Lieberman's Dangerous Game

I've now watched two Democratic debates in the last week, and one question sticks in my mind: Why is Joe Lieberman doing Karl Rove's work?

At the first debate last Thursday, Lieberman said, if Dean is elected, "The Bush recession will be followed by the Dean depression."

And at the debate this Tuesday, Lieberman went after Dean for being insufficiently ardent in his support for Israel.

A few days ago, Dean had the temerity to say that the United States should not take sides in the Middle East.

On the Iraq War, Israel and Palestine, trade, vouchers, and the crumbling wall between church and state, Lieberman fits more comfortably within the Republican Party. And he views it as his job to move the Democrats to the right along with him.

Karl Rove must have looked on at both debates with glee, cheering at every one of Lieberman's wild swings.

For if Dean eventually wins the nomination, all Rove needs to do is roll the tape of Lieberman attacking the Democratic nominee on these issues, and Rove and Bush will be well on their way to victory.