Lieberman's New Kiss of Death

Senator Joe Lieberman will finally come clean on Monday, unleashing his inner-Republican to endorse the struggling campaign of Senator John McCain, according to several news reports. It is a bittersweet alliance for both men. Lieberman's move confirms his critics' longtime argument that he is a "Democrat in Name Only," while McCain looks desperate by leaning on backers beyond the G.O.P. base in the homestretch of a partisan primary.

The Politico first reported that Lieberman will "cross the aisle" to back McCain on Monday's edition of the "Today" show. As an independent, however, Lieberman was already standing in the aisle. The article says the joint appearance is "an effort to draw attention to the McCain campaign, which needs a splash. Otherwise, it does not make sense for McCain because it will only remind core Republicans why they distrust him." The pair also have a long history together, having cosponsored the Iraq War resolution, Climate Change legislation, and lobbying disclosure reforms.

During his 2006 reelection campaign, Lieberman emphasized that he would support Democratic candidates in 2008. "I want Democrats to be back in the majority in Washington and elect a Democratic president in 2008," he said during a televised debate in July. Lieberman promptly backtracked after his reelection, announcing this January that he was "open" to supporting a Republican or Democrat for president, depending "on a whole range of issues." By not even waiting to see who the Democrats nominate, now Lieberman is revealing that the issues aren't important to him, either.

But the Democrats' battles over Joe Lieberman are important because they have always been about more than a single politician. Last election, Democratic voters in Connecticut -- along with activists and bloggers across the country -- did something unusual in today's politics. They put issues above incumbency and prioritized leadership over the "strategic" imperative of holding a "safe seat." This activism was derided by many pundits and the Democratic establishment, including Senators Obama and Clinton, who backed the primary campaign of a man who literally cannot wait for the presidential race to start before he endorses one of their Republican opponents. But Lieberman's detractors were right about his loyalties. They were also right about Iraq policy -- and the political imperative of running on an alternative foreign policy in 2006. And as I've argued many times, the activists were right to reject the entire Washington discourse that asks us to think as tacticians instead of citizens.

UPDATE: Here are two other new reactions to the endorsment:

Ned Lamont:

During our debate last year, Senator Lieberman intoned that he wanted to "elect a Democratic President in 2008," and that my election would "frustrate and defeat our hope of doing that." With his endorsement of John McCain today, it is now clear that Joe Lieberman is the one working to defeat our hopes... It is ironic that Lieberman's fellow Connecticut senator, Chris Dodd, is today courageously leading the congressional charge against illegal wiretaps, not to mention bringing America's combat role in the Bush-McCain-Lieberman war to an end. With voters just weeks away from making their first decisions, Democrats are lucky to have many extraordinary candidates running for President. I am disappointed that Senator Lieberman does not feel the same way.

Democracy for America Executive Director Arshad Hasan:

With his endorsement of John McCain, Senator Lieberman has, once again, shown himself to be nothing more than an irrelevant Republican who is willing to say anything to get elected and curry favor with the Beltway establishment while he continues his quest to get appointed to a cabinet position.

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Ari Melber writes for The Nation, where this post first appeared.

Comments

[whatfreshhellisthis]

"Do you remember all these people saying "Oh, too bad it's Gore and Bush, don't you think Lieberman and Cheney would be better candidates!"--Progressive Pam


Oh my gosh, no, I never heard anyone say that. Thank goodness, because I would have had to pitch a hissy fit right then and there. Pam, I'm sorry that you were subjected to such stupid comments.

"Has anyone ever considered that Joe might be ginning up for another spot on a ticket as Veep with McCain?"---RJ Crane

Yes, I have considered that, and I think it's exactly what Joe is aiming for. With any luck at all, he and McCain will drag each other down into oblivion.

[Crowhaul]

Lieberman, the AIPAC representative, has long ceased to be relevant. May he RIP.

[foolchild0]

It's obviously just a matter of time before Lieberman joins the Republicans officially.

Oh yeah...and he was on the Democratic ticket in 2000, and was one of the most visible Democratic Senator's before 2006.

This guy is exactly the type that the party needs to move away from.

[PlayItAgain]

Joe kiss your political career goodbye.

[delicado]

I never could understand Connecticut voting for Lieberman. Did they vote for his name?- As an incumbent, but running on a different ticket? Had they not listened to how he voted along Bush lines? Is McCain so desperate that he might jeopardize his election by teaming up with Lieberman? But this gives the Dems in Conn the chance to see, out in the open, for whom they voted.

[delicado]

Even though McCain an Lieberman wrote legislation together, I doubt if McCain really knows Lieberman. But even Obama and Hillary backed Lieberman's reluctance to give up his seat, so ran as an Independent. Even Barbara Boxer gave money to Lieberman for his campaign. Do all of these people seriously believe Israel is a good choice to back? They attacked Palestine with Bush sending money and arms. Both, were in defiance of International Law. Ours for aiding and abetting and Israel for attacking a country that had not attacked them - the U.N. mandated to "us" - no more aid to Israel, after the last big attack.

[RuthieM]

Of course Lieberman is showing what issues are important to him --him being Jewish -- Muslims, Islamists against Jews. The only vision Lieberman has is that view and his every move and breath is in that direction. He endorsed McCain because he's pro-Iraq, he wants to bomb Iran, all and everything because Lieberman is Jewish and that is all he sees. There is no reason for him to wait for the democratic nomination because all dems want to bring the troops home and Lieberman wants to keep them there, has always wanted them there, was in favor of Bush attacking Iraq. I still don't see why Lieberman just doesn't become Republican, why is he teasing, teeter tottering?

[xcrunner77]

Hasn't Lieberman embarrassed Connecticut enough? Great job Connecticut. Can't wait to see what you do next.

[rahgolf]

Most of the hoi polloi don't get it on Joe actions. Its payback time, he ran with them for 20 years and they preferred party loyalty over personal friendship!

Next question!

[libertyanne]

Senator Sell-out Strikes again! Why am I not surprised? No self-respecting Democrat wants
this weisel's endorsement anyway.

[el35]

Come on Connecticut; let's start collecting signatures for a senate recall election.

[dolphy]

Based on their looks on video, they're already dead.

[rowvee]

He's trying to lock up the whiney milque toast vote.

[Garvagh]

Lieberman and McCain both support the hard-right Israeli militarist viewpoint that suppressing the Palestinians and threatening any country trying to support those unfortunate people is the way forward. This program calls for the continuing squandering of hundreds of billions of dollars in the effort to refashion Iraq into another Turkey that can support Israel against Iran or other Muslim countries in the Middle East. The strategy is idiotic in the extreme.

[pece]

Seriously did you ever think that this guy with this redicilous smile on his fce could ever be a free thinker. He never had me fooled, but it is a shame that some people from the good ole Yale state fell for this phoney, and by the way it is the same state that our dear ole pres.. went to school....