Lieberman: I'll Back Republicans in 2010

Some moderates, liberals reluctant to voice support for reelection bid

(NEWSER) - It may not come as a surprise that Joe Lieberman isn’t sure where he stands on President Obama’s reelection bid—but a number of Obama’s fellow Democrats aren’t rushing to support him, either. Instead, they’re refusing to comment or choosing their words carefully, Politico finds. Just a few Blue Dog Democrats the site contacted were willing to offer their views on the 2012 presidential race; other Dems skirted the issue. Some are holding off until they learn who Obama's opponent will be. More»

Not many of them, but they do exist

(NEWSER) - Think "Tea Party" and you'll probably think "Republican"—but it turns out Tea Party Democrats do, in fact, exist. But it's hard to say just how many, and harder still to gauge how much of an impact they have on elections, the Washington Post reports. Polls have put the percentage of Democrats in the Tea Party movement at anywhere from 4% (CNN) to 15% (Gallup); for her part, Michele Bachmann believes it's actually 20%. More»

Jimmy McMillan has had it with sucky Dems, wants to help GOP

(NEWSER) - Once upon a time, the rent was too damn high, but now the Democrats are just too damn sucky for Jimmy McMillan. The colorful onetime gubernatorial candidate is now a registered Republican, he tells Sal Gentile of PBS, mostly because "the Democratic Party sucked." And he's expanding his platform with a new slogan: "The deficit is too damn high." Other McMillan gems: More»

John McCain hopes he becomes defense secretary

(NEWSER) - Joe Lieberman today confirmed what everybody knew: He's not running for Senate re-election in 2012. Some quotes from the Connecticut independent's news conference, as collected by the Washington Post :

• "Along the way, I have not always fit comfortably into conventional political boxes—maybe you've noticed that—Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative. I have always thought that my first responsibility is not to serve a political party but to serve my constituents, my state, and my country, and then to work across party lines to make sure good things get done for them."
• "The politics of President Kennedy—patriotic service to country, support of civil rights and social justice, pro-growth economic and tax policies, and a strong national defense—are still my politics. So maybe that means that JFK wouldn't fit into any of today's partisan political boxes neatly."

Independent will make it official tomorrow

(NEWSER) - Joe Lieberman has decided not to run for re-election in 2012, a slew of media outlets are reporting. The Democrat-turned-independent will announce his plans tomorrow. A spokesman wouldn't confirm the decision to retire: "After many thoughtful conversations with family and friends over the last several months, Senator Lieberman made a decision about his future over the holidays which he plans to announce on Wednesday." More»