US: Will One Maverick Be Punished For Backing Another?

MB November 7, 2008, 7:32 pm

Former Democrat vice-presidential hopeful (in 2000) Senator Joe Lieberman (pictured), who has since gone Independent but votes with the Democrats most of the time, looks set to be stripped of his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

The reason? Because he endorsed Republican “maverick” John McCain in the presidential race. Lieberman had also been talked about as a potential running mate for McCain before Republican mainstream pressure was brought to bear and McCain picked Sarah Palin.

Lieberman, who represents Connecticut, had a tense 45-minute meeting with Senator Harry Reid (Dem-Nevada) yesterday. Reid, who is House majority leader, maintains that no decision has been made, but an anonymous aide was heard whispering that the Senate boss was looking into depriving Lieberman of his committee platform.

Senator Reid has issused a statement saying: “While I understand that Senator Lieberman has voted with Democrats a majority of the time, his comments and actions have raised serious concerns among many in our caucus.”

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