Why is Senator Joe Lieberman still allowed to chair powerful Democratic committees?

Copied and pasted from his wikipedia page, because I had no idea but your question made me curious:

“Lieberman has been officially listed in Senate records for the 110th and 111th Congresses as an “Independent Democrat”[2] and sits as part of the Senate Democratic Caucus. But since his speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention in which he endorsed John McCain for president, Lieberman no longer attends Democratic Caucus leadership strategy meetings or policy lunches.[3] On November 5, 2008, Lieberman met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to discuss his future role with the Democratic Party. Ultimately, the Senate Democratic Caucus voted to allow Lieberman to keep chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Subsequently, Lieberman announced that he will continue to caucus with the Democrats.[4] Lieberman remains a registered Democrat (as of March 2009)[5] and continues to vote with the Democrats in the Senate most of the time (as of July 2008).[6]”

Sounds like the reason is stated right there. It sounds like he is an independent (a quote of his from later on his wiki page: “I agree more often than not with Democrats on domestic policy. I agree more often than not with Republicans on foreign and defense policy.”), but in the US government you really have to side with one party or the other to be influential. So he did.

I was pissed when Gore picked him! It makes sense for him to be an Independent, but he only really defected because of the most recent senate race. I don’t mind that he still chairs committees though, it would depend on the committee.

Because he makes such a good figurehead for the people who actually run this country.

Because Harry Reid is an ineffectual leader and the professional Democrats on the Hill still seem to believe that working with Republicans is a valid idea.

@YARNLADY Could you expound on that a little?

@drdoombot There are many conspiracy theories, some more outlandish than others, but the real power system is not in the elected representatives, but in the unseen, unnamed people who actually do have the power.

Because the Dems are pussies? That seems to answer the questions, Why Are We Still In Afghanistan, Why Is There Still Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and Why Isn’t There a Robust Public Option In The Healthcare Bill, as well. It’s the All Purpose answer.

Better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in.

That was bullshit when Johnson said it about Hoover, and it’s bullshit now. He can do the same damage inside or outside the teepee.

@Rude_Bear – I really don’t see any difference in whether Lieberman is pissing inside or outside the tent. He’s still taking the piss. And I for one, prefer to know exactly where our politicians loyalty lies.