What to do with Joe Lieberman?

It is time for Joe Lieberman to face the music. But Senate democrats must wrestle with what, if any, punishment he should face for his support of McCain. When he first endorsed McCain, Lieberman gave assurances that he would not go negative on Obama or the democratic party. Then came the GOP convention when he went negative on Obama and the democratic party.

With a large majority in the chamber, democrats frankly don’t need Lieberman as Chair of the powerful Homeland Security Committee.

Reuters is reporting: “During the meeting in (Harry) Reid’s office, Lieberman rejected a proposed reprimand that included him being stripped of the chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee, the aide said. Lieberman backed McCain over Obama for president largely because McCain, unlike Obama, supported the Iraq war. He appeared regularly with McCain on the campaign trail and spoke at the Republican Party’s national convention.”

This also may be an early test to the kind of new politics that President-elect Obama preached on the campaign trail. “Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long,” he said Tuesday night in his victory speech. Perhaps he will encourage Reid to offer a conciliatory tone and not to punish Lieberman.

There are also reports that Lieberman is considering all options on the table, including a switch to the Republican party.

Given their massive losses, erosion of the party in key areas like among women and suburban voters, their lack of message, and their failed leadership over the past 8 years, why would an elected official actually contemplate moving to become a Republican? If you’re Joe Lieberman, you may not have any other choice.