SAY IT AIN'T SO, JOE (AKA, ACTUALLY DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL)

Well, here's your daily update from the "Joe Lieberman Loses His Lead, His Mind, and Hopefully His Seat" story. Yes, folks, that sad & sorry spectacle we've watched unfolding in Connecticut continues unabated: continuing to chew up the scenery in his role of a lifetime -- "Paradigmatic Politician" -- Joe Lieberman raises shameless political hackery to new levels by the hour.

As that flagship of his own would-be kingdom -- his Senate seat -- slips beneath the waters, Joe's reaching for every floating plank of wood, sheet rock, plastic or fiberglass, bobbing in the rough seas of electoral politics, struggling to keep his head above the waves. He seems to be failing. A few of Joe's latest bon mots, courtesy of AP:

"I am the only Democrat in America to run against George Bush in a national election twice."

Huh?

"You know why I ran for president in 2004? Because I believe that his agenda was wrong for our country and our future. And that's the truth."

He ran against George Bush for President in 2004? He selfishly threw his hat in the ring early on in the 2004 primaries, only to withdraw after a dismal showing in the Five State affair on February 3 of that year. That's running against Bush in 2004???

Not to mention, the second I hear a politician protestingly toss out the T Word, well I'm thinking there's a good reason he feels the need to do so. You know what I mean?

At a campaign rally, he told the crowd he'd opposed nearly every "major domestic issue Bush has backed."

I guess he considers the Patriot Act -- which he voted to reauthorize this year -- a non-domestic issue. Or maybe just not one that's "major."

Discussing his decision to act as cheerleader in the drive for war in Iraq three years ago, he also added that, "I still believe that was right. What I don't think is right, as I have said over and over again, are many of the Bush administration decisions regarding the conduct of the war. Don't think for a minute I do not grieve for every casualty of this war. In fact, as someone who voted for the war, I feel a heavy responsibility to try to end it as quickly and successfully as possible."

Save us your tears, Joe. I agree that it's ok for someone to have supported the war three years ago, come to a later conclusion that its prosecution was flawed, and decide to withdraw that initial support, without qualification or excuses.

But Lieberman, as usual, flips when he flops, blames everyone but himself, and tries disingenuously to lump himself with the overwhelming majority of legislators who merely abnegated their constitutional duties, handing the keys to the nation's warmaking powers to the executive. That alone is worthy of a judicious toss-onto-one's-ass come November.

But Lieberman was a driver. He was rah-rah-rah about the whole thing. And now he's trying to distance himself from the consequences of those acts. Sorry, Joe, but it doesn't wash off that easily. Hopefully the tear stains on your face'll come off with a little less effort Wednesday morning.

Starting tomorrow, let's hope we see Step One in the 2006 Massacre: the year we tossed the incumbents out, GOP & Dem, as many as we can fit on the rail leaving town.