Deputy Dog Back in Action

Please, someone get Joe Lieberman his binky and some regular coverage on Access Hollywood so he will shut his mouth already. He has now come out saying he will "use his power a single Senator" to stop healthcare reform if it includes a public option. Let's side aside the fact that he's blatantly stating falsehoods about what a public option is (stating it's a new government entitlement, which it's not (it's financed by premiums)) and how much it will cost (he's saying it will break the budget, which it won't); how does this guy still have any seniority in the Democratic caucus? I've been following most of the Lieberbarf coverage at My Left Nutmeg, which does a lot of great coverage of CT Politics.

Josh Marshall recently commented that he wished there was some sort of anti-Lieberman placeholder in CT, but I think he misses an obvious opportunity: Chris Dodd. Dodd is going to be locked in a very difficult re-election campaign next year, both within the party and statewide. For some bizarre reason, he continues to stand behind his "friend" Lieberman. You can see an example of this type of behavior here. I get that these guys have known each other a long time and are potentially friends inside and outside the Senate. But let's be frank, there are very important, fundamental Democratic reforms on the table here (HCR, Cap & Trade, Banking Reform, etc.) that Lieberman stands in the way of, for seemingly no legitimate reason other than his own sense of self-importance. Dodd claims to be a champion of these reforms (hell, he'll potentially be authoring the banking reform).

If Dodd wants the vigorous support of Democratic partisans/activists, shouldn't he have to show that he will "fight" to get these reforms made into law? Friendships are important in life, but you don't get to be a US Senator to make and keep friends. You get elected to represent the interests of your constituents (who, in CT by the way, support a public option 64% to 31%).