I think it is a great thing that Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins have a great working relationship and that they respect each other and work together in a spirit of bipartisanship as the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security committee. In an era of hyperpartisanship, it’s nice to see a committee than can work in a productive and collaborative way. But Joe Lieberman has taken this too far in endorsing Susan Collins’s re-election bid. (sorry, no link).
Asserting his status as an independent and his loyalty to a long-time friend, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., said Thursday he is supporting the 2008 re-election of Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, even though Democrats have already targeted her seat to try to keep control of the Senate.
“I’m going to support Sen. Collins’ re-election,” he said in an interview with CongressDaily reporters. Lieberman, who was re-elected last year as an independent but continues to caucus with Democrats, added that his leadership PAC has already made the maximum contribution of $5,000 to Collins’ campaign.
“This is without regard to who the Democratic nominee would be,” he said. “I would just feel that I was not being honest to myself and everything I’ve said about what our politics should be like now if, for partisan reasons, I didn’t support somebody who I think is a great senator.”
Collins and Lieberman have worked closely on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Collins is the ranking member.
Lieberman also reserved the option of endorsing a Republican for president in 2008 and repeated statements that he has not ruled out a future — albeit unlikely — switch to the Republican Party.
During the wide-ranging interview, Lieberman said he had not discussed his decision with Senate Majority Leader Reid. His staff did inform Reid’s office of the plan Thursday; a spokesman for Reid declined to comment.
Lieberman acknowledged his support for Collins could shape the balance of power in the Senate, which Democrats control by a single vote. But he said his decision was ultimately driven by “the wonderful productive working relationship” the two have and the fact that she campaigned for his re-election last year.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to do together and I think the kind of trust that we have means that we don’t waste a lot of time in unproductive partisan games,” he said.
Collins faces a likely challenge from Democratic Rep. Tom Allen. He has not announced his candidacy but is actively preparing to run against her.
I’m not surprised, but I am disappointed. Lieberman continues to thumb his nose at the Democratic Party. After the 2008 elections I believe there will be at least 55 Democratic senators, if not 60. Lieberman should be stripped of all seniority at that time.