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Lieberman a Sore Subject With Dems

Stumping for McCain moves onetime veep nominee further from former party

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 14, 2008 5:59 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Joe Lieberman, long at odds with his party over his outspoken support for the war in Iraq, has become so estranged from his Democratic colleagues since he began campaigning for John McCain that the New York Times wonders if the strained relationship is heading for a divorce. While, for example, he still attends Democratic weekly lunches, he left the room at a recent one when the presidential election came up. “It was the right thing to do,” said a colleague.

In an interview, Lieberman professes to be comfortable with his "uncomfortable position." He offers a spirited attack on Barack Obama that seems to be in line with GOP “talking points,” despite Democratic calls for him to dial down his criticism, and says he's having fun on the campaign trail with McCain. But he says he doesn’t feel there’s a permanent rift between him and his Democratic colleagues. If there was a point of no return, “I’d know it when I saw it,” he said.

Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe, right, Sen. John McCain, left, Cindy McCain, second from left, Sen. Joe Lieberman, center, and Uribe's wife Lina Moreno de Uribe speak in Colombia, July 1, 2008.
Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe, right, Sen. John McCain, left, Cindy McCain, second from left, Sen. Joe Lieberman, center, and Uribe's wife Lina Moreno de Uribe speak in Colombia, July 1, 2008.   (AP Photo)
In this April 8, 2008, file photo Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., addresses the Vets For Freedom on Capitol Hill in Washington.
In this April 8, 2008, file photo Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., addresses the Vets For Freedom on Capitol Hill in Washington.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., shake hands with workers during a tour of the sea port cargo processing area in Colombia, July 2, 2008.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., shake hands with workers during a tour of the sea port cargo processing area in Colombia, July 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., talks during the taping of Face The Nation at the CBS studios Sunday, June 29, 2008, in Washington.
Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., talks during the taping of "Face The Nation" at the CBS studios Sunday, June 29, 2008, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Karin Cooper)
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Congress • John McCain • Senate • independent • Joseph Lieberman • Democratic Senators

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