Strip Lieberman of his chairmanship and use the other "option" if necessary

[ProSense]

Reid: Reconciliation 'always an option'

WASHINGTON (CNN) - After announcing his intention to move forward with a health care reform bill in the Senate that includes a version of the public health insurance option that would allow states to opt out, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told CNN that he has not ruled out using a budgetary procedure called reconciliation which would allow Democrats to pass the bill with a simple majority.

"It's always an option," Reid told CNN when asked about reconciliation Monday.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, told CNN he hopes Democrats don't need to go that route and remained open to putting a bill on the Senate floor that does not include a public option, should the Reid-pushed bill fail. A proposal without a public option would still require 60 votes to move forward in the Senate.

In an interview prior to Reid's announcement Monday, House Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn, D-South Carolina, made a public appeal to Reid to use reconciliation.

"I would say to Sen. Reid that 60 ought not to be the crucial number. 50 ought to be the crucial number," Clyburn said.

more

While he's at it, he can include Rockefeller's public option.

[jonnyblitz]

1. Obama wouldn't want his old mentor to be treated so harshly.

I am sure. :hi:

[rurallib]

2. wasn't one of the selling points on Lieberman retaining a chair

was that he was 'liberal' on social issues?
Hey, Joe, you fucking idiot, health care is a social issue.

[Nancy Waterman]

3. He should be stripped of all power

Reid needs to play hardball AND use the budget reconciliation. If I lived in Connecticut, I would move to recall him somehow. How can they stand him?

[polmaven]

4. The problem has now

become, apparently, the 60 votes needed to stop the filibuster. Cant stop that with reconciliation!

[brooklynite]

5. For the Nine Millionth time, you CAN'T strip Lieberman of his Committee positions...

They are a determined in organizing legislation passed by the Senate at the start of the term, and would require 60 votes to bring up for a change

[LovinLife]

6. I thought Obama showed tremendous weakness when he let that clown skate free after the election.

Still don't know what he was thinking.

[mikekohr]

8. The President can count -nt-

[LovinLife]

10. Can count what? The guy is useless. He rarely supports anything the Dems want.

He is useless. I really can't say that enough. U can't count on him to be a vote for anything. Well except war. I still don't know what Gore was thinking.

[bvar22]

12. ...and kiss Republican ass. -nt-

[IndianaGreen]

7. Send Lieberman and his lover Lindsey Graham to Afghanistan, without military escorts

and without parachutes.

[Kingofalldems]

9. Please don't offend Joe's DU pal(s) by being so critical

[bunny planet]

11. I say let Grayson at him.