Le Shorter:Just Say No To Joe

Joe Lieberman was once a Democrat, but even by the lax standards of Washington politics Joe has burned so many bridges that there should be no way back for him. Its not just that he spoke at the Republican national convention in support of the Republican candidate, but his voting record on issues such as the Iraq war, domestic surveillance, civil rights, torture, energy and social security shows he is progressive no more. His colleagues in the Senate vote next week on whether he can keep his chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee. With 56 sure seats Democrats can govern without Joe. There are moderate Republicans like Sens. Susan Collins or Olympia Snowe of Maine, or even Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania who could be approached to break a filibuster. They could also be offered cabinet jobs, since their states' Democratic governors should appoint Democratic replacements. Joe, because his adoption of extreme policies, has himself chosen to wander in the wilderness of right-wing politics.