign a designated driver.” – Rep. Anthony Weiner, attempting to create a drinking game about politics.

1 Comment

Filed under Politico, Politico Top 10 Quotes of the Week, Politico's Best Quotes of 2010

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

December 14, 2010 · 4:12 PM

Wooing Joe Lieberman for 2012

Politico

It got so bad two years ago between Joe Lieberman and Senate Democrats that he started skipping weekly caucus lunches because tensions were at a boil.

Now, Lieberman just might be one of the most popular senators in the lunchroom.

Along with other senior Democrats, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is quietly urging the Connecticut lawmaker to run for a fifth Senate term in 2012 — and to stick with the Democratic side of the aisle. (See: Joe Lieberman keeps options open in Connecticut)

But Republicans are trying to get Lieberman to sit at their lunch table instead. (See: Joe Lieberman left with limited 2012 options)

Texas Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said he’s engaged in “friendly banter” with Lieberman about joining the Republican Conference and running for the GOP nomination in 2012. Even the conservative Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) — who famously said he’d rather have 30 Senate Republicans with pure conservative values than 60 without — said “we’d love to have him.” (See: DeMint: I won’t stir GOP primary pot )

“We’re all conservative compared to Democrats,” DeMint told POLITICO. “We could use his help on foreign policy and military stuff.”

Continue reading here…

Comments Off

Filed under Joe Lieberman

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

December 9, 2010 · 10:20 AM

Operation Payback: WikiLeaks Supporters’ Cyberattacks Target Online ‘Enemies’

Logo used by Wikileaks

Image via Wikipedia

Huffington Post

An online group calling itself Anonymous is attacking sites around the web perceived to be “enemies” of WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange. This appears to be the group responsible for the shutdown of the Mastercard site earlier today, owing to Mastercard’s refusal to process payments to the group. After the site went down, the group posted a statement that read in part:

We will fire at anything or anyone that tries to censor WikiLeaks, including multibillion-dollar companies such as PayPal.Twitter, you’re next for censoring #WikiLeaks discussion. The major shitstorm has begun.

 Other targets that have already been targeted, or threatened with attack, range from Sarah Palin to Sen. Joe Lieberman to PayPal, the last of which recently admitted to bowing to U.S. pressure to break ties with the site.

Follow live updates on The Huffington Post.

Related Articles

Comments Off

Filed under Julian Assange, Wikileaks

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

December 8, 2010 · 8:40 PM

Lieberman To Reid On DADT: Back Off, I Got This

Joe Liberman (I-CT) is definately not on my list of “favorite politicians”, but in this instance, when it comes to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell negotiations in the Senate, I think Lieberman will have more “bi-partisan” clout.  Therefore, I welcome his leadership on this issue.  DADT needs to be passed before the end of the “lame duck” session of Congress is over.

TPMDC

Senate Democrats are on the precipice of getting a Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal past a key procedural hurdle tonight. But key negotiators have grown frustrated by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his staff for upping the pressure at a fragile moment, potentially scuttling the deal.

“I’ve been pleading with Senator Reid, don’t hold a vote on the defense authorization bill, the repeal of DADT, until we have a good opportunity to work out a fair process for the consideration bill with Senator Collins and some of the other Republican,” said Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) this afternoon after a Dem caucus meeting. “Senator Collins really wants to vote for the bill with the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and Senator Scott Brown is the same and I think there may be at least one other Republican Senator to make that clear today.”

That third Republican has since been revealed as Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Lieberman has been the lead Dem negotiator for repeal, and has been in regular contact with all three Republican supporters. But earlier today his efforts were undermined, in his view, by Reid’s announcement of a test vote tonight, and by leaks from the leadership, accusing Collins of demanding too many procedural concessions, putting the success or failure of the vote tonight at her feet.

From Reid’s point of view the math is two-dimensional. By calling the vote, and leaking to the press, he ups the pressure on Collins to make a decision – and quickly. At the same time, he creates a focal point for liberal animus if the Senate fails to pass repeal before this Congress comes to an end and with it hope for a legislative solution to DADT. That’s not helpful to Lieberman, who wants to keep negotiations fluid, egos unbruised and the bill alive.

Continue reading here…

Related Articles

Comments Off

Filed under U.S. Politics

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

October 21, 2010 · 1:32 AM

O’Donnell Can’t Name A Single Democratic Senator

Oh my goodness! Can anyone running for public office, especially a United States Senator, be this dense?

Talking Points Memo

In a debate today hosted by local television station WHYY, Delaware Republican Senate nominee Christine O’Donnell seemed unable to name a single sitting Democratic senator. Asked which Democrats she would be willing to work with were she elected, O’Donnell paused for a long moment, before saying Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. O’Donnell acknowledged that Clinton is no longer a senator, but said she hopes to be on the Foreign Relations Committee and would be able to work with her in that capacity. When her opponent, Democrat Chris Coons, suggested O’Donnell couldn’t name any Democratic senators, she responded by shouting out the name of Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman:

MODERATOR: Give me a name, Christine, of someone in the U.S. Senate, across the aisle that you’re comfortable working with.

O’DONNELL: [Pause] Well, she’s not a senator any more, but I would definitely have to say Hillary Clinton. [...]

COONS: One of the real risks as we go forward, is that if we elect someone who literally cannot name a single currently serving senator in my party with whom she would work –

O’DONNELL: Senator Lieberman!

COONS: Someone who has no experience crossing the biparistan divide.

Watch:

Of course, this isn’t the first time O’Donnell has been stumped by a simple question. In a different debate on Monday, O’Donnell seemed confused about the text of the First Amendment, despite the fact that she has touted herself as a Constitutional scholar in the past.

For more on O’Donnell’s record, check out our ThinkProgress report: The Old Adventures of New Christine.

Related Articles

Comments Off

Filed under U.S. Politics

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

September 21, 2010 · 12:25 AM

Lieberman Organizing Against Obama On Bush Tax Cuts

As TPM DC puts it, Senator Joe Lieberman is making sure “no millionaire is left behind” if the middle class gets Obama’s tax cuts:

President Obama has been absolutely clear that he wants to see the Bush tax cuts for the top two income brackets expire. So who better to lead the charge in the Senate to see all the Bush tax cuts extended than Joe Lieberman (I-CT).

“I know that many people, including the President, have argued that the tax cuts should not be continued for people making more than $200,000 a year,” Lieberman told the Stamford Chamber of Commerce today. “But to me these are the people we need to be using their income to spend and invest to spur growth and job creation.”

Thus, he adds, “I have had promising discussions over the past several days with colleagues from both sides of the aisle who see a bipartisan path forward on a permanent extension of the middle-class tax cuts and a temporary extension of the tax cuts for the highest income brackets to make sure that nobody’s taxes go up while the economy is still struggling to recover.”

The statement comes just as Democratic leaders coalesce around a legislative game plan to pass Obama’s proposal.

Now, this doesn’t represent a change of position for Lieberman. He’s been arguing that the top-bracket tax rates should be extended for another two years since the debate heated up. And, for that matter, he’s also insisted that he won’t stand in the way by joining a GOP filibuster if Harry Reid tries to extend the tax rates for the lower brackets alone.

But it looks like he wasn’t kidding when “[I'll do] everything I can to make sure Congress extends the so-called Bush tax cuts for another year and takes action to prevent the estate tax from rising back to where it was.”

Related Articles

Comments Off

Filed under Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, Joe Lieberman

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,