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When is was clear that Joe Lieberman was facing a tough primary, there was talk that he should join the GOP and run as a Republican. Lieberman lost, as was predicted by the polls, but he did not go away (which is what Rob at Say Anything was using as his reason for a switch). In fact, he is now causing his fellow Democrats much angst.
Why? Because he is a causing a big stink, and he’s a senior member of the Democratic caucus. Remember, this is the same Joe Lieberman that ran for Vice President with Al Gore. He is the one that they feel that they are avenging against Bush in this coming election. Now he’s lost to another Democrat because of the war issue being hot among the liberal base in a primary, but he is now running as an independant and enjoying a comfortable lead in the state.
Why? Because normal people aren’t as far left as the Democratic primary voters, and Lieberman is drawing not only those that voted for him in the primary, but other independants and Republicans that like his moderate views. He’s not backing down either. I may not agree with him on the issues, but he’s not backing down in the face of adversity, and you have to like that. He’s stood for the war and with Israel and he did not change when it looked like he would lose the primary.
Now he puts his party in a terrible spot– do they support him and make thier base mad, or do they take away seniority and alienate moderates. It’s not an enviable position to be in!
