Homeland Security May be Due for Shakeup

By Pamela Mortimer

It is very possible that Senator Joe Lieberman may have to eat some crow if Obama is elected to the White House. Even if Obama loses, Lieberman could come under fire from newly elected Democrats. Analysts say that a possible shakeup could occur due to Lieberman’s critical comments regarding Obama at the Republican National Convention.

Oddly enough, Senator Lieberman is an Independent Democrat from Connecticut. However, the Senator has consistently riled members of his own party by doling out criticisms against Obama and jumping aboard the John McCain campaign bandwagon. Last week, Lieberman spoke at the Republican National Convention on McCain’s behalf.

Rumor has it that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said it is a possibility that Lieberman could lose his position as Chair of Homeland Security if the Democrats manage to take four or more seats in the Senate. Democrats currently hold 51 seats, including Lieberman.

The latest rumors have come from Democratic aides. Lieberman spokesman Marshall Wittman, has dismissed the rumors saying that they are being perpetuated by "staffers who are talking about things they know nothing about."

Reid spokesman Jim Manley concurred, referring to a report on Politico.com that Manley called "way overwritten."

Reid’s staff has stated numerous times that their boss speaks to Lieberman on a regular basis and the Connecticut Senator is still considered to be "part of the Democratic fold."

Manley did take issue with Lieberman’s remarks against Obama’s leadership credentials, however, and told reporters via e-mail, "The Democratic caucus will likely revisit Lieberman’s situation after the November elections."

Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, Lieberman’s Co-chair on the Homeland Security Committee, said the reports regarding Lieberman’s potential loss of his position are "astonishing."

"I think some of his colleagues have short memories. I’m just astonished so many (Democrats) are so hard on him when but for him they would not be called ‘chairman.’ They would not be in the majority. … He would clearly be welcomed with open arms (into the GOP)," said Collins.

Roll Call has published a report that Reid has banned Lieberman from the Democrats’ weekly caucus and the chairmen’s lunches. Wittman stated that the reports are incorrect and that Lieberman has adopted "an informal policy" not to attend the events because "he thinks the focus will be on politics" instead of the issues at hand.

"While it is no secret that the Democratic caucus is disappointed in Senator Lieberman’s attacks on Senator Obama, the irresponsible report that Senator Lieberman has been excluded from caucus meetings is completely untrue," Manley said in a statement. "Senator Lieberman has chosen to not attend Democratic caucus lunches, and that is his choice."