On June 25, Brave New Films launched Lieberman Must Go, their petition drive urging the Senate Democratic Steering Committee to boot Joe Lieberman from the Democratic caucus. The petition reads:
We CANNOT tolerate a leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus who supports George Bush and McCain's War in Iraq. We CANNOT tolerate a Democratic chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee who endorses and stumps for McCain. We call on the Senate Democratic Steering Committee to strip Joe Lieberman of his chairmanship and his leadership role.
2 weeks later, 43,460 and counting have signed and tomorrow Brave New Films will deliver the petitions to the steering committee.
The Hill has it:
Liberal activists say they will deliver a 43,000-signature online petition to Democrats on Wednesday seeking to strip Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) of his rank and Homeland Security Committee chairmanship in the next Congress.
More From The NY Times Caucus blog:
The group's goal is not to have Mr. Lieberman kicked out now - the Democrats need his vote to keep their slim majority - but in 2009, presuming the party picks up more seats in November.The leadership isn't likely to embrace the idea - at least not right now. Democrats generally respected Mr. Lieberman's support for the war and Mr. McCain as principled stands. But they have become increasingly irritated with him, particularly after he went on a conference call sponsored by the McCain campaign last month characterizing the presumed Democratic nominee, Senator Barack Obama, as weak on Israel.
Harry Reid, the leader of the Democratic majority who is close with Mr. Lieberman, typically replies to questions about Mr. Lieberman's membership by saying that Democrats need his 51st vote. That leaves unsaid what might happen if they have more than 51 votes come next year.
What happens is that Joe Lieberman becomes essentially irrelevant, except to the extent that he holds a committee chairmanship, which really is the goal here -- to put it in the hands of a real Democrat. Seriously, Lieberman's embrace of McCain and his apparent plans to speak at the Republican convention in September really should disqualify him from being considered a true member of our caucus. You served a purpose, Joe, but now you must go.
And hey, how better to ensure that Lieberman's vote is irrelevant than to help us get to 60 senators not counting Lieberman. That means 10 new Democratic senators in 08. I think it's doable, especially if we support our Road To 60 Senate candidates.
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