It came as little surprise that when Senate Republicans blocked debate Monday on a resolution that would have opposed President Bush's plan to increase troop levels in Iraq, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, erstwhile Democrat, sided with them.
But Mr. Lieberman also went further, accusing Democrats of giving strength to the enemy and abandoning the troops, and arguing that an alternative resolution that he and many Republicans backed was "a statement of support to our troops."
That was too much even for one Republican member, Senator John W. Warner of Virginia, a sponsor of the bipartisan resolution against the president's policy.
"I forcefully argue that ours is in support of the troops," Mr. Warner said tersely. "And there is no suggestion that one is less patriotic than the other."
[..]Joe Lieberman, independent, sees himself as Joe Lieberman unchained.
"I feel liberated, free somehow," he said during an interview in his office.
Good job, Connecticut voters. I hope you're happy.
