Shays loves Lieberman

There is one Connecticut Congressman who is sticking up publically for Joe Lieberman; the ironic thing is that this Congressman happens to be a Republican and not a Democrat.

From the Hartford Courant:

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, D-Conn., under fire from members of his own party for his Iraq war stance, got a boost from a fellow Connecticut member of Congress Thursday - Republican Christopher Shays.

Shays, in comments made at the end of an hour-long breakfast with national reporters, said, "Joe Lieberman is one my heroes."

Shays, who faces a difficult re-election race, went on to say he was "giving serious consideration" to supporting Lieberman, who shares Shays' view that the Iraq war is a just cause and that the United States is making significant progress.

Later, Shays explained: "I admire the man tremendously. He is an excellent senator. We're truly indebted to him for his strong position on the sentinel issue of our time. No other issue is more important."

Former Westport First Selectwoman Diane Farrell could face a problem - she has voiced opposition to President Bush's conduct of the war, and now faces Shays backing her Democratic ticket-mate.

Farrell was unconcerned Thursday. "Chris Shays cannot hide behind Joe Lieberman or anyone else," she said. "This is about [Shays'] misplaced priorities and my better ideas."

I think the Courant nailed it on the head when it mentioned Diane Farrell as if Shays supports Lieberman, it places Farrell in a tough position. Would Lieberman snub Farrell and thank Shays for his support? If he does, that would be the ultimate slap in the face to Democrats in Connecticut but in any case, this is more a smart political move by Shays than anything else. He's facing a really tough re-election and his support of Lieberman could shake thing up a bit.