I don’t want to assign good motivations to a jerk like Lieberman if they’re not warranted, but is there even the smallest chance that his machinations are designed to allow him to have his cake and eat it too? He gets to infuriate the left – who have somewhat strangely decided that the public option is the only thing that matters in the health care bill – but potentially support a ‘compromise’ that does as much for the actual goals of health care reform as anything else that’s on the table.
The news today:
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) formally notified Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) that he would filibuster the health care reform bill if it includes a Medicare “buy-in” provision, Roll Call reports.
“Lieberman’s position came as a surprise to Reid, considering the self-described Independent Democrat was among the first people Reid spoke to about the Medicare provision when it was discussed by a Democratic group of centrists and liberals attempting to craft a compromise that could secure the votes of all 60 Members of the Democratic Conference. At the time, Lieberman ‘voiced support’ for the plan, according to a Senate Democratic leadership aide.”
Jesus H. Christ in a Nissan Altima.
I give up trying to find a silver lining in this guy. He’s the worst.