Liberals tried to tell Harry Reid and Barack Obama months ago that Joe Lieberman shouldn't be allowed into the Democratic Caucus or be allowed be allowed to assume any Democratic committee positions. After all, he had run against the Democratic candidate in Connecticut (and defeated him) and had supported George Bush's illegal wars. Then he not only supported Republican John McCain for president, and spoke for him at the Republican Convention and on the campaign trail.
But Reid and Obama wouldn't listen, and convinced Senate Democrats to once again allow Lieberman into the Democratic Caucus. They said they would need his vote to overcome Republican filibusters (as if he would ever turn on his Republican buddies).
Now, Lieberman's vote is needed to turn back a Republican filibuster against health care reform. So what is Lieberman going to do? Naturally, he's going to support his real party -- the Republicans. Lieberman announced yesterday that he will back the Republican effort to filibuster and kill the Senate Democrats' health care reform bill.
Lieberman especially opposes the public option for insurance that would help poor and working-class Americans get health care insurance coverage. He said he would vote against the public option "even with an opt-out because it still creates a whole new government entitlement program for which taxpayers will be on the line."
He was allowed back in the Democratic Caucus because his vote was needed, but once again, when the chips are down he is voting with the Republicans. Allowing him back into the caucus is analogous to letting a rattlesnake into your bed -- you're going to keep getting bit until you get that snake out of your bed.
It's long past time to kick Lieberman out. He will never vote with Democrats on any important issue, and those who think he will are fools.
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