For Lieberman, the 'I' Stands for 'Ignored'

[cal04]

You could feel the temperature drop as Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut entered the Senate chamber yesterday for the first time since he lost his Democratic primary last month and became an independent candidate.

Democratic leaders Richard Durbin (Ill.) and Charles Schumer (N.Y.) kept a safe distance. Christopher Dodd (Conn.) gave him a perfunctory handshake. Harry Reid (Nev.), the minority leader, turned his back; when Lieberman approached, Reid indulged him in a quick handshake then quickly busied himself in another conversation.

Republican Susan Collins (Maine), spying Lieberman alone in the center aisle, rushed over with a hug and a kiss -- and a pledge to campaign for him in Connecticut. Could she feel the daggers in his back when she hugged him? Collins chuckled. "I told him I'm going to get him a dog named Harry," she told reporters later.

Harry Truman's famous adage -- If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog -- has never been truer. After Lieberman was vanquished by antiwar candidate Ned Lamont in last month's primary, 40 of the 45 members of the Senate Democratic caucus abandoned their longtime colleague and their party's former vice presidential nominee. In this town, partisanship is thicker than friendship.

Dana Milbank
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/06/AR2006090601808.html

[Eric J in MN]

1. They "abandoned" Lieberman.

No, he abandoned the Democrats by running against the Democratic nominee.

[nickinSTL]

2. absolutely right

Lieberman put his own interests ahead of the interests of his party.

[Ferret Annica]

3. Most people in that region view this Judas' kiss...

...of betrayal badly, and the Senate Democrats should reward bad, and selfish behavior. It is tie for a new Junior Senator from my old home state to take the place of this whiner.

[spooky3]

4. spin spin spin

I suppose Dana would say a spouse who moves out after his/her spouse gives him/her a black eye is "abandoning" the family.