To anyone who supports the Democratic Party, the Joe Lieberman matter is simple: Joe Lieberman must go! There is a detailed case for his removal based on his behaviour during campaign 2008. Joe spent the majority of the last year running down Barack Obama and the Democratic Party, with everything culminating in his speech at the Republican Convention.
The anger aside the Democratic Party needs to think pragmatically about this Lieberman matter. In many ways, this is a stuggle for the future and yes MANHOOD within the Democratic Party. Theses are the following facts:
Fact 1# 2012 the Democratic Party will field a nominee for the US Senate Seat in Connecticut
Fact 2# Joe Lieberman based on his current posture will find himself in opposition to the unnamed Democrat.
Fact 3# The Democrats have gained 3 House seats over the last two cycles in Connecticut which means we have viable candidates for the US Senate Seat
Fact 4# This unnamed nominee should not be hamstrung and forced to run against an unloyal Chair of the Homeland Security and Goverment Oversight Committee
Fact 5# This would create an unfair advantage for essentially a Republican caucusing with the Democrats merely for status.
Opinion 1# Let Lieberman threaten to leave the Senate. So what, the Democratic bench is strong enough in Connecticut to win the seat back within the cycle. The Governor will appoint an R but we would get a shot at it in 2010 instead of 2012.
Opinion 2# Lieberman's ability to get re-elected in 2012 depends on his ability to deliver pork don't think so .....
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2008
Contact: Leslie Phillips
Lieberman Announces FY2009 Homeland Security Funding Levels for Connecticut
WASHINGTON - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., Wednesday announced that Connecticut will receive more than $25 million in federal homeland security grants in Fiscal Year 2009 - $1 million more than the state received in Fiscal Year 2008.
"I am pleased the Department of Homeland Security recognizes the risks that Connecticut faces from disasters and terrorist attacks with its long coastline, a nuclear plant, large oil reserves, and close proximity to New York City," Lieberman said. "These grants are essential to keeping Connecticut safe from and prepared for everyday disasters as well as catastrophic events."
The largest pool of money will come from the State Homeland Security Grant Program, which will award the state $9.8 million, down $600,000 from FY2008, but $3.8 million more than the minimum set by law.
The Bridgeport area will receive $2.8 million in Urban Area Security Initiative grants and the Hartford area will receive $2.7 million. Both cities received approximately $1.9 million in FY2008. Both the State Homeland Security Grant Program and Urban Area Security Initiative funds represent tentative allocations based on the risks faced by the state; depending on the quality of the actual projects developed by the state, the final awards may be up to 10 percent higher or lower than these initial allocations.
Connecticut will receive $4.4 million in Emergency Management Performance Grants, up $200,000 from last year. The port cities of Bridgeport, New Haven, and New London will share $4.3 million in port security grants, a reduction of approximately $200,000 from last year; and the state will share in a $3.6 million Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program for the New York urban area, which includes parts of eastern Connecticut.
Connecticut will also receive $478,000 in interoperable communications grants, a decrease of approximately $68,000 from FY2008; $400,000 for critical infrastructure protection; $321,000 in Metropolitan Medical Response System grants; and $209,000 for the Citizen Corps Program, which supports community preparedness efforts. The state will also share $153 million with New York and New Jersey for transit security. Last year, Connecticut only received approximately 4 percent of a similar tri-state grant, although this year, unlike previous years, a state match will not be required.
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http://lieberman.senate.gov/...
It is simple taking the Gavel from Joe Lieberman limits his ability to use it against an unnamed Democrat which increases the power of the Connecticut Democratic Party. Taking another option increases the power of the Republican Party.