I recognize that waiting for Sen. Lieberman to emphasize the "Democrat" part of "independent Democrat" is much like waiting for Guns N'Roses' Chinese Democracy to be released, but if the latter is really hitting stores by Thanksgiving perhaps there's hope for Lieberman as well.
In that spirit, given his leadership role as a committee chairman in our party, there's two things he can do right now:
- Whatever Jim Martin wants in Georgia. It's time for Joe Lieberman to tap his fundraising network for the benefit of Martin as his runoff election approaches, and do whatever else the Martin campaign asks of him to help a Democrat get elected to the U.S. Senate in Georgia. If it's personal appearances, Lieberman should hop on a Delta flight to Hartsfield International Airport today. If it's conference calls with key local leaders with whom Lieberman would have influence, he should do it. How about buying a full page ad in the Atlanta Jewish Times to place an open letter in support of Martin?
Bottom line: whatever Jim Martin wants, Joe Lieberman can do, for the good of our party. And, for that matter ...
- Al Franken needs help too. I realize that the level of ideological simpatico-ness might be strained here, but Democrats help Democrats. If Franken needs fundraising for the recount, Lieberman should provide it. If they need more lawyers in Minnesota to supervise the recount, Lieberman can spearhead the effort by reaching out to his supporters in the legal community across the country.
Committee chairs are leadership roles within our party, and it's time for Sen. Lieberman to pitch in.
Far-fetched, you say? Well, I never thought we'd see
Chinese Democracy either, and it's allegedly being released in five days. It's not like he's
still going to campaign for Republicans, right?
