Political Friends

The press likes to put politicians in awkward positions, it's almost a fringe benefit for a reporter. And so it is that the Hartford Courant has tried to put as many Democratic Senators as it could on a hotseat over whether they would support Joe Lieberman in an independent run.

WASHINGTON — Want to see a Democratic senator squirm? Don't ask about Iraq or gasoline prices. Ask about Joe Lieberman.

They edge toward the door, duck into the elevator, scoot down the hall to avoid the question: Will you support Joe Lieberman if he loses the Aug. 8 Senate primary to Ned Lamont and runs as an independent?

Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., laughs heartily and says, "My boy Joe's going to win the primary." Pressed on what would happen if he does not, Dodd gets more serious.

"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," he said. "I learned not to answer questions like that until I have to."

Other longtime friends of Lieberman, a three-term colleague and the party's 2000 vice presidential nominee, also avoid looking too far ahead.

Actually, a lot more Senators responded pro or con than the opening paragraphs imply. Many simply did not commit one way or the other. Only Ben Nelson of Nebraska gave unqualified support for Lieberman. There were a few pretty strong hints, though.

No senator or their staff would confirm any conversation. The issue is tricky for the Democratic senators; Lieberman has been a party loyalist all his life, someone who has helped other members get their bills passed and, particularly in 2000, visited their states to help their campaigns.

"This is someone who's been state Senate majority leader, the prototype of a people's attorney general, a senator for 18 years and the popularly elected vice presidential candidate," said Rep. John B. Larson, D-1st District. "And the Democratic Party tent somehow isn't big enough for him?"

The Lieberman decision is tough for another reason: Collegiality is an important currency in the Senate. Because of wide-open rules that usually allow unlimited debates and amendments, senators rely on one another to build coalitions -and forge compromises - to get things done.

Lieberman has long been considered a valuable compromiser and, except in the case of the Iraq war and a few other issues, a reliable Democratic vote. But he's also seen as flexible, joining six Democratic and seven Republican colleagues to form the "Gang of 14" last year to break a deadlock on judicial nominations.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., considers Lieberman a team player, and earlier this year, sent letters to state convention delegates urging a vote for Lieberman.

Reid needs to keep Lieberman happy. Democrats need a net gain of six seats in November to win control of the Senate; if Lieberman runs and wins as an independent, it would be crucial to keep him on their side.

Reid has in recent weeks had warm praise for the senator, calling him "great on environmental issues," and "a good senator." And, he told Salon Magazine, "I'm not going to turn on Joe because I disagree with him on this issue."

This is an unusual situation and watching it play out is quite fascinating.