That may be true. The truth is that Lieberman's statements over the last two months have been enough in the grey area that that may be right. But to me, at least, the issue isn't whether he's changed his position, it's what his position is right now.
Lieberman fans -- a group in which I have sometimes classed myself -- might tell you that Joe's just dancing now. And at the end of the day, he'll do the right thing, though to me that seems in doubt. But even if it's true, quite frankly, it doesn't matter. The damage he is doing, perhaps irreparable, is now.
Here's why.
As we've said from the start, the key to saving Social Security is Democratic unity. Look at those folks on the Conscience Caucus list. With a very few exceptions they are only there because there's no Democratic cover to make the vote. That's created time for the public to look and see what the president is trying to do. And the more they look, the more they turn against his plan. Throw in a few Democrats supporting phase-out and all but a handful of them will firm up and vote with the White House. Let's say every Dem for phase-out frees up three Republicans.
At the moment, too, the trend of the Social Security story is all running against the president. He can't get the seats filled in New Hampshire, the polls are bad, the Republicans in Congress are increasingly worried, scurrying for cover.
Give him Lieberman and suddenly the President is making headway in the Senate where the key vote will be made. A high-profile Democrat, like Lieberman, for phase-out would probably nail down three or four Senate Republicans for the president. In similar fashion, it would put an equal number of Senate Democrats back in play. One or two of those Dems sign on and you'll see them bring more with them. With a shift like that, suddenly phase-out is back in business and quite possibly even filibuster proof.
On the House side, with a Senate pal for Rep. Allen Boyd, you'd likely see a similar change.
Even if Lieberman eventually decides to keep his hands clean when phase-out comes to a vote, it might not matter since his individual vote probably wouldn't be needed. The damage would already be done.
It truly is stunning how mesmerizingly poor DLC Democrats can consistently be when it comes to message, and there could not be a clearer case than this. Regardless of how he eventually votes, Lieberman is providing Bush political cover to destroy Social Security just at the moment when it seemed as though we had created the unity that would defeat this corporate coup. This is just inexcusable. I say Lieberman be given around four days, three hours and twenty-five minutes until we start looking for a primary challenger.
Give his office a call. His website notes: "due to the volume of mail that I receive, I am only able to research and address those messages sent to me from Connecticut residents." For those of you who live in the nutmeg state, his number is (800) 225-5605, or (860) 549-8463 for voicemail. Tell Lieberman to stop giving Bush cover through indecision and poorly worded statements. Tell him to publicly oppose the destruction of Social Security through private accounts.
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