TPMDC
Lieberman On Trigger Option: 'I Don't Feel Like Wiggling'
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
Share
Send to a friend!
In a scrum with reporters just now, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) was asked how strong his commitment to filibustering any health care reform public option really is. Asked if he saw any "wiggle room" on his pledge -- say, a trigger for example -- Lieberman said he'll stand firm.
"I don't feel like wiggling," he said.
Lieberman has stated his disdain for a trigger option before. And today he showed how inflexible on the compromise public option, which would kick in (or be "triggered") only if certain conditions in the private market were not met.
The "wiggle" question was the only one Lieberman took on health care at the scrum, which was mainly focused on the chances of climate change legislation in the Senate.
Comments (58) | Join the Conversation!
Leave a comment
Follow us!
Most Popular
TPM Stories Now Surging on Digg.com
TPM Top News
© 2010 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Overreach THIS!
November 10, 2009 5:12 PM
Be true to your principles, Traitor Joe!
Your conscience says we can't take a budgetary risk on this, though screw the budget when it comes to the all-important Iraq mega-fiasco!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
The Old Grouch
November 10, 2009 6:19 PM in reply to Overreach THIS!
Holy Joe has principles? Other than "Joe first!", I mean?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Overreach THIS!
November 10, 2009 6:28 PM in reply to The Old Grouch
He really is one of the most self-important, self-satisfied horse's asses I have come upon in this life, Mr. Grouch. You can just see him imagining grandly to himself that anyone cares about the actual texts of his deceitful explanations and venal pronouncements.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
kash79
November 10, 2009 5:13 PM
At the obvious risk of sounding too polite, no one gives a rat's ass about Joe Lieberman's feelings.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
iamofit
November 11, 2009 10:32 AM in reply to kash79
Actually, this sunday there is a candlelight vigil at his house. We will silently protest and fill his yard with constituents who disagree with him. http://www.seiu2001.org/action/Interfaith_Vigil_for_Healthcare_Reform_at_Joe_Lieberman_s_House.aspx
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
plan69
November 10, 2009 5:14 PM
people are dying for lack of affordable health care and he doesn't want to vote to help them because he doesn't fucking feel like it !? Marie Antoinette had her head chopped off because of an attitude like this. What the fuck is wrong with our representatives?!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Silence
November 10, 2009 7:28 PM in reply to plan69
Another crisis?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Indie Pro
November 10, 2009 5:15 PM
I thought worms like to wiggle.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
tiowally
November 10, 2009 8:14 PM in reply to Indie Pro
No. Worms like to wriggle ... like on a fish hook. Sadly but truly, imagining Joe similarly "strung" does not upset me much.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
UTMark
November 11, 2009 9:24 AM in reply to tiowally
That was my first reaction, then I realized that I actually like worms. They are an important part of a garden ecosystem.
I know worms, and have worked with worms. Worms are friends of mine. Traitor Joe is no worm.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
EH
November 10, 2009 5:19 PM
nobody ever asks joe about his constituents.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
CT Voter
November 10, 2009 5:23 PM in reply to EH
What would be the point? Joe has made it clear he doesn't give a rat's ass about his constituents. No reason to ask about it.
Signed,
A disgruntled constituent.
-
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
thomas1
November 10, 2009 5:54 PM in reply to CT Voter
remember it Conn for Joe, not Joe for Conn. This tell you everything
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
BlindBat
November 10, 2009 6:41 PM in reply to thomas1
Bingo. That was telling, indeed.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
aikbay
November 10, 2009 9:57 PM in reply to thomas1
It's nothing to do with Conn. His real name is Joe LieConMan. Holy Joe ain't so holy and he has reached the same level of hate I have for Dick Cheney and trust me, that's saying something.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
StarShineSpeaks
November 11, 2009 3:02 AM in reply to CT Voter
You got that right! He couldn't care less about the folks at home, but it's strange how gross he acts in his stubborn statements on Fox. So unattractive and surprising for a politician to be so giddy about his antidemocratic intentions. When he ran with Gore, I had no idea he was such a creep. But karma is a killer. We should all donate to his opponent and he needs to lose that committee immediately.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
kash79
November 10, 2009 5:23 PM in reply to EH
Nobody asks his constituents about Joe
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mans_best_friend
November 10, 2009 5:24 PM in reply to EH
Do you mean Cigna and Aetna?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
CT Voter
November 10, 2009 5:25 PM
When I read the headline, I immediately got an image of a dog wiggling--you know, how they wiggle when they're really happy about something?
And now I have images of Lieberman wiggling the same way, and it's not pretty. It's disturbing, in fact. Thanks for the imagery, TPM.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Indie Pro
November 10, 2009 5:26 PM in reply to CT Voter
thanks for sharing it with the rest of us. Eww.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
CT Voter
November 10, 2009 5:27 PM in reply to Indie Pro
Hey, whatever I can do to raise the level of discourse! :)
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
The Old Grouch
November 10, 2009 6:19 PM in reply to CT Voter
Yeah, now I have to go wash my brain out with bleach.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Minne sconsin
November 10, 2009 6:37 PM in reply to CT Voter
My image was Joe on a hook, being eyed up by one really big-ass bass. Ready to just suck him down.
Kind of takes me to my happy place.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
tiowally
November 10, 2009 8:57 PM in reply to Minne sconsin
Sorry. I should have read all the way through the comments before I posted. Great minds ...?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jolly ranchero
November 10, 2009 5:26 PM
Wait...he wont take a PO, a triggered PO, a "co-op" version, or any combo thereof? Can someone ask him specifically what kind of reform he envisions, cuz to me it sounds like he wants absolutely nothing the status quo forever....
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
cwnidog
November 10, 2009 6:06 PM in reply to jolly ranchero
The kind of reform Joe envisions is essentially subsidies for insurance companies. Not increased coverage, which bites into the bottom line, and heaven forfend that universal, single-payer health care be mentioned.
I will have to admit that he's showing a kind of perverse integrity, in that once he's bought he stays bought.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Vic Arpeggio
November 10, 2009 5:27 PM
Methinks Joementum just wiggled himself out of his committee memberships.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Overreach THIS!
November 10, 2009 5:31 PM
Sheldon Whitehouse quietly but in a *big way* went after Traitor Joe last night on Keith. He wasn't exactly *asked* but he volunteered that if Lieberman was worried about budget as Lieberman claims, they could sit him and rebut that concern and then he'd half to vote yes, so great, we win. =D http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#33812354
Happens at 6:13 minutes.
And then if Traitor Joe came up with other rationales not to vote yes, "that will have an effect on his credibility, but for now I take him at face value," snarked Whitehouse politely. He's moving to box in Traitor Joe. The latter's committee chair is obviously under threat. What, no fun for Traitor Joe grandstanding over Fort Hood?
In the next segment, Howard Fineman, Howard Fineman says right off the bat that Whitehouse is "very smart" and so is not taking Traitor Joe at face value: "just saying that" i.e. using lawyerly skills to box in the shameful turncoat.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mans_best_friend
November 10, 2009 5:35 PM in reply to Overreach THIS!
Using facts to try to convince Lieberman?? Good luck with that.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Overreach THIS!
November 10, 2009 6:18 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
Well, it's more pressure than facts. Point is, they'll say, we heard your argument and we're glad you made it. Then they'll lay into him why it won't raise deficit, so they win. And if he goes, "I don't see the public as really crying out for this right now," they pounce. They say, "We heard your reasons and addressed them; and now you're being inconsistent, you have *other* reasons?"
"Are you just basically disloyal, Traitor Joe?" being the implication. They have to decide if they're ready to take away his HS chairmanship; hope they do.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mans_best_friend
November 10, 2009 6:41 PM in reply to Overreach THIS!
He's already bounced from one illogical reason to the next. It doesn't matter to him if his reasoning makes no sense. He doesn't care. He will not respond to logic. He has only one criterion: what's good for Joe. That's all he responds to. The only way to reach him is to convince him that a vote against this bill is bad for Joe. Make the cost of voting against it higher than the cost of voting for it.
About the only way I see to do that is to put his committee chairmanship on the line, but maybe Reid has something else up his sleeve. There's no way to know because it will most assuredly be done in private. The last thing Reid wants to do is let him assume the role of martyr.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Overreach THIS!
November 10, 2009 7:00 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
Good comments!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Overreach THIS!
November 10, 2009 7:06 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
I don't know what else Reid could have up his sleeve, but I suppose it could be anything from threat of a smaller office to briber/ethics as to insurance companies, to espionage for Israel.
Say after the Health Care vote they take away the Committee he's so excited about using for insufferable grandstanding. Can they afford him switch sides even then?
I wish Olympia Snowe would come over already!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
theone718
November 10, 2009 5:36 PM
Everytime he speaks I get angry at every person, Republican and Democrat, who voted for this guy. Either party HE ISN'T FOR YOU.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mc mark
November 10, 2009 5:52 PM in reply to theone718
Republican and Democrats didn't vote for him. the "healthcare" industry based in CT did.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Bullsmith
November 10, 2009 5:39 PM
Joe will feel like wiggling when his backers want him too. Wouldn't it be nice if his constituents made him aware of their feelings, which I suspect are somewhat different from Joe's.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ohyeathatsright
November 10, 2009 5:50 PM
I didn't know scrum was a word used outside of software development and rugby circles. Taking it mainstream!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Mateo123
November 10, 2009 5:53 PM
Interesting. Joe Must Go.
Seriously, we have to look to some other GOPers and their pet issue to get past filibuster. Lieberman is an advocate for equal rights for gays and lesbians. We need to think of a way to make that issue somehow related to this issue of health care. Or, we need to look to some others. . . . It's tough. he isn't much help, though.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Moose49
November 10, 2009 6:05 PM
Forget wiggling like a worm. It's time to make him squeal like a pig.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
DickTater
November 10, 2009 6:10 PM in reply to Moose49
Right on. And what a pitiful mewling it would be. Somehow Deputy Dawg and Droopy and a Swine and a Mountain Cat screech all rolled into one Liebersqueal
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Moose49
November 10, 2009 7:13 PM in reply to DickTater
Better Lieberman than Ned Beatty.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Walter Mitty
November 10, 2009 6:35 PM
Biggest mistake ever allowing this scumbag back into the Dem caucus. He's as useless as tits on a bull and the fact that he caucuses with the Dems gives his grandstands that much more clout.
This asshole campaigns for McCain and Palin, in the process smearing Obama/Biden and now is in his glory speaking against a Public option he was for not five year ago. He's against it because Democrats are for it. He's pissed off because they chose Lamont, and pissed off because he's be Secretary of State in the McCain Administration and is getting his revenge.
He lives to stick it to the Democratic Party. They should lick him out of their caucus in 2010 and strip his chairmanship. Let his caucus with the minority Republicans for two years and then be voted out in 2012.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mmanion
November 10, 2009 6:35 PM
'Lieberman Option': Forward your unpaid medical bills to the good Senator, since he sees no need for a public option.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Kevin Cassidy
November 10, 2009 6:48 PM
Wiggling, while possible without a spine, yet requires sufficient fiber to contract and expand. Joe has atrophied past that point.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jsg73
November 10, 2009 6:49 PM
why wiggling when you can slither
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
wake up
November 10, 2009 7:06 PM in reply to jsg73
A poisonous snake -- that's him, all right.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jbentley4
November 10, 2009 6:53 PM
Reconciliation - don't let one Senator think that he/she is the only one that matters.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
CJ
November 10, 2009 6:54 PM
One word: reconciliation.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
wake up
November 10, 2009 7:07 PM in reply to CJ
Reconciliation, or something -- the only comfort I take is the image of Lieberman matching wits with Obama.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Rich in NJ
November 10, 2009 7:34 PM in reply to CJ
So simple, yet so true.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
some dude named steevo
November 10, 2009 8:08 PM
Lieberman is like the cowardly lion, he will fold like a noodle when push comes to shove.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
USgreentech
November 10, 2009 10:05 PM
Wiggle boy wiggle.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
DestinyofAmelie
November 10, 2009 10:07 PM
Reconciliation.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
aabbmm
November 10, 2009 11:12 PM
He's not a worm, he's a caterpillar. And one day, not too far from now, he'll emerge from his cocoon as a beautiful wingnut moth, to the delight of his fellow limbecks.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
decisivemoment
November 10, 2009 11:26 PM
Of course he doesn't feel like wiggling. Slithering is so much smoother.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Beagle
November 11, 2009 12:07 AM
If Joe Lieberman filibusters health care, I will donate to his opponent
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/If-Joe-Lieberman-filibusters-health-care-I-will-donate-to-his-opponent/172960531993?ref=nf
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ShawninMo
November 11, 2009 10:15 PM
Now, do all of you see why he didn't deserve to "win" in 2000? You bitched about the supreme court and they were doing you a favor. Ungrateful bunch of...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Stephanie Hunter
November 12, 2009 11:32 AM
Well, it is all about how you feel, Joe! How would you feel if this were true for you? http://cli.gs/23yYaM/
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?