First thoughts: Joe the Chairman?

Posted: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 9:26 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann
*** Joe the Chairman? If the news is correct, then the liberal blogosphere isn't going to be happy. NBC's Ken Strickland reported yesterday that, according to sources familiar with the negotiations, Democrats today are expected to vote in favor of letting Joe Lieberman keep his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee -- but give up the gavel on a subcommittee he chairs. (The vote happens this morning by secret ballot, and Lieberman is expected to address Senate Democrats before they vote. Per Strickland, we should know the final outcome by late morning.) So what happened? First, Strick says, Obama told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that he wanted Lieberman to stay in the Democratic caucus. Later, Lieberman told Reid it would be "unacceptable" for him to give up his gavel, which was considered by some as a veiled threat that Lieberman would jump to caucus with Republicans if he was forced to give up the gavel. In short, Obama tipped the scales in Lieberman's favor, one source said, explaining it this way: If the wrath was directed at Obama, and he got over it, shouldn't the Democratic caucus do the same?

*** Obama’s first test with the left: The news that Obama is the one mainly responsible for the wrist slap that Lieberman is expected to receive -- as well as the continued speculation that the president-elect is inching closer towards selecting Hillary Clinton as his secretary of state -- is really going to test Obama’s base. Many of the true believers aren’t going to be happy campers. Then again, with some pundits suggesting that Obama’s initial moves (picking Rahm Emanuel as his chief of staff, courting the Clintons) don’t really signal the change he promised to bring to Washington, isn’t it precisely change that Lieberman is about to go unpunished? After all, one of Obama's messages was to put the bitter partisanship of the last 16 years behind us. Does anyone think that a Clinton or a Bush Administration would be as forgiving?

Video: President elect Barack Obama's credo 'no drama Obama' is being tested early as he eyes Sen. Hillary Clinton for Sec. of State and Senate Democrats decide Joe Lieberman's fate. NBC's Chuck Todd reports.

Also, as Maureen Dowd wrote on Sunday, Obama bringing in Hillary as his secretary of state doesn’t represent the return of the Clintons; it says the opposite. “If you have a president who’s willing to open up his universe to other smart, strong people, if you have a big dog who shares his food dish, the Bill Clinton era is truly over.” One more point about Lieberman going unpunished: Could Obama truly meet with McCain yesterday in a sign of bipartisanship as Obama and Senate Democrats plotted to take away Lieberman’s gavel at the Homeland Security committee? By the way, imagine what this week would be like in the press corps had a more severe Lieberman punishment been on the docket. Talk about your drama.

*** When rivals meet: Speaking of yesterday’s Obama-McCain meeting, does the fact that nothing concrete leaked out mean nothing concrete was worked out? Also, it was supposed to be a 90-minute meeting, so why did it end up only 40 minutes. Not a good sign?

*** “V” is for Vetting: For the second day in a row, the vetting of Bill Clinton dominates the chatter about Hillary’s chances of becoming secretary of state. Today's New York Times doesn't feature just any byline -- but one that has given the Clintons particular heartburn: Don Van Natta Jr. How much stomach will Team Obama have for a Van Natta (or potentially a Michael Isikoff) sniffing around the Clintons?

*** Bailing out the bailout: In addition to today’s vote on Lieberman, the other big news on Capitol Hill is today’s testimony by the Big Three US automakers and the United Auto Workers in favor of a bailout. There is still a split between the two political parties on this issue. As the New York Times writes, "A showdown vote over the auto deal is set for Wednesday, and at the moment Democrats appear short of the 60 votes they need to move ahead, meaning the session is likely to be abbreviated.” The New York Times also has a very good separate piece about how the political power for the entire auto industry -- from the corporate heads to the labor unions -- is waning. By the way, how much does the perceived failure (to date) of the $700 billion financial bailout hurt the auto industry's chances of their own bailout? Why should any member of Congress feel comfortable about voting for an auto bailout if the one of the financial services industry hasn't worked out as planned?

*** Playing defense: As for the $700 billion bailout, Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson has an op-ed today defending his actions. “I am very proud of the decisive actions by the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve and the F.D.I.C. to stabilize our financial system," he writes. "We have done what was necessary as facts and conditions in the market and economy have changed, adjusting our strategy to most effectively address the crisis. We have preserved the flexibility of President-elect Barack Obama and the new secretary of the Treasury to address the challenges in the economy and capital markets they will face. As policymakers face the difficult challenges ahead, they will begin with two considerable advantages: a significantly more stable banking system, one where the failure of a major bank is no longer a pressing concern; and the resources, authority and potential programs available to deal with the future capital and liquidity needs of credit providers.”

*** The remaining races: In Alaska, election workers will count approximately 24,000 ballots today, which could give us a clearer picture in a race where challenger Mark Begich (D) currently leads incumbent Sen. Ted Stevens by 1,022 votes. After today, overseas ballots will remain to be counted, and the process, according to the Anchorage Daily News, will last through the week of December 1… In Georgia, early voting began yesterday for the Chambliss-Martin Senate run-off, and there were reports of some lines (the turnout of the youth and black vote in this runoff, by the way, will be the ultimate test of Obama's base; have they become permanently engaged in the overall political process or only engaged in Obama individually?)… And in Minnesota, the five-member state canvassing board meets today to officially certify the original results in the Coleman-Franken race, with the manual recount beginning tomorrow.

Countdown to Georgia Senate run-off: 14 days
Countdown to Electoral Vote Count: 51 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 63 days

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Comments

Michael Furlong - you confuse "senator" with "minotaur."

Sadly, she only has one end of that arrangement securely in hand - we can worry about the head end later.

Sarah Palin wouldn't make a pimple on a senator (Sent Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:48 AM)

"Probably won't clear the liberal filter", Funny how I don't really see a liberal filter on First Read. I read Eric's post and also didn't see any hate or bigotry in it, just his opinion.
Fact is, many people on both sides of the isle caused this current crisis, but most can see a reacuring theme - no matter what the crisis, the oil companies continue to make record profits. Bush = oil. Logic should follow.
However, I'd like to present a different, probably unpopular, idea. The greed of Americans' caused some of this problem. Living in houses we can't afford, driving cars we could barely pay for much less buy the gas for, wearing clothing and jewelry that are out of our budget - that helped to fuel the present economy. We lived off credit that we couldn't pay back for many years and now it is time to pay the piper.
I don't care how crooked the banks are - where is the common sense when people were told their house payment was going to be 3/4 of their monthly income - and they bought the house anyway!? Where is the common sense when you buy a car that gets 8 miles to the gallon and you commute 25 miles one way to work!? Where is the sense in making minimum payments on a $10000 credit card balance so you can go out to eat 4 times a week and drink Starbucks every morning? All of these actions are great for the overall economy in the short term, but very bad for the individual in the long run - and in turn, bad for the economy in the long run as we have seen.
Hopefully things will come around for us all, but as Americans, hopefully we've learned a lesson or two that we can teach to our children.

Living within my means and feeling good about it (Sent Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:51 AM)

To "Is Obama another Abe Lincoln"
You are not a very good student of history. One of the greatest feats of leadership in this nation's history was Abe Lincoln insisting over the objections of Congress that the defeated enemy keep their guns, horses, and remaining provisions. Most wanted to "punish" the South. Lincoln understood that reconciliation would be better accomplished if southerners could still hunt and provide. After his assasination, Johnson was impeached for continuing on this process but narrowly won. I'm not sure "imprisoning and denying rights" was high on Lincoln's agenda.
As far as being liberal - freeing the slaves instead of continuing the status quo doesn't sound very conservative to anyone other than you. To me, regardless of the title, it was very liberal.

R. P. IL. (Sent Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:54 AM)

Michael Furlong, Long Island (Sent Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:12 AM)

Michael:

Over the years we have learned that Senators without substance make terrible representatives. Palin has no substance. She might add something to the scenery around DC but she would not make a good Senator. She would also be very susceptible to special interests and her niativate would be used to easily lead her down the road to corruption.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:57 AM)

Who is going to take Biden's seat in Delaware?

John Mitchell, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Tuesday, November 18, 2008 12:00 PM)

Here's what McCain had to say after yesterday's meeting with President Elect Obama:

"Earlier today, when asked about efforts to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, Senator Obama said he might apply tougher sanctions -- 'potentially.' I have called for tougher sanctions against Iran for years. I have supported tougher sanctions during this campaign that Barack Obama opposed, and if elected, I would work to lead an international effort to put tougher sanctions in place -- not potentially but actually. Senator Obama last year opposed legislation with broad bipartisan support that called for tougher sanctions on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for its terrorist activities. Senator Obama was also asked today about capturing Osama bin Laden -- he said he would 'try him, apply the death penalty to him where it is necessary.' I do not know why Senator Obama would have any doubt that it is necessary. There is no one more deserving of execution than Osama bin Laden. If he survives capture, the death penalty would be necessary, just and appropriate. Senator Obama continues to hedge his bets on national security issues showing his inexperience and weakness. Senator Obama's comments demonstrate once again that America cannot afford untested leadership when facing the threats posed by Iran and Osama bin Laden."

First off McShortie: YOU LOST! Get over it! And be respectful! It's President Elect Obama, not Senator Obama. He gave up his Senate seat on Sunday. Get a life. Because apparently, you can't even hold your contempt in check. No wonder the meeting only lasted 40 minutes. That's about all anyone can stand of you anymore. GO HOME!

Sandycs1953 Texas City, TX (Sent Tuesday, November 18, 2008 12:27 PM)

The one thing I appreciate about President-elect Obama is his understanding of Biblical principles, and trying to enact them in his life. In the Bible it states agree with your adversaries quickly. My take on this passage is: find common ground with those who were against you, discuss how you can move forward for the good of the whole, then you can move on without using your energy on things that are of little significance. To seek revenge on things that were said in the past, keeps you in the past. We have too many pressuring issues to confront, then towaste time over hurt feelings. In fact, what was said in the past has no significance with has to be done right now. The change that the president-elect has been talking about includes, not reacting to things as they have been reacted to in the past. His job and the job of the incoming congress is to work for what is in the best interest of the people. A particular individual, should not be the focus. Focusing on Hillary, Lieberman, even Obama or a particular party is not where it is at. What they do collectively is what is important. This is what I hope the president-elect will do. I sincerely hope it will be a New Day in politics, and "Democracy" will have a new meaning, for the whole world. It is time that the core of all faiths to be played out in the world, respect and have compassion for all people, not just those who look, think and believe like you.

Diana Owens, Tacoma, Washington (Sent Tuesday, November 18, 2008 12:36 PM)

Leiberman: Let the people of CT decide his fate in 2010.

The Big 3: It's not a "bailout" when they will be required to meet certain obligations and REPAY the money at a set rate. That is called a LOAN, not a "bailout". The UAW isn't at fault in the auto industry crisis, they stand on the line and make the vehicles, they don't make the decisions about whether the company will continue to make gas guzzlers or move toward a more fuel effecient vehicle. The UAW have already made concessions and the upper and mid-level management squandered their opportunity to put that money into making fuel effecient vehicles. The CEO's and mid-level management need to give up on any idea of getting bonuses from the loan they will most likely get and they should be required to keep that money here and not send it over seas to their foreign based plants. If we can all get behind universal health insurance it would lessen that expenditure for alot of companies and would free up that money for R&D and actually making more fuel effecient cars. Please, for all of those folks living in that other reality known as Right Wing World, the American worker doesn't need to beocme more productive, we are the premier producers in the world, what we need is smarter management that looks forward to a future free of foreign oil.

Paulson, Bernanke & the $700 Billion bailout: Not one more penny should be given to them to line the pockets of wall street CEO's or the banks. The money they've doled out so far isn't helping main street and it's not creating jobs or keeping people in their homes. Job creation would do more to stem the bleeding in our economic and housing crisis for the average American than anything right now. If people have JOBS then they can afford to pay their credit card debt and their mortgages. Wouldn't that help the banks if they were getting paid for the credit cards and home loans they're holding? They could lower the interest rates on credit cards, and renegotiate home loans by extending them from 30 year fixed rates to 40 years and get folks out of those ARM's. They would get their money and then some.

January 20th can't get here soon enough!!

Heather, WA (Sent Tuesday, November 18, 2008 12:45 PM)

Auto execs did not run their companies into the ground, with the exception of Chrysler post-Cerberus buy-out. In fact, Cerberus' experience with Chrysler is a perfect example of why the auto industry is a different ball of wax than many other industries.

GM and Ford recognized the steps that needed to be taken to move their businesses forward to the higher fuel economy standards and better management practices of the 21st Century. They have been taking those steps. They are on the right path; there just happens to be an economic sinkhole in that path and they need the government's help to bridge it.

They are not asking for a bailout. They are asking for a loan. They know exactly how much they need, how long it will last, and where the money will be spent (much of it to meet union obligations). If they could borrow this amount of money somewhere else, they would, but in case no one's heard, there's a credit freeze.

We granted a financial sector bailout due to fears of what would happen to the economy if the market tanked. The auto industry is a different story (and asking for FAR LESS, too). One in every ten jobs in the United States is related to the auto industry either directly or indirectly. Millions of jobs could potentially be lost if the Big Three file for bankruptcy.

To see their struggles as an example of the free market is also ridiculous. The auto industry in other countries is subsidized by their governments. GM doesn't just compete against Japanese and Chinese car companies, it competes against Japan and China, because both countries subsidize research and development and manufacturing for their auto industry.

If this loan fails, it puts us all in jeopardy. We need to stop pretending -- and stop letting our Congressmen pretend -- that this is the same as the financial bailout which rewarded irresponsibility. Even responsible individuals need a helping hand sometimes.

Chris, MI (Sent Tuesday, November 18, 2008 1:01 PM)

I don't care what side of the aisle Joe the Censor is on. I want him OUT. He hates the First Amendment and is an aberration of everything that America stands for. Period.

Robert Stoute, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, November 18, 2008 1:04 PM)

Sen. Lieberman, will lose his seat in 2010, obama wins.Sen. Lieberman will work for the dems fore 2 years,obama wins. by showing he is forgiving he is showing positive change-obama wins. this is a smart POL.

norman boatright (Sent Tuesday, November 18, 2008 1:08 PM)

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