It is October 30, 2006 - eight days before Election Day, and polls show Democrats with narrow leads, all within the margin of error, in the Senate races in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Montana, and Rhode Island. Democratic candidates are behind, but also within the margin of error and closing fast, in Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, and Virginia. Control of the Senate clearly hangs in the balance.
And in Connecticut, Ned Lamont and Joe Lieberman have continued their campaigns throughout the fall. Nearly every Democrat in the party has long since come out in support of Mr. Lamont. Yet despite this, Mr. Lieberman has pressed forward, supported to a substantial degree by contributions from both prominent and small-donor Republicans - this, despite his continuing contention that he is running as an "Independent Democrat" and would caucus as such. Polls show Mr. Lamont ahead but not comfortably enough - and much like in August, what will happen on Election Day is anyone's guess.
On the Monday morning of October 30, Joe Lieberman calls a press conference for "An Important Announcement."
As CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News immediately cut away to BREAKING NEWS, Mr. Lieberman begins:
Thank you for coming. A few minutes ago, I called Ned Lamont, and congratulated him on his outstanding campaign this fall. I also informed him of my intention today to withdraw from the Connecticut Senate race.
I will withdraw from the Connecticut Senate race today, and I offer my full endorsement to Mr. Lamont. I thank the many good citizens of Connecticut and from throughout the country that have continued to support me over the past several weeks, and now, I ask them to offer their full support to Mr. Lamont.
On August 8, after the Connecticut Democratic primary was completed, I announced my intention to run as an Independent Democrat in the November election. After many weeks of reflection, I have come to realize, unequivocally, that I was wrong to do this.
I understand now that I was wrong to put my personal ambitions ahead of the Connecticut Democratic primary voters. Originally in August, I continued as a candidate because I firmly believe that we have work left to do. On the clear majority of issues important to Democrats throughout the country, I have represented Democrats as best as I can, and have offered leadership on many of these issues during my eighteen years in the Senate. It is true that on some important issues, my personal stance has represented a departure from many Democrats in the Senate and in the party. Yet as I stated a few weeks ago, I have always tried to do what I believe is right for my state and country, regardless of what the political consequences may be.
Today, after many weeks of reflection, I believe that what is right for my state and country is for the Democratic Party in Connecticut and throughout the country to move forward as a unified party. Ultimately, it is the policies, priorities, and values of the Democratic Party that I value, and this is the work that I wish to promote in the coming years. I believe that the Democratic Party can best achieve this moving forward with unity, as we work to correct the indulgences of this administration and right the wayward direction of this country.
I therefore say to you, the voters of Connecticut, that today I can and must let the results of August 8 stand. I wish Mr. Lamont all the best, in his efforts to represent the good citizens of this great state.
Today, I also want to offer my most heartfelt gratitude to my many supporters from Connecticut and from throughout the country. On August 8, I offered my service as an Independent Democrat, and throughout the past several weeks, I have continued to campaign and work towards the advancement of the values and ideals of the Democratic Party.
I believe that it is of the utmost importance that the Democratic Party reclaim Congress this fall. Therefore, my campaign will immediately make a substantial contribution to Democratic candidates in nine pivotal Senate races this fall - and indeed, we will make a contribution to Mr. Lamont. We will match that contribution to the Democratic Party candidates for the five House races in Connecticut: Mr. Larson, Mr. Courtney, Ms. DeLauro, Ms. Farrell, and Mr. Murphy.
We will do this, because we believe that Democrats offer a better direction for this country. We will do this, because we understand that my campaign over the past few weeks has caused division within the Democratic Party. I ask all Democrats tonight for their forgiveness, and for their acceptance as a proud member of this party once again.
And my friends, let me close by offering this to you as an absolute promise: my work in politics is not finished. It is true that come January, I will no longer offer serve this country as a United States Senator. But there are many ways in which good Democrats can and must serve our country. And so it must be with me. In the near-term, I look forward to taking some time with my family, and stepping away from the rigors of politics. But I am an old political cat, and I promise you, in short order you will hear from me again.
Thank you, and good night.
It would be a legendary political gambit - claiming support (particularly financial support) from Republicans right until the very end, and then, at the last moment, withdrawing and diverting support and resources to other Democratic candidates throughout the country. This knife-twist, I think, would immediately vault Mr. Lieberman from his current status of Democratic Party pariah to Democratic Party hero.
My suspicion would be that if he pulled this off, he actually could re-emerge as a viable political figure in the next two years: as a candidate for the House in 2008, a candidate for Governor in 2010 (if he wants to stick around that long), or less likely, as a Cabinet member in 2009.
And the very possibility of this happening highlights the difficult choices that Republicans have to make, in their decision to support or not to support Mr. Lieberman. There is, it seems to me, at least a theoretical possibility of this happening - and Republicans have to consider the real possibility that any funds that they donate may ultimately be diverted to Democratic candidates.
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Mr. Lieberman, if you or any of your campaign staff are reading, feel free to steal this one, verbatim or in part or in concept. I won't mind.