Moveon Considers Backing Primary Against Lieberman

The Hartford Courant reports today on how Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) continues to self-servingly pursue an image of Bush administration apologist on the Iraq War. For years, Lieberman has stabbed his party in the back on high-profile issues - but now, finally, Lieberman may have overreached, and might feel some consequences.

The Courtant specifically notes that Moveon.org now openly says it will consider supporting a primary challenge to Lieberman:

"[Moveon's Tom] Matzzie, whose organization claims more than 50,000 Connecticut members, said Wednesday that if his members ask, his group would back a Democratic challenger to Lieberman. Matzzie was in New Haven last month, and found 'the No. 1 question people asked me was, 'What are we going to do about Joe Lieberman?''"

This is terrific news, as it shows the political infrastructure outside the Democratic Party apparatus is getting comfortable using both carrots AND sticks to pressure elected officials to take stands on issues. This is the way the right has been so successful - by rewarding their champions, and punishing those who undermine their movement.

No doubt, elected Democrats will scream and whine about Moveon's aggressive posture, as they have previously screamed and whined anytime anyone points out the party's flaccid behavior on other issues. But then, political movements don't exist to make politicians happy - they exist to actually achieve substantive policy changes. That's what Moveon is all about - and both Democrats and Republicans should be on notice that their positions have political consequences.

Sources:
Hartford Courant story
Democrats scream and whine when citizens demand accountability