Say It Ain't So, Joe!

Whose side is Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) on? He's a member of the Democratic caucus -- and got to keep his prized chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee last year, even after campaigning for Republican John McCain, on the promise that Democrats could count on him. But Lieberman is proving that he isn't necessarily a reliable vote. As Lieberman stands in the way of health care reform and prepares to stump for Republicans in 2010, here's a look back at the promises Democratic leaders have made to wary progressives about the kind of man Lieberman is.

April 2, 2006: Then-Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) says of Lieberman: "I know that some in the party have differences with Joe. I'm going to go ahead and say it. It's the elephant in the room. And Joe and I don't agree on everything. But what I know is, Joe Lieberman's a man with a good heart, with a keen intellect, who cares about the working families of America."

July 24, 2006: A New York Magazine profile of Lieberman quotes him as saying: "I've been a Democrat for 40 years, I'll die a Democrat, I'll probably be a Democrat after my death, I may still be voting Democrat in some cities in Connecticut postmortem."

August 7, 2006: Former President Bill Clinton: "Go out and elect Joe Lieberman. He's earned it. He's been a good Democrat. He's a good man, and he'll do you proud."

December 21, 2007: In an interview with PBS, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) is asked about Joe Lieberman's frequent departure from Democratic party line votes. He contends: "First of all, Joe Lieberman, Joe Lieberman is my friend, and he is a good Democrat, votes with us on everything, except the war."

July 22, 2008: Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) echoes Reid: "Without him we would not be in the majority. He votes with us on virtually every issue except for the war."

November 10, 2008: Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) comes to Lieberman's defense: "[Barack Obama] has talked about reconciliation, healing, bringing people together. I don't think he'd necessarily want to spend the first month of this president-elect period...talking about a Senate seat, particularly if someone is willing to come forward and is willing to be a member of your family in the caucus in that sense."

November 18, 2008: The Senate Democratic Caucus votes to allow Sen. Lieberman to stay on as chair of the Homeland Security Committee, despite calls for his ouster after several controversial remarks during the 2008 election. Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) explains the decision: "If you will look at the problems that we face as a nation, is this a time we walk out of here saying, 'Boy did we get even? ... I feel good about what we did today. We're moving forward."

November 18, 2008: Lieberman on the Democrats' decision: "The problems our country faces now at home particularly and abroad are immense and we will only deal with them constructively on behalf of the people who were good enough to send us to Washington if we display the kind of unity that was displayed within our caucus today."