Joe Lieberman - Independent Democrat

Joe Lieberman told Tim Russert today that he would take the label "Independent Democrat" (ID) for his new Senatorial term. Despite the fact that Democrats in Connecticut voted overwhelming for his opponent - and that many Democratic Senate leaders (Dodd, etc.) campaigned for his opponent - Lieberman says that he made this decision in the interest of his constituents.

So I’m going to—I am now an Independent Democrat, capital I, capital D. Matter of fact, the secretary of the Senate called my office and asked, “How do you want to be identified” and, and that’s it. Independent Democrat.

Lieberman did leave the door open to future cooperation with Republicans.

I’m not ruling it out, but I hope I don’t get to that point. And, and I must say, and with all respect to the Republicans who supported me in Connecticut, nobody ever said, “We’re doing this because we, we want you to switch over. We want you to do what we think—what you think is right, and good for our state and country,” and I appreciate that.

**Update: NewsMax Story

On Iraq
Both Lieberman and John McCain - also appearing on Meet the Press - are leaving open the possibility for an increase in troops to Iraq. While most in the new Democratic leadership have taken a call for immediate withdrawal off the table, a call for more troops may prove divisive for Lieberman and the Dems. One can only hope.