What is an Independent Democrat"? ... Only in Connecticut!

"I pledge allegiance to the Democratic Party ... uhh ... the independence of candidates, but still members of the Democratic [sic] Party of the United States of America."

Or something like that ...

What gives? I heard this on the radio on the way home from Grays Harbor College (teaching arithmetic and algebra to middle-aged men and women), and wasn't sure I heard it correctly. But what I now know to be very likely is that Joe Lieberman (Dem.?/Rep.? Senator from Connecticut) is planning on hedging his bets and will petition for an independent slot as a "petitioning Democrat" (whatever that is) should he lose the Democratic Primary in Connecticut on August 8.

I guess he must think he'll lose.

My brother, Richard in Connecticut, has promised to vote for Lamont if he remembers to vote in the primary, so that might be one more vote for Lamont -- and I'm sure my sister-in-law, Kristen will stick with Lamont too -- and I know she'll remember to vote, so that's her sure vote, plus my brother's iffy vote.

(I hate to admit it, but one of my sons and his wife -- plus too many of my grandsons to count -- also live in Connecticut and will almost surely vote Republican -- and might cross over to Lieberman in November if it comes to that.)

Still, if Lieberman can get 7,500 signatures onto some sort of "only-in-Connecticut" petition, he'll be permitted to run as an "Independent Democrat" in November.

But that's not all! The political analysts in Connecticut give Lieberman an "excellent chance" of winning in November, thanks to the cross-over Republican voters, independent voters, plus roughly 50% of the Democrats who will vote for him on August 8 and who have voted for Joe Lieberman since before World War I, and can excuse him for his pro-war voting record on Iraq.

It will surely be interesting -- two very different kinds of candidates, lots of money pouring in from Ned Lamont's millions, Joe Lieberman's millions (plus pro-Israeli PACs, etc.) and lots of nationwide interest in this Senate seat.

Obviously, I would prefer that one more Senator be in the voting column against the continuing horror in Iraq (Lamont), but have always admired Lieberman's demeanor. He is a true gentleman and I repeat my recommendation made to him in a previous blog (last week or so) -- don't do it!

Senator Lieberman: Wait and let Mr. Bush replace Donald Rumsfeld with you for the remaining months of his Presidency. That's still a no-lose proposition. After all, Ned Lamont just might beat you in November if the Iraqi occupation continues to eat away at America's young men and women there, as well as its moral leadership in the world. SecDef could be your "place in the sun" for at least a few weeks ... maybe months, but GWB wouldn't nominate a losing "Independent Democrat" to that post -- he doesn't trust independent thinkers; you know that!

Just imagine ... landing on an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, stepping out of the aircraft wearing a flight suit and helmet to a worldwide audience ... Joe Lieberman, Assistant-to-the-Assistant Commander-in-Chief! Smiling beneath a red, white and blue banner that simply reads, "Mission Aborted!" Wow!!!