A party of one

If there was any doubt what Joe Lieberman supports this should cast that doubt away.
Joe Lieberman In No Man's Land

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, a lifelong Democrat and student of politics, blanked when asked if America would be better off with his party regaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

A Democratic victory would immeasurably boost the influence of two Connecticut friends, U.S. Reps. Rosa L. DeLauro and John B. Larson, and provide a counterbalance to the Republican Senate and White House.

"Uh, I haven't thought about that enough to give an answer," Lieberman said, as though Democrats' strong prospects for recapturing the House hadn't been the fall's top political story.

He was similarly elusive about the race for governor. Is he voting for John DeStefano Jr., a Democrat and mayor of the city where Lieberman has lived since the 1960s?

"I'm, uh, I'm having," he stammered, then laughed and said his decision would remain private.

Joe Lieberman supports Joe Lieberman - he is in a party of one, Joe Lieberman for Joe Lieberman.

These are not hard questions. Or they weren't until the night of Aug. 8, when Lieberman conceded losing the Democratic primary to Ned Lamont and in the next breath launched an independent candidacy.

Now little is familiar. Old friends like Larson and Sen. Chris Dodd, Democrats who supported him in the primary, have shunned him. Dodd soon will be seen in a television commercial for Lamont.

All of Lieberman's money and support is coming from the Republicans. To think he would caucus with the Democrats if the Republicans retain control of the Senate is delusion on par with what we have seen from the Bush administration. Of course Joe might be better off losing. Rummy will be gone shortly after the election and he has to be on Bush's shortlist to fill the vacancy. A "bi-partisan" move you know.