even though the republican candidates have not conceded in montana or virginia yet, it's now fairly certain that we're looking at a democrat-controlled senate. but control will be based on a slender 1-vote margin
before the election, many predicted that lieberman might break his campaign promise to caucus with the democrats and caucus with, or even become, a republican instead. now that lieberman can decide who controls the senate, i have no doubt that republicans are quietly offering him all kinds of goodies to induce him to switch.
lieberman, so far, says he's staying with the dems, but only to preserve his 18 years of seniority. before the election many people, myself included, thought that lieberman should lose his seniority earned as a democrat when he broke with the party to run as an independent. but now that control of the senate will depend upon lieberman, i hereby flip-flop. pragmatic considerations are important, and control of the senate is worth giving up on my earlier position.
but i do think the fact that lieberman said he's staying with the dems just to preserve his seniority speaks volumes about his character. it's not principles or shared values that dictate his political affiliation, it's power. so much for holy joe, man of principle.
i also wonder what would happen if the republicans offered to honor joe's seniority if he switched parties. would he do it? and what if they sweetened the deal and offered to give him 20 years of seniority instead of 18? if power is what lieberman is looking for, then there's probably a price that could be paid to make him jump.
