Bill Clinton Knows

According to a local Connecticut paper:

Former President Bill Clinton is slated to campaign on behalf of the three-term incumbent Monday in Waterbury, Lieberman's campaign spokeswoman said today.

Given the recent prominence of Jack Murtha, John Kerry and the Kos netroots - it's clear that the anitwar left has a big footprint in today's Democratic Party. Joe Lieberman - who was the vice presidential nominee only six years ago - is now in the nomination fight of his life against antiwar Democrat Ned Lamont, who is now catching up in the polls.

Bill Clinton doesn't agree with with Joe about Iraq. Instead Bubba is campaigning because he can read the tea leaves. If Lieberman, the most visible "stay the course" Democrat is ousted from the party then the balance has shifted too far away from average America. Millions of patriotic citizens have some serious problems with a war that seems to be going nowhere and costs $250 million each day. But as much as these things trouble us the notion of bailing out is even worse. (Some claim to support the troops but not the war. I always want to ask - if it's not "mission acomplished" what should the banners read when we bring the boys home? Mission abandoned? Welcome home, we gave up because it was too difficult?)

The Republicans will do a big happy dance if Lieberman loses the nomination on August 8th. Nationwide advertising campaigns will exploit the fact that the Democrats can't tolerate anyone who dares to dissent from the antiwar orthodoxy. Clinton knows that outcome would have a huge negative riple effect on 2006 midterms, and he also may know that Hillary's "centrism", which will need to be in full gear by 2008 will become more glaringly phony if old Joe isn't around to hold down the right flank.

Bill Clinton is a very, very smart man - and both parties should carefully study the political implication of a move like this.

[Via Instapundit]