Lieberman to GOP

I've invested a lot in predicting that Lieberman will wind up caucusing with Republicans, but only because it makes no sense at all for him to remain a Democrat. Want another demonstration? The GOP in Connecticut is crediting him with breathing life into their congressional campaigns:

Lieberman push for GOP votes may aid GOP
By ANDREW MIGA, Associated Press Writer
Wed Nov 1, 10:58 AM ET

Sen. Joe Lieberman alienated plenty of Democrats with his independent bid. Just imagine their anger if he costs them control of the House.

The three-term Connecticut senator is aggressively pursuing Republican and independent voters in his race against Democratic nominee Ned Lamont and little-known Republican Alan Schlesinger. That targeted appeal — and the potential for a strong GOP turnout — could save three GOP House incumbents struggling to return to Washington...

Lieberman has the support of 73 percent of Republicans and 51 percent of independents, according to a Quinnipiac University survey released Wednesday. Schlesinger trailed far behind in single digits in the head-to-head matchup.

Lieberman's coattails could carry the GOP incumbents to re-election and undercut Democratic hopes of majority control of the House.

"It does help me," Shays said in a recent interview. "I know there will be a lot of Republicans who will vote for him, as well as a lot of independents and Democrats. ... Joe is the kind of person who reaches across the political divide, and I am like that as well..."

Johnson, 71, is a 12-term incumbent locked in a nasty race against Chris Murphy, a 33-year-old Democratic state senator. One of her TV ads features an actor portraying Murphy being welcomed by drug dealers as he campaigns door-to-door.

In a sprawling working-class district in Eastern Connecticut, Simmons' support of the Iraq war has come under heavy fire from Democratic challenger Joe Courtney. It's the most Democratic, and poorest, of the three in play...

So for all the stuff that MoveOn and DailyKos hate him for, add the fact that he will be credited with helping to pull through however many of Connecticut's 3 incumbent House Republicans get re-elected.

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