Dace asked me again about the Republican's favorite Democrat, Joe Lieberman. It is looking like Lamont can do the impossible and beat an incumbent Senator in a primary. If that happens the question, "What will Biden do?" becomes very important.
It is an important question becuase if Leiberman loses and runs on the "Lieberman Party" ticket he will hurt the Democrats, even more than he has hurt them so far. This Kos post sums it up.
IF Lieberman loses, and IF he stays in the race as an independent, he will continue to harm the Democratic Party up through November.
Senate and House Democrats want nothing more desperate than to focus everyone's attention on Republicans and their embattled incumbents and open seats. Lieberman stays in, and I can confidently predict that a HUGE amount of netroots (and thus media) attention will remain on Connecticut's Senate battle and not elsewhere where it could be greatly needed. The Senate and House party committees tolerate Lieberman's independent bid at their own peril.
If Lieberman bolts the Democratic Party and becomes and independent, Harry Reid will be under intense pressure to immediately strip Lieberman of his committee assignments. Those are reserved for Democrats and loyal allies (e.g. Jeffords or Sanders). Let the Republicans give their committee seats to their favorite Democrat. That's the last thing Reid needs right now, but it'll happen if Lieberman stays in the race.
Money spent on this race today is not detracting from picking up seats in the Fall. But that will obviously change if Lieberman stays in the race.
Lieberman will make Barbara Boxer, Joe Biden, and Bill Clinton look extra stupid if their defenses of him, as a Democrat, are repaid with a big "f*ck you" and a flip of the bird.So, what will Biden do?
Best Case Scenario: A quick and hearty endorsment of the DEMOCRAT Ned Lamont - as promised.
Worst Case Scenario: A flip/flop and a hearty endorsment of his friend Joe Lieberman.
If the worse case scenerio comes to pass Delaware Democrats should force Joe Biden to pay a very high price.