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Report: Lieberman Not Welcome to Break Bread With Democrats

Retribution was swift for U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman after the Connecticut Indepedent/Democrat’s speech supporting John McCain and criticizing Barack Obama at last week’s Republican National Convention.

Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call [Registration required] reports that he’s no longer welcome at the Democrats’ weekly lunches and biweekly lunches of committee chairman.

Speculation remains on what will happen to Lieberman’s chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee.

At least for now, Democrats need his vote now to remain in the majority. But with Democrats expected to pick up seats in the November elections that may not be the case for long.

UPDATE: Lieberman tells The Hill: “I think it’s probably wise for me and for my colleagues in the Democratic caucus to dine somewhere else for the next few weeks.”

Lieberman Still Part of GOP Convention Schedule

Republicans apparently couldn’t pass up the chance to include Democrat-turned-Independent Democrat Joe Lieberman as part of their convention program, and of course the chance to poke Democrats.

Lieberman, who was scheduled to speak during Monday’s opening program that was abbreviated because of Hurricane Gustav, will speak Tuesday night, the Associated Press reports.

The changing line-up means that former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will be bumped.

Lieberman told CNN he plans to talk about ” “why I am an independent Democrat voting for Sen. McCain,” according to AP.

Schumer Plans Florida Swing to Court Jewish Vote

Hoping to make up ground in a key battleground state, Democrats are sending in some of their big guns to court the Jewish vote.

New York Senator Chuck Schumer will pinch hit for Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama in the Sunshine state this weeend.

Schumer, architect of the Democrats’ gains in the Senate, will speak with voters at the Turnberry Jewish Center in Aventura, Temple Solel in Hollywood and Temple Beth Shalom in Century Village in Boca Raton on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Republican John McCain has stronger than usual support for a GOP candidate in part because of concerns about Obama among Jewish voters. Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman has also provided a critical boost for McCain among Jewish voters.

Slim Pickings in the Twin Cities

Even before John McCain and the GOP scaled back on this week’s Republican National Convention, there weren’t nearly as many public events geared toward Jewish voters on the schedule as the Democrats held last week in Denver. Republicans have been hoping to win over Jewish voters. The lack of events targeting Jewish or Israel issues may simply reflect the fact that the vast majority of Jewish voters have historically supported Democratic candidates.

Here’s most of what’s on the table now. This could all change given the uncertainty caused by Gustav pummeling the Gulf Coast. We’ll add more as they become known.

Monday, September 1 American Jewish Committee and Jewish Community Relations Council host a discussion on achieving energy independence.

American Jewish Committee reception for diplomatic corps

Tuesday, September 2

American Jewish Committee and Jewish Community Relations Council host a discussion on advancing the Indian-Jewish relationship.

Roundtable Discussion with RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks on “The GOP and Issues Effecting the Jewish Community”

Salute to GOP Governors

Wednesday, Sept. 3

American Jewish Committee and Jewish Community Relations Council host a discussion on issues for a growing Latino-Jewish coalition.

Thursday, September 4

American Jewish Committee and Jewish Community Relations Council host a discussion on America and the quest for Middle East peace and security.

Salute to Pro-Israel Elected Officials

Senator Joseph Lieberman, a staunch McCain supporter and the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee, was scheduled to speak during Monday night’s program that’s been scrapped. It’s unclear whether he and other canceled speakers will be rescheduled.

RJC Fashion Show Goes On Amid Scaled Back GOP Convention

With Hurricane/Tropical Storm Gustav barreling down on the Gulf Coast, Republican nominee-in-waiting John McCain said that convention-goers should take off their Republican hats and put on their American hats in an effort to avoid the perception that the GOP is having a party at the same time of a potential national disaster.

Much of today’s formal Twin Cities schedule at the Republican National Convention has been scrapped, but that doesn’t mean there’s no fun and games.

Parties and receptions will go on. The same goes for a planned Republican Jewish Coalition fashion show featuring guest of honor Hadassah Lieberman, who was scheduled to give remarks and not walk down the runway.

Her husband, Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman, the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee, was scheduled to speak Monday night at the convention. But his speech as well as those of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney were scrubbed because of the scaled back convention. Rick Davis, McCain’s campaign manager, said the campaign hoped to give all the speakers an opportunity to speak, but it was unclear when or if that will happen.

Even though the fashion show, including a silent auction and luncheon, organized by the RJC’s National Women’s Committee Event was to benefit the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, perceptions of a fashion show/fund-raiser going on was a bit too much for the sober image McCain and convention organizers were trying.

Perception and image being the most important thing these days in politics, the fashion show is going on. Yet we received notice Sunday night that it’s now closed to the media – meaning no photos or news reports.