Lieberbating

Kevin flags this Bloomberg story about Joe Lieberman's latest ominous declaration that he's none-too-happy with Democrats these days. "'I hope the moment doesn't come," says Lieberman, "that I feel so separated from the [Democratic] caucus" that he becomes an honest to god Republican. This official switch from "I-CT" to "R-CT" would apparently be done solely out of spite. Kevin muses, "I wonder how much longer it will take until he decides, as a salve to his own conscience, that the Democratic Party 'left him,' rather than the other way around?"

My guess is: not a moment sooner than when Democrats stop concerning themselves with his petty threats. As long as Reid et al make special allowances for Lieberman every time he says stuff like this, Lieberman will keep saying it, and keep having a damping effect on Democratic anti-war efforts. Let me say that I hope that moment comes very, very soon. Lieberman's defection would change very little and Democrats would be better off without this sort of malignancy in their party anyhow.