Joe Lieberman continues to insist that he's serious about heading down the path of political suicide (video transcript, full interview):
Lieberman says he'd rather get "nothing" done on health reform than pass a public option, pledging to filibuster any legislation containing a public option.
I would use the power I have as— as a single Senator to stop a final vote.
Before you go throw something at the wall, set aside the arrogance and contempt dripping from Lieberman's pledge and recognize that he's actually created an opening here.
Everybody knows that for Lieberman, this little tantrum has more to do with his ego than it has to do with anything else. Thus his fantasy that he "as a single Senator" could stop the legislation from coming to a vote.
It's tough talk, but there's no way Lieberman actually expects to take to the floor and filibuster the legislation. Instead, he figures the mere threat of a filibuster will bring progressives running to his office door begging him to work out some sort of compromise with him, perhaps settling for some piece of crap like a "trigger" in exchange for his vote.
Fortunately, Senate Democrats don't seem to be falling for Lieberman's gambit, at least not publicly. There's still plenty of time for them to cave, but the way things stand right now, Harry Reid is positioning himself to get a ton of credit if he manages to get his public option proposal through the U.S. Senate. If Reid falls short of that goal, however, he might as well hand over the leadership keys to Joe Lieberman, because it'll be clear that it's Joe who is really in charge.