DSCC & Lieberman

Hotline On Call reported yesterday that Charles Schumer, chairman of the DSCC, not only said that the DSCC "fully supports" Joe Lieberman in his primary bid, he refused to rule out continuing that support if Lieberman were to run as an independent. According to Schumer, there are degrees of independence. (Pass the Dramamine, please. That was a bit too much spin.)

In the comments last night, Catreona asked a good question:

"Why on earth would the DEMOCRATIC Senatorial Campaign Committee support someone running as an Independent??? That's totally apart from the question of *why* they would not fully support the winner of the DEMOCRATIC primary, *whoever* that might turn out to be???"

I posted a similar question to Hotline On Call last night but comments have to be approved and mine hasn't shown up. (Pardon me, while I adjust my tin foil chapeau.)

Naturally, the question of Vermont's Bernie Sanders arose. Sanders is running as an independent but can be counted on to caucus with the Democrats if elected. Does this mean that if the DSCC supports Sanders, it could also support an independent run by Lieberman--if he pledges to caucus with the Democrats and support Harry Reid for majority leader?

Last night, Hotline On Call followed up with a post that may resolve that question.

While we're trying to get some legal clarification on this, there is something "official" that a state Dem party has to do in order to allow the DSCC to transfer money to help a particular candidate. For instance, the DSCC made sure the VT Dem Party endorsed Bernie Sanders in VT SEN before the DSCC could publicly touted its support of the "independent" member of Congress.

In order to financially support an indie Lieberman, does the DSCC need to have the CT Dem Party officially endorse Lieberman's indie run? Can the state party do that if Ned Lamont wins the Dem primary? Of course, the DSCC could simply sit out, something they regularly do in senate races where they don't believe party outcome is in jeopardy. It's easy to see how the DSCC could look at the CT landscape and believe that the two most likely winners in November will be candidates who will support Reid as majority leader.

These are good questions to ask about how the DSCC functions. I've not been happy overall with either Schumer or Emanuel for their political boss-like behavior. And Schumer's attempt to leave himself plenty of wiggle room doesn't sit well, either.

I'll post an update if/when Hotline On Call posts one.

(Photo: Gen. JC Christian, Patriot)

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