ABC's Rick Klein covers for Lieberman
December 16, 2009 10:07 am ET by Eric Boehlert
Toasting Lieberman's latest star turn at the center of the health care debate and the senator's announcement over the weekend that he'd oppose health care reform legislation that included a Medicare buy-in, which would allow people under the age of 65 to buy into Medicare and receive its coverage, here's how Klein reported the conflict:
Although Lieberman supported a Medicare "buy-in" expansion as part of the Gore-Lieberman platform in 2000, that was before the current fiscal crisis exacerbated concerns over deficits, and before a workable bill emerged that would accomplish many of his other health care priorities, he said.
Reading Klein, readers would think that Lieberman had a change of heart regarding the Medicare buy-in some time between 2000 and last weekend. Specifically, some time between "the current fiscal crisis" (i.e. 14 months ago) and last weekend.
False. The truth is Lieberman, who has been trumpeting the Medicare buy-in idea for years, suddenly had a change of heart between September and December, which of course is much more newsworthy, and puzzling. But for some reason Klein left that out of his reporting.
As Greg Sargent highlighted earlier this week, here's Lieberman in September touting the buy-in approach:
Joe was mad when they ran someone against him in the primaries.
Joe retaliated by endorsing McCain.
The Dems would take away his committe but; they don't want to lose the 60 vote edge.
Joe continues to push the envelope, because he can.
If you want to be upset about something, be upset because all of the politicians are playing the health care debate based on how they feel it will benefit them, not how it will benefit America as a whole.
I would say "Fire them all" but; I know we would just elect another bunch that was different in name only. (sigh)
He needs to have all seniority within the caucus taken away very publicly - hint hint Harry - and be summarily shunned by the caucus in its entirety.