After losing the 2006 Democratic Party primary election, Sen. Joe Lieberman won re-election as the first candidate for the newly minted "Connecticut for Lieberman" party. In the 2008 election cycle, Lieberman has abandoned all pretense of being a Democrat. He has served as Sen. John McCain's minder and lapdog during the Republican Party nominee's jaunt through the Middle East. With his subsequent endorsement of John McCain at the 2008 Republican Convention, Lieberman appears to have cut his ties with the Democratic Party. Since the convention, ‘Old Faithful’ has been booted from Democratic meetings and lost his seat at the lunch table.
Now, in light of Sen. Barack Obama's substantial lead in the polls, it looks like Sen. Lieberman is hoping that we all have a collective case of amnesia. According to the Washington Monthly, Mr. Lieberman seems to be backing away from the harshness of his criticisms.
Lieberman, a self-proclaimed "independent Democrat" who was chosen by McCain to make the case against Obama at the Republican National Convention in early September, said his comments have been within bounds.
"When I go out, I say, 'I have a lot of respect for Sen. Obama. He's bright. He's eloquent.'"
For now, Lieberman continues be part of the Democratic Senate caucus. Since he votes with the Democrats on most issues and losing him would unravel an already slim majority, he has managed to hold on to his committee assignments. However, in the likely event of significant Democratic gains in Senate contests this year, Sen. Lieberman stands to lose it all. Perhaps only now does he realize this.
From Wikipedia:
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Committee on Environment and Public Works
Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety
Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and
Wildlife Protection (Chairman)
Subcommittee on Public Sector Solutions to Global Warming, Oversight, and
Children's Health Protection
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Chairman)
As Chairman of the full committee, Sen. Lieberman is an ex officio member of all
subcommittees.
Committee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Airland (Chairman)
Subcommittee on Personnel
Subcommittee on SeaPower
While Steve Benen's article is not a lengthy one, he does provide links to Sen. Lieberman's greatest hits of the campaign season. I suggest that everyone take this opportunity to refresh his or her memory, lest anyone forget just how respectful Sen. Lieberman was towards the Democratic Party's nominee. Here's lookin’ at you Joe!