A Party of One

Update below

Well the first shoe has dropped. Joe-nertia held a press conference at 1 p.m. today essentially announcing that those nasty, mean Connecticut Democratic voters aren't showing the proper obeisance and fealty to his candidacy and person.

Boston Globe

U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, facing a stronger-than-expected Democratic primary challenge and sagging poll numbers because of his support of the Iraq war, said Monday he'll collect signatures to run as an unaffiliated candidate if he loses next month's primary.

Joe likes to pass himself off as a man of integrity and honor, but when it all really comes down to the wire, the only allegiances Joe has is to himself. He has had the support of the Democratic party in every election since first winning office 18 years ago. One of the hallmarks of running for office is LOYALTY. You are loyal to the people who supported your candidacy, you're loyal to the voters who put a checkmark next to your name on the ballot, and you are loyal to the Party apparatus that pounds the streets getting out the vote for you every election.

But in every primary election you have to face the voters of your own party and justify their support in your re-election. And this year, Joe's finding it extremely difficult overcoming his unwavering support for the man and party who stole the election from him, his Party's leader, Al Gore, and the Democratic Party. Time after time, when called upon to stand by the Democrats he stabbed them in the back. He's the darling of the radical right, the darling of the right-wing media (the go-to guy when Fox needs a Democrat to criticize his own party) and George Bush's FAVORITE DEMOCRAT.

So, as it becomes clear that Joe just might lose the primary and his seat in the Senate, he makes it clear where his loyalties lie. Lieberman will run as an independent if he loses the primary as is likely. At that point, the national party and the Connecticut state party should put the hammer down and do whatever it takes to put Ned Lamont in office and throw Joe off of the island.

Joe's about to declare war on the Democratic Party and it's time we make him pay for that judgement.

Update: Lieberman - "I have loyalties that are greater than those to my party."