If re-elected to his post in the Senate, Joe Lieberman should not be extended an invitation to keep his seniority in the Democratic caucus. The primary is in place for a reason, and denying the voice of it sets a horrible precedent and robs the Democrats of the opportunity to hold their standing representatives accountable as they can then be elected by Republicans and retake the name.

The Democratic National Party cannot pander to Lieberman in search of numbers and abandon all principle. If it does not stand for anything, it will seem ineffectual and meaningless, and lose the moderates anyway.