Will Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) Switch Parties?

I read or heard a news story this weekend concerning Joe Lieberman's possible party switch, which would trigger a change in control of the Senate.

One editorial by a flaming liberal, David Sirota, on the Huffington Post, here, ends thusly:

"So, to sum up: I hope Lieberman switches because A) it would be advantageous for Democrats in the long-term B) it wouldn't hurt Democrats or progressives in the short-term, if Senate Democrats developed the spine to filibuster horrible nominees (admittedly an "if") and C) while he already is politically irrelevant in terms of actual power, Lieberman's switch would, finally, make him widely perceived as irrelevant, meaning that he would cease to have any effect on the national debate and that his melting, Emperor-from-Star-Wars face would stop appearing on my television set and freaking out my dog, Monty."

Not surprisingly, I don't agree with Mr. Sirota. I think the Republicans would make substantial hay out of the conversion of a former Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate, and prominent Jewish Senator. Plus, Lieberman might actually provide some spine to the Republican Senate team, and could probably write his own ticket. Think, Senate Majority Leader.

I have not yet written about Lieberman's prospective switch, but I've thought about it for some time. It would not surprise me at all. Ever since the Jeffords affair, the Senate's razor-thin margin of plurality has made this sort of thing entirely plausible. Rarely in the chamber's history has such a narrow margin of party votes allowed single Senators to temporarily wield such power.

How much do the Senate Democrats like their current perks? Enough to try to dissuade Lieberman, whose departure would mean the loss of so many recently-regained spoils?

In this case, unlike Jeffords, the Republicans would actually get an intelligent, respected Senator with strong and sensible opinions on some topics. Like Iraq.

Should be an interesting next few months.