I realize that the very word Lieberman sends a lot of liberals into fits of apoplexy. But it’s worth making an additional point to the fine post from my colleague, Eric Kleefeld. Lieberman is talking about leaving the door open to returning to the Democratic party. I think that’s unlikely since he would probably be eviscerated in a primary. Still, it’s a remarkable shift from a few months ago when it seemed entirely possible that Lieberman would choose to caucus with Senate Republicans.
It’s worth noting what’s happened to Lieberman since Obama took office. He never wavered on the stimulus. He’s supporting the Employee Free Choice Act. He’s been fulsome in his praise of President Obama. Think of how much harder things would be for the president if Lieberman had bolted on those issues or had chosen to caucus with Republicans.
I understand Democratic anger with Lieberman. After all, he not only opposed Barack Obama but actively campaigned for the McCain-Palin ticket and endorsed Norm Coleman in Minnesota. The sentiment to kick him out of the caucus had a lot of merit to it. And I’m not suggesting that Lieberman won’t stick it to Obama and the Democrats in the future. He probably will.
That said, I think it now seems clear that Harry Reid and Barack Obama were wise not to follow the Netroots call for a Lieberman purge and to let him keep his chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs. I assume most readers will disagree but while the anger of kicking him to the curb would have felt good at the time, wouldn’t it have made life harder for President Obama? Discuss.
