Apparently senate Democrats are a little sensitive about addressing the
elephant in the room...and by the way, never has an expression been more appropriate:
Want to see a Democratic senator squirm? Don't ask about Iraq or gasoline prices. Ask about Joe Lieberman.
Squirm? Not Christopher Dodd. When asked if he would support an independent Lieberman run, Dodd "laughs heartily" and insists his good friend will win. And if he doesn't?
I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," he said. "I learned not to answer questions like that until I have to."
Wrong answer, Senator.
And what does Ben Nelson (Neb) think about the electoral process and the will of the voters?
"Joe is a quality guy, and you have to support him" if he runs as an independent, said Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb. "In a situation like that, you go with the best candidate."
The best candidate? Does Senator Nelson mean the one hypothetically rejected by the majority of the Democratic Party? O-kay...
Now let's move from the disgusting to the laughable. According to the article, the Democrats have a very good reason for refusing to declare their support for whoever wins the August primary:
Collegiality is an important currency in the Senate. Because of wide-open rules that usually allow unlimited debates and amendments, senators rely on one another to build coalitions -and forge compromises - to get things done.
If that is the case then Lieberman must have a trunk stuffed with GOP currency because more often than not, Lieberman builds coalitions with the GOP. And as for compromises, what? Did he tell Bush that he could only kiss him on the cheek? Or perhaps when he compromised his pro-choice position by refusing to fight Scalito's nomination and then casting a meaningless no vote.
And what does Joe himself say about his potential independent run?
"I'd organize with the Democrats if I'm fortunate enough to win," he said. "I'd remain a Democrat."
Joe, that ship sailed long ago...