NEWSFLASH: Lieberman refuses to back Democratic candidates

Oh goodie, I get to use the Drudge light!

Okay, lets recap.

1. We find out that Joe Lieberman hung out with Jodi Rell and Rob Simmons on Thursday.

2. He's been endorsed by Nancy Johnson and Chris Shays.

3. NOW, today we learn that Joe flat-out refuses to back Democratic Congressional candidates Diane Farrell, Joe Courtney and Chris Murphy!

Is it NOW safe to call him the de facto Republican candidate?!?

Hot off the press from the New Haven Independent

Declaring himself a "non-combatant," U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, in remarks at a New Haven press event Friday, raised anew the question of whether his "independent" candidacy will help Republicans hold onto three Congressional seats in Connecticut -- and control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Lieberman -- who after losing an Aug. 8 Democratic primary to Ned Lamont has launched a third-party bid to hold onto his seat in the Nov. 7 general election -- was asked whether he still endorses Diane Farrell, Joe Courtney and Chris Murphy, three Democrats looking to unseat endangered Republican incumbents Chris Shays, Rob Simmons and Nancy Johnson.

"I'm a non-combatant," Lieberman declared. "I am not going to be involved in other campaigns. I think it's better if I just focus on my own race."

Lieberman made the remarks at a Friday morning photo op held in the rain under an I-95 overpass in the Fair Haven neighborhood to tout his role in bringing $50 million to the state to help ease transportation gridlock.

"It's a little awkward for me now" to endorse the Democratic candidates in the general election, he said, "since they all endorsed my opponent," Democratic primary winner Ned Lamont.

The comment was significant because analysts from both major parties believe that Lieberman's campaign could help the three Republicans keep their jobs in the face of tough challenges. Lieberman's strongest support -- 75 percent in the most recent Quinnipiac poll -- comes from Republicans. If he succeeds in drawing more Republican voters to the polls to support his candidacy, that could help the Republican Congressional candidates. Those three races are considered among the 10 most competitive Congressional races in the country; both parties consider the races key to deciding which party controls the House in 2007. National Republican strategists and donors have come forward to help Lieberman's campaign; party leaders have abandoned the nominal Republican in the Senate race, Alan Schlesinger. Prominent Republicans like Shays and former Republican House leader Newt Gingrich have endorsed Lieberman.

Selfish, selfish, selfish.

Not only is he actively running a Republican campaign, he has now turned his back on three critical Congressional seats that the Democrats need if they ever have a real shot in taking back the House!

In his own words, Joe Lieberman has turned his back on the Democratic Party. The hell with Murphy, the hell with Courtney, the hell with Farrell, and THE HELL fellow New Haven native Democratic gubernatorial candidate John DeStefano!

Do you really think he'll work with the Democrats senate if he's re-elected? Do you think after his comments and his over the top interview on ultra-right winged, racist, xenophobe Glen Beck's show that he cares one bit about the Democratic Party?

Come on Harry, give Joe the boot!

UPADATE: Oh lookie, lookie at what Holy Joe said JUST TWO WEEKS AGO!

Lieberman said that he will continue to support the Democrats running for Congress even though they now support Lamont.

"It is a little bit harder, but I have endorsed the three of them," he said. Lieberman endorsed Joe Courtney over Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2, and Chris Murphy over Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-5.

Now, if Joe can easily flip-flop like this, what makes you think he won't turn his back on Harry and caucus with the Republicans?

Lieberman (R-CT)

(Hat tip to Lamontblog).