Lieberman In Good Company

I'm not quite sure how Sen. Lieberman feels about this, but according to the New York Times today, Lieberman's party sees him more as a "wayward son." Much to the chagrin of his party, he's gaining Republican favor, too! Oh, the HORRORS! I bet sKerry HATES that!

According to the article:

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 - Five years after running as the vice-presidential nominee on the Democratic ticket and a year after his own presidential bid, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut has become an increasingly unwelcome figure within his party, with some Democrats seeing him more as a wayward son than a favorite son.

In the last few days, the senator has riled Democratic activists and politicians here and in his home state with his vigorous defense of President Bush's handling of the Iraq war at a time some Democrats are pressuring the administration to begin a withdrawal.

Mr. Lieberman particularly infuriated his colleagues when he pointed out at a conference here that President Bush would be commander in chief for three more years and said that "it's time for Democrats who distrust President Bush to acknowledge that."

"We undermine the president's credibility at our nation's peril," Mr. Lieberman said.

Much of the open criticism has been from liberal groups and House members. But his comments have also rankled Democrats in the Senate. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the minority leader, phoned Mr. Lieberman this week to express concerns with his views, Mr. Reid's aide said.

"Senator Reid has a lot of respect for Senator Lieberman," said Jim Manley, a Reid spokesman. "But he feels that Senator Lieberman's position on Iraq is at odds with many Americans."

An aide to another leading Democratic senator who insisted on anonymity said the feelings toward Mr. Lieberman could be summed up as, "The American people want to hold George Bush accountable for the failed policy in Iraq, and Senator Lieberman doesn't."

Mr. Lieberman, who remains immensely popular in his home state, is aware of the hornet's nest he has stirred.

"Some Democrats said I was being a traitor," (actual traitor photo below ... my personal 'literary license') he said in an interview on Friday, adding that he was not surprised by the reaction, "given the depth of feeling about the war."

Although some Democrats are upset with Mr. Lieberman, Republicans are embracing him, with President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld singling him out, and his support for the war, for praise in speeches this week.

"He is entirely correct," Mr. Cheney said on Tuesday at Fort Drum, N.Y. "On this, both Republicans and Democrats should be able to agree. The only way the terrorists can win is if we lose our nerve and abandon our mission."

I don't know about you folks, but personally I've been enjoying watching the implosion and near immolation of the Democratic party of late, thanks to the likes of Dr. "Yeaarrrgh!" Dean, Sen. sKerry, and the likes. The new RNC ad has me PUMPED and INVIGORATED! FINALLY I think the plan has worked. You know the old saying.... give a person enough rope, and they will hang themself! Well, we're at the end of our rope, and it seems that they've accepted every inch of it... firmly wrapping it around their own myrmidon necks.

Joe Lieberman has nothing to worry about. He's not alone in his beliefs (nor rejection). He joins the good company of Zell Miller, N.D. Rep. Earl Pomeroy, and I'm sure many others who have spoken out, or who want to speak out, but might be afraid to BECAUSE of the condemnation that Zell faced. But, Zell had nothing to lose and he was fed up with being betrayed by his own party - he was also in the final stage of his political career (too bad for his party, and too bad for the rest of us), and he thought it was time to tell it like it was.

More and more, Democrats who finally realize their party is leaving (or has left) them, are starting to speak out. We may not hear about it in the BBNs (Bush-Bashing networks), but what else would you expect from them? They can't even stomach to put out the positive news on Iraq!

Also on StopTheACLU's trackback weekend,
Right Wing Nation,
Cao's Blog,
Adam's Blog,
TMH's Bacon Bits