Letters to the Editor
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Maybe I missread the poll info quoted
But didn't it say that if Joe decides to run he would win by a considerable margin among his constituents, the likely Connecticut voters?
Yes, yes, as a Democrat he is pretty much washed up, and perhaps the party is better without him, but to say that Lieberman doesn't reflect the views of Connecticut voters seems like a huge stretch.
People suggesting that Lieberman officially switch parties are rather short sighted as if he is an "independent" it is likely at least for appearance’s sake that procedurally Joe would still vote with Democrats. Meaning, in a tight Senate, Joe, as an independent, could be the deciding vote choosing who was actually in charge of debate in the Senate.
Democracy holds that people, not parties determine who should lead them. As a Democrat Lieberman served his party where he could, and has taken stands against his party on key issues. While it is fair to say he should not receive the Democratic nomination if he doesn't win the primary, it is idiotic to call him a spoiler if he runs as an independent.
If Lieberman running would cause the seat to shift to a Republican, I do not think Joe would run. As it is, Joe's running as an independent just allows the voters of the state of Connecticut the right to choose its own representation.
Whether or not a political party can hold nuanced views across a spectrum is crucial to remaining relevant. Without the "progressives" in the Republican Party they would not have a majority. The notion that without "conservatives" the Democratic Party can hold a national majority is an interesting theory, one which the 2006 elections will help determine.
At the end of the debate, if you are going to say that the people of Connecticut have the right to choose their own representative in the Senate that would need to include, the democrats, republicans, and the numerous independents who like Lieberman as well.