<p>As if the world needed confirmation, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman — the one-time Democratic vice-presidential candidate turned self-proclaimed Independent Democrat turned John McCain supporter — told the <a title="Connecticut press" href="http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-lieberman1mar16,0,7041296.story" id="dado">Connecticut press</a> Friday that he’ll be skipping the Democratic National Convention in August.</p>

<blockquote>I am not going to attend the Democratic Convention for obvious reasons. </blockquote>

<p>

Lieberman, who still caucuses with the Democrats, has put party leaders in a tough spot in the last year: While they desperately need him to maintain the upper chamber’s thin Democratic majority, the party faithful are also growing weary of his decision to side with Republicans on prominent issues, not least of all over the Iraq war and his choice of presidential candidate.<br />

<br />

As <a title="Matt Blake" href="http://www.washingtonindependent.com/person/12846-matthewblake" id="j08s">Matt Blake</a> <a title="reported" href="http://www.washingtonindependent.com/view/lieberman-the-anti" id="rlr9">reported</a> last week, Lieberman is well aware of the Democrats’ reliance on him, and is milking that position for all it’s worth. But with the party likely to increase its Senate edge in November, the question remains: What will become of Lieberman when he’s not so indispensable? <br />

Actually, the senator may have answered that question himself last week. As several Connecticut papers reported over the weekend:</p>

<blockquote>Friday, Lieberman said he will attend the Republican National Convention this summer, &quot;if Senator McCain thinks it will be helpful to be there in some capacity.&quot;<br />

</blockquote>

<p>Perhaps then the evolution would be complete.</p>