Payback For Lieberman?



(image via yesterdayssalad)

The Twelfth Commandment of American politics: What the Senate Majority giveth, the Senate Majority can taketh away. Independent Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, who was nixed by conservatives as a possible McCain running mate, may be facing political payback. Majority Leader Reid, we hear, is not happy. This June our favorite Dickensian villain Robert Novak noted that Lieberman could be stripped of his Homeland Security Chairmanship if he attended the Republican National Convention. Well, last night Lieberman spoke. What are the possible consequences? From The Seattle Times:

"Joe Lieberman might have trouble getting a Senate parking pass next year.

"The Senate Democrats who control perks and, more importantly, committee chairmanships won't need his tie-breaking vote any longer. Democrats are on track to win a solid majority in the Nov. 4 elections, so time is running out on Lieberman's power as the senator whose vote kept them in control of a split Senate.

"Since Lieberman's re-election in Connecticut two years ago, when he ran as an independent and beat the Democratic nominee, they've had to tolerate his dissent from the party and now from its presidential ticket because his vote was crucial.

"That won't be so next year, and that's when the bill will come due for his effusive embrace of John McCain and his attacks on Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

"... Lieberman is 29th in seniority in the Senate, 17th among Democrats, rank that made him chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He's also chairman of an Armed Services subcommittee. Chairmen get more than titles and authority; they get extra staff members.

"But what seniority gives, the majority party can take away. And the Democrats almost surely will take it away from Lieberman."