Editorial columns in the Washington Post and New York Times are predicting a split, a divorce, a separation. And no, the couple involved doesn’t reside in Hollywood. They’re talking about Senator Joseph Lieberman and the Democratic Party. Seems Joe is sounding a little too much like a Republican these days, and the Left HATES when that happens.

Five years after running as the vice-presidential nominee on the Democratic ticket and a year after his own presidential bid, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut has become an increasingly unwelcome figure within his party, with some Democrats seeing him more as a wayward son than a favorite son.

In the last few days, the senator has riled Democratic activists and politicians here and in his home state with his vigorous defense of President Bush’s handling of the Iraq war at a time some Democrats are pressuring the administration to begin a withdrawal.

Mr. Lieberman particularly infuriated his colleagues when he pointed out at a conference here that President Bush would be commander in chief for three more years and said that “it’s time for Democrats who distrust President Bush to acknowledge that.”

“We undermine the president’s credibility at our nation’s peril,” Mr. Lieberman said.

Much of the open criticism has been from liberal groups and House members. But his comments have also rankled Democrats in the Senate. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the minority leader, phoned Mr. Lieberman this week to express concerns with his views, Mr. Reid’s aide said.

“Senator Reid has a lot of respect for Senator Lieberman,” said Jim Manley, a Reid spokesman. “But he feels that Senator Lieberman’s position on Iraq is at odds with many Americans.” 

Uh, think again Jim. Lieberman isn’t at odd with America, he’s at odds with extreme leftists who have hijacked the Democratic party. That’s the group American’s are most at odds with.

Concerns about Mr. Lieberman’s coziness with the administration grew this week when he had breakfast with Mr. Rumsfeld at the Pentagon. Later, rumors spread that Mr. Bush was considering asking Mr. Lieberman to join the administration to succeed Mr. Rumsfeld next year as defense secretary.

“It’s a total fantasy,” Mr. Lieberman said. “There’s just no truth to it.”

We’ll see.

Psssst – hey, Sen. Reid, Rep. Pelosi – come’ere a minute. Americans want leaders with ideas, plans, solutions. They hate people who constantly complain, whine and point fingers.

The Democrats can’t afford to lose the one (semi) reasonable mind they have. But what do they do? They throw Joe under the bus, further widening the gap between the ideologues and the coherent. How many more elections will the Democratic Party have to lose before they understand what Americans really want?