Dems Loath to Punish Traitor Joe

Joe Lieberman has crossed nearly every line there is in supporting John McCain—on Sunday he even praised Sarah Palin—and many liberals want him ousted from the Democratic caucus. But Harry Reid and company show no signs of moving against Lieberman, Salon reports. “We're going to have to wait and see,” was all a Reid spokesman would say.

Democrats may still need Lieberman to construct a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority. “The need to satisfy Daily Kos is not as important as making sure you have the votes you need,” noted one senior consultant. Senate Democrats are also probably loath to censure a longtime colleague, but Lieberman seems sure to at least lose his committee chairmanship. “He's a grownup,” said a former adviser. “He made this decision and he knew the consequences.”