Let's just imagine that I'd spent the last year campaigning for Norm Coleman's reelection. Furthermore, suppose I'd repeated all of the Team Coleman talking points. Let's pretend I was willing to repeat every lie about Al Franken that Norm wanted me to especially the worst ones. Let's further imagine that Norm had put me onstage with him frequently as an example of a Democrat who strongly opposes Al.

What would happen if I were to go to the next SD60 meeting? What would happen if I were to somehow dupe everyone and become a delegate to the next DFL state convention? Would you forgive me?

In the cozy environs of the US Senate, Joe Lieberman's lying, demagoguery and actively campaigning for Grandpa McSame is not worthy of denying him the powerful Chair of the Homeland Security Committee. They always protect their own and at all costs. These Democrats go along with the Patriot Act, torture, Military Commissions Act, and warrantless wiretapping because they can get away with it.

Accountability? Rarely. Business as usual? Definitely.

Still waiting to hear from Sen. Amy Klobuchar on how she voted and why.

Update I

Here's Sen. Klobuchar's statement:

"The political season is over and the season for governance has begun. I appreciate that Sen. Lieberman has acknowledged he regretted some of the things he said in the heat of the electoral battle, and believe that the time has come to move forward - not out of revenge, but with a spirit of reconciliation and a focus on the future of our country."

Update II

Think Progress perfectly sums up how the Senate operates with their post entitled:

Lieberman: I’m ‘Grateful’ Senate Democrats Changed The Rules So That I’m Not Singled Out For Punishment

It is not unprecedented to strip a Senator of his Committee Chair when they endorse and actively campaign for a candidate from another party:

But Lieberman is not facing potential punishment because he has criticized his own party or failed to uphold its agenda. As Jamie points out, that is common behavior, and it would be highly unusual for Lieberman to be sanctioned for it. What Lieberman did was to endorse and campaign for the other party's presidential nominee. What has further upset Democrats is that, in their view, Lieberman promised to confine his role to praising McCain, but went beyond that to attack Obama.

For a Senator to endorse a member of the opposing party is extremely rare. The last instance I'm aware of is 1964, Mississippi Representative John Bell Williams and South Carolina Rep. Albert Watson, both Democrats, endorsed Barry Goldwater for president. After the election, they were stripped of their seniority. Doing the same to Lieberman would be following this precedent, not some unusual retribution.
(The Plank)