What to do with Joe Lieberman

For the past few days I have spent some of my spare reading time on the Connecticut Senate Primary between Senator Lieberman and Ned Lamont. Even before 9/11 I viewed Lieberman with suspicions as I could never reconcile that (D) behind his name with the fact that he keeps some strange friends on the right like Ralph Reed. Throughout the 2004 Presidential Primary, Lieberman was my favorite punching bag. I loved taking out my anger over the War on Iraq and our neutered Senate Caucus out on the man I felt betrayed the party. Now...I'm not so sure. I can't help but feel that activists in my wing of the Democratic Party may be making a big mistake in throwing its support behind Lamont. Truth be told, I'm scared we may lose a LION for education, reproductive rights and a repeal of Bush's regressive tax policies all because of how pissed we are about the war. Is it right to take the war out on Lieberman? Sure I want to spit every time I think of the warm embrace and kiss that Joe shared with Bush on national television. Sure it infuriates me to think he voted for Gonzales' confirmation (even though he wasn't alone) and yeah, I am mad as hell that he continues to be a strong supporter on an illegal, immoral war that has done more harm to our republic and our standing in the world than anything we have ever done but Joe Lieberman is a Democrat, a loyal Democrat who has served our party and his constituents well in the Senate, has been a consummate gentleman, is deeply devout in his beliefs and frankly, deserves to be treated much better than this. Unlike many in our party who voted to authorize the use of force in Iraq out of fear of political retribution, Joe Lieberman really does believe we did the right thing. Of course, he is 100% wrong, but at least he BELIEVES it. That scores larger points with me than John Kerry who voted for the war before he voted against it, only to come around this month to vote against the war because it's popularity has reached the crucial threshold of angering Democrats and Independents alike (Depending on the poll, it ranges from 38% Worth it to 60% not worth it on the high side and 39% Worth it to 54% Not worth it on the low side). I am concerned because my wing of the party is clamoring for blood and demanding a rigorous adherence to orthodoxy, a trend I feel is bad for a party that really believes in debate, compromise and doing what’s best for America. That's beside the point. My wing of the party is demanding orthodoxy in a very cynical way. I keep asking myself, "Why haven't we gone after Senator Ben Nelson in the same way? Is it because we are afraid to be Liberal in Nebraska where we would assuredly lose a Senate seat standing up for our beliefs but feel we can get away with it in that beautiful blue bastion of Connecticut?" Joe Lieberman deserves more respect than this. I am happy that the DSCC isn't buckling under the pressure and is supporting him in the primary. Once again, I am disappointed in John Kerry for not taking a stand, and I am hopeful that if the good Senator gets through the primary, that he doesn't REALLY turn his back on a party made of activists that have clearly started to turn their backs on him.