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Tuesday, May 21, 2013 | 1:39 p.m.

Jamie Dupree's Washington Insider

Posted: 9:02 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009

Blaming Ned Lamont 

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By Jamie Dupree

As I stuck my microphone into the small group of reporters huddled around Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) on Tuesday afternoon, I couldn't help but think about Ned Lamont, as Lieberman threatened to filibuster a health reform bill that had a public insurance option.

"I've told Senator Reid that if the bill stays as it is now, I will vote against cloture," Lieberman said.

The former true blue Democrat said he would not block the start of a debate on health reform, but Lieberman made clear that he would join a filibuster to stop a vote on a plan that does have a public option.

"I very much want to vote for health care reform," Lieberman said, "but I have other concerns."

Just think.  If Ned Lamont had put away Lieberman in the 2006 November election like he did in the Democratic Senate Primary in Connecticut that year, Lieberman wouldn't still be giving his former colleagues a big time Senatorial Migraine.

Lieberman's last few years have been absolutely fascinating when you think about it.

Here is a guy who was beaten in his party primary, watched some of his colleagues come up to Connecticut to campaign against him, and then won his seat back.

Not only did he win his seat (instead of Ned Lamont) but Democrats then had to keep him as part of their caucus, because he could have given the GOP the advantage at the time.

Then, Lieberman shows his gratitude for that by endorsing Sen. John McCain last year, speaking at the GOP convention, and then actively campaigning for McCain, and spouting off a few choice lines at then Sen. Barack Obama.

Instead of punishing Lieberman, Democrats gave in (after some heat from President Obama) and let Lieberman stay on as a committee chairman.

So, Lieberman is now repaying that debt by threatening to join the Republicans in a filibuster of a health reform bill!

I can't make this stuff up.

If I were a true businessman, I would have Joe Lieberman Voodoo Dolls up for sale on EBay right now.  You could probably get a lot of money hawking those at a rest stop on the Merritt Parkway or maybe at the train station in New Canaan.

Okay, it's not Ned Lamont's fault.  But maybe he could do some TV spots for the Joey Voodoo Doll.  Batteries not included.  Some assembly required. 

Sixty votes not assured.

 
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